| Title: | McIlrath, James L to McIlrath family, 1866 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4494 |
| Collection | The McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.] |
| File | mcilrath/13 |
| Year | 1866 |
| Sender | McIlrath, James L |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Lake Ellesmere, New Zealand |
| Destination | Killinchy, Co. Down, Northern Ireland |
| Recipient | McIlrath family |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 494 |
| Genre | holidays, family, marriage, photographs |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Lake Ellesmere March 12th 1866 Father, Mother & Brother I now write to let you know that we are both well and hopes you are all in good health. Hamilton is now here and been nearly since I wrote last. I received your last letter dated October 15 on New Years day. We were at Leeston having a Holiday at Horse Racing the first that has been in this District it was very good for a beginning and a fine day too, you would be surprised to find how many of the Killinchy people was there sometimes I forget where we were the only thing that is the great difference is the want of Ladies they are very scarce but increasing fast. I was in Christ Church on the 1st of this month and received the parcels you sent Mother by Mr Ward we were not expecting any things of the sort but we accept it as a token of Parential affection and returns you our sincerest thanks which you will please accept from those we hope knows how to value a gift we place it to the account of Debt and Duty. Mrs Ward told me she had seen you Father and that you looked well but Mr Ward said he had seen so many he did not recollect seeing you he says Ireland is still Ireland the only change being the Railways. I seen some of them that came with him Mrs Taylor for one and a young man of the name of Frew. He told me that he was going Home by the same ship poor fellow he will know much about the country I should think. And you are got married too William it will be Roberts time next I thought I was all right while you were between me and matrimony I am headstrong enough but to do what cannot be undone again I confess I am too much of the coward I might try the old Scotch system take one twelve months on trial and if she did not please have the liberty of another choice and give her leave to be off. And John has married to who ever … the quiet John. But changes comes as how in all the world he put the question is beyond my poor conception the Mrs only Knows for I don’t. Hamilton sends you his likeness Mother together with some Maories you will see by the want of a finger the woman is a widow I should not wonder if you should see her a Daughter in law yet she very likely is wealthy and money does many things. Hamilton says he will write next time I mean to keep him to his word. I must finish with wishing you all well we both join in sending our best wishes to our new friends and all who thinks themselves such, be they what they may Yours sincerely Jas L Mcllrath |
