Eaglehawk.

18th January 1917

Dear Mrs Whiteside[1]

I deeply sympathise with you in your sad bereavement of a very dear Husband & [????] Christian brother minister[2].

I am a native of Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. Succeeded my Grandfather in 2nd. Clontibrit for 8 years, and left for Belfast, & was called to Birmingham, England. Came back after 2 years and left Larne for Queensland[3] in 1867. 10th June. I preached in Derryvalley & 2nd Dy. was my Father's family church 1 mile out of Ballybay. The Rev. I.G. Smith & I stopped together at College in Belfast & he married a relative of mine a Miss Ross of Drummaine.

I knew the McMurray's, McCullagh's, and nearly all the members of both Derryvalleys & Ballibay Presbyterian Church, & Crieve where a fellow school boy William Horner was the last minister - a native of Ballibay. The McClatchey's out of town a mile also - and I would have been so delighted to meet your dear Husband!!! Oh if I had had but one hour with him. If you could give me in your great sorrow a little sketch of these surroundings I would esteem it a very great favor indeed. (But if it taxes you too much why do not take the trouble)

I left Ballybay to go to College in Belfast in about 1845 or six, & was Ordained by the Presbytery of Monaghan in 1857. to 2nd Clontibrit. I am now in my 90th year was born in 1827, & am the oldest ordained minister in Victorian Church - Minister Eremitus of Eaglehawk near Bendigo.

I shall be delighted to hear from you

Yours respectfully

Robert Lewers[4]

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[1] Sarah (née McCullagh) Whiteside (1852-1939). This letter is on the occasion of her husband’s death. I have not chased down all the references.

[2] Rev. William Sherlock WHITESIDE (1860-1916), husband of Sarah McCULLAGH

[3] Queensland, Australia, where he worked as a missionary (see p. 120 “At the Ford of the Birches”.

[4] Robert LEWERS – likely no family connection, but rooted in the area.