"Iron Pot" Lighthouse,
December 23d 1874
My dear Mother,

I am sorry that you would be disappointed last mail as I was not able to forward my letters the weather being too rough to cross to the mainland so should it happen again you must put it down to the right cause. I have not yet received your letter by this mail as the boat was not able to land, but expect to receive it tomorrow. We are pretty comfortable in our new situation and beginning to get used to it although it came rather awkward to me at first to be master instead of man. We feel rather lonely sometimes but we hope to be removed to a better situation in town soon. We have plenty of the fresh pure air here which I think has done the children much good, as Willy is quite stout and hearty now and George is a regular bully. I have been getting a small boat built and expect it every day which will be more convenient than launchsing our large one to go for meat and vegetables to the main. When I used to be reading Capt. Cooks voyages "You might remember the old book", I little thought that I should be located within sight of Adventure Bay but if I had not been a naughty boy Tasmania would not have been favoured with a colony of young Parkinsons as I do not feel that the family circle has been completed yet. I hope that I feel grateful to God for his great mercy in raising up a friend for me, and placing us in comfortable circumstances. As I told you in a former letter Mr Babington is a relation of those Babingtons you see mentioned in the Belfast News L. One is a clergyman near Derry. I hope that Sam’s skill may be a means of good to poor Maria and that she may soon be stout again. We have directed Luke to send a box of shells by the "Ethel", which will leave about on the 1st of the new year which I hope you will receive safe. I hope that you will all have enjoyed a merry Christmas and may enjoy a happy new year. All here are well and send their love to Grandma. Remember me to Joe and also Love to Sisters and Brothers,

and believe me,

Ever your affect son,

James C. Parkinson