Iron Pot,
January 17th 1881
My dear Mother,

I was glad to receive your letter of December and hear that you got baby’s carte safely. He was very small when born but has ‘thrived’ wonderfully since. We have had Mrs Upton and Annie down for Xmas but they are both gone back to town. Mrs Upton is much better and always feel benefited by the change. Annie has grown a great girl and Willy and all the children are strong and healthy at present thank God. I have directed her to enquire about the medicine ‘Eucalyptol’ and will send it if possible and also the C.G. jam, but have not ascertained whether it may go by the ‘Lufia’ but shall write and ask the Captain if he will take charge of it. His name is Rogers. This has been a very windy and hot summer with no rain. I have not had much opportunity to tend in the garden but my early potatoes have done well. There were as much as 4lb of potatoes at some of the roots, but I have had a misfortune with the late ones as the pigs got into the garden and destroyed them all, but I will have some fine parsnips and a great quantity of broad beans but no tomatoes or marrows as they are all burned up. I think I told you that our acting Governor was an Orange man. His name is Sir John Le Froy and I fancy that name is familiar to me although Sir John is a native of Yorkshire. He is very much liked and both himself, Lady and daughter make themselves very agreeable and useful. Nearly his first act was to discharge all the Roman C. servants from Government House, which in the time of his predecessor Weld swarmed with papists and priests.

We have had a great many visitors lately. Every Saturday when the weather is fine a small steamer comes down from town with a fishing party and a good many acquaintances take advantage of it. Today we have had a visit from a clergyman of the Church of England. Mr Shoobridge and wife who is the daughter of the clergyman who spliced us the Rev A. Davenport, and they enjoyed themselves very much. I received the Xmas cards which are very nice and I hope that you have spent a pleasant time although I see by the papers that you have had your share of severe weather. Mr Shoobridge says that the gum trees will thrive best in valleys or sheltered places and that they are more hardy than the wattle. We have had our shares of colds this winter and have found wonderful benefit from "Powels balsam of Aniseed" and also pills. I enclose Annies gem? so with love from Chris and Children to Grandma, Aunts and Uncles. I remain dear mother,

Ever your affect son,

James C. Parkinson.

Hoping Maria is better.