Kilkelly, IrelandKilkelly, Ireland, 1860, my dear and loving son John.
Your good friend, schoolmaster Pat MacNamara's so good as to write these words down.
Your brothers have all gone to find work in England, the house is so empty and sad, crop of potatoes is sorely infected, a third to a half of them bad.
And your sister Brigid and Patrick O'Donnell are going to be married in June.
Your mother says not to work on the railroad and be sure to come on home soon.
Kilkelly, Ireland, 1870, my dear and loving son John.
Hello to your Mrs. and to your four children, may they grow healthy and strong.