| Title: | McIlrath, James L to McIlrath, William, 1900 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4529 |
| Collection | The McIlrath Letters: A family history in letters from New Zealand to Ireland (1860-1915) [Bassett, McKee et al.] |
| File | mcilrath/48 |
| Year | 1900 |
| Sender | McIlrath, James L |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Lakeside, 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 | 390 |
| Genre | correspondence, Xmas, politics, family |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Lakeside NZ November 13th 1900 Dear Brother William It is now over two years since I received a letter either from you or Brother John. I wrote to both of you this time two years and sent you Both Christmas Numbers of our principle papers (Canterbury Times and Press and I believe a Photo). Whether you ever received them either of you I know not however I am sending each of you the Christmas No. again. Although we are very slothful correspondents we surely might wish each other the compliments of the season at Christmas time and which I now do to you all Fathers Mothers and each Member of our Families also all old Friends and relatives I wish a Merry Christmas and happy New Year long life and happy Death. The old century will soon expire and there is no appearance of peace on Earth and goodwill to men nothing but War and rumours of War even here the War Fever raged. Nothing but drilling Volunteers and sending contingents to South Africa. I am doubtful if it was a just war I feel for those who fight for Hearth and Home. The Lion found the Boer an ugly customer to deal with and now all the Nations of the Earth almost are having a cut at China and very likely they will quarrel over the spoil so much for Peace on Earth and goodwill to men. I had a few lines from a Widow Ritchie of Saintfield asking about some friends but I could not find them so I put it in the Papers I have seen her address asked for since I wonder if she has heard of them yet. We had a visit from Hamilton's second son (also Hamilton) and his sister last week they are all well. Hamilton himself, Mrs and two youngest Boy and Girl Frank and Olive paid us a visit since I last wrote it was the first for them all but Hamilton himself, others of his family have been here before. There are great preparations here now for the coming Jubilee it will be 50 years on December 16th since the arrival of the first four ships, if you don't write often you might send a paper now and then with love to all I remain your affectionate Brother J.L. McIlrath |
