Letter from Henry Cook to John Hill Munday, 16 April 1876

Transcription
Abbotsford &

Arden Streets

Hotham

Mr J H Munday

England

My dear Sir

Your kind letter of the 20th January duly came to hand. Should have replied by the last outgoing mail, but was very poorly, I therefore hope you wil excuse the delay – I note all you say in your letter & shall only be too happy to execute all you request.

Tombstone I had none up at our grave by James request before he died. I have had one put up to be paid for out of the estate: also one was sent to Western Australia for Alice's grave.

Copy of Probate and Will is being prepared, all the photos and likenesses I have forwarded the diamond ring with some baby linen to your brother in New Zealand as I happened to know his address & have received an answer of their safe arrival. Your brother Nelson I had also written to & by the last incoming mail, I received his reply, wishing me to forward the watch and guard to him direct, informing me the way to send it, & he also wishes to have James revolver, which was the means of saving both James & his life when last they met in China – so shall put the watch in the case with the revolver, & send them next week: if all goes well shall send the box to you with Copy of Will & Probate, & also the Photo by the next outgoing mail. Shall send you a portion of the money by draft: I have had a great deal of trouble over the affair & the Insurance Cmy put me to all the trouble they could, but have cleared up with them: I expect all will be completed or nearly so by next mail.

I shall be able to send you two photos of the grave & one of the entrance to the cemetery, but I cannot get one with a general view of the cemetery at present but should there at any future time be any taken, shall then forward you one. When James came home he had not much of a stock of clothes having been from Melbourne three years his stock got very low, & he said he lost the most of them at the wreck of the Brig his ship in Western Australia, & the heavy expenses he was at took away of a deal of the poor fellows hard earnings & as things have turned out, it was a good thing he insured his life: or he would not have been able to settle any money to anyone.

Mrs Cook answered your Mothers letter, by last mail, which I hope she received all right. Mrs Cook with myself joins me in very kind regard to you all & I can only add that you may depend I shall close the estate & affairrs as quick as possible, & hope it will be done to your satisfaction.

Believe me

My dear Sir

Yours very truly

H Cook

16th April 1876