My dear Sister Agnes:

   I was glad to see by your letter that you were all well.  I should like very well to see … [Thomy?] Kerr & James Murray and all the little Kerrs & Murrays, however we don’t know what is before us yet, but if not may we all meet in Heaven.  You will see what I have said about Mother in Jessie’s letter.  She sends her kind love to you all and says that she has no hope in any good that she [can / cares??]  to, but trusts her soul to the righteousness of Christ.  Aggie may that Righteousness to be ours then all will be right with us for time & for Eternity and our Heavenly Father has promised it to all who seek it --  You wanted to know about Mary’s death.  It is Seven Years today since she died.  she left five Children - 2 Boys and 3 Girls the eldest (Nellie) will, I may say,  [fal… ?] the children that they are all good children and remarkably clever— …. [is there a name here?]
 

Historical Note:
Christian and Andrew Smaill are living on the South Island of New Zealand, at a plantation called "Mayfield", located on a river island called "Inchclutha"  When they emigrated, Christian's elderly mother, Agnes, went with them.  Other family members, including her sister Agnes Kerr, sister Jessie Murray and their families, and her brother Thomas Archibald's family, went to America.  Mary, whose death is mentioned, is a younger sister.  Mary Archibald emigrated to Australia, and married George Edwards there, but may have later gone to New Zealand to be near her family.
 
 

Transcription:

be 19, come December.  Emily, she will be 17 come November.  Agnes, she will be 14 come Christmas.  Caroline, she will is 12 … past on Febry.  then Frank will be 9 next birthday.  Emily and Millie are both in places in this province but a good distance from us.  Agnes is with my daughter Agnes and Carry is with me, and has been for the last 4 years.  Little Frank is at school.  their Father kept house with them til about 2 years ago when he sold off every thing but did not give the children anything.  but they are all pretty well up now except little Frank.  Mary died very suddenly; she was only one night ill.  I had seen her only a month before.  she was lovely and in good spirits, but she had been work -- ing hard & had hurt herself some way.  You must write oftener & soon.  My kind love to Lizzy & Roberts family also kind love to David Kerr & Robert Murray & all the Children and not forgetting you Agnes….truly dear 

Sister C. Smaill