Transcription

Written in late Summer or Fall 1880 because it mentions the July 19, 1880 birth of Fanny Emily Rutty,  -- the first part of this letter has not yet been found

mans estate and were no (?) help to her.

Since the death of the 2nd son I have not heard from her but she does not often write, she has to work very hard as the Boys boarded with her and thus helped her. So that of course in a _________ point of ____ they are a __ to her.

I am thankful to be able to tell you that dear Lizzie is safely over her __ confinement. She had a fine little girl born on the 19th of July. She is to be named Fanny Emily. They are all fine Children, but Lizzie has not regained her Strength as fast as I could wish but I hope she soon will be her own bright little self again shortly.

We have had a sick house lately. Dear Robert was very ill for ___ days, but Thank God he is ___ regaining his Strength. We also had two of Lucy's Boys here ill at the same time that Robert (?) was ill, but they too are quite well and gone to school. I suppose you have heard that Mrs. Harrison has a son born last month. Another premature birth, but I believe it is living but I have not heard from Carrie since its birth though I have twice written her, poor thing. This affair of her son Charlie has been a _____ trial to her (?). He is sentenced I think (?) imprisonment in Spanish Town jail. He will now I hope have learnt a lesson that will last him through life to be more guarded in the use of firearms. I think Lizzie will write you. My dear Phil I want to ask you if you think you could get anything for Robert to do in your part of the world as there is really nothing for a young man to do here as many Estates are now _____

that hundreds are thrown out of employment. If you would give him or get him into a situation we should be so glad. He is most anxious for employment. He is not a lazy Boy and is also a good ____. I am sure his Mother will be most thankful if you can do anything for him. Of course he would not go to you until you answer (?)

___ and so __ would then have time to get up his outfits (?). Do you ever hear from Roger Swire? I have not heard from him for many years. All here join me in fondest love for yourself and dear Anna and the Children and I pray that you may in time he able to feel that God has done all things well is the sincere prayer of your loving Mother
F. L. Swire

Concie and Helen Brymer have been in Falmouth with their Aunt Lucy for the last six weeks but we expect them home next week accompanied by dear Lucy who has been ill and is coming here for a months change. How I wish you and dear Anna could come to us for a _________ but alas that is a pleasure I cannot hope for in this world but I hope we may all meet in Heaven where there is no more parting.
FLS

Notes:

Death of the 2nd son references the death in June 1878 of Edmund John James Plues in Victoria, Australia.

Lizzie is Philip's sister Elizabeth Anne Coy (Swire) Page Rutty. Her daughter Fanny Emily Rutty was born July 19, 1880.

Robert is Robert Andrew Page, eldest son of Lizzie.

Mrs. Harrison and Carrie are the same person: Caroline (Page) Barclay Swire Harrison, widow of Philip's brother John Henry Dalzell Swire.

Carrie's son Charlie is Charles Alexander Barclay, who had shot apparently accidentally another man and was sent to prison for the shooting death.

Roger Swire is Philip's nephew, son of his brother John Henry Dalzell Swire.

Anna is Philip's wife, Anna C. (Kean) Swire.

Concie is Henrietta Constance Page, eldest daughter of Lizzie, and niece of Philip.

Helen Brymer is the daughter of Philip's sister Emily Elizabeth (Swire) Brymer.

Lucy is Philip's sister, Lucy Albertina Sarah Martha Toogood (Swire) Littlejohn.