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Stanton Eighth Month 26th 1889 The intention of this book is to contain a sketch of the lives of my Father Mother and my two Sisters my Sisters had suffered so much my oldst from fits and my youngest from different diseases from earley womanhood and Mother for four months of  the last of her earthley life suffered terable distress 
and misery on account of loosing her mind that I thought if there was any one left that cared any thing  about the family they would like to have some account of their lives sickness and Death fourtysix years has passed away since my oldest Sister was laid within the silent grave over twenty years since Father over four since my youngest Sister over three since Mother and they are all  fresh on my mind by their sufferings was such that no time or power can remove it was written by me Alfred I Paxson and copyed by my Wife. 
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Joseph W Paxson was born as near as I can learn on the 8th of the seccond month 1799 their was twelve Children two boys and ten girls. Father was a hard working boy and the  family being large he had very litle means except his own industry which he made the best possible use of. I have often heard him say that he made a hand at mowing at eleven years of age and at cradeling at thirteen he learnt the milling trade and like it he attended milling for Edward Ealy his Brother in law. In 1819 he went to the State of Delaware New Castle County Millcreek  Hundred about two and a half miles from Stanton attended a mill for Jesse Trump a year with expecting to buy one near by next year but was dissapointed, so he bought a farm of a hundred acer's with a good house on it but no other buildings worth much the land was poor and he was very much in debt but he worked hard and worried along for nineteen years still disatisfied with farming He bought a mill in West Grove Chester County Pennsylvania with sixty acres of good land and a saw mill. Sold this farm and was congratulating him self on following a buisness that he liked but he was prone to dissapointment about two weeks before moving time the man 
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came and throwed it up they were bounded in article of Five hundred dollars but the neighbors told Father that the man was wrong in his mind at times and so he let it go. Roade the neighborhood to rent a farm for a year but could not find any to suit so riding along he went up to a farm house where he knew the man relating the circumstance he said why I will sell thee my farm so he came home talked with Mother thought the matter over and bought it moved on it in the spring of the year 1839. It was situated on the upper New Arke road about two and a half miles from Stanton runing about a half mile southward to the very place on which the mill stood that he attended when he first came to Delaware. the place was very poor with a little house on it 18ft by 26ft a frame barn 40ft by 30ft scarcely no fence worth any thing. I have worked ever since I can remember I was now thirteen years of age and could do a good deal and there was no scarceity of it for the buildings stood in a bank and Father had it graded all the ways from the house to the barn and around the house, lime very heavy bought rails by the thouseands and fenced the whole place. built the house 18ft longer tore down the east end tore floors all out and roof off and raised the whole, altered the windows to make them correspond with the new part. and built pretty near all around the barn and barnyard Built three tennant houses one 32ft by 16ft with  
4 porch back whole length of the house afterwards kitchen shut in to make a summer ^ and two other smaller ones and I have since Fathers death put up clever little buildings one by 16ft by 18ft and the other I built I left by 22ft with room above for hayFather Mother My Sister Sarah and I lived togather and worked hard Father began to gather something ahead. lived his days  
out and died on the place. Nineth month 7th 1868 He made no request to be layed on the place alongside of his Daughter and Mother not wishing to be there we thought it best to lay him whare we expect to lay Mother and so we layed him in the Friends Burying ground at Stanton Delaware near the North end wall with Tomb stone at head and feet the meeting of which we were members. Father has gone to  render an account to his Heavenly Father for the deeds done in the body. O how important while in this state of probation that we strive with all our might and strength and that we 
pray to our graceous Lord and Saviour to grant us strength and power to overcome our sineful ways and to be guided in the paths that will Leade to truth piety bliss and to everlasting Life within the Praise of our Heavenly Father Whare Happiness is perpetual and sorrow is no, wether Father has reached that Happy Land or  not is wrong not for me to Judge. 
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Father had some good honest traits he was honest in his dealings with the world and strictly honest in the payment of his debts, Benevolent and Charity were Prominent, he often help those in want and distress, though his propensity for accumulating did not let him run into extreme in this respect as my Sister did. Father beleived in Friends doctern and apart of his life attended meeting pretty regular but got quite neglectful and towards the latter part of his life got to growing more and I beleive at times he deeply felt the importance of Religion. 
6 Willow Grove Farm Fourth Month 11th 1886 Joseph W Paxson Son of Mahlon Paxson of Lower Makefield Township Bucks County Pennsylvania and Sarah his Wife, he married Phebe Kirk daughter of Jacob Kirk of Abington Township Montgomery County Pennsylvania both belonging to the Religious Society of Friends they were married by meeting. they had three children two Daughters and one Son Anne Eliza was born Fourth month 18th 1895 Died eighth month  16th 1842. Alfred I Paxson was born sixth month 16th 1826 Sarah W Paxson was born seccond month 7th 1828 Died seccond month seccond 1885. Ann Eliza was taken with fits before she could talk which deprived her of speech though she lived for seventeen years she was like a little child she knew any 
no danger or fear she would pull over pots of scaldin water upon her self and by that means got badly scalded. There is no doubt on my mind that she  has gone to her Heavenly Father there to enjoy those Blessings layed up for the Righteous of all ages for she was as harmless as a lamb. Her Father layed her on the place in the South east corner of the Chestnut field close by a Sassafras tree and we planted a Walnut on the South side and the branches of these two trees shades her grave the most of the day With a Tomb Stone at her head with a iron fence around her grave. and feet 
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Phebe Paxson My Mother was the Daughter of Jacob Kirk of Abington Township Montgomery County Pennsylvania and Rebecca his Wife was born on the  Sixteenth of the ninth of month 1793. There was a large Family I beleive ten children. two died one after she was grown up eight of them lived four Sons and four Daughters Seven married and had familys Aunt Rebecca did not, their Mother died at an early age their youngest child was about four years of age their Father a cripple by being thrown from a horse left a great responsibility on her oldest Brother and her self their means were limited they had a hard time to get along but they worked along and done the best they could. Uncle Charles was very dilligent in his employment as a farmer and in time become well 
off they all though great deal of one and another, it went very hard with Mother to leave home and come to. Delaware I know very little about her youthful days but as far as I can learn they were happy ones I have heard her say or some one when their Mother Died some one remarked what will become of Rachel their youngest child she said I will take care of her and I have heard her talking about visiting her Relatives and Friends a company of them travelling out to the Lake Country and had considerable pleasure. she was dissapointed in early life in refference to mattrimony and after married a man name Joseph W Paxson a native of Bucks 
