Iron Pot
April 10th 1881
My dear Mother

I received your letter on Saturday and was glad to hear that you had so far got over the severity of the winter weather.

I’ve got safely back from town about a fortnight ago after paying the last sad tribute to Mrs Upton and I wrote from there to tell you of her sudden death. Although it was not unexpected yet we will all miss her.

You asked me if I have a watch and clock. I have both my own and one belonging to the station. Our coal comes to us in sugar bags and is landed from the vessel in boats, but we have only a common range. But there is plenty of fuel as I am allowed £24 per annum to find? the station in fuel and we have generally 25 tons of wood and 5 tons of coal.

When we had left town Annie had just taken the measles but is now quite recovered. If you send us anything this time let us have a specimen of the Paper Blanket. I suppose before this reaches you the Lufia will have arrived and hope that the jars will arrive safely. All the children are well and Charles Ross is the flower of the flock and if it is God’s will I hope will be the last as 1/2 dozen is quite enough to provide for. I am sorry to hear of George’s friends loss and of Joseph Woodses illness but hope that he may be spared. This season has been very changeable and we have had our share of colds but we hope to have some settled weather soon. We have had Mr B’s youngest son here for a fortnight as he was delicate and I thought that the change would do him good but I cannot get his father to come and visit us although he promised. I am glad to hear that Joe and Sophy are well. How is Dr Sam getting on.

You must excuse this short note as it is only to let you know that we are well and that Chris and children send their love to Grandma, Aunts and Uncles,

I remain, Dear Mother, Your affect son,

James C. Parkinson