1880 May James McMurray Cole

1880 May James McMurray Cole (age 9) letter written in Clones to Robert Bell Cole New Zealand

Clones
May 5th 1880

My Dear Bob I hope you .. quite well. We were glad to get your last letter. Dada is selling hay at 3/0 per cwt we have all the hay ... all but some forcegrass? Dada set the foot of the field next Jackson's with potatoes. And he has carrots and mangled? in the bog and also turnips. He sold three calves but had five out in the fair last week. We expect soon to be at turf cutting. The horse is working in Mr Averal's and they help us. Mr Moore has got a new kitchen range and is burning coal. He is well and also Sarah and James have got their likeness taken for you. Mamma sent Mr and Mrs Fleming's likeness and I hope you got them
Mr John Dudgeon is very ill. Billy Hamilton is gone to Canada. Johnnie came home for a week and is gone again. He is very well and got a nice cup at Easter races he pulled a tooth for Mamma. James Ferguson was ill but is better. Mamma had another ill turn when Johnnie was here and he attended her well. Mr Robert Walker ... with us one night ... week he was asking ... you they are all well ... send their love to you. Mamma Sissy and I ... out round Clonkeen ... Sissy and I waded about. Mamma and I went to see old Biddy Haley she is alive yet and still asks for you they have a little dog that can walk and dance about on its hind legs.
Tell us when you write have you any flowers, daisies or primroses in the fields. Have you any ... leeks or onions ... and you bathe since ... Joe went there. Mamma Bill Sissy have knitted Johnnie a long pair of stockings up to his knees black and blue to wear at the sports. We often talk about you and think about you. We all join and send you our kind love to you Ellen, Biddy and James. We are all well also all at the Grove and Dromore.
PS write soon

Your affect brother
James McMurray Cole