Cincinnati
December 8th 1854

Dear Mrs Parkinson,

You will I know pardon me for not sooner writing to you. Love shall settle all between us. I thank you very much for you kind letter and thoughtful present altho I can have little hope of using it for the purpose you designed. Still it gave a hearty laugh to me when I opened your dear letter. I will acknowledge Bessie and Catherine's letters to Kate as it may be some time before she writes. Often and often I look and long for a letter from dear old friends at home. I wish they would not wait to have my answer but just write to me when they think of me yet this would be taxing their true and good nature for much as I flatter myself they think of me often. We had heard of your poor mother's death sometime before Bessie's letter came and I am sure you feel much the want of her good counsel and Christian communion. When I get a letter from home I want to be beside the writer and so talk and ask many questions which it would appear useless to write about. My dear Mother and Father are well and bearing the winter well. The climate is dry and tho' hard and frosty. Mother can still go to class meetings as it is held on Thursday evening about 3 o'clock. The meeting house is in the same street that they board. I often ponder with gratitude to God at the provision my brothers have been enabled to make out for them and I so dreaded that one or other of them would be taken away before we could get them here. I suppose the children are much grown. We sent Mamma's likeness that Mr Parkinson sent on to Johnnie and all the others of your dear circle I have in my work box. I felt much obliged to them for their kindness in sending them. Give my affectionate love to them and say I will write to them some other package. I hope the Aickens are well. If I have room this time I will write to Anny? If I should not please tell I will soon. Kate has got into a nice situation just next street to us. She was not very happy till she got settled and that was not to be …. at as it took all her saving to assist Mother and Father to reach here comfortably altho William was able to frank them on from New York. All that expense is now over and after a little if God spares my Brothers will not feel the expense of Mother and Father so great. Next time you are in Killough dear Mrs Parkinson I wish you would find out how much was owed to Mr and Mrs Surch. Kate desires to know as she desires to pay whenever it is possible. It could not be done for sometime yet but we would like to know the amount. There were a few things left with them at one time but not sufficient to liquidate all. I hope you will not think this very troublesome. I had intended to write to Miss Lascelles to make this enquiry. I trust you and Mr Parkinson enjoy good health, will you give him our kindest love and sincere wishes for his welfare and happiness. When we see Mr Heather who is now in New York we hope to hear of you all. Mamma has been sitting with me for the last hour. She is going to write in this to Mrs Surch. She desires her dear love to you. She will write you next. My dear love to yourself and all the dear children. Believe me my dear Mrs Parkinson, your attached friend, Nannie Cinnamon.

… Mrs Eves shall write to you, wherever she is I desire my love and best wishes to her and trust she is well.

John desires to be most kindly remembered to you and Mr Parkinson.