August 17th 1887
57 Brisbane St,
Hobart
My dear Aunt Maria,

I received yours of the 14th of July today also Grandmas’ for our dear departed father. How we wish he was here to receive it. He was always so pleased when he got Grandma’s letters. I daresay the sad news has nearly reached you. I think it is nearly a month since Uncle Luke wrote. Mother is so afraid of poor old Grandma hearing it. It will be a terrible shock to her, it is only now dear Aunt we miss our dear Father. His chair is vacant. It is so lonely without his dear kind face. Mother is fretting very much, indeed she is getting so thin. She was going to write to Grandma this mail but cannot do it.

I went down to Fathers grave a few days ago. It is in a very nice spot in ‘Sandy Bay’ cemetery.

Willie and George have both got very nice situations. Willie is at the ‘Soap works’. He is getting 30 shillings per week and George is in a Grocer’s store and is getting 7 shillings per week. Willie is very good. Mamma has not as yet decided what we are going to do. This house we are in is not large enough to keep boarders but we cannot arrange anything until the will is settled. It is been in the Lawyer’s hands for nearly a month and will be for some time yet. We have not even been able to get the cheque cashed which Uncle Sam sent.

Just fancy me putting the word niece at the end of Grandma’s letter. It seems so thoughtless of me. I must be more careful in future. Tomorrow will be Mother’s birthday. It will be a very sad one for her. I must now conclude with fond love to dear old Grandma, Aunts and Uncles from us all and hoping to hear from you shortly.

Believe me ever,

Your affectionate niece,

Annie Parkinson

P.S. We have ordered some of Fathers photos to be taken from an old one and will send one next mail to you.