Caroline Weeks Barker was baptised on 22 August 1830 and died in November 1903. Here is a letter she wrote to her eldest grandchild, May, daughter of Charles Barker, perhaps on her birthday, just four months before her death. Caroline was living with her son Fred, and mentions those of her family she has had communications from – daughter-in-law Kate in New Zealand, Herbert in Perth, Arthur in Melbourne, and Alfred in nearby Fosterville.
July 22nd / 03
Wattle St North
Bendigo
My dear May,
Your beautiful bag reached me in time for my birthday. It has been very much admired. Many thanks. I shall value it very much. I had a letter from your father this morning which I will answer later on. Very glad to hear you are all well. I think I told you in my last, I had heard from Bert. They seem all right. Arthur had a run up for a day – he is better & all the rest well. I must ask you to excuse my writing – it is something terrible to me I cannot make it out. I think I have had about 30 letters, besides telegrams & parcels. The folks here clubbed together & gave me an embroyed silk wrapper Japanese. They are very comfortable & soft. I am glad all the young people are getting on so nicely. Give my kind love to them & your mother. This is a family letter. Alf was in for my birthday. He comes in every Friday evening to Sunday aftn but they have no Midwinter Holidays. He is looking very well.
I must ask you to excuse any more. We have heard seve times from New Zealand. Kate & all the family seem to like it very much indeed. They were fortunate in letting their house here to a good tenant.
With much love from us all to you all. Your ever affectionate Grandma.
C. Barker
Walkers through time 