Iron Pot
July 28th 1881
My dear Mother 

As the weather has been rough this last few days I could not go over for your letter so must write this and bring it with me when I go for yours which we will all be glad I hope to see as it should tell us that you have received the box. We have had a "scare" of smallpox lately as a few cases have occurred in Sydney but every means has been used to prevent it spreading. Annie is the only one of the children evaxinated and I fear to get them done as I am of the opinion that other diseases are transmitted by arm to arm evaxination and there is a great deal of "dirty blood" in Tasmania. When Annie was done after the pox dried up she had a very nasty boil come out under her arm and the doctors said that it saved her life and she is more nervous now and ailing than any of the others.

This has been a very severe winter and cold as we have actually "seen" snow on the hills around but it only came to us in the form of sleet. We have our garden in good order and forward?? and are now using some fine turnips, radishes and I have peas and beans coming up, and managed to put a good fence all round it so we hope for a good crop this year. In your last you asked me some particulars of Mrs Upton’s funeral. She was buried in "Cornelian Bay" cemetery. There were 4 or 5 cabs and a number of friends and the funeral service was read by the Rev Mr Millar a Methodist minister. The expenses were payed by Luke, another son-in-law and myself, and it is my intention as soon as possible to put up a headstone and railing. We all miss her. Our present "acting Governer" is a very good man and does all he can to promote the good of the Colony, and I believe a sincere Christian. I wonder is he anything to the Lefroy I see in the Weekly News. Our first ship from London belonging to this port the "Harriet McGregor" has met with a similar loss to the "Lufia". The mate Mr Thomas fell overboard off the fore-castle on the passage out. I hope that by this time you will be enjoying the fine weather. Do you get any "rint" at all now? It wants the "Old Duke" to bring the Fenians to their senses. All the youngsters are well only Chris complains of a pain in her back between her shoulders. I think it must be suckling that great boy. So with love from all the children and Chris to Grandma aunts and uncles and hoping to hear good news.

I remain Dear Mother

Ever your affect son

James C Parkinson

July 29th Rec’d your letter and 2 papers and as I see your writing I know all well.