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County Pennsylvania but had bought a farm in the State of Delaware and had lived there five or Six years and one of his sisters kept house for him They were married on the Third day of the Sixth Month in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred Twenty four they then come to Delaware to live it was a trying time with her and her Relatives being separated so far apart from each other, I have  heard Uncle Charles say that it seemed like a Funeral to part with her they all ways visited and kept up a correspondence as long as Mother lived and 
good many of them come to her Funeral and showed great respect for her and sympathy for me in the lonely situation in which I was placed Mother never got fully reconciled as long as she lived she at times longed to live with them even in her last sickness she would say I am far away from all, my people, she worked hard untill her Daughter was old enough to help her but was blessed with health she had no sickness as I know of much account untill about 1854 when she had an attact of the ague and fever that it wa a good while before she could get shut of them. then in the year of 1867 she had a bad attact of Pneumonia that I did not expect her to recover from but did. then in the year of 1877 about nine years before her Death she was taken with what the Doctor pronounce to be the heart disease she was very bad all Winter 
9 we did not expect her for about three months to live pressed from one day to another she was paent for breath seemed as if she would choke to Death then would sink away and scarcely breathe at all so she lingered all Winter got better in the Spring so she could ride and some next Summer but it broake her down so she never recovered her former strength she had untill then, gone out to milk an do a good deal of work could see to sew and knit and read 
but after all this spell of sickness she lost her eye site so that she was just able to get about was not able to do much work ever afterwards she could walk about some go up and down stairs about two years and five months after her sicness her Daughter Sarah was crippled with the rhumatism, she had it very hard lost a great deal of sleep the Winter that Mother was sick that I think help to hurry on her misery for near five years she was in excruciating pain from rhumatic and nerve's disease's, her and Mother stayed in one room up stairs 
night and day Mother was able to get up and down stairs but my Sister was not. Mother would go* down and eat her meals walk about the yard and garden a little then back to her room again, seeming better contented there than any whare's else. Mother and her Daughter had lived together ever since my Sister was born and the Love and sympathy for each other was so great that I was afraid that my Sisters Death would be to much for her, Mother at her advanced age and feeble state of health and I do not think that 
10 I was much mistaken for the night my Sister Died it seemed she could not be reconciled to the fact that she had gone, I was afraid that she would loose her mind I talked with her and said according to the difference in time that iw as probable that each of ous would live, her lost to me was greater then to thee that her misery for near five years had been a constance sourse of sorrow to me that I think we ought to concider it a consolation that her sufferings in this world was at an end. She seemed a little better reconciled and said that she thought that she could sleep some that night, but it pressed on her mind and I believe hurryed on her misery for a while she did not seem to care for company except when we 
could be with her untill the 18th of the fifth Month 1885 then she got so that they had to be some one with her all the time yet she seemed not to have any disease but was very nerves, on the 16th of the eleventh month she was taken bad we did not expect her to live the week out but lingered untill the 19th of the third month about three Oclock in the afternoon her distress and misery was heart rendering to me she had spells that at first would come on perhaps about eight Oclock in the morning and last untill three Oclock in the afternoon but they got worst and longer untill they would last all day and night for fortytwo hours before her death, she was in a constant state of distress getting scarecly 
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no sleep only a few minutes at a time. She would pitifully implor those who were by to do something she would say O do something O please do something I will die though we could not do nothing to alleviate her suffering we would fan rub her forehead with camphor water and sometimes with our fingers along. About four months before her death she lost her mind and was troubled, she thought we had lost all we had and would say strange it is that we who was once well off have come to this. I tryed to convince her that we all lived together that we were living at the same old home that we lived at in Fathers time. Sometimes I could convince her for awhile she would seem very surpprised as if to say is that really so but would soon wonder away to some dismal foregin parts over land and Sea in distress 
and misery. She most allways knew me when I went into the room. I generally could convince her that she was not in the miserable place that she thought she was at time she would think that I did not live here but come from a distance to see her one day I went in the room and she was terably surprised saying why how did thee get here why says I we all are liveing together as in Fathers time why is that so, I thought I was away off on water and she seemed to be glad that it was not actually so. Such distress and misery to one so near and dear to me was more then I could bare they made impressions on my mind that no time nor power cna remove for as long as this mind retains 
12 its memory I shall remember them with heart felt sorrow. It is with consolation, I remember setting by Mothers Death bed side faning and giving her the last drop of water that wet her parching lips while life remained within her feeble frame. I feel certain that Mother has gone to that Bright Reigeon above within the pressence of our Heavenly Father there to enjoy the Blessings and Happiness layed up for the Righteous of of every ages. For she tryed to serve our greacious Lord and Saviour. She went to meeting whenever she could she took us when we were children and when we got old enough we took her, she did not go for the sake of going but because she considered it a duty that we owe to our Maker. I knew not the reason why but when 
Father made his Will he did not mention Mothers name in it of course she could draw her thirds douring her natural life time but had nothing to Will at her death. She had brought little something in the family but I know not how much it was but I was under the impression that it was about five hundred dollars, so I wanted her to have something to Will if she choose. My Sister and myself was left Executors of Fathers Will we proposed it to the Reigester he said they could do nothing but go by the Will. we might do it between ourselves if we choose. So we set Six Thousand dollars apart for her possession for awhile but seemed to care nothing about it did 
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not want the trouble of it. my Sister had the manageing of it all together collect the Interest and get what ever Mother wanted and she was satisfied for her to do so it remained in the way a few years agreed between themselves to give two thousand to two of our first Cousin's on Mother's side that left four thousand and that my Sister with Mothers consent invested it in her own name and so it remained untill she made her Will and then their had to be something done or it would all had to be counted as her estate so she assigned my share to me and Will hers to four of our first Cousins on Fathers side equalize what went to Mother's side. 



