Iron Pot
April 10th 1880
My dear Mother,

I received your welcome letter a few days after the newspapers and graphics and am glad to hear that you are all getting over the severe winter so well, and by this time the weather will be milder, and the air scented with the scent of May flowers. You are fortunate in getting your rents as I see by the papers others are not so. I will send more Gum seed as soon as possible and gum leaves. But I have read the opinion of some doctor that there is more said about their virtue than is true.

I do not wonder at your feeling hurt with the Killough folk. But it is the way of the world and more especially in the colonies. Money before birth or services.

I told you in my last as we had tacked so many of our family names together that I did not know any more to give the little stranger so Chris said that her mother wished baby called after a son of hers who died young. Charles and Ross her own maiden name, so I sent your letter up to her and, as you say, and I think it is her turn. You must keep some names for the rest, for surely I will not be the only to dare matrimony but then my Dear Father used call me foolhardy.

I intend to go up on next Wednesday for to bring the family home but shall remain a week in town. Our Governor has just left us. He and Mrs Weld have done all they could to forward the power of "Papa", so I hope the next one may be the reverse.

I suppose that you will have got the box by the time this reaches you. Would you like me to send more skins? I shall write again soon so with love to all I remain,

Dear Mother,

Ever your affect son,

J.C. Parkinson

Remember me to Joe and Sophy also to Aunt E.