Hobartown
Feb 25th 1869
My dear Mother,

I received your welcome letter dated December and thank you for your good wishes and tokens of affection. I am very sorry to hear of poor Kate’s illness but hope that she is well before this. There is one thing in her favour, that is that she used to be as strong as ‘the side of a house’. Chris is well and so is Annie and are at present out at her sisters in the country where I expect they will remain some time as the change will be beneficial to both. Annie is a surprising child for her age and has got her teeth very easy and is very good natured. She gives her Mamma and dadda a taste of anything she has got. I have been on shore since Christmas and hope to be able to stop as it is disagreeable to leave home. There was a young man the name of Lindsay went to London from here in the "Jason" and he said that he would write to you on his arrival. He is a son of a preacher from Bandon. I am sorry poor Sam is unemployed but hope that he will find something to do.

I received two papers also and I lend them among my Country men here. One the name of Clifford was a police man at home and knew Mr Knox and another the name of James Weir from White House Belfast was a sailor with old Captain Cotter in the Elisabeth. I am sorry that we went into business, but it was done with the hope of being able to stop on shore. The shop we had was in the principal street and the rent and expenses were too high for the business that we did but I hope that we will be able to get over it. We did not loose anything worth while by bad debts. We have all your likenesses now except dear Annie’s and Bessie’s of my sisters and Willys of Brothers. We intend to get Annies taken shortly. She has a fine head and her likeness is greatly admired. I hope we will be able to train her up in the way she should go if she is spared to us. The cause is loosing many of its staunch supporters by death. May more be raised in their place. We are very dead here and needs stirring up. I have not much to tell you but that we are all well. Remember me to Miss L, Joe and Sally and Love to Brothers and Sister and believe me,

Your affect son,

James C. Parkinson

Chris sends her love and Annie kisses to Grandma and Aunts.