Walnut Hills,
July 16th 1861

My dear Miss Lascelles,

About two weeks ago Kate had a kind letter from dear Bessie Parkinson in which she mentioned that you were well, so I thought I should find you in the old place if I wrote at once. We feel very grateful to any friends who take the trouble to write to us for however circumstances may prevent our writing, we can never forget our home and old friends. We were sorry and surprised to hear that James Parkinson has gone again to sea - perhaps it is as well, as he would find it difficult to settle and gain business habits after so many years of a sailor's life. If he be a good man it matters little his occupation. I trust you will be able to write soon after you receive this. We want to hear how you are from yourself. I have had a very sick household the entire winter. first Father, and before he recovered, Mother took inflammation of the lungs and our Physician did not expect her to recover - her mind was very peaceful and we have become resigned and ready to give her up but God saw well to restore her and now she is as well as I remember I have known her at any time. She is sitting reading in an arm chair at the fire while I write beside her. Father keeps the books of a friend in the City. He leaves every morning by the eight o'clock omnibus and returns about 4 in the afternoon. His health and spirits are better when he is employed and those hours are not too fatiguing for him. Father could always keep active and busy but somehow he never had the faculty of saving. Mother was more inactive and liked ease. I think I cannot be thankful enough to God who gave me a husband willing to give them a home. I do my best to save that he may not feel the burden. We heard of our brother Johnnie on the 2nd of December from a friend in Melbourne who has relations here - so we may still hope to hear from him. Kate, I think, has written you last week so I had say nothing of her, save that she is in excellent health and spirits. My own health is more established than at the time I wrote you last. Willy is well and in the city, doing a business but not of any great amount. However, since the election of our new President business has been wretched and we may expect it to be so for some time. It is not known whether or not the Union will be dissolved, no one seems to be able to see why may happen. It seems certain in any case that slavery has met its death blow. I don't know whether I mentioned a new church we have much intended in having erected on Walnut Hills not far from our house. It is fit to be occupied. We often have Mr Heather at our clerical meetings for prayer and exhortation. Those meetings were first suggested by Mr Heather to the bishop and he at once approved of them and always is present himself to conduct them and they are held in some one of the Episcopal churches in the City and on the Hills on Tuesdays once in two weeks. We have a large attendance of the laity as well as the neighbouring Clergy. They are delightful meetings and I trust will do much good. My dear husband is Junior Warden in our church here, besides being very active in the Sabbath School and Service so you will know how part of our time is occupied. We cannot be thankful enough for the good friends we were cast among since we left our native land. It will be our own fault of we do not profit by it. Father has just come home. He has asked who I was writing to and he desires to be affectionately remembered to you. How is Mr Surch? He feels very lonely I dare say; will you give him our .. ted love and tell him all about us that you think he would care to know. Are the Campbells all well? I am afraid I shall tire you with enquiries about our dear old friends but I never hear from any one just you about Killough and its people except sometimes the Parkinsons give us some news that they know will interest us. I suppose Mr and Mrs McGrath are still in Dunsford. I think I shall send them and the Campbells a paper that they can see our doings here on Walnut Hills. What has become of Catherine Crawford's children, is their father good to them. I hope so. I met a Southern Lady who was acquainted with my cousin Rose Gilmore. She spoke of her as being a nice accomplished woman, of being lively mannered. Poor Rebecca made a sad match. I believe she lives with uncle and Aunt. I wonder where her husband is. Dear Miss Lascelles, when I look back at my young life I think I have much cause for gratitude to God who all along has kept me; still I was a good deal among good and kind people to whom I shall always feel grateful tho far away from them and may even hope to see them. John's father is very anxious to have us pay them a visit. We had a long letter from him last week. Mrs Anketell? John's eldest sister has now 3 children. It would be a great change to me to see my loved … with her family round her. Is Harriet Campbell married yet? I dare say she grew up pretty. She was a beautiful child. You would be surprised to see how well Father and Mother look, better than the year they left home. Now dear Friend I trust soon o hear from you - your letters are always most interesting to us. I will post a paper wit this. You remember the Gannon's? who used to live near Mr Russell's store. Michael Gannon is doing well here and respectable and well behaved. Mother and father join me in love to you in which I include my husband as I know you would like him if you knew him, with dear love to yourself. I remain your friend,

Nannie Cinnamon