dated January 1872 but probably 1873 - Letter to Richard Terry senior in Tasmania from his son-in-law and daughter Joseph & Elizabeth Osborn in Buckingham.

Transcription kindly contributed by Gwennith May Smith (1929-2010), great-granddaughter of Richard Terry, through her daughter Virginia Ling

Buckingham
England
Janry 15/72

Dear Father

I now take this opportunity of writing thease few lines to you hopeing to find you in the Enjoyment of good Health as I am thankful to Inform you that this us all quite well Except my wife who I have to tell you brought me the Hansome New years Present in the shape of twin Sons who with my wife I am thankful to say are getting along quite as well as we can Expect

we are very much surprised that we have not heard from you as we answered your last letter and we Expected to receive your wife likings as you Promised in your last letter which is nearly 2 years ago But I hope you will answer this as we are very anxious to hear how you are getting on we have now Eight Children 4 besides those you have in the likeness the Eldest of the last 4 is 2 years and 4 months and the next who is 14 months old Tomorrow and cannot walk yet so that you will see we have our hands full Now I cant think how ever we shall get on it will be a very hard struggle for a long time But I hope Please God that he will give us health & strength to work for them and that we may both be spared to live to see them Grow up and that they may Prove a blessing to us I am thankful to say that the four you have in the likeness are growing and getting along very well the eldest goes to work as Errand Boy and gets 3 shillings a week which is a little help the others go to School and are getting on very well they all send their loves to their Grandfather and say how they should like to see him

Aunt Elizabeth from Tingewick come over to see us last Sunday and she says they are two very fine children She sends her kind love to you and to her Daughter & Grandchildren & we hope they are getting along well for we can feel for her Been left with such a large family and we hope they may live to be a Comfort to her.

Dear Father we have not heard from Ann for a long time they are gone to live at Burton on Trent Derbyshire and I don't think they are getting very well or Else we should have heard from them I was very sorry when left for he had a good Place at Fringford Mill But I am afraid he is not very Steady But we have not heard from since they have been gone.

Dear Father I am sorry to say we are obliged to bring the babies up by hand as the Doctor say she would never be well if she gave them the Breast so that it will be a great expence Dear Father if you could assist us a little we should be very glad But if not I hope you will answer this as soon as you Can as we should be very pleased to hear from you so now I conclude with all our Kind

This letter ends here.