Transcript of a letter sent to Mrs Dinah Warwick, 7 Stonefield Terrace, Liverpool Road, Islington, London, from New South Wales, Australia contributed by Cheryl Marks <chezmaree23-at-hotmail.com> originally supplied by Christine Warwick

Bombala Monaro
N.S.W.

January 20^th 1881

My dear Dinah

After so very many years I was very pleased to hear from you, although your letter was a sad one. I am scarcely able to write, having a sprained thumb, but I know you will excuse that.

I was extremely sorry to hear of poor Bella’s death and poor little Emma’s under such circumstances. Your own troubles seem to be many but I hope you may yet live to be happy.

Well now, I suppose you want to learn all about your long lost brother. My own career has been a chequered one – sometimes doing well and then very badly. The last letter I received from home was from poor Bella at the time of Uncle George’s death. I was then on the Diggings and doing very well and thinking of soon coming home – but lost all my money. I went to Sydney but did nothing and so came up to this place and took a situation as store-keeper and here I am since 1869 and I am afraid likely to be as my family is large and the store closed, and I am doing nothing at all.

I got married in 1871 to a young lady from Dublin and we have had seven children but have buried two fine little boys – we have now two sons and three daughters, the youngest about six months old. When first married, my wife opened a school which was some assistance but as our family came rather quickly had to be given up. I send you a photo of the school. I am still living in the same place – the lady to the left is my wife so you will see she is not very little.

I never heard particulars of Father’s or Mother’s death – I wrote about four years ago to Ellwood’s. They replied shortly and this was the first I heard of it. They also said Maria was still living in Denmark Street. I wrote to her twice but she never answered my letters, so I gave it up. But somehow I thought I would try again through Mr Holloway and am now delighted to hear from you again. I enclose a photo for my dear little nephew with my very best love. I send two. They are not good. We have not a good artist here – but should one come I will try again. This is only a small place. I send you a view of the main street so you can form some idea.

Well, now about Edwin – I have not seen or heard of him for many years. When I left Melbourne he was still at Ballarat. I wrote to him to join me and also sent telegrams but he took no notice, and I have never been to Melbourne since but I will try to find him out. You might let me know when you last heard from him. He grew very tall and thinking himself a man, I suppose did not care to be with me.

Well, you never told me who Bella married or what your own husband was. I shall be anxious to learn – also what became of Aunt Dinah and Uncle Ely. What is Uncle John doing? Is he in Business with Neil? Is Neil married? I would much like to hear from them. If you see them you must remember me very kindly to them and show them my photo. Where is Dick? What became of Harry Sims – Ben Walters is still at Finchley. Is Aunt Liz still alive? My dearest sister, the 4^th October never comes round but I think of you and the many happy days we spent at home as boys and girls. Do you remember me curling your hair and the smoked glass on dear little Bella’s nose? I often laugh about our old ? and ? the times over again.

Well, now I suppose it is time to say something about Maria – what made her leave the old house where we had been so many years? Did Father make a will? Did Maria get everything – Factory, Business and furniture. If so, she ought to be well off now, being alone, and have saved money. She was always careful and I don’t think she has altered. She really ought to do something for me with my large family – as if I had been at home I would have the Factory – you must try what you can for me with her, and get her to send what she can – if she can spare a hundred or two. I would come home with my family – I would dearly love to see you both again, also London. I am tired of Australia – if she will send me enough to come we might all do better and go into Business somewhere and spend our remaining days together – it seems a pity now there are so few of us left we should be apart as we are all getting into years. I do not of course know your circumstances but hope you may come out of your Business right, if so together you might temporarily help me.

You may perhaps think it strange that after being out here so many years I should have to write this but I have had a great many troubles and misfortunes, sadness and deaths in my family and only a very small income. I shall at any rate rely upon something from Maria. I know well if you have it, I would be welcome.

What is Bella’s son doing and who is looking after him? Is Uncle John doing any good – send me his correct address. I should like to have photos of you all, poor Bella’s and Emma’s if you have them. I am now very sorry I did not write sooner. Let me know when Father and Mother died and all particulars. My wife wishes me to give you her very best love and kindest wishes and hopes you will write by the first mail as she would also like your photos.

It is now the middle of summer and today is fearfully hot – if you look at the picture of the house I am sitting in the room to the right. Since this was taken we have grown trees and flowers, so that it looks very much nicer now. I only mention this that you may picture me on Sunday afternoon sitting under the verandah surrounded by flowers. You must tell me if you can recognise me at all. I have not a photo of my wife or children or would send them. My eldest son is turned eight and wishes me to give his Aunts his love and to know when they are coming up to see him – if London is a long way off and so on.

Well now, my dear Dinah, I think I have said all – but remember me to any old friends with whom you may yet be acquainted – and hoping that you and I may yet meet in this world with happier days in store for both. I must ask you to write at once and send what you can as our winter will then be coming on and my prospects are very gloomy at present – what you do send let it be by draft at sight, payable Bank New South Wales, Bombala Manero. So now assuring you of my ever fondest love and most sincere good wishes, not forgetting the same for Maria and your little son.

Believe me, your (?) brother, Harry

On separate (half) sheet of paper