| Title: | McIlrath, Eva to McIlrath, William, 1907 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4534 |
| Collection | The McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.] |
| File | mcilrath/53 |
| Year | 1907 |
| Sender | McIlrath, Eva |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Lakeside, Canterbury, New Zealand |
| Destination | Killinchy, Co. Down, Northern Ireland |
| Recipient | McIlrath, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | niece-uncle |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 624 |
| Genre | correspondence, acquaintances, weather, family, horses |
| Note | |
| Transcript | ‘Landridge’, Lakeside July 24th 1907 My Dear Uncle Well, as I have been writing to Uncle John it is but right I should not forget you although it runs in my head you owe me a letter. We have not heard from any of you folk for quite a long time but I hope in future to hear more regular! Cousin Sarah in her letter to Agnes some time ago said she was sending a piece of embroidery but I am sorry to say we never received it, and as yet your friend Mr. Russell has not called. At a social in Leeston about a fortnight ago at which my brother William and I was at Mr. Russell sang a song but I did not know until afterwards it was your friend or else I would have made myself known. However our neighbours, the Alexanders, are for giving me an introduction to Mr Russell first opportunity. The weather at present is perfect although this is our mid winter. But in fact we have had no winter at all as yet, it keeps too dry altogether. People are beginning to fear we are in for another dry summer. If a dry summer follows this very dry winter the prospects in general will not be too bright for a good many struggling farmers who have large families and big rents to pay. Would you believe it dear Uncle we have been six years without our father on the 26th of this month. And mother dear will be 17 years dead on the 23rd of September. Much as we miss them I do not wish them back for they both suffered a good deal at times. Of course I was not very old - 10 years - when Mother died and I think as years go by I miss them more and more. When I was just a baby she had a very severe illness and often told me about praying to our Father to be spared until her little one could ask for a piece or anything she wanted. And that little one was myself and her prayer was answered for when she was called home I was long passed my babyhood. Is it not blessed to know if we love and serve our Father here below He will in His own good time call us all Home. And what a meeting. Yes, like the Hymn "We will all meet at Home in the morning". Our little household - John, William, Agnes and myself are all very well. Of course at this season of the year colds are as one might term it "fashionable". We are getting along splendidly now. Of course for a while after fathers death we had a wee bit of a struggle. Of course there being no will left made a big difference getting everything settled but I am thankful to say we can now jog along comfortably. My brothers - I am proud of. I dare say I should not say it myself but Uncle they are good and very considerate to Agnes and myself. By this mail I am sending you a photo of our stallion "Royal Alexander" which we sold a few weeks ago for £200. No doubt this horse just put the feet under us for these last 5 years he has paid us handsomely. We also sold a 2 yr. old colt, the same sire, for £65 so putting the two together it was very good indeed. Now I see this is a longer letter than Uncle Johns. Give our love and best wishes to Auntie and cousins and now Good bye from your loving neice, Eva (Do try and some of you write soon - Eva) |