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Willow Grove Farm. Fifth Month 16th 1886 Sarah W Paxson was the youngest Daughter of Joseph W Paxson and Phebe his Wife. was born on the 11th of the seccond month 1828 She was a pretty smart and bright child and to all appearance a healthy one untill about seventeen years of age then her health began to fail but she had inherited her Fathers perseverence she worked hard from childhood upwards as long as she was able to do and even when crippled with rhumatism she would hobble around and do all she could, her nerves was very much diseased and she suffered terrable in that respect. In the latter part of the 
seccond month 1880. She was taken so bad with the rhumatism that I had to go for the Doctor and from that time she was untill her Death under the treatment of six different Doctors adn none of them apparently did her any good She had one from Philadelphia twelve times that 320 dollars and 50cts. we could not see any good he done so she stoped him. For five years she suffered terrable the two last of which she was not able to walk at all her joints were so stiff that it hurt her terrable for her to get her feet down to set on the side of the bed in that possition she sat most of the day and try to get 
16 in the bed at night but her joints were so stiff that she could scarcely move them, I would help her when ever she would let me but it hurt her so terrable for any one to touch them, that she would do it her self when ever she could and so she worried along in this way untill about two weeks before her death then the thypoidpneumonia set in and carried her away from her sufferings on this earth, and I feel sure that she has gone to those *Blessed Aboodes Above whare sickness pain distress and sorrow is no more and happiness Harmony Love and Bliss Raines Supreme Within the presence of our Heavenly Father and Saviour. She had been crippled and in such misery for such a long time that her countnance wore a haggered and distress look but as soon as life left her mortal fraim a sweet smile 
come over her countnance which she retained a portion of untill the day of the funeral. She would when others was sick do all she could day and night could scarecely get her to go to bed even when others come to set up. Father had a bad spell of thypoid fever in 1847 and for a long time we did not expect him to live, and she nursed him all most day and night and he got well and lived for twenty one years then took sick with the disentary her health had failed very much by that time but her strong propensity to do what ever come 
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before her would not let her shrink from what ever she concidered to be her duty and so she nursed him in his last sickness with some of Mother's and my assistance when I would set up with him at night she would say that I had to work hard in the day time and would get sick if I sat up at night, so I would stay up the part of the night and so we worried along in that way for two weeks untill he died. she could not stand it any longer she was taken sick with the same disease and so was I but soon got over it, but she was so near woreout that it lingered for weeks. 
Father was so bad on seventh day night before he died so I proposed to my Sister to go to bed and let me stay with him that night next day being first day that I could get some rest but I was disapoint I went to lay down and was soon called. Father was so bad that we thought he could not live long so I stayed with him untill he died which was  on seccond day about five oclock, 9th month 7th 1868 O Mother my head was the last words he said. He made a Will after he was taken sick but was not able to write his name, but got a man to write it and he made his cross left the farm and impliments to his son Alfred I Paxson and the Bonds and Mortagages and all out standing debts to his Daughter Sarah W Paxson left my Sister and my self Executors we got the Will proved and settled up the estate. 
18 He did not name Mother in the Will and of cours she could have drawn her thirds but she had brougt somethign in to the family and I wanted her her to have something to Will or to do what she pleased with so we set six thousand dollars apart for her and a life time right on the farm neither one of ^ being married my sister keep hous 
for me and Mother and ous all lived togather paid her wages boarded  Mother for the work she done, the year before Father's death Mother had a bad spell of pneumonia that we were afraid that she would not recover, my Sister allways ready to help any of us when we were sick she had a task before her now. She was quite bad for some time and was poorly along time but got pretty well at last and next Fall Father died and left us to mourn his lost and we went on as well as we could expect untill my sister was cripple 
then I had to depend on others, their was a family in the neighborhood name Little Mary his wife was very good in sickness and went out a great deal Mother had a little over a year before been bad sick for three months we did not expect her to live from one day to another and Mary was here good deal of the time and got very intimate. When  my sister was cripple there was no others to depend upon so she was here the most of the time that season releaving her when ever we 
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could got others untill 11th month 10th 1880 then we got a woman name Jane Biddle with a boy of eight years of age and has been here ever since. Now this sickness of Mothers I have but little doubt that it hurried on my sisters misery for three months night and day she was worried and lost a great deal of sleep Mother was so bad that we all lost sleep but Sarah's nerves were so diseased it made it worse for her, Mother got better but it broke her down and was a great care on her as long as she was able to wait on her she got so she could ride out 
next summer so I took her at times and my Sister at other times she seemed pretty feeble and pressed for breath but gradually grew stronger and was able to walk about and go up and down stairs though it worried her. I took her out riding some but she seemed to care very little about ^ so we did not go much but she stayed with her Daughter pretty much the whole time. She would come down stairs to eat her meals walk around the yard and garden, even to the last summer of her life, then back to my Sisters sick room where she seem contended to be day and night and disatsified without her pressence so they stayed together and done all they could for one and another, for my sister was for doing all she could when others were sick it was her consent care to make as 
20 little trouble as possiable so she waited on her self as long as she could get about, she attended to keeping up the fire when sick we attended to her fire that would not be needed when in health, so in the Fall and Spring we had a wood stove that took a good deal attetion and when the weather was cold we burnt coal we would 
put in a big stick in the evening that would last half of the night and then it wanted another one to keep it up untill morning when my Sister got so she could not do it she requested Jane to do it she did it for a time but was afraid she would take a cold, so she asked me and I got up in the night and done it. Now when we were  children we picked cherries and other fruits at what age we began I do not know perhaps at seven or eight years of age for at nine Father 
had me in the harvest feild I had not much  time to pick cherries, we gathered walnuts carried some of them half of a mile huled washed and put them to dry took care of them used what we wanted sold the rest to get a little money what was a scarce article with all of us in them days so she continued all her life to gather and take care of fruit. She would climb to the top of the  higst cherry trees or others gather fruits of all kind that we had perserved caned pickled spiced and dry 
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used all we needed sold the rest and give away the money. We both had a very poor oppertunity for a education For Father had objections to the distric schools of that day and would not send us, the summer that I was nine year of age he sent us to a pay school at Stanton a distance of one mile and a half. I stayed through harvest my Sister being to young to go by her self had to stay home. next summer there was a pay school at our distric school so he sent us and my Sister could go when I had to stay at home them two summers was all that either of ous 
got to go, we got what little we could get at home When about sixteen years of age my Sister went to a Boarding school two Winters She being quick at learning got some, she was the pride of her Father and he had reason to be proud of her for if she had one half of the oppertunity that  a large portion of the young girls of the present day have towered far above the ordinary portion of the female sex. She took an intrest in the good of our country reading the speeches of our smart and great men such as Henry Clay Daniel Webster, John M Clayton and Horris Greely  writings and I think she knew more about the suitable Laws that should govern a Rebublican form of Government then one third of the men that votes at the polls. Now back to the industry 
22 she carried out while a cripple untill two weeks  before her Death then she was taken with a  disease that carried her away. it was remarkable to see what she would do with her hands and fingers drawn with the rhumatism she would knit sew write read pare an cut fruit prepare it for present use stoneing Cherries to preserve can, and pareing and cutting apples for drying the last year of her life she done over a sugar barrel full after they were dried, giving the girls Mother a good many for bringing them to her and takeing the cut one away and putting them out to dry. we have been useing them ever since 
