Iron Pot Lighthouse,
April 11th 1878
My dear Mother,

You must not expect a long letter this time as I have left it rather late. Yours arrived safely and newspapers. We thank you also for the flowers and cards. I am glad to hear that you are all well. I did not think that you would like the Carte of myself as the party who took it seemed very careless about it but if spared will send a better one. We are all well at present. Annie has been in town for three weeks but has returned and now Willy is having a spell. One of our assistants is gone up to get married to a very decent young woman which will be pleasant for Chris as there has been no female here for some time. One old sea dog has been with me going on four years and is over seventy. They join for 12 months and the other I hope will remain now that he is married, a long time, I am one of the old school "not given to change".

Our garden promises well. I cut the first two marrows 9lb and 9½ respectively. There are about 24 coming on. It will be a great help to us as we could fence in about an acre if we had material. A Mr Varly is making a great sensation in town but by the newspaper accounts he is not received favourably. I would not mind sending the cloak now as it is too late for the Cumine James and if it is Gods will I hope it will not be required again. He is a fine strong lively boy, fair, but if spared to go up again you shall have all their photos. I suppose we shall soon have to sent Annie to school as I cannot attend to her properly but will be able to manage the boys. We have had Chris’s sister down for a week which she enjoyed as their farm is far away from the sea, and now dear Mother I hope you will be kept above heart wrenches of this uncertain world. I have felt dear Willy’s death most acutely. May it be all our endeavours to join him and to feel thankful for what we enjoy.

I hope that peace may be established. We still hear the mutterings and our dilatory government are beginning to better themselves in the way of accuracy?

So with love from Chris and children to grandma and aunts and uncles,

I remain,

Dear Mother,

Ever yours affect

J.C. Parkinson.

We are very well content with our present number but if it be God’s will to give us another daughter she shall be called "Elizabeth". Adios.

I should like very much to have some momento’s of dear brother Willy