Iron Pot Lighthouse
January Thursday 18th 1877
My dear Mother

As the mail will soon be going I thought it best to let you know that we are all well altho’ there was no letter came this time with the 4 papers. We have had a very rough summer up to the present but I think the weather is changed for the better. We are very comfortable now since the places have been done up and I hope we all feel grateful to the kind Providence that placed us in such comfortable circumstances, while there is so much distress throughout the world. May the Almighty enable us to walk humbly and show our gratitude by obedience to him. The heat has been very great in the adjoining colonies this summer and Hobartown is full of visitors so that it is nearly impossible to get a house. The "Lufia" will sail about the middle of next month so you may look out for the box in May and I do not think you will have any trouble this time. Mr Babington and family are well and are always kind and anxious for our welfare. I hope you will get safely over the severe winter. What a blessing to be able to say that since we have been married the children or ourselves have not required medical advice. Please tell Aunt Ewart that I do not forget my promise to write and shall do so soon, but this is only a scribble to save you from been uneasy as my poor head is not gifted with much power or talent for lengthy correspondence so thank God we are all well and I hope doing well and I hope that all at home can say the same. I had thought that as our limits were so small that the present population was large enough for our island but I am afraid that Chris is not arrived at her number yet! Well it cannot be helped. Please give my most affect love to brothers and sisters. Joe Miss L etc etc. and believe me ever yours affect son

J C Parkinson