her Death that fifteen months we have now in the very garret that I am writing this account in, about three pecks of them left in the barrel yet. She had some Noble and good qualitys of which Sympathy an Benevolence predominated they were not limited within the narrow space of Relatives and Friends but extended as wide and as long as the whole world whare ever it is inhabited by humane Beings whare ever there was nead of want in fareign parts of our own country or of foreign Countries she was all ways ready to extend a helping hand and often times solisted my aid which I could not refuse. Her Charity was only limited by the want of means. for if she had been 
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Worth Hundreds of thousands of dollars it would have gone that way this she proved in her last Will and Testimony. she Willed all most of her Estate to those that were of no Relation to her. two thousand dollars of Mothers money in her possession she Will to four of our first Cousins on Fathers side. she  left a man name William Little and my self  Executors of her Will we got it proved settle up her Estate I had pretty much all the trouble an all the expences and Costes he took the one half of the percentage to a cent. All though my Sister had give and Will to him and his family over four thousand dollars. She Will'ed thirteen thousand one hundred dollars of principle and two hundred and ninety dollars of intrest that had ten months of it had accrued before her Death to them that 
was not of any Relation to her at all. The two  thousand to our four first Cousins makes Fifteen Thousand three hundred and ninety dollars Will'ed out of the family, the remainder Will'ed to me it was not much. Six hundred and ninety three dollars an three cents. Her Estate was appraised at eightteen thousand one hundred eighty one dollars an two cents, now their was good deal of this that could not be collected without distressing the ones that had it and it being her disare not to do that. I would loose it before I 
24 would do it by that means it fell short of the appraisement. Their was two hundred dollars of that she requested me to give to a girl that lived with us. Now before she made her Will she was giving her money away by the hundreds untill I told her that Death was certain but life was uncertain and knew not how short or long a time it might be before Death might come 
that she had better make her Will and let them have it when she was done with it, there was Four thousand one hundred dollars went in this way including two of Mothers, and how much more in small amounts I knew not but I knew there was a good deal. She Willed to three different Benevolent Societies four thousand five hundred dollars of principle and two hundred and thirty give of intrest it being the amount of one year ten months of that 
had accrued before her Death and before the Estate could be settled up there was six months more intrest due and they got it all. She had  layed so long in one position not being able to change on account of the pain that her bed sores was terrable it has been fifteen months since she has gone and left us to mourn her lost it was a very heavy stroake on Mother at first I was afraid that she would not survive 
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but a few days she could scarcely realize that it was  actualy so I talked to her to try to compose herself for it was working on her nerves I said that her lost was greater to me than to thee considering the difference in the time that it is most probably we shall each live that her sufferings for near five years had been a source of sorrow to me that I thought it ought to be a consolation to us that her misery in this world was no more, she seem more reconciled that night and said I think 
I can sleep but it made an impression on her mind that she never got over they had lived together ever since my Sister was born and the sympathy between the two was so great, and Mother being ninety one years of age an in a feeble way it was to much for her she lingered for thirteen months and a half being ninety two years Six months and three days of age. My Sister  was a great lost to me I had no other one to go to for many a thing that I wanted done. She never married nor seemed much disposed to though a smart young man that she got acquainted with while at school paied respects to her and if he had not died it was most probably they would have got married for his Sister and mine kept up a correspondence and visited as long as my Sister lived 
26 Second month 20th 1886 Sarah W Paxson Deceased Her Estate was appraised at what was Will expenses and Costes the remainder was Will to me. 

Cr Cr 
cts Dol 
181 18 02 
487 99 99 
693 03 ooooooooooooooooo 


28 th Willow Grove Farm, 4th mo. 4. 1887 I, the son of Joseph H. Paxson and Phebe Paxson was born 6th mo. 15th 1826. I remember but little about myself until was six years of age, I think it was in 1832 that father built 
a new kitchen and tore away the old one that stood at the north of the house, and first the new one in range with the I have some recollections same end. of it, for my sister and myself would  ride back in the cart, when father was hauling away some of the stuff. home was built of blue kewn stone. The main building I believe measured The 40 feet in length by 20ft, in breadth, with 
kitchen back. It was situated on road leading from Brandywine Springs to Herseys Bridge, of late called Marshallton. Father bought the place, I believe, in 1820,  sold by him to Benjamin Duncan in He bought a farm on which he 1839. lived until his death, and where I now I was born and lived at the reside. former place until I was between 12 and 13 I think I began to work, years of age. about 7 or 8 years of age. For I remember 
29 of sister and myself going to school when I was 9 years of age, and of father having me to stay home to help work during harvest which he would not have done had I been of no usem for sister had to stay home also as she was The school was at to young to go alone, Stanton a distance of one and one half miles. Father had objections to the District Schools of that day so did not send us. to Stanton We went that summer^ and the next summer to a pay school held in the District of which we lived, I remaining home in 
harvest as year before. My sister went all summer as it was only half a mile That length of time completed distant. my schooling from home. All I got after wards was what I picked up at home in the midst of work, I tried to learn what I could for I felt the importance of an ed ucation, but my mind being so engross ed in the work, I could not learn so well,  I think I did prefer work to my books, but when I went to school, I took pride in knowing my spelling lesson and standing at the head of my class, I liked Geography, Arithmetic, and wAt 9 years of age was writing. when I began to do much work,  before 
30 that age I suppose I had done considerable at picking stones and working in the garden. I remember of working quite hard for 2 years before we came to the new farm after we moved here was where my but hard workbegan, for the farm was very the fenses and buildings out of poor, Father went to work improving the order, Grading buildings and fenses, land house to barn, around both ends and from back of house, Making a large amount of work, in view, and being naturally found of it, and having health, I worked to the utmost of my strength. Too young to know that I was injuring Father and I did most all of myself. the work even in harvest, until the farm was in better condition, and raised heavier crops when we had a man  aday grass We three would mow time to mow, at a a lot of grass, father and I would down it in and have him to assist in take cutting another lot &c. We often cut the wheat and oats ourselves. When I was 16 years of age we had a that was an uncommon fast mower man He would take a narrow swath and cut 
31 in a great ways and would run ahead considerable but not cut near as fast as either one of us. For our swaths would be so much wider, and he would spend so much time at the ends that we would generally be ready to set in at the same  I remember at the age time. of 19 years, not much over, as my birthday is on 15th of 6th mo. and hay harvest about the 20th of the same. we had an able coulored man mowing and the weather was very hot, so he gave out, but father and I kept on, but before night father could scarcely go. I had worked them both down, but not without overheating myself, which was the first time I become so. The fact I did not tell my father but to my mother and sister I acknowledged I felt the burning in my stomach for several I think it very important for days, those having the care of children, no matter whether harvests or not, when the they child is ambitious, that they see that do not hurt themselves. I do not know exactly at what age I began to rake and bind wheat, but think I did something at it at 9 or 10 years. I can remember at 11 and 12 of doing  considerable at it, and at 13 years father 
32 and I went over to the old place, he cut the wheat and I raked and bound all I could while he was cutting and sharpening his cradle, and if I did not get quite out by the time he got ready to set in he would help me out, so we could both set in together again, so we went on until we had finished it with shocking I thought I was doing all right until one night as father and the man who 
owned the place was talking while they supposed I was asleep, the conversation  fell on me. His wife had wished him to try to convince father that I was working too hard for my age and that there was a danger of injuring myself. I pretended I was asleep, and never knew better to my knowledge. His wife talked 
to mother afterward about it. They were a very respectable family, and we thought a great deal of them. They had one son and one lovely little daughter. They had lost, I think, two child-ren previous to this time, both of the children they now had passed away, and a son which was born later, was the only raised to ma-turity, but always had ill health, He inherited the property and still lives on it. 
