October 1862 or more probably 1860 - Letter to Richard Terry in Tasmania from his parents Joseph and Elizabeth Terry in Tingewick

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

Tingewick
October 25th 1862

I think this was in fact written in 1860 not 1862 as Joseph was buried in August 1862, and the children attributed to Sarah & Eliza would have been correct in October 1860 but not 1862 or even 1861

Dear Son,

I have taken the greatest of pleasure in answering your welcome letter and more so to hear that you are increasing in business as it leaves all of us at this time in England in good health. Dear Sons, Daughter, Brother and our Grandchildren, you may by your own bosom describe what a joy and delight it is to hear from you all to think you are all so comfortable and united together. To hear from you is a great pleasure but to see you would be still greater, but dear relations all we will decline saying any more about that and leave it to our great Supreme being, the Maker and ruler of all things and return Him many many thanks for it is a true saying God ordereth all things for the best, now to say by putting hope and trust in him our dear children is the means of your or any one of us being as we are, for without the help we can do nothing. It is all of his hand, he lifteth up one and putteth down another. Dear Sons we was sorry to hear of your brother's illness, but happy to hear he is recovering and trust by the time you receive this he may be restored to perfect health again. Now we must all join in united love to you, trusting that by the blessing of God you may all live to enjoy a comfortable and fruitful harvest and not altogether this but many more, and very happy to hear of your new and great undertaking which I sure we ourselves should ever had an idea of hearing of but may the almighty bless you with it as he has done in that distant country. Dear Son now I begin to return you many thanks for the money you sent us and what a deal of good it done us in our advanced years and beg and trust it done you no harm. But I don't doubt but it did your heart good to do it as we assure you it done ours good to think it lay in your power to do it.

Dear sons and relations now to say your sister Ann has been the mother of six children but has but two living, the eldest and youngest. Sara is the mother of four, all living. Your sister Fanny has two and Eliza has had two sons, Richard and Joseph but Richard is dead. Your sister Elizabeth is still in service living with a clergyman whom she has been with seven years and going on the eight.

Now dear son the letter you mentioned 3 months after the date of ours which was Feb. 12th 1858 we never received, the last we received was three years come December for as I should be very sorry to neglect writing whenever we receive one, as hereby you will excuse our delay. Now to inform you that we have a long weary wet time for our harvest in our old England this time for we have had it about now 8 or 9 weeks and a great many beans and other grain out now. This is what our old laborers call one of the old fashioned harvesters but blessed be God no scarcity but everything very dear to what we have had it lately. I am now dear son for the present we will continue with all our best wishes and kindest love to all of you. Wishing you all the blessing heaven can bestow,

From your ever affectionate and loving Father & Mother

Joseph and Elizabeth Terry