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]