February 1858 - Letter to Richard & Joseph Terry in Tasmania from their parents Joseph and Elizabeth in Tingewick

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

February 12th 1858

Dear Sons,

I received yor letter on Sunday and were most pleased to hear you are all well as we are at present. We was pleased to hear Richard has joined the matrimonial state and is happy and comfortable in which state we hope and trust by or God he will continue be. The unexpected present gladdened us above measure and we hope you will never know the want of money in this world. We are unable to express our thankfulness You are fully aware of life in our situation and that money is acceptable and we hope the Lord will doubly bless your kindness and that He will give you tenfold more. We are glad to hear that things turn out favourably

Dear sons we hope you will not think we shall ever forget you and hope you will never fail to write to us as often as you can which we will be pleased to do as long as we continue in this world to you. What a blessing it is we can converse together at so great distance and though we are absent from each other in body we are present in mind. Fanny married about twelve months ago and has one child and her and her husband and child are quite well and also Ann and her husband and family and Sarah and her ditto. Eliza is married this Michaelmas and they are quite well and living with us. Elizabeth is at service in the same situation she has been for the last four years. The above with all uncles and aunts unite with us in sending love to our daughter and I must tell you we should very much like to have a letter from Joseph, as well as Richard and as there is no probability of our meeting together again in this world may we each live in a daily preparation to meet each other in another and better world where parting will never come. Farewell my dear sons for this time and we hope you will be able to send in a shorter period for you may judge it gives us great pleasure to hear from you.

Your most affectionate Father and mother
Joseph and Elizabeth Terry