430 Hackney Road, N.E.
6 Sept.1867

Dear Alexander,

By the Grace of God, your dear Mother and myself, notwithstanding our advanced age, are in good health and spirits & truly thankful that our lives have been so long spared to see our children & Grandchildren - not indeed around us - but still in the land of the living, and under the protection of our common parent, who though unseen, is still believed in and trusted by us all. Many thanks are due Him for his forbearance.

I have just returned from a visit to my sister's house - Mrs. Everitt of Cove near Beccles. [This would be Sophia Thurtell 1803-1891 m. William Everitt 1794-1879, not Anne Thurtell 1791-1866, she of the diary, who had recently died - see below, m. George Everitt 1791-1844. Two sisters married two brothers.] We have passed a joyous week together, the only absent one being Mrs. Browne of Brunswick Square, who has been detained by her endeavouring, unsuccessful at present, to let her house, - & she shall continue in the same uncertainity. As usual I had to give such acct I could of my Sons In California, which though not all "couleur de rose" was in the main satisfactory. Did either of my sons intend to "come over to see us"? The obstacles of course stated & the hope still entertained that we shall have that great pleasure. Certainly I trust that it will not be as Mrs. Browne's terminated - in her desire to get rid of him, her son, at any cost on account of quarrels with his wife arising out of scandals attending the marriage of Mrs. Browne's son, Henry. Of this we have no fear, as the antecedents or our sons are clear.

I felt very much obliged by your well timed present of £10 to Addy Kraushaar which will probably have the effect of sealing the marriage, which appeared to be simply delayed for the want of means. I think I have told you that I employed the legacy of Aunt Everitt of 200 pounds in purchasing three houses all in Middlesex - the effect of which, though not finished, appears to be that her legacy will produce an Estate worth 500 pounds --and to keep as an investment a surplus of a pound weekly which will materially help our house keeping.

I rejoice at your prospects which appear to be prosperous - the effect apparently of the settlement of the State & of your County which carries with it, the establishment of business - in every branch, notwithstanding that the "Ile [=oil?] gives out - I desire you to present my love to Mrs. Murray, Andrea, your dear wife and thank her on my behalf for the happiness she confers on my son. I estimate it by my own and certainly every year establishes & confirms our love for each other. It is now about two months ago she and I travelled together [to] the scene of the residence and death of her old Bow Sweetheart William Tills, whom we found quietly resting in Edmonton Church Yard -- Peace to his name. He was an honourable Man, though he would not risk his position as a Gentleman to insure marriage with your dear Mother, and so his loss became my gain -- for she has been to me a faithful, loving wife and her truth and constancy have been tried by adversity -- a sure test of sincerity.

Permit me now to thank you for the love you bear to me & to your Mother - which gives to both of us great satisfaction and gilds the evening of our days. It promotes our happiness and increases the enjoyment of life, very much assisted by the day's measure of health through the bounty of God, which attends us.

Believe me to be, dear Alexander

Your affectionate Father

James Murray

Mr. Alexander Murray

Remember me kindly to Walter.