| Title: | McIlrath, Hamilton to McIlrath family, 1867 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4495 |
| Collection | The McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.] |
| File | mcilrath/14 |
| Year | 1867 |
| Sender | McIlrath, Hamilton |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | cattle driver |
| 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 | 608 |
| Genre | local economy, work, family, politics, family |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Lake Ellesmere June 9th 1867 Dear Father and Mother I can offer no excuse for not writing oftener but negligence but I hope I shall not have the same to say for the future. So I now write a few lines to let you know that James and I are both well and getting on pretty well considering these hard times. Markets never was as low in Canterbury as this present year Wheat is from two to three shillings per bushel and very little demand for it even at that price. Oats is much the same and nearly unsaleable. We have any amount of both but we shall let the rats eat it before we sell it for that price just yet. Cattle is the only thing that pays well these times. I am going to deliver on Wednesday 14 that we sold on an average of nine pounds per head there is some 6 of them good strong bullocks nearly three years old worth about £12 the others is yearlings. And cows with their calfs sucking them which latter don't sell so well. James received a letter from John dated Jan 15 '67 and also a newspaper from William of March the 16. John mentioned that Mother had been ill for some time before he wrote but I hope it was only one of her old sick headaches and would be all right in a day or two. The fenians seems to be keeping Ireland in a small fever of excitement they don't show even as much pluck as the Maories what they want is to be lynch law'd as soon as caught. I hope they have not been trying on any more of their games at Johns. When he got that man he ought to have tied him and sent for the police and made him give an account of himself. There is some changes since I was in that side last. When I heard that John was married it took me right flat aback I thought he always said beggar the woman. However I like his pluck and for William I thought he was too much in love and too poor ever to marry any one but they appear to be both happy and that is the only thing in this wicked world. And I am an uncle. I hope that boy Hamilton may grow to be a better man than ever his uncle has been and for John and Mrs & little Mary she ought to be much thought of being the first little girl of that line for some time. I don't think I ever knew William's Missus and Robert how is he getting on he will be quite a man now if he takes my advice he will court a hurricane but not be in too much hurry marrying. As for myself I don't think I will ever be able to make up my mind. Marriage is a very serious thought. Cousin Robt. is living close by us he is farming on his own (hook) and getting on very well. There is a great many from home round here John Skilling and Mrs Mary Ann Moorhead that used to be they are doing first rate she makes a good wife. And Wm.Jas. Alexander he is jogging along as steady as a church. I shall write no more at present but believe me ever to Remain your dutiful son Hamilton Mcllrath I never hear Mr Jas. Jelly's people mentioned lately I should like to know how they are getting on give my kind love to uncle Wm. And Aunt Jane and to (....) |
