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Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., confirming that a letter has arrived from the Provincial Minister stating that he has arranged for his travelling to Abbottstown in Pennsylvania. Fr. Albert writes ‘I simply dread the saying good-bye here. But I see I must face it and rely on God’s help to bring me through this as he has brought me through other unpleasant experiences in the past’.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby, St. Benedict’s Rectory, 320 West End Street, New York, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., re his arrival in New York and to his meeting with Fr. Solanus Casey OFM Cap. He describes Casey as ‘a New Yorker, a great worker in the cause and a grand Friar of genial but somewhat ascetic type. He speaks at meetings, writes in [the] Press, and is the friend and trusted confidant of the right people’. Fr. Albert also refers to divisions in the Irish community in New York and notes that ‘our friends are split up into pieces – too bad. I’m speaking with a grand type of man who with tears in his eyes spoke of Liam M[ellows] … English gold and English diplomacy is at work in sowing the seeds of discord here’. He concludes that ‘the more I see here the greater my appreciation of Ireland’.

A note from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to his preparations for his departure for the Santa Inés mission in California. Bibby remarks that he arrived in New York City 'almost a wreck' but leaves it in 'pretty good form'.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to his weakening condition and suggesting that the end is near. He writes ‘I know my dear mother and sisters will feel my death – won’t you write and console them’. He asks to be remembered in a lengthy list of family members and friends. Bibby writes 'Remember me to all the brethren – for no one have I the smallest particle of bitterness, though alas I have often said bitter things for which I in heartily sorrow'.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Martin Hyland OFM Cap. referring to the decay of the old mission buildings and gardens at Santa Inés in California. He also notes that ‘we have a huge parish with a total of 80 Catholic families of almost every nationality under the sun ...’.

Letter from Gertrude Parry, Shelbourne Hotel, to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., affirming that she has heard of his offer ‘from my friends the Gavan Duffys and Miss Eva Gore Booth’. She adds ‘You will not know my name but I am a cousin of Roger Casement and there are several matters I should like to talk to you about’.

Letter from Hanna Sheehy Skeffington to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., expressing her concern on hearing of his serious illness. She affirms that Fr. Albert’s name ‘is treasured by all who know you and who love Ireland and all dear dead who died for her. The widows and sisters of the men of 1916 whom you attended and consoled and of the later martyrs also will always remember you with affection’.

Letter from Henry O’Hanrahan, prisoner no. q. 150, Lewes Prison, to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. and Fr. Augustine Hayden OFM Cap., thanking the Capuchin fathers for their services during the Rising. He also refers to increasing clerical support for the republican cause. O’Hanrahan fought at Jacob’s Biscuit factory during the Rising. The letter reads:
‘Just a short note from an Irish felon to thank you both very much indeed for your many enquiries, for your words, and also for your many kindnesses to my dear mother and sisters. It will indeed be a while till we here, our friends, or Ireland forget what we owe to “Church St[reet]” – of course it did not and does not surprise some of us, even though we had not met some you till a very memorable Sunday. That indeed was a Sunday which we will all remember till we “surrender” to the God of Nations and I wonder what has He in store for our little country. Would we had some of your over here. … on that particular Sunday – the difference – but then in all her struggles religious and otherwise – Ireland’s friends were the [Religious] Orders. Thank God, from all we hear the young men of Maynooth etc. are “making good” and God knows its time.
Now I know you are pretty conversant with our life etc. here and perhaps before you read this you will have seen or heard of [Gerard] Crofts who is next for invaliding and as I know you are both such friends and also that you are aware space (even in paper) with us is limited, you will excuse my coupling you in this short note’.

Letter from Liam Mellows, Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, to his mother. Written at 5 a.m., shortly before his execution. It reads: ‘The time is short and much I would like to say must go unsaid. But you will understand in such moments heart speaks to heart. At 3.30 this morning we (Dick Barrett, Rory O’Connor, Joe McKelvey and I) were informed that we were to be “executed as a reprisal”. … I go to join Tone and Emmett, the Fenians, Tom Clarke, Connolly, Pearse, Kevin Barry and Childers. My last thoughts will be on God, and Ireland, and you. …. I had hopes that some day I might rest in some quiet place – beside Grandfather and Grandmother in Castletown (Co. Wexford), not amidst the wordly pomps [sic] of Glasnevin but if it is to be the prison clay, it is all the sweeter for many of our best lie here …’.

Letter from Lillie Connolly [wife of James Connolly], 22 St Patrick’s Road, Drumcondra, to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., expressing her joy that her son Roderic has started school and has promised to make for ‘lost time’. She also expresses her delight on hearing the ‘little message from the dear Countess [Markievicz]’. She adds ‘I pray and long for the day when she may enjoy her freedom’. With cover.