The writer of this letter, dated September 12th 1881 was Charles McLAUGHLIN, a farmer, who died at Donneydade, parish of Clonfeacle, co. Tyrone ten years later on 31st December 1891. It is not yet known who he married, but his family were Sally Elizabeth born c 1838, Alexander born c 1840 (the missing son Alexander referred to in the letter), Andy John, and Mary Ann (known as Annie, and actually Charles' grand-daughter, tho' raised as his daughter).
The recipient of the letter was Charles McLaughlin's nephew Seaton McLAUGHLIN, born c 1839, who had emigrated from co Tyrone to Australia and eventually to New Zealand. He was a son of William and Margaret McLaughlin of the townland of Lurgy, parish of Donaghenry. Seaton married in NZ in 1869 to Elizabeth Paterson ROBINSON from Oughterard, parish of Desertcreat.
Reference in the letter is made to another nephew, John Alexander McLAUGHLIN, born c 1833 and a son of John McLaughlin of Oughterard, parish of Desertcreat. John Alexander had married in 1854 in Stewartstown to Mary Jane SPENCER, and had emigrated to Australia.
Son Alexander never returned to Ireland. Unmarried, and a miner, he died in Dunedin, NZ in 1910.
Donneydade September 12th /81
Dear Seiton I write to say that
I wrote to you five months past
but am sure you did not get
it otherwise you would have
Answered it My Daughter Sally
was at your Father's for the
Directions and your mother said
when you would get the letter
you would surely write for that
you wrote to them generally evry
two months I wish you to find
out my Son Alexander iff possible
you can and tell him to come home
As soon as possible that I have no
one to look after the farm
we have heard that my Son
is in Bannock Burn but we dont
know where to find him iff you
cannot My Son Andy John married
and left me I have no person but
my two daughters and my self There
is nothing could give us so much
Please [sic] us to see Alexander home
I am getting to old to attend to any
thing but I hope it will please
God you will find him out
And tell him to surely come home
and if he does not come that I
hope he will write as soon as
Possible to me that I may consult
myself what I am to do as
I dont know at present
If you cannot find out my son
Alexander and could find out John
Alexander McLaughlin he might find
where he is and you can say to him
that I would be glad he would write
to me and I know he will I hope that
Mrs McLaughlin and family with your
self are enjoying good health I need
say no more but the children join me
in sending their love to James Robinson
and his wife the[re] are a small enclosure
in this letter for my son when you
see him and I hope you will write
me by return of post or as soon as
Possible as we are very uneasy I conclude
by give my love to your Family with
your self I remain yours truly
Charles McLaughlin
PS Dear Seiton I have confidence
that you will do all you can for
me and I hope you will write
without delay
My address is
Charles McLaughlin
Donneydade
Dungannon
Co Tyrone
Ireland