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Title: McIlrath, James L to McIlrath, William, 1885
ID4521
CollectionThe McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.]
Filemcilrath/40
Year1885
SenderMcIlrath, James L
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationfarmer
Sender Religionunknown
OriginLakeside, Canterbury, New Zealand
DestinationKillinchy, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
RecipientMcIlrath, William
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipbrothers
Source
Archive
Doc. No.
Date
Partial Date
Doc. Type
Logunknown
Word Count381
Genredecease, family
Note
TranscriptLakeside
Canterbury N.Z. 1885

Dear Brother William
I received your letter of March 23rd a few days ago and although
very sorry at the news containing the death of our father I was not
surprised as John had let me know of his illness. I then thought that
Father being a comparatively healthy man and arrived at his age he
was not likely to recover, it gives me great pleasure to learn that when
it pleased his Father to remove him from this earthly scene of sorrows
and trials that his transition was easy and tranquil, he has changed his
abode we believe for a better, he has rested from his labours, let us not
mourn, and may he receive that welcome sentence well done good and
faithful servant enter ye into the joy of thy Lord. I hope Mother is
bearing her bereavement with Christian resignation and that when it
pleases God to call her home she may, like him, pass away peacefully
and join him again in that land where parting is unknown - Mother
you have had a long lifetime you have had length of days beyond the
allotted span and we are told that old age is honourable, be resigned,
and the time is not far distant when we all, though now separated
shall meet again, none of us can reasonably expect to live to your age
but may we live so that when our time comes we may be ready, and
there is another consolation Mother, that as our parents have been a
credit to their family so I flatter myself that their family is a credit to
them. I may say that we are all well at present. Mrs is keeping well.
I saw Hamilton about three weeks ago they are all well. Tell John
I shall write to him soon. I shall send you the Supplement to the
Lyttleton Times a paper I get daily. This supplement is a summary of
the news for the month in a condensed form and only what I have read
before, you might send me some of your papers.
Hoping that you are all well. Give my best wishes to Mother your
Mrs and Family individually and accept same for yourself.
I remain your affectionate Brother J.L. McIlrath