Urker Dec^r 21 1887

My dear Tom – Your Xmas letter arrived yesterday, and I got the large cheque cashed, and shall distribute the money faithfully. But there are two of the people you mentioned to whom you need not send any more. Miss Mccreedy [1] is living and is to live in Derryvalley [2] quite free of expense; & she has ₤16 a year of an income, which is enough to keep her in clothes and pocket money. Her case was quite different when she was living in Newry. The other person is Aunt McCullagh [3] . Her family have a large sum of your money, for which you are getting no interest [4] . That is quite bonus enough for them besides Johnny McCullagh [5] is earning ₤80 a year for inspecting roads.

            Also I hope you are doing nothing more for the Rev^d M^rs Reed’s [6] family. It would be long before they would do anything for you; besides they were not friends when friends were wanted. My first thought was not to give the money to M^rs McCullagh and Miss Mccready till I would consult you farther; but then I reflected that that would not be doing as I would wish to be done by; and I send it for this time. The smaller cheque I shall send to Kate [7] , it is just what you allow her. You will be glad to hear that Aunt Bess [8] was able to live without touching her last year’s cheque; but it will do her no harm to have ₤100 by her; and she has rent to pay; while the Drummuck McCullaghs [9] have free land.

            Sam Bradford [10] has applied to the Land Court to have a fair rent fixed on Cavananore. Alex^r Dickie [11] says he intends to sell both it and his own part of the land, as soon as he gets that done. The case is listed for trial in Dundalk on the 10^th of January. Of course the Trustees will make the best defence they can; they have instructed Willy Corr [12] . Sam has also cut down and sold the timber out of the farm; though his lease reserved it. Rev^d M^r Reid and Thompson Brown [13] are to meet here next Monday with Eliezer Gilmore [14] in order to go up, and inspect what is done. What confusion those perjured wretches, James Gillmer [15] , Tho^s McCullagh [16] and Joe Dickie [17] laid up in store for us! M^r Reid & his wife, Alex^r Dickie & Johnny McCullagh [18] also did their best against us. They profess to be sorry for it now; my opinion is, that if they had been as wise then, as they are now; they would have acted differently; and if they were no wiser now than they were then; that they would do the same thing over again. Of course I will let you know (D V) how the trial goes, as soon as I know it myself.

            Sally [19] and her baby are doing well; the latter is to have the honoured name of Thomas Jackson [20] ; and if he is always as much admired as he is now, he will be no discredit to his name.

            The rest of the connexion is in status quo. Jemmie [21] & Lizzie [22] are living in Legmoylin [23] . It was quite needful that they should go there; for that place was going to destruction; and Jemmie had the most of his money in it. The like of Harriet Donaldson [24] for careless management, I never did see. She took no care of anything inside or outside; and everyone might rob her, that chose to do so. Your Father and I are just like a newly married couple; living quite alone; but we are very well contented.

            Thank God for your good news about your own health and about “the old cow” [25] . May God prosper her; for as the Apostle Paul said on a different occasion “She has been a succourer of many, and of myself also.” I am disappointed that you did not mention David [26] ; but perhaps I shall hear from himself before long. He has written often since he left us.

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