Letter 62
Birkenhead
Sunday evening 1853
Dear Mamma

I was glad to hear by your letter yesterday that Grandma is a little
better and able to be up again.

I received a parcel a few days ago by Capt Scott safe and am sorry
that I did not get another pair of shoes from Tom but I except tis to
late now as we sail on the 4th of next month, however I can get them
elsewhere. I saw H McClinchy the other day, he was to sail the next
day for Naples. Tis only a short voyage, and a pleasant one. I saw
Munce also. His ship is come over to Birkenhead and lays near us.
You need not fear but I should take care of my clothes. I bought a
lock as soon as I came to Liverpool. I’m sorry that poor Mary was
so unfortunate, but hope that she will soon be quite well. I never felt
in better health than I am at present and am both stronger and more
active than I have felt before. I feel more content now altho when I
came over first I was low enough. Give my most affect love to
Grandma, Father, both Sisters and Brothers also Mrs and Joe S,
Miss Lascelles, Sarah, Mary and Margaret and believe me yours
affect son

James C Parkinson

Calcutta,
May 2nd1861
I shall write every
Dear Mother,

We arrived here safe on Monday last., after a passage of 122 days.
We had a good deal of rough weather and lost 3 top gallant masts as
the vessel rolled very much. I am sure that you will be glad to hear
that I have recovered my chest, as the Sarah and Emma is here and I
had no difficulty in getting it. I also received two letters from you
dated Feb and March. I know you must have felt greatly my
outrageous conduct but I can tell you that I have also felt the
sinfulness and selfishness of my conduct and I am determined by
God’s help to lead a new life. I know the grief and unhappiness I
have caused you and the inconvenience I have put you all to, that I
cannot undo, but all I can do to remedy it I will as soon as I can. I
think it best for me not to return by this vessel, as I would not have
much money but I will try and do the best I can for myself, as I can
make more money in these countrys than by going home. I intend to
try and get to New Zealand or some where there as there is very little
comfort at sea, altho I never enjoyed better health at present., but
you must try and bear up against this heavy trial and with the help of
the Most High I will see you all again, and where-ever I go I shall
write to you, and as soon as I have anything worth sending to you I
will. But to ease your mind I can tell you that I have given up the
cause of my misfortunes as I have not the slightest desire for it when
I do not taste it at all.

I passed by the place where poor Munce was lost. The river is very
dangerous as there is a great current. Calcutta is 100 miles up from
sand heads. It looks beautiful in some parts, all sorts of tropical
vegetation growing down to the waters edge and the banks are
interspersed with Palace like structures, in fact Calcutta is well called
the City of Palaces. All sorts of birds alight on the yards and ropes
of the vessel and are so tame as to alight on deck but the excessive
heat takes away the pleasures of the sight. I was very sorry to hear
about poor Davy, but hope he will turn up and also about Fanny
Knox. The "Jane porter" that was launched when I was at home
slipped past us the other day. I must bring this bring? epistle to a
conclusion but you need not answer it as I shall be left before an
answer could come. Give my love to sisters and Brothers, Miss
Lascelles, Joe Mr Pilson etc. and believe me your repentant son,

James C. Parkinson.

I thank you for the little book and hope that you will live to see all
your prayers answered and I feel that the will to try and keep up.
Every cloud has a silver lining, and you will see that I can be a man

Letter 167
 

Hobartown,
Christmas Eve 1869
My dear Mother,

Would it be any saving if you would send some calico and such like
out

I thought to have written you a long letter this time but have delayed
it too long. I arrived here safe about a fortnight ago and have been at
home since and intend to remain till after the Holy days. I hope to be
able to get something to do on shore. I am very comfortable and
would feel comparatively happy but for the thoughts of going away
again but perhaps there is better in store. Of course you have heard
of my marriage before this. I am well content with my bargain and
could not be better suited and have a nice little cottage.

Christina sent her carte about two months ago. I also told you that I
had received the money safe. I think you had better send the
remainder as I wish to try something on my own account and there
are sometimes opportunities of purchasing land here very cheap and
if I had a house of my own it would be a great saving and the value
of property cannot be lower than it is at present. Does Kate still think
anything of coming out to the colonies? If so I would look out for a
situation as governess and there are some pretty comfortable ones
and very few properly qualified persons to fill them. At any rate
should she think anything of it I have got a home to offer her on
landing which I had not before. Christina is well aquainted among the
elite and have no doubt would soon hear of something that would
suit, but if she had any prospect of getting comfortable settled at
home do not let this unsettle her, but if she would like to come let her
keep as much of my money as will bring her comfortably out and
send me the remainder. So use your own judgement. I am sorry to
hear by your last that Aunt E is so unwell and that is an ailment there
is not much cure for. I send the carte of the only remaining natives of
Tasmania. I am sure you will admire them. I will also send by a ship
bound to London a part of Wedding cake which I hope you will
receive safe. Give my love to Miss L, Joe, Brothers and Sisters and
give poor Sally Hanna one pound for me when you draw the money
and accept £4 four pounds yourself to buy something with. I had a
letter from Munce stating that he had sent the money but I never
received any letter except that and the one he wrote when he arrived
in the Colony. Tis very strange as I never had a letter go astray yet
and have always got yours. If it was sent it must have been
misdirected as I enquired at the Post Office and they said the writer
should make enquiries at the office where it was posted. With love
from Christina,

I remain yours affect,

James C. Parkinson

We recd the hair