Iron Pot Lighthouse,
November 19th 1878
My dear Mother,

I was very much disappointed at not receiving a letter from you this time although the newspapers came safely and I hope that there is notthing wrong with you or any of sisters and brothers. This has been a very severe winter and it is blustery yet although we have not had any rainfall to speak of. We have got pretty well through our annual cleaning and painting and are beginning to prepare for our trip to town where we propose going about the last of next month if spared. Annie is very pleasantly settled in her new home and is getting on very well. We have had two letters from her and hope that soon she will be able to write a letter to Grandma. Our garden promises fair. I have set apple trees and several gooseberry and currant trees and all are doing well. Also a bed of strawberries and two blackberry roots. We have in the vegetable line potatoes, onions, French beans, Broad beans, red and white cabbage, parsnips lettuce and radishes also peas so we shall have a variety this summer. I have also 6 ducklings beside about 25 fowl but the cow and the ‘jintelmen that pays the rint’ I cannot manage but we get milk about twice a week from the Arm.

I am glad to see that you have the prospect of a plentiful harvest. What a terrible accident that was on the ‘Hames’. It is sickening to read the details. I hope that you will be preserved from the effects of winter weather. I wish we had what rain you could spare. I do not think that I ever told you that we have a colony of swallows which build under the Lantern and hatch their young every year. I keep an account of the time of their arrival which varies a good deal. Sometimes we find one in the Lantern as they have their nests on top of the stonework that supports it, so you see we are not without company. All the youngsters are well. Baby is walking and is a great bouncing boy and full of tricks. Willy is getting very stout and we call George the Russian. Maria is what Kate would call petite but is beginning to pull out. I do not know what I shall make of them but if one would judge from the rough models and the way nails disappear I should say they incline to mechanics. Chris is well and wonderful clever at dressmaking since she has got the machine and learns her A.B.C. So as I have not got a letter to answer you must excuse this short epistle. Hoping that it may find you all in the enjoyment of health and every other blessing. So with love to sisters and brothers I remain,

dear Mother ever your affect son. J.C.P.

Please remember me to Aunt E also Miss L, Joe and Sophy.