To Mrs Johnston Killough
Ravensdale 
Ap 4th 1851
Dear Grandma,

I had a letter from Mr W and also from you this morning to Mamma, in which you expressed your willingness to allow me to choose some new course in life which would be more suitable to my inclination than the one proposed by my friends. I am very sorry that after you have lived so long and seen so much trouble and sorrow I should be the means of disquieting your latter days at a time when your increasing infirmities demand repose, but as I saw that I was not making progress in that line of life, which you wished me to follow and as you were unable to get more money from G.Cam than was absolutely necessary for the support of the family and consequently would not have sufficient to spare to pay my College fees, without stinting the family I thought it would be better to look out for some situation that would enable me to support myself and perhaps aid the rest of the family, and the only fear I have is that change may do you harm. But I know that the God, who has supported you through so many difficulties will not leave you in this one but will enable you to cast all on him, and I hope should providence bless my endeavours that I may be enabled to conduct myself as I ought to do.

I fully agree with Mr W in reference to the Bank and hope that before long some more agreeable way may be opened. Please tell him that I received his letter and will write to him soon,

Give my love to all and believe me,

Yours affect