John Galen Carter diary, 1906-1926.

              Florida, December 31st 1896
My dear daughter,
Mr. Carter has requested that I send him the history of my ancestors.
In the first place we have not descended from which I could not say much
in favor of our stock coming from persons of high rank or station.  The
most I could say that they came from religious catholic familys.  I
heard it said that my grandfather Donald Galen used to travel 3/4 of a
mile to church at the age of 100.  I did not know his occupation or
descendance.  I think he came from Scotland.  My uncles on that side were
business men.  Michael had a large grocery store in Killetor.  I think
Owen was a farmer.  He had one son  that I believe was ordained a priest.
Also Edward had a son ordained.  My mothers name was Logue.  I have heard
that they were supposed to be tolerable wealthy farmers.  My mother had
a large fortune and as the matches is generally made by the parents at
least they have to be consulted so it was settled that my mothers fortune
was to be expended in a Public House in Castle Derg.  So they had a
marriage contract drawn that he could have the House during his life but
after his death it was to go to her and her heirs.  This House was the
only House in that town that was deeded for Ever.  There was a farm
attached.  But I think he paid rent for it.  The House was a large stone
building.  It was purchased about the year 1820 and until the year 1836
they done a good business.  Which was principally done on Friday as every
Friday was a market day except the first Friday ^^  the month it was a
fair day - on Fair and Market days 5 or 6 extra help was employed to
carry liquer to all the spare rooms in the House.  I think each employer
was expected to look after two tables.  And was given about 10 or 15
shillings in Silver and 1/2 pence so they could pay for the liquor at
the counter and collect at their own risk.  Therefore they were oblidged
to give up the money at night that they had borrowed at the bar in the
morning.  The business was yarn buyers butter grain buyers etc.  Fair
days was some different from market days.  But more extencive - in addi¬
tion to other sales there was cattle horses and sheep pigs asses mules
etc.  On these days they needed more help.  We had a large Correll fenced
in by a stone wall 10 feet high.  And Stables for keeping Horses.  Those
fed hay and oats we charged sixpence.  The loose animals we charge one
penney.  A great many pilgrims going to Lough derg used to stop with us.
My father and mother both could talk Irish.  But I never heard them or
anyone in our town talk Irish except when the country people came in or
the Pilgrims.  When I first heard the rosery said in Irish I could not
help chocking a laugh.  Afterward I learned the Lords prayer in Irish.  I
think I could repeat it yet.  My father through drinking and bad management
went through all the property, which ended in a lawsuit.  That left us
nothing during his life.  But always supposed the real estate in Castlederg
would come to us after his death.  My brother expected to go home and look
after it when father died, but did not do so.  And I always thought it was
not worth the time we would have spent looking after it.  My father left
and went to America, and I suppose took what money was left after the crash,
That was I think about the year 1840.  My brother managed to get money
enough to leave about two years after and mother took sister went to keep
house for her brother my uncle who was a widdower, but they having no use
for me as I was not brought up to work and he having children of his own
there was nothing left for me to do but to work for anyone might employ me
and so far any price the might be willing to give.  I went to Ballybofey