Urker August 18^th 1896

My dear Tom – Once more I am trying to write a line to you, though probably it will not be posted today. The tea arrived yesterday seven double boxes; many thanks to you for it. We have not opened it yet. Minnie’s [1] visit went off happily, the weather was favourable, & all seemed to enjoy themselves. There were only two drawbacks, one was that the visit was not long enough; she & the children came on the 7^th of July, & went on the 30^th. The other drawback was that Julius [2] was not with them. I was greatly disappointed but I believe it could not be helped. D^r Barnes [3] did not think him quite clear from the old complaint, & forbid him to bathe but in a letter received today, Minnie says he is greatly improved since he arrived at [Alalaburgh?] [4] . Pity that any thing should ail him, he is a dear little fellow.

            Every one about this place was highly pleased with our young officer [5] , he is a fine young fellow, without any upsetting or puppyish ways about him. He has perfectly the measure & appearance of a gentleman; & no one would ever mistake him for anything else. He was as well contented with the “old house at home” as if it had been a royal palace. May God grant him grace. Beatrice [6] is a very nice girl & Dorothy [7] is all alive; I believe she does no know what fear is. The two youngest boys are good fine children; Claud [8] (sic) is my favourite, he is so friendly & [?]. He would seem to help me to go upstairs just as cleverly as if he was able to do it.

            I saw the list of your Bank shareholders. All your children’s [?] names are on it except Claud’s. I hope you will satisfy that omission forthwith, if you have not done it already. There is not a better man among them than Claud, though all are good. He is just as good natured as you were yourself, when you were like him. Both he and Russell [9] were very sorry young men going away & poor Al Ming [10] cried herself sick. Minnie insisted on taking Mary Menary [11] with her; I was unwilling to let her go as sea air never seemed to agree with her; it was nearly finishing her last year; but it appears to be doing well with her now, all the accounts are favourable.

            We had a great picnic to Cavananore [12] , 15 in number, but probably Minnie has told you all about it. You would be delighted to see Cavananore, it never looked better, even in Uncle Bradford’s [13] or Aunt Mary’s [14] time. Ely [15] nearly killed me walking me so much over it; he was so anxious to show me the improvements. I have grown very feeble and cannot walk much though I am in good health & as merry & stout hearted as ever I was. But you may say that it was a sore crush to see what happened to Derry Valley [16] the place where I spent many a happy day. I went to bid it farewell that day before the Auction. The news of the sale of it upset poor Sarah Whiteside [17] greatly & no wonder. I believe there is no great good future for any member of Thomas McCullagh’s [18] family. But one piece of good news I have to tell you. Miss Macready [19] has come in for a legacy of ₤254 by the death of a sister. She is living in Drummuck [20] & is very comfortable there.

            I was delighted to hear that you were back in Creggan [21] again & expecting Kathleen [22] & Amy [23] so soon. I think that under God Creggan was a great means of preserving your health in an unhealthy climate. I was nearly forgetting to tell you how much I was pleased with Tom’s likeness. It is a remarkably good one; when you see it, you see him. I have it set up on top of the What not; so that I can take a look at it any minute.

            The weather was very dry for a length of time & water grew very scarce; but God sent rain time enough for every thing except flax. The corn crop is very good, but alas! potato blight has appeared again. The new Land Bill has passed; Jemmy [24] has put his land into the Land Court & I have put Liscalgot [25] into it, & will put Urker [26] as soon as it can be done. It was a great mistake that I did not appeal when it might have been done.

            19^th Your letter of July 16^th has just come in. I congratulate you in hearing your girls back & in such good health; also on the good health of “the old cow” [27] . I never weary of doing what I can for “the old cow” and for all belonging to her; & I think I am heard. I often observe answers to my petitions, and I feel assured that the blessings which I implore will be alighting after I am mingled with the clouds of the valley; I have made up my mind to live, if I can, till I see you again. Every one is telling me how well I look; & I feel well except for weakness & infirmity.

            There is nothing new that I know of among your Irish friends & acquaintances. David [28] writes that he is to leave Yokohama at the end of the year. I am not sorry on account of the earthquakes [29] . He expects to be here in February or March. You may remember that I wish him to bear the expense of Urker after I am gone, he has a right to do so.

            Give my love & blessing to Kathleen and Amy; and believe me to be with ten thousand times ten thousand blessings to yourself, your ever loving Mother,

                        Eliza Jackson