Derwent Lighthouse,
March 18th 1886
My dear Mother,

Very glad to see you writing again and to hear that you are better and hope that you may soon be strong again with care as you are having a very severe winter. We are very comfortable at present in our new quarters and I hope to be able in a little time to get over the expense.. I have been at both with children and the extra furniture etc., this is my hardest time as there are none of the family earning yet. Willy is getting on very well but of course is an expense to us as yet. He is at the finest stationary establishment in Hobart. Chris had a very nasty fall some three weeks back. The heel of her boot caught in the third step coming down stairs and she tumbled to the bottom, but I hope has not received any serious injury as she is able to go about as usual. The children are all well. Tassie is a wonderful child and very fond of his book, and knows all the letters already. He must attempt to do anything that he sees done. A friend of ours was over from Victoria lately and I asked him if he knew Thos. Montgomery. He said he did not but would enquire, and today I had a note from him stating that T.M. Carpenter had died 14 years ago. I just remember him before he left for Australia. So with love from Chris and Children and hoping soon to hear soon that you are regaining strength. I remain,

Dear Mother,

Ever your affect son,

J.C. Parkinson

(same letter)
Dear Kate,

Mother must pardon the short letter as I have so many to answer. By the way I should tell you that my last letter was delayed a fortnight through not being on time so I hope mother has not been uneasy. Very glad to hear that she is better and hope the severe weather may not affect her. Tell Joe S. he ought to do as I have done "leave off smoking" some time back. I fancy I must have got hold of an old pipe and I was sick so I said that I would have no more of it and I have kept my word. Annie commenced the Maeramí Lace but has not finished it yet. The only way to know bout the wattle trees is to make the experiment. One thing I know that you must not expose the roots as they will not stand it. Ever yours affect,

James C. Parkinson

(same letter)
Dear Maria,

Very glad to hear that George is what every protestant ought to be for they the R.C.s are doing their utmost and it is right to combine on the defensive. I have known a person here a long time who came from Fermanagh named Tansett? And have heard all about Fermanagh. We get our milk from …. Switzerland. What do you think of that! -- in tins condensed. Goats would be too much trouble but sometimes we get cows milk. I will try and send some jam but there are hardly any sailing vessels now. I would have to pay freight in S.S. We have blackberries in the garden. We got a bucketful this year, but raspberries were so cheap 1½ to 2d per pound. I do not know the winter cherry but many flowers bloom all the year round. Anderson has a very good situation here, the Sheilds got situations soon after they landed and we showed all the kindness we could when they landed.

Love from all.

Ever you affect,

J.C. Parkinson