Iron Pot Lighthouse,
Feb 13th 1878
My dear Mother, 

I was very glad to see your well remembered writing once more, and hope that God will spare you to write many letters to your first born across the seas. I am also thankful to hear that you were so wonderfully sustained through the severe trial which we all have experienced and hope as you do that dear Willy’s death may be sanctified to us all and that each of us may be able to say "Not lost but gone before".

I must also thank Frank for her kind letter and newspapers. We are all well at present thank God. James Cumine Tertius is a fine bouncing boy and very strong and healthy and gives evidence sometimes that he has good lungs but is pretty fair for a baby. I am sorry as yet that we have not got his photos to send you. This summer has been very dry and has affected the crops of fruit greatly and it is feared that the wheat will be dear. The heat in the adjoining colonies has been intense but we have had at last some rain. I never saw the fish so plenty as this year. We have only to put the net down for a short time and we have more than we could use for a week. I am glad the wattle trees are growing so well. They would be a fine ornament in a park as they grow large. I must send you some gum eucalyptus seed which they are planting in many parts of the world to keep away sickness. They grow very fast. I have seen some 7 feet in diameter about 20 ft from the ground and over 100 feet high. They would look well around the meadow. I think that I mentioned in one of my letters that I had another offer some time back to take charge of a lighthouse at ‘Goose Island’ about 150 miles from here. There are about 700 acres of sheep pasture and other ways of making money, but I thought it better to stay where there is medical assistance to be obtained.

Did Aunt Ewart receive a letter from me as I never heard? I am glad to hear that George is so well and pleasantly situated. Many a time I wonder at the goodness of God to me while others that have acted well their part have been cut off, and I who gave you so much trouble and uneasiness and never did any good for one of you am spared and I think as life is so uncertain I should ask your forgiveness for all the distress I have cause you in times past, as I earnestly hope the Almighty will forgive me and by his strength enable henceforth to walk in "newness of life". Chris desire to be remembered to you and all the youngsters. I have made a school-room of the lower story of the Light house which is a fine room and a desk like our old one and have the children at it every day when there is nothing to take me away, so they are always learning a little. We have only dug up half our garden but have marrows, lettuce, cabbage, beans, turnips, already and will be better prepared for operations next season. Hoping this will find you improving in health and with love to sisters and brothers,

I remain dear mother,

ever,

Your affect Son.

J.C. Parkinson