Edward Strain; New York; August 1877

Dear Father, Brothers & Sister

I have no doubt you will be very much suprised at receiving a letter from me as I suppose you have given up the idea of ever receiving one and indeed I am very much ashamed of my conduct at allowing such a length of time to transpire without writing but I assure you Dear Father, Brothers & Sister my affection for you has not diminished in the least for it is such that neither time nor distance can efface it from my heart. Not an single day passes but my thoughts fly across the wide Atlantic to dear old Creevy and how often do I wish I could fly over there in reality and take another look on all those well remembered and dear old familiar faces. I sincerely trust to God this letter will find you all in the enjoyment of that most divine blessing, Good Health. M John, Pat, Wife and family and all friends in Albany are in the enjoyment of good health, thank God. As for myself my health is also good, but am still as thin as a whipping post as they say is, and I suppose I must give up the idea of ever getting fat.

Business with M John and Pat is very good at the moment as this is their harvest, particularly those hot sweltering months from June to September during which time there is hardly anything else but Lager Bier drank and there is no doubt that it is a most refreshing beverage on a melting hot day such as we are subject to at this time of year. I met Sam Wood yesterday he is well and desires to be remembered to you. I was very much suprised to meet Dan Loughlin one night about 4 weeks ago he came forward and spoke to me. I recognized him at once by his voice he was looking very well. I have since heard he has shipped as fireman on board one of the Anchor Line for Glasgow. M John was out to Newark to see Hugh [,] Morgan and Agnes on last week they are well and doing well. I am going out there tomorrow for a few days. Please write soon and give me all of the news, as I would like to hear everything. I have got no news that would interest you so I will conclude with love to Uncle Edward and family, Aunt Mary and family, Big Dan and family, Mr. McConvill, Aunt Mary and family, Uncle William and family. Tell Rose Keenan I will send her my [?] in my next letter. I will write again in a few weeks with love to all.

I remain your ever affectionate son & brother

Edward Strain