33 we were cutting the wheat we staid While at nights. The little daughter and there myself would be together all my leisure time, for we were fond of one another's We would talk together uncompany, -restrained by those bashful and modest  feelings, which are often felt by the different sexes when a few years older. I think people often do wrong by plaguing children for talking and playing with the opposite sex. Little boys and girls will play together as harmoneously, if not more so than boys by themselves. Well behaved boys have a respect for little girls, and are not as rude in their 
presence, as when to themselves. As to the little lovely daughter, She was too fair a flower for earth. Too sweet a bud to bloom. She was taken from this world of woe and sorrow, to one more bright and fair. As I suppose high within the Glorious Heavens There to enjoy those Blessings laid up for the Righteous of every age. Her death almost broke her mother's heart, I had even in my boyhood days a desire to save and make myself a home that I could call my own. So would save^ the 
34 money I could instead of spending it for cakes and candies, but it was not much as father was starting, and still in debt for the farm, Money was a scarce article with all of us. I had saved only fifty-five dollars at the age of twentyone. At that time the best of hands got ten dollars 
per month. I would have been satisfied to take that but father not willing, he would rather not give me any set wages, thought I could get it when he was done with it. But having a desire for a home of my own,  I wis hed for what would have bene legally my own, if i had been no relation to the family, but I could not make father think so nor act as if he did, for some sixteen years or more passed away in this manner, and I 
still dissatisfied and unhappy. I did not know what to do, did not want to leave father nor to resort to Legal means to get my own dues.  I spoke to a friend of ours in reference to the matter, a man who had considerable influence over father, He urged father to assign a mortgage to me which was satisfactory to me in reference to the money matter, but it was too late for me to accomplish my cherished object. Father was growing old and somewhat crippled 
35 unable to farm without my help, but unwilling I did not like to leave to give it up to me. disappointed him and mother, and being ---- in my love in reference to matrimony, which often makes a great difference in our future destiny made me feel more indifferent about the matter, of the hope I had cherished of having a home worth calling a home. The person I referred too was of a respectable family, no objection in that respect, we were I admired children together, and visited, her from childhood but kept it to myself Did not even let her know, for as things were I could not see the way clear and did not wish to prevent from marrying another if she choose. I had now left it until I was Twentygive 
and she somewhat older. Thinking that many girls marry before that age, I must come to some conclusion, or give it up, so I mentioned the matter to mother, she was perfectly satisfied with the girl, but opposed it on the same account that I did. I felt now that it was opposed by one so near and dear to me I gave the matter The girl never knew it to my knowledge up. she soon after that married, and has a family grown up. The sweet and lovely one forever gone from 
36 me,The cherished hopes of my boyhood and manhood that some day she might be mine, in whom I could confide in, and her in me, all the secrets of our minds, rejoicing in each others joy, and helping to bear each others woes and sorrows of this world of care and tribulation, and all I could do was to grieve in secret, for I never intended for her to know it for fear it would mar her happiness in him to whom she had placed her confidence, 
I have found from experience that it is hard for one alone to bear all the woes and sorrows imposed on human nature, without an earthly freind to give rest to a troubled mind and But I am aware have their consolation. of the fact that those who are good can have a close communication with our Blessed Lord and Saviour, and is the main Source of con
solation and comfort. O Gracious Lord I pray thee by thy Adorable mercy and Infinite Goodness to have mercy on this poor, weak mortal to guide him in the paths of Truth Purity and Sobriety that will lead to Everlasting Life. All priase, thanks, and Glory are due to Thee for thy gracious gifts  to me forever more. O Gracious Lord I have my only hopes on Other Refuge have I none, O, leave thee, 
37 me not alone, but support and comfort me I think I have had my full amount of trouble for as long as I can remember I worried about I suppose, I things that troubled mother, was more easily worried than some. I cannot see how a sympathizing person can but feel for another's woes. I never had a brother and but two sisters, and one of them was afflicted from infancy with fits, so that she never could talk, and died when about 17 years of age. The others had poor health from early woman hood, but having a great amount of perseverence what kept her up for many years. In the spring of 1880 she was taken with 
Rheumatism, and was so crippled she could scarcely get about. She had kept house for me and I had no other to depend on, We worried along with whom we could get until fall when we found a woman, named Jane Biddle, she had a boy about eight years of age, he is now fourteen. I paid her 2.00 per week and boarded the boy, and paid a girl 1.25 per week. Jane had been with me ever since, but it is a very heavy expense on me. With all of my hard work, doing most myself except in harvest. mostly without a boy, I had a large amount of chores to attend to. With all that the income of 
38 the place was not sufficient to defray expenses Heretofor I had mother and sister to help to bear the burden and my troubles but now it fell two fold heavy on me, as they now had their own afflictions in bodily ailments. I had no earthly freind to sympathize with me for mother and sister had too much trouble to be bothered The terrible suffering of dear with mine. Sister Sarah for near 5 years was a constant source of sorrow to me, and mother during all that time in a weak and feeble way. The death of her daughter was such a stroke 
on her that I think she ever got over it. She survived her daughter, a little over a year. She retained her mind for about 4 months before her death, after she lost it, she suffered terribly from wandering and nervious distress. Together with my sister's suffering has made and left an impression on my mind that no time or earthly power can remove. Years may pass away but as long as this mind retains its memory I shall remember them with deep heartfelt sorrow. If any one could know one half that I have gone through they would be touched with sympathy, if they were of a benevolent mind. Now referring to money matters. The 55 dollars I had saved at the age of 21 I kept at Interest 
39 and added to it the little I could get which was not much. I considered by chance very poor before that age. Father starting in life had not much, he was still some in debt at the time he sold the old farm. He was not very free in letting me have it. If I could only have gotten as much as  many children waisted for things which do them more harm than good, I should have had much more. If parents and those having the care of child ren would teach them frugality, honesty truth, and piety, and not allow there to spend money for things which are injurious to the health, as sweet meats of different kinds and superfluity in dress. 
