Annadown Glebe

Galway

May 26^th/77 

My dear Jasper 

            I was much pleased at getting your kind letter.  I was never afraid of your quite forgetting me.  Those strong ties of friendship founded on mutual esteem are indissoluble and will last as long as life.  Absence only Strengthing the bond.

I was delighted to hear that you are all alive & well   As for the old Couple they could not live here for ever & the Lord was pleased to spare them a long time.  We must all disappear in like manner.  When our day shall arrive.

You will have perceived that I am no longer in Louisburgh the Bishop removed me here last April. Which is a Change decidedly for the better as this Parish is one of the most desirable in the Diocese.  This is the third Parish I have been removed to Since I left Tubbercurry in 1865  -

I am getting old now and some of the infirmity of old age are assailing me but on the whole I have to Thank God.

I can only expect now to live a few years unless Providence is pleased to give me as long a Lease as He did to your father whose constitution was no ordinary one but I do not expect this –

This was a great Parish in former times but Emigration has reduced it to nothing.

I have only 3 families, whereas in Tubbercurry I had 75 to look after-

My children 10 in number are all well.  The Eldest is a Dispensary Doctor in Achill? In Moy.  The second at his Studies for some profession, & third, William, in College for the Church –

This great war has raised the cost of living very much.  I hope England will not get involved.  The papists are longing for such an event that they may live in rebellion.  Altho they now possess equal privileges & liberty with all their Co-religionists they are more radically disaffected than ever.  Nothing will Suffice but the complete domination of their creed & the extinction of all others –

I can give you little news about Tubbercurry.  Save that a Mr. Hansom, a middle aged man is the Pastor & I hear he is in very bad health.

After I left they got an elderly man a Mr. Jackson who died in a few years – Geo Allen of Tubbert?ll? was drowned coming home drunk from a fair.  The road was flooded near to place where Duke Allen lived.  Thos Tighe is dead and John Bretts family are all dead (two words I can’t read) one sickly child –

Your friends the Goldens (or Holdens) are struggling with poverty.

Luke Bourns is dead and left great wealth to his second son but little to John –

Hugh Morrison has become very sick.  So has Mark Brennan, your old  House & place when I last saw it? about 5 years ago was just as you left it –

The trees have grown very large in old Church yard of Tubbercurry.  I cannot send you a photograph as I have none but will before I die.  I will expect a return of like Kind.  Mrs. Hamilton joins with me in sincerest regards to you your family & all your brothers & Sisters

Yours Ever faithfully

John Hamilton