Ahern, Father Michael Mary, Cillicothe, Ohio, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1864 April 19

Ahern asks to be pardoned for delaying so in answering Purcell's letter of the third. Father C. Tierney did not answer Purcell's letter of two or three months ago concerning Father Michael Kennedy because he felt justified in remaining silent, and Ahern followed the directions of Purcell's letter of about that same time and was about to answer stating that he was visiting Portsmouth monthly, when Tierney said he would see Purcell and tell him, but because of Purcell's absence Tierney did not see him and therefore Purcell did not receive an answer to either of his letters. Ahern has obeyed Purcell's order to go to Galliapolis, Ohio but as it is attended once a month by Father J.P. Kalenberg of Pomeroy, Ohio he asks what his duties are. Galliapolis is much easier attended from Pomeroy than from Chillicothe. The misunderstanding which Purcell wished to be explained was that he received a letter on April 2nd addressed by Purcell but containing only a petition of the Portsmouth congregation and he thought that he was ordered to Portsmouth but that Galliapolis had been written by mistake because on the back of the envelope was written ad Galliapolis. He sent the dispatch and would have obeyed the order at once but the next day was Sunday, and the day following was a Holy Day. When Purcell answered the dispatch he asked Ahern if he used the word guantocyas in his letter, and as that word was on Purcell's letter he believes the Petition was sent to him by mistake and returns the whole thing to Purcell. If he is wrong he will follow Purcell's orders and go to Portsmouth as pastor although he does not ask for the appointment because he hears that about two-thirds the congregation are negligent towards their duties. Of the three hundred Communicants in the Parish, not one hundred have yet made their Easter duty. He is sorry Purcell did not approve his inviting Father DonaldMacleod to preach the retreat at Chillicothe. He has the reputation of being a good and zealous priest. Some of the congregation think Father C. Tierney is a better preacher. He begs pardon of Purcell for writing so badly. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.