Sweetmeats too freely indulged in will injure the stomach, and destroy the natural appetite By frugality and for wholesome food. Temperance there might be enough saved to make thousands of comfortable homes, and if we should include Tobacco and Liquors which are frequently indulged in, from a spoiled appetite in the manner refferred too, we might set down that millions of comfortable homes could be provided with If a man is rich he may the money lost. suddenly become poor, but if poor, he cannot 
40 suddenly get rich, unless it be given him he inherits it so resorts to evil means to obtain it. As a general rule it requires all the active portion of our lives to accumulate enough, that the interest of same may support a family independent of any other means. It takes time, diligence, and patience to accomplish great objects 
Many small strokes have cleared large scopes of wood-land - Many  narrow furrows have plowed million acres of land, that have produced sufficient for the support of whole nations of people and animals. Each grain of wheat growing is required to make up the mass that furnishes flour for the whole civilized world -  Many small bricks have made large cities. 
It is the small streams of water which make the large rivers. So every penny spent if saved would add to our fortune. In reference to my social disposition if I mistake not, I was naturally warm and social, fond of company especially children and female society I don't mean that kind which levels  man with the animal creation, but that higher which elevates to a ^ plane, - to refinement, purity, truth, and piety, for I consider 
41 
that female influence over man is great for bad or good, for where is the man that has any respect for himself and his immortal soul, that can withstand the entreaties of a good and pious lady with out making impression on his mind. Not having much opportunity for social intercourse while a youth, and for 7 years being deprived, by surrounding circumstances, During that time I cultivated a cool and reserved way until it has almost become a habit. Like the waters of a stream kept  back by artificial means ready to break through at every good with overwhelming force. I think it right for persons to have a 
care and influence over their children in referrence to matrimony, for they have even more of the world and can judge of human nature better. I think when there is no objection to the person, they should consider the matter well before they stand as an impregnable fort in regard to their children's future happiness. I think mother seen where she had done wrong, when she found they were all going to leave me alone without a child, brother, sister or wife to cheer my declining years. 
42 I have a number of relatives on both Father's and Mother's side which I hold in great esteem; But they are all away I have not had much intercourse with them since Mother's death. Good many of them were down at my Sister's and Mother's funeral. They showed great respect for Mother and sympathy for me. Now back to my working quality I believe I left off at the age of 19 years at the time the able colored man left 
the Field of labor on account of heat. From that time I consider I made a hand at any thing we went at whether with men or by my self. I did not intend to let them do more than myself, My health and strength was good. I feared not work and plenty to do, I would grub out thickets, grub up stumps some were white oak, which I don't think had been cut for more than 10 or 15 yrs. As many as 100 during the winter and spring, Ditching making French-drain picking stones, setting out willows for powder, cutting, skinning and hauling them to the Powder Mills. There was always some building, fencing, or improvement 
43 of some kind to employ the time when not farming. We got the farm all fenced with chestnut rails, then we begun to plant Osage Thorns. I had nearly all of that to do. The way they were set out made a great amt. of work - I would dig with spade a place for the first, set it in on the slanting then dig a space wide enough for another and put the dirt on that thorn and so on, setting out as many as 2500 a Spring. Sometimes I would dig up the ground and plant some of the small straight roots by making a hole in that way with a stick, but most were too sprangly to plant^ we planted nearly the whole place not 
knowing what future labor they would give me. Father had good many of the Virginia's on the other place and liked them pretty well, but we found the Osage of a different grade. They grow many feet in height and breadth and if not trimmed very often the wood becomes very hard Father trimmed the hedge during his time, but at his death it fell to my lot to  take care of them. At that time I could trim them in about 3 days, and now perhaps there may be a hundred panels more 
44 but that would not make much difference when small, but they spread in heighth and breadth until it was two weeks hard work to trim them. They had to be done three times a year, and I have trimmed them for 18 years. Except I employed a man one The first summer after Fathers death and a half day when I was crippled  with my rupture and not able. When I had a man hired for 9 months one season he trimmed a few sides with myself a pear of shears once, I trimmed them both other times I would mow around hedges & do much at raking up thorns after trimming 
As near as I can remember the thorns were set out between the years of 1861 and 1867. I remember this so some one may be able in future time, may know how long they live, to make a fence. If properly planted, taken care of and snugly trimmed, they make a good and pretty fence. I had to set them out with a spade along a crooked fence a Father thought it of no use to try to get them straight as there was a poor chance But I found by trying I got them tolerable straight. They were as many as 45, 50 60 and even 90 & 100 panels in length. They are almost as straight as a line 
45 
with a very few exceptions, The tops have to rise and fall with the ground, but where it was level I would trim them as straight as a line and flat as a board sometimes as broad as 2 to 3 feet on top. We always had some extra work to be done when not busy with the farming besides fencing, grubing bushes & stumps, digging and filling with stones French drains we graded the road from barn to house Building to the house we live in and 3 tenement houses, built to the barn 
and barn yard, 2 stables and carriage  house with lofts above to hold hay. I would thresh all the oats and sometimes all the wheat and all the seedwheat as long as Father carried on farming for he never got a machine until after we sowed wheat. It was a hard job because the wheat was damp and hard to thrash at that time of year. And I have threshed oats for feed while in a sweat, and so damp I could scarcely pound it off. We had some woods which lasted until about 1861 for firewood & some timber. We would cut our firewood in winter & haul it home. I would cut it for the Stoves in sufficient quantities to last 
46 through the busy portion of the year, piling it up snugly out of doors until we built a wood-house, then I would put a portion in it so we always would have dry wood, and always allowed to split kindlings in sufficient quantities to last until the next winter. When our wood ran out at home we bought a wood at some distant woods We cut and hauled it ourselves, not caring to burn coal altogether. We would burn it  during the winter in my Sister's time and would use wood in summer. When she was a cripple and we had to have a house-keeper she did not want to be bothered with wood, so we began burning 
coal most altogether. It took about 3 tons when we run one fire through the winter, and after Sister was crippled, we had 2 fires, it there took between 7 and 8 tons I had to haul 3 miles from the Stanton depot, on the old Wilmington and Baltimore R.R. The Baltimore and Ohio Co. have constructed another oone which I expect will be about 2 miles distant from my place and one at Harmony about 1 1/4 mile away. I do not expect to haul from there as there is a big hill both too and from there. 
