John Larkin

• Death Notes
  • [Gina Hammond]
                                    Goodna
    June  1884
    
    Mr James Larkin,
    
    My dear Jim
    You must think me very unkind not to write to inform you of my dear husbands death but really I made many attempts to write and could not finish one. Mr Pat Kearns promised me he would write and let you know at once. May the Lord have mercy on his dear soul. He wrote home to you about his illness. ____  _____ letter and he got gradually worse and Christmas Eve he took to his bed and never left it until he died. My poor John was a dreadful sufferer ____ he died a martyrs death of starvation in the midst of plenty. For six(?) months before he died he could not eat one solid bit of food, milk, beef teas and the best of jellies and port wines. The last five weeks he lived on injections of strong beef tea. Not even a drink of cold water could his stomach retain. My poor John was so resigned to the will of God. Our Parish Priest said he died a very holy death. The nuns also visited him very frequently. My dear friend you will be anxious to know we are provided for. I have eleven acres of land which we are living on. It is fit to grow anything and is growing in value every day. I have built a four roomed house which cost ___ two hundred pounds. Timber is very dear at present. _____ ______ 2 cows which I intend to milk them and sell it. I never milked a cow in my life but I must try and learn. For the last three years poor(?)  John has been ailing, but I always thought he would live for many years and get better. He told me to write his brother is America. I do not know _____ address. I must ask you to do so  for me.  Dear friend will you tell John's poor(?)   mother that his last words were about her. May God comfort her as well as myself. The children are all well . Winnies eyes(?) are nearly well. Gertie is a fine girl and John James is growing a nice little fellow. May God bless them and spare them if it is his Holy Will. Myself I am in fair health thanks to God. I hope yourself and family are in good health. If(?) Mr Thomas Larkin would come ____ to Queensland would be very glad. Some(?) and(?) B____ing to my poor husband would a great comfort to me and my children I am sure they would as well of as(?)any of your children were come to Brisbane. I will do my very best for them. I send you some of Johns hair and whiskers. May the light of Heaven shine(?) his Soul. Write soon. I remain your_____ friend(?)
    Bridget Larkin 
    

• General Notes
  • Studied in the Dominican Seminary in Galway.  Emigrated to Australia
    
    Although everyone tells me "John Larkin's" middle name was "James", it is not noted on his death & marriage certificates. He had a brother named Dominick who migrated To USA, but appears to have spent some time in Australia first. James obtained passage to Australia as crew member & came with enough finances to purchase land. Trying to find more detail on that.
    I have a picture of an unknown man, which I believe is John Larkin, but very difficult to prove on why or the other & a physical description, I'll go find the files & I'll write a little more then.... can't remember his description off the top of my head.
    
    [Gina Hammond]