Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1856-1871 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
17pp
Context area
Archival history
Kerby A. Miller created his abstracts of the Fetherston letters based upon manuscripts held in the Purdon papers, Trinity College Dublin, Library [call numbers MSS 4824-32].
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Abstracts of 25 letters written between 1856 and 1871, mainly by Marian Fetherston (née Purdon), a native of Dublin who had emigrated to North America, following her husband. Fetherston was the sister of William Stanley Purdon, publisher of The Farmer's Gazette, Edward Purdon, who served as Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1870-1871, and John Purdon, city councillor in Galway. Per Kerby A. Miller: 'Evidently she had married beneath herself, perhaps to a carpenter; she might never have emigrated except for her husband, and she seems to have been estranged from him during much of their marriage.' It is repeated throughout the letters that the Fetherstons' marraige was not approved of by the family, and that Marian is living a meagre existence from giving music lessions and is partially dependent on handouts from her family. The letters often show great bitterness and depression.