47 
We planted out a great many Willows There were 2 long rows on the back part of the place. I think there were about 300, but they  were so bad about stopping the French drains up. I cut a great many of them down and some of them are dieing out now. Willow Grove is the name that Father gave the farm. We cut and hauled them to Powder Mills, a distance of about 9 miles. We would take them in winter if the roads were not too much blocked up with snow I have hauled them when there was considerable snow in them and when very 
cold and terrible icy. There always seemed to be enough to keep me busy all year, and would often work after night at getting  wood, cleaning wheat, shelling corn mending harness and making brooms, and even up to last winter as crippled as I was with Rheymatism and other ailments I cleaned nearly all the wheat and shelled nearly all corn myself after night.      When I was young and able I did not mind work, I would go from early norm til late, often would work until 9, 10 & 11 O'clock, even later,  up in the morning in time to have clever little bit of work done before I would 
48 takes my place in the field. In those times men came to work at sunrise and would have mowing done before breakfast. Now men will not work before breakfast, the sun an hour and half high before they take a stroke and stop at sunset, no difference if I have shocking enough, to keep me until 10 O'ck have at night and they 2 dollars in wheat  and $1.50 in hay.             I can remember when the price in hay harvest was .87 1/2 cts One of the best men we ever had got no supper before night, and in wheat he had one dollars perhaps one and a quarter, but he mowed down a great more deal than the man I have now This harvest he loaded one load of hay 
after sundown, and two other evenings a little after sundown, and charged me  for a quarter of day extra, and he often would not begin until the sun was  hours heigh. I always count on paying for extra work, but do not care to pay double price. He charged 23 cts for throwing off a load of wheat. As I have said before I did not mind work when I was able; I delighted in it. 
49 
I had a weak knee that troubled me at times even in my boyhood days with the exception of that I believe I was as sound as the average of men. and could work as hard and long without fatigue in hot weather. If I did get tired at times I had an ambition that did not let me falter while I had strength to persue. But when that strength did fail I used it too freely, I followed hard labor without intermission 
until about 45 years of age. My weak knee got worse in winter when I was hauling hay to town, as i would be walking a ketch would take me near not the cap so I could ^ walk until I would stop and rub it awhile. A little lump appeared in the way of the leader, then it seemed all right for awhile. But it kept getting worse until sometime in the sixth month. I suppose I took cold in it, had a doctor for three months and did not appear to get much better When young I would work in the rain an when wet would keep on damp clothes. After my knee was bad I was careful as possible that way. But was caught one day with a load of manure, had 
50 to unload it in the rain which made my knee worse, so I went to another doctor got medicine, which seemed to help me more than the other Dr.s treatment, It did not get well but much better, 
It left the knee swollen and the leaders contracted. All through that harvest I dragged it in misery and distress, only at times stopping to rest it. I cut the wheat with a Self Raker so I could go ahead and cut a lot down and then go to shockmen ing. There were two ^ binders and as it was heavy it made so much shocking. One night there was a large quantity 
down and men had left working at sundown and as I seldom left wheat down at night, I worked very late, when I was tired out and miserable with my knee, so left some that night, but was at it early next morning so as to get it up in time to begin cutting as soon as fit to bind. My knee getting better at times but I could work pretty well until about 50 years of age. I was taken with mumps in winter time, and weather cold, had no boy, so did all work at barn, was getting pretty well over them, as we 
51 
thought, and was stirring some candy one evening by the stove, became warm, and took cold on them and was bad for some time, They left me with an ache in back and numbness in limbs. I have not got entirely clear of it yet It left me with a disturbed sleep at night, and have not slept as well since That was the beginning of my failing health I still worked hard but not getting my proper rest at night hurried my failing health. 
At 55 years of age I became Ruptured and that crippled me terribly. I went  seven months without a Truss not liking to begin wearing one, at last I used a limber one which did pretty well for awhile but soon become too limber, then I used a stiff one which hurt me very much to wear. I went back several  times to get it made more limber, but the man still refused to do it saying that I would get used to it. So I worried with it some 3 or 4 months. The first time I trimmed the thorns that year I did not know how I could possibly get them done, as it would hurt me so much that I had at times to lean almost to the ground to rest myself. 
52 so worked on in this way until I finished then except a half day work which I employed a man to do as I wanted to begin to mow. On Second day I began mowing It hurt me very much to walk and equally as much to ride on the rough Machine. I would at times get down and lie upon my back to give myself rest and relief. Finally I ran the risk of trying to make 
the truss more limber and succeeded as it did not hurt me so much afterwards. If they broke it in trying, it was their risk and if it happened in my hands it was mine. The Doctors did not let me know that there was anything more ailing me than rupture, but I thought there was as I had such a 
weakness around the small of my back and the left side. The rupture is on the right side. When getting up in the morning my back would be so bad that I could scarcely get about and continue a good part of the day and sometimes for several days. It was 20 years or more ago that I was trouble with Rheumatism at times, not long at a time, but of late years it appears to be in my system. Most of last winter and spring I was plagued consider able with it, my right shoulder and arm 
53 
was so bad I could scarcely raise it to my head but used it all the time. About the 25th of the 3rd mo. 1887 I was removing a fence while the weather was very cold and  the ground frozen, wind very high, The boy left for home. I worked at it but don't know that it hurt me, but two days afterward the air was very damp and snow-like it began snowing and I worked in it two hours or more, I was taken the next day with Rheumatism in my hip so I could scarcely walk. I kept at work that day but did not do much on the next as it hurt and pained me so much, that night I sent for the Doctor and could not scarcely walk at all. He told me not to use it for four days. 
