Nov. 1st 1854
Mount Pleasent,
Crumlin Road, Belfast.
Dear James,

We have been on the look out for a letter from you this some time as it is a long time since we heard and I am beginning to feel anxious to know how you are situated or if you got the letter with the painful intelligence of your dear Grandma’s? death which occurred the 27th of June after a severe illness of about two months or more. We mentioned all the particulars in the answer to your letter from Singapore which we hope you got although it would be a very painful one to you. I am sure I never wrote one with the same feelings but the Lord has taken her from suffering and tryals the latter she felt too keenly but she was so patient under all her afflictions it was a happiness to attend her dying bed if you could have witnessed her patience this was my greatest grief next to parting with my dearest mother you not being at home but it was a blessing that she saw you the summer before this and gave you her dying charge which I trust you will not forget and also I hope the fervent and constant prayers she offered up will be answered on your behalf and that if spared we shall meet under happier auspices than she did last time last time altho that dear kind friend you had there to guide you is gone to her Christian? reward. But if after here … I think we shall all meet in that happy place where tryals can never enter nor friends be … How many have been called away since you left us - we heard yesterday of the death of Barkly Johnston about a year older than you of cholera? and also your school fellow Mat Gordon that was called to sleep. He died very suddenly perhaps cholera which has\been very prevalent both here and in other parts so much that I was afraid to bring the children here but it was mostly gone when we came which is a month this day since we left dear Killough and our quite happy home now but a deserted? house would not answer us as it would be so expensive and as we have a good deal of embaressments at present but I trust all will soon be paid and its useless to pain your mind with our troubles trusting that better days will come if the Lord spares us all. Thank God we are all well at present and pretty well settled . We only brought some of the furniture that we required here as it was … to go to the expense of buying and we have left the house in charge of Joe who very kindly supervised our affairs and poor Sallie Hanna airs the house and will put on fires when necessary. Mr Russell has taken charge of the land as he did not wish to set or sell it as he may be glad to have it to show? to you. Aunt has been in Armagh since dear Grandma left us but will return, I suppose, about Xmas. Miss Lascelles will also we hope will also be with us then as she always was at that time. I felt much at Halloeen? as the last has spent with him but its a selfish feeling as she is now with those has so long separated from and so much happiness there …. is trying hard. I trust we shall soon hear from you and that you are getting well as I feel so anxious to know if you still on board the same ship or pushing your fortune on some other business. May you be guided by that God who only is able to keep you from every evil and from any snare of the enemy. Ever prays your affect Mamma,

A.C.P.