Transcription

I am glad to learn by your letter that matters are more quiet in your quarter than the papers have represented them, but I do not put my confidence in Quaskie (?). I know them to be very deceitful and cunning also.

Your description of you dear Children is a very pleasing one, I should so like to see you all but I know that is a vain wish for earth, but I hope we may all meet in Heaven where there will be no more parting and no more sorrow. I am glad you intend calling your youngest son Philip Roger. There has always been a "Roger Swire" in the family ever since they first came over to England with William the Conqueror, and the name must not be allowed to die out. "Man Phil" was your dear Father's pet name for you consequently it is very dear to me, don't let dear Anna laugh at me because I tell you all these old wife's stories, and don't let her think that I am quite in my old age.

I saw dear Fashy last month looking so young and handsome. She came over to the Parish to be present at Lydia Swire's wedding with Arch deacon Rowe. She was the only one of Henry's sisters who could be present at the ceremony. Lucy and Lizzie would have been there but the former had a sick child and Lizzie was confined to bed with acute Fever, and as I am in deep mourning for my poor dear Gus I could not go. But I saw the happy pair in Church on the Sunday after, dear Lydia looked very pretty and the old Bridegroom supremely happy and proud of his little wife, who looked like his daughter but he is a very good man, and and I do not doubt but he will make her a good husband but he is a grandpapa. I wish you could see Lizzie's three children. Robert Page now 13 years old is at Walton school, he is a very nice boy and very like his Mother so you can fancy what he is like. Henrietta Constance is a very pretty girl, and very like her Father Harry Page, who I think you knew, and little May Josephine Rutty is a precious little sunbeam, a blended likeness of both her Father and Mother, she is a sweet little thing, just six months old, creeps all about and gets into all the mischief she can. I came up here about a month ago. I had an attack of Fever in Falmouth which weakened me very much, and dear Liz and Joe asked me to come back here for change and thank God I am now feeling all right again. This is such a delightful climate, so cool, and I can amuse myself here with my flowers, which I dare say you remember I was always fond of having about the house. I regret to find your prospects are not more bright than you say, but you never feared worse and have been used to hardship from your youth and now that you have such an inducement to labor on that you will not mind a few disappointments. When I can manage it I will send of Lizzie's children. I think poor Kissy is quite right to remain with her late husband's family. They will certainly feel a greater in them than their and she could not burden you with her four children. When next you write to her give my love to her and tell her I should so like to get a letter from her. Lizzie intends writing you herself so she will tell you everything about her and her husband. Much love for yourself, wife and children from your loving Mother
F. L. Swire
 

Notes:

This letter does not have the year, but the first paragraph indicates it was written on March 1, 1875.

Anna was Philip's wife Anna C. Kean.

Fashy was Philip's sister, Frances Ann Swire who married Robert Spalding.

Lydia Swire was Philip's niece, daughter of his brother J. H. D. "Henry" Swire.

Archdeacon Rowe was William Rowe.

Lucy and Lizzie are Philip's youngest sisters.

Gus was Philip's youngest brother.

Robert Page was Philip's nephew, son of Lizzie.

Henrietta Constance (Page) was Philip's niece, daughter of Lizzie.

May Josephine Rutty is Philip's niece, daughter of Lizzie (she married first to Harry Page, and second to J. W. Rutty.)

Liz and Joe are Philip's sister (Lizzie) and her husband Joseph Waterhouse Rutty.

Kissy is Philip's sister, Christina Octavia Swire, who lived in the U. S. not far from Philip.