Urker October 15, 1874

My dear Tom – I was glad to see a scrape of your pen this morning, and also glad to learn that you had enjoyed your Dublin visit, which was more than I expected owing to the unfavourable weather [1] . I would have written to you ere this; (for great news have come to town, since you left) only that I did not know your address. Your Uncle Andrew [2] has made a formal declaration of war, or rather law. He has noticed M^r McCombe [3] not to proceed with selling or dividing Uncle William’s [4] property, till the case is tried. He has been going about ever since he came home trying to get some lawyer to take up the case on spec, but did not find anyone willing to do so; but now he has prevailed on Ben [5] to produce the needful, promising to give him Killynure, as soon as it is won. Ben came up to consult Aunt Mary [6] , but returned without doing so. He promised to write to her; but no letter had arrived last Sabbath. She and Andy dined in Liscalgot [7] that day. She intends to be quite [neuter?] in the matter. I think she is right. If they win any part of the property, they will have it. If they do not win, they will have the satisfaction of having done the best; so let them see it out. It will all be as God pleases, and even if it goes against my brother’s will; what my children never had, they never lost. Just this day twelve months, dear William departed this life. If he could have foreseen the work that is going on, he would have been an angry man. I feel very thankful that he got leave to die in peace; which would not have been the case, had his [?lty] brother [8] arrived a few days sooner.

            I am relieved by your account of Aunt Bess’ [9] health for like you, I felt very uneasy about her. The arrangement about the rent is also very satisfactory. We are still at a stand, for want of slates; they could be got in Newry (perhaps) but the carriage would be awful and ready money would be required to pay for them. If we once had the slates, there would be no difficulty in having the house ready. The [Jeffers?] have been in Killynure since Monday, roofing a cow house for Thompson Brown, but that is no loss of time for they have all done for Kiltebane [10] that can be done, till the house is slated. The foundation of John McCabe’s [11] house is cut out, and a great part of the stones drawn & some mortar made, so that there will be no delay in beginning that if once the masons were done in Kiltebane; and they would have finished ere this, but for the rain. John [12] continues better; he dined here last Sabbath, and was not the worse. Jemmy [13] went for him and left him home with the donkey cart. You may depend that you are not forgotten in his prayers.

            I shall be watching for your promised letter. Give me a full account of your peregrination but above all things, beware of boating on the lakes; the weather is too rough and uncertain.

            I have been told that the Corporation of Drogheda placed the Jackson coat of arms over the town hall, in gratitude for the munificent gift old George [14] gave them (I wish he had been sleeping when he did it) but I never had time when passing through, to see if it was the one.

            As it is near past hour, I will add no more, but that with love to Minnie [15] & Peggy [16] ; I remain

            Your affectionate Mother

                        Eliza Jackson

P.S. A letter inviting Aunt Bess [17] had been dispatched before you arrived. It is too soon to send Johnny [18] yet.