Help needed to decipher this!

[Lambendsor (aka IGS)]

If "R. Emmet" was, indeed, Richard Emmet, he may have been part of this law firm:

http://www.emmetmarvin.com/4hist.aspx

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a partner at one time.

[griz]

Looks like 'Sluice' to me.

[Lesanne]

Jaylay, this is so intriguing. Just have to find 'Shiney Sherie'.
Is there an equivalent to our Digital Times for America?

[jaylay]

Thanks again IGS - this is getting better and better!   You're right Lesanne, it is fascinating - My 80 year old aunt, who found the letter which a bunch of my late grandmother's stuff, gave it to me a couple of weeks ago and is now calling me on a daily basis for updates as to who these people might be (not putting me under pressure or anything... ).  Unfortunately I don't have access to Ancestry, but I'll certainly do some research on those names and will post my findings!

Thanks for all your help again
Jaylay

PS The writer invites the person to lunch in the letter "Won't you come and have lunch with me some day in Jersey City.  I lunch at 1.30 and am very generally at home for lunch."  That probably means the person lived in Jersey city - Is that a town in New Jersey?

J

[Lambendsor (aka IGS)]

Yes, Jersey City is right across the Hudson River from New York City (Manhattan) - easily accessible in 1931 (and today) by ferry, PATH train (i.e. subway/tube), and by automobile via the Holland Tunnel.

I checked the census for Hudson County, New Jersey (Jersey City is there), and found only two EMMETs - and no R. EMMETs. Perhaps someone with Ancestry could find some more - and add another "t" to the surname, just to be safe.

Do you think your EMMET could have been an attorney, or is that my own private tangent?

[jaylay]

It's possible that he was an attorney - to cut a long story short - my great uncle James Kelly immigrated to NY from Belfast in 1910, died around 1926, and there was a legal dispute over his estate, which my grandmother, his sister, went over to NY to try to solve.  Sheil is the name of the Dublin lawyer she had retained, and John Eachen was the NY attorney.  I have several typewritten letters and a few telegrams concerning all of this - and have never come across the name R Emmet before.  The only other connection in NY I am aware of is with a Samuel Mahood in Brooklyn, who was my grandmothers uncle.  The Kellys were not especially wealthy, I think James was a bartender and a bus driver - so not sure what kind of 'estate' they were all arguing over 

Jaylay

[nolongeramember]

Had a really quick look on Ancestry for you.  There are loads of Richard Emmets but the only one I can see for living in NY is RICHARD STOCKTON EMMET born 1897 New York - unfortunately that persons tree is locked so would have to email them for details. .. if you want me to I'll happily do so.  I'm assuming the letter is 1931 not 1831 for this person to fit??? 
My first thought was the name on the letter was Shuie (a good Scots/Irish nickname/shortened form of name  I believe ?) - there are a few Scots/Irish Emmets on Ancestry.  I also had a quick look at Sheil and James Kelly - there's a LOT so would need a bit more to make a proper search

[jaylay]

Hi Jess
Thank you for doing that for me  - I have the 'family trees only' membership myself - Just saw that entry about half an hour ago   That Richard Emmet is definitely an attorney - and a descendant of Robert Emmet (Irish Orator and Patriot, who was hanged).  I'll email them myself - thanks for your offer! 

Jaylay

PS Yes the letter was definitely 1931 (Don't think they had telephones in 1831.... )