| Title: | McIlrath, Hamilton to McIlrath, William, 1879 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4517 |
| Collection | The McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.] |
| File | mcilrath/36 |
| Year | 1879 |
| Sender | McIlrath, Hamilton |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Kowai Pass, Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Destination | Killinchy, Co. Down, Northern Ireland |
| Recipient | McIlrath, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 591 |
| Genre | family, money |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Kowai Pass July 15th 1879 Dear Brother I write to let you know we are all in good health at present and hope you are all enjoying the same Blessing. I had a letter from my nephew (Hamilton) which I should have answered before this. Not having seen him I always think he is a little boy yet, but I expect he is a fine big fellow now and very useful and writes cleverly he mentions Mr McCaw resigning owing to ill health which I am very sorry to hear he has been in charge over that congretation a long time now, and expect he has done his duty. We have no churches of that sort here and no one that I knew of convenient that I could ask for a subscription except James. I wrote down to him soon after I got Hamilton's letter and he said we might send £5 between us. I wrote again about a fortnight ago and up to date I have got no answer which I think strange the mail leaves on the 18th and I am going to send £2-10 myself and if I hear from him before it goes I will send his along with mine if not he can send it after. I shall enclose an order for £17-10, £5 for father and Mother and £5 for Brother Johns oldest boy but to my shame be it written I forget whether he has a boy or not if not then for the oldest girl also £5 to my namesake Hamilton - your son. The amount ought to have been larger but last season was a very bad one here and I had just paid away a good bit of money before I got the boy's letter I bought 50 acres more land in February last at £8 per acre close by my own. I hope Father & Mother is enjoying good health I alway think they ought to look as when last I saw them. We have got a little girl (Jenny) my wife says is very like Mother if you ask her name she says its Grandma McIlrath. We have got another little fellow since you last heard from us which makes four boys and one girl. Johney and Hamilton sends kind love to Grandfather and Grandmother & little cousins & you all. John says to tell grandma he has been very ill with the whooping cough but is getting well again they have all had it together but got it about over now, Eliza says she wrote you that the third boy was to be called for you his name is James, but the last one is called for you he is more like you. Brother James has bought Robt. Mathews home place 69 acres & Robert Mathews is living in James's house but he has bought a farm about the Ashburton. James's arm is still weak he can do nothing with it yet and I doubt if ever it will be the same as before. Eliza sends kind love to Father & Mother and to you all. Remember me to John Mrs & family I am ashamed for not having writen to him but I must ask him to write to me. Remember me to all old friends & acquaintances. Kind love to Father & Mother & you all hoping you are well and happy. I remain ever their son 8c your Brother Hamilton McIlrath PS. No letter from James. The order is on the Ulster Bank & Co. |
