Murtagh John Strain; Rochester, (Stettheimer, Burrell & Co. Stationary, Cor. Mill and Market Sts); Dec 10^th, 1875

Dear Father, Brothers & Sister,

Circumstances beyond my control absolutely delay my visit home in time to enjoy the amusement & pleasures of the Christmas holidays, but as I will leave New York God willing on the 5^th day of January in the Cunard Steamer sailing on that date (the name of which I do not know at present) the delay I hope will not be much of a disappointment to you. If everything goes all right and I earnestly pray it will I will have the supreme happiness of seeing you all on or about the 15^th or 16^th of next month. A great amount of matter that I might otherwise put into the pages at this present writing I reserve for verbal communication. I will here state that I had all my calculations made to be home exactly on Christmas Day but you know the old saying “the best laid plans of men and mice aft [illegible]” and so it is in my case. Individually I am not responsible for the delay or I should say now execution of my plans a matter of “justice” determines it. Will explain fully when we meet. Rec^d this morning from Patk a letter wherein he expresses his surprise at my delay in not arriving in NY even some days ago as I had written him I would but he knows the nature of the case in which I am an important witness his astonishment will soon subside.

He, Maggie, Edward & Henry John are all in the enjoyment of good health, a blessing I hope you all participate in. As for myself, I never felt better than I do at the present for enjoying a position wherein little or no work is demanded of me. I do not have to expend a great amt of physical energy or force in doing the little I have to do, hence no tax upon health or strength.

Will spend a day or two in Albany seeing the folks there before I start for home. There will be about a week or so in N. York, the balance of the time will be here in this City.

Look out for an old man [illegible] looking for me. I’m greatly changed since you saw me last and the probabilities are that you’ll have difficulty in recognizing me, however I’ll leave that all to yourselves. Father I trust your health has been better this winter than in the immediate preceding ones! I’d earnestly hope to see you strong, vigorous and as young as when I saw you last. Brothers & Sister I feel satisfied are all in about the same condition of spirits that I am in. Possessed of perfect physical organization time improves rather than impairs them. Will conclude for the present with love to you all and best wishes to friends and neighbors, will not enumerate any of them as I hope to pay my personal respects to them all very soon and whatever omissions I have been guilty of heretofore towards them will then make such apologies & amends for as my poor ability is capable of.

So bidding you all good-bye for a few days and asking your prayers for a safe voyage for myself and invoking God blessing on you I remain dear Father, Brothers & Sister.

Your affectionate Son & Brother

Murtagh John