Transcript of a letter from W Marryatt, Geelong to Mrs McSparron, Umricam, County Londonderry, Ireland, in Dec 1864 (PRONI - Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, ref T2743/1/12)
"at the request of your brother Mr Wm Oliver who is now gravely ill, I write to inform you of the very severe ------ affliction he has had to undergo viz - the loss by death of three of his children in nine days from diphtheria, por little Martha Hannah first followed by James and then poor little Mary. The youngest little Willie being still in great danger, by blessing of almghty God your brother has passed the crisis, the Dr gives us hope .................. His poor wife, my sister, has as you may suppose, had a severe time for her strength but she has been helped, and although sorely tried the true womanly instincts of wife and mother, so much easier felt than described, has shed a ray of light and peace to the sick and suffering household. I shall keep this letter open to see if there is any change to communiacte before mail closes.
Little Willie the fourth and youngest child died last night.
The names of the four dead childre - Martha Hannah, James, mary, William Edward, leaving one child to them, Catherine.
