The writer, Ann Jane THOMSON (nee Robinson), was born 18 July 1836 at Cookstown or in that vicinity. Her parents were Beria ROBINSON and Eliza/Elizabeth PATERSON lived in the townland of Oughterard, parish of Desertcreat, Co Tyrone. Ann Jane was the eldest in the family. On 30 Oct 1856 she married John THOMSON at the Sandholes Presbyterian Church. Thomson was a grocer and bacon merchant in Cookstown. Their children were George, John, Isaac, William, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Jemima Jane, and Charlotte Matilda. John Thomson snr, with three unmarried daughters, was living in James St, Cookstown, in 1901.
In 1868, Beria Robinson, now a widower, emigrated to New Zealand with all his family apart from daughter Ann Jane Thomson, and eldest son James Robinson. James and his young family eventually emigrated also, but Ann Jane was the only member to remain in Tyrone.
The ROBINSON family were:
Ann Jane 1836, m. 1856 John THOMSON
Mary 1838 m. 1865 in Tyrone to David GREER
James 1839, m 1863 in Tyrone to Mary Elizabeth ECCLES
Elizabeth Paterson 1841, m 1869 in New Zealand to Seaton McLAUGHLIN (Seaton was from Lurgy in the parish of Donaghenry.)
Matilda 1843, m 1865 in Tyrone to James NICHOLL
Jemima Jane 1845, m in NZ to William ANSTEY
Beria 1848 (twin), m in NZ to Margaret DAVIDSON
Charlotte 1848 (twin) m in NZ to James MacKINTOSH
William 1852 m in NZ to Dora Jean HENDERSON
Sarah Isabella 1854 m in NZ to Samuel ROBERTSON.
Cookstown 17 Augt 1871
Dear dada
sisters and brothers
I write to let you know we are
all in good health only John has
been very poorly this long time
He is Doctering with Dr Cummings
in Belfast. I am very uneasy about
his health failing We have a large
family to provide for but if God
pleases to spare him a little longer
we would be able to live private
and have a good fortune for
each. Forby he frets greatly about
the children all being so young and
helpless. I have a great deal to look
to myself. James Cakins time is up
at November and we are not going
to keep a shop boy any more
until our own boys is able to help us.
John and me with Isaac, George and Wm
took a drive out to Robt Bells last
Sabbath We went to Lough Fay
and to see Aunt Nancy's grave
It is a nice graveyard but they all
could walk over it very lightsome
only me it brought many thoughts into
my mind of days gone by and
I began to think how lonely I was
of all Mama's friends. Aunt Jane is
numbered with dead she died on
the 7th May last in Derry but they
never sent Aunt Matilda word
until after she was buried and
we seen her death in the newspaper
I think she had need of a change.
Joseph Bell's Mother wishes some
of you to write to him and let
him know she is very unhappy about
not hearing from him
Brother James is well Betty and
the children is in Kiltycloy James is
in Greenock I get a letter from him
every fortnight but dare not let Betty
know I ever get any I think he is
not content with her conduct but I do
not enterfare. James Crothers has
bought out his townland and so has
John Dickson bought the one
he lives in. they are both very wealthy
There is no great changes about
Rock or Allen either deaths or
marriages some of them is in the
st...[?] market - dear dada I hope
all my sister and Brothers is
well with all their dear little
children Remember us to them all
in the kindest manner Let Jemima
know I found one of her Books
she had at Claggan School in
out house on Sunday. I brought it with
me it is dated 1857 The ring she sent
me is admired by all who see it
and I return her and Sharlott
many kind thanks for their presents
Some of the boys might write to me
I hope God will spare you long
days and good health with
your children it is a great Blessing
I send you this Likeness and will
send the rest of the Childrens soon.
Let Jemima and them all see them
I wish I had Marys and Matildas
then I would have them all but James
I intend going to see him this harvest
if John was a little better instead of
going to the shore. Write soon
and let me know all particulars
Ann J Thomson