Hobartown,
December 1st 1870
My dear Mother,

I was sorry to hear that you were so unwell but hope that you will soon be quite well again. I hope that you will not think it unkind of me for not wrighting to you before. Dear Annie is quite well and is getting a fine girl and she has got plenty to say. They all call her the old woman for she has got so much talk. She says that she will write to her grandma when she gets a big girl. I must not forget the boy. He is getting such a fine child and is so lively for his age. James says that he is very mutch like his Uncle George. He is such a dear little fellow and is so full of life and takes such noates of Annie she calls him her darling brother boy. I hope to be able to send you a carte of him next mail if all goes well. He is very good and dear James thinks so much of his son. I hope that Uncle Sam is … well and is able to go about. Will you please to ask Uncle Willy when he is going to favour us with his carte. We have seen all but him and Annie. We have not a letter from my brother these three mails but hope to get one soon and suppose that he will soon be in London if all goes on well with them. God grant that it may. Please give my love to all at home and accept the same from yours affect,

Christina Parkinson

P.s. My mother and Mr Upton asked me to send their best wishes to you and they were very sorry to that you were so ill.

Excuse this - I have to get breakfast ready