I used it little until the fifth day I walked around some, went down to the field, on the sixth I plowed some and on the Seventh I went most of day plowing sowing oats and rolling. On the next Second day I hauled a load  of Phosphate in forenoon and plowed in  afternoon and went on with it, did most of the plowing although my hip was  weak and hurt me to walk over the rough ground but it got better sooner than expected, it was not the case with my shoulder It continued to be weak and troubled 
55 head.  I  had  to  use  my  toher  hand.  It  hut me  considerable  to  even  feed  myself  at  the It  continued  so  for  a  week  when table. it  got  a  little  better,  but  was  bad  all through  harvest.  I  fuitched  more  than half  of  the  hay  on  the  wagon  and  helped to  mow  it,  a  good  bit  of  it  myself.  while the  man  was  raking  up  the  hay.  I  would take  the  wagon  with  one  hore  and  the  boy and  go  to  loading,  in  that  way  I  would throw  on  more  than  the  half.  When  the boy  would  be  milking  or  the  man  would not  be  here  I  would  have  it  all  to  pitch. When  it  was  Joung  and  strong,  and Father's  health  was  failing  I  would  take. the  hardest  of  the  work  so  it  would  be better  for  him,  and  I  enfoyed  it,  but  now It  have  not  the  ability  to  perform,  but  the  men seem  to  expect  the  same  from  me I  throw  all  the  wheat  on  the  wagon  and mowed  it  away  ercept  two  shochs  near  the and  some  sirx  or  seven  sheaves  that  the barm mer brought  in  the  took  off  of  the  shocks  whiled boy I  was  futting  up  the  lines. One  of  the  hottest  days  of  last  summer Thermometer  standing  at  105  in  the  gangway the the  man  was  throwing  off,  and  mest  have where been  warmer  up  near  the  roof  where  I  was  mowing 
Ece 56 
with  my  ailments  I  was  afraid  it  would be  more  than  I  could  stand,  but  the  wheat was  in  good  condition,  and  weather  threatening The  next  day  after  we  wene  through  the rains  set  in  so  incessantly,  that  those  who had  not  their  crops  in,  got  them  considerably After  harvest  most  of  the spouilt. people  take  a  little  time  when  they  recrut their  strength  after  a  long  seege  of  laborios But  it  was  then  that  I  had  to work, go  to  trimming  thorns  which  is  as  hard,  if more  so,  for  the  sun  seemed  to  four not intense  heat  along  those  high  and  dense tte hedges,  withont  scarcely  any  air  a  little  way off  there  may  be  a  good  breeze,  but  I  could  not My  clothes  would  be  wet  with  per fuell it. spiration  unto  wringing,  running  into  my  eyes making  them  smart,  Aud  that  at assodf sixty  or  soxtyone  years  old  when  the  vitality of youth  had  passed, With  infirmities connection  with  age  a  person  is  more  sensitive. en theat. to The  man  or  boy  would  go  from  any  part of  the  place  to  get  their  suppers  when  the  boy would  do  very  little  afterwards  except  the milking  and  a  few  turns  about  the  barn, If  do  not  consider  my  afternoons  work  any  Io more  than  half  done  at  5  oclock. 
57 I  do  not  go  to  supper  nor  eat  a  bite  until  night I  did  not  guit  at  sundown  but  often  worked when the  twilight  was  lost  within  the  shade  of night,  the  stars  shining  around  and  overhead, not  till  then  would  I  wander  home,  ferhapd from  the  far  part  of  the  place Before  I  would  get  my  supper  and  fo  to git  woould  te  Roctock bed,  in  summer  when  the  days  were  long. sometimes  the  family  had  gone  to  bed  before I  had  come  home,  and  would  get  some  two hours  more  rest  than  me. Tor.  I  would  be up  in  the  morning  as  soon  as  they  and  before the  man  would  come  for  he  Foften  was  not  here before  breakfast  would  be  ready,  and  by his  quitting  at  serndown,  gave  me  three  hourt When  I  was  able  I of  labor  more  than  he did  not  mind  it  but  now  in  my  condition  I am  tred  and  fick  of  it,  but  see  no  way  of getting  out,  as  I  am  not  able  and  as  yet have  found  no  one  to  do  things  as  I  like them  done, Some  freople  seem  to  have  more  trouble through  life  than  others,  and  it  seems  to  me  that I  am  one  of  them.  We  know  not  one  half  the I  that trouble,  many  bear,  for  they  keep  it  to  themseloss If  anyone  could  know  the  one  half  that  I  have gone  through  both  mentally  and  phjsically,  it  would touch  a  cordof  3fmpathy  of  a  generous  mind. 
58 
58 On  perow  Essapes  of  Life. I  dont  suppoge  theres  are  many  wno  lead an  active  life  in  this  worlds  of  care and  strife,  but  that  meet  with  some narrow  sscapes. I  have  met  with  quite  a  number,  several of  which  I  well  pemember. One  happenieowhile  I  was  a  baby Mother  was  mursing  near  one  of  those  oldfashioned  ofpen  Bloves  built  in  fire  placlh, While  mursing  me  she  fell  into  a  dose and  let  me  fall  into  the  fire  or  on  the stove. I  think  I  was  badly  as  I  yet have  the  sear  and  shall  have  it,  to  the mape. If  It  had  inhafed  the  flames it  no  doubt  would  have  killed  me. When  a  boy  about  twelve  years  of age.  I  would  ride  a  colt  some  wwith Father's  consent.  It  seemed  so  quiet,  and being  used  to  fumping  on  broken  horses without  a  bridle.  Tthis  one  was  standing near  the  fence  and  I  attempted  to  pump on  it,  but  it  gave  a  great  bound  and throew  me  acrosk  the  yard,  my  face striking  the  fence  with  a  terrible  blow. Head  it  been  my  pead  it  might  have killed  me. I  got  up  and  went 
66 
pome  as  sron  as  i  couted,  buet  nof wanting  to  acknowledge  that  I  had  been so  foolish  as  to  get  on  a  colt  without  a bridle  I  told  them  I  yas  going  very  fast. and  fell  against  the  fence. I  thought  I  told  them  no  falsehood,  for  I was  ofoing  veryfast. of  I  had  learned  a  trade  the  carpenter would  have  been  my  choice,  for  I  yoasfons of  being  onhigh  buildings.  Father,  built a  ood  deal  while  I  Iwas  a  boy  and  I would  be  on  the  buildiige  and  delighled on  being  on  the  highest  parts. I  whitewashed  all  the  frame  buildings on  the  place  which  were  not  painted  so would  gfo  on  seaffold  and  over  the  ooofs. met  evith  some  narrow  sscapes,  but  never not  much  hurt, In  the  fear  1815.  Father  built  too  aud  per parred  the  old  part  of  the  house  in  which  toe liv.  I  was  between  eighteen  and  mineteen years  old,  was  walking  a  foist  when  it  tumes and  fhrew  me,  I  ttrew  out  my  arms  and At  another  time  I  was. cought  myself. swceping  off  a  wet  roof  when  I  slipped  and nenily  wenr  down,  but  caught  myself. I  once  attended  the  raising  of  a  large  barn It  was  2fft  to  the  square,  with  an  3ft  cellar. 
81 were  50  men  there,  but  scarcely  any  were There willing  to  go  aloft  encept  the  carpenthers  and one  of  them  stayed  below  to  keep  the  timbers right,  altogether  sif  en  mumber,  five  weunt  up with  others  making  twelve  only  to  go  aloft making  very  few  to  do  the  work,  which  came very  heavy  on  those  willing  ones.  but  we  worked away  the  best  we  could  got  it  all  up  to  the square  with  the  upper  ties  on,  and  ien  getting the  purloins  up  some  had  a  rope  fastened to  one  ind  and  drawing  it  up  while  I  was lifting  the  other  end  up  tie  at  a  time.  I was  trying  to  get  it  on  the  second  from  the I  had  to  swing  it  over  to  get  it  on,  and top. it  nearly  sioayed  me  to  sternily,  with  some  40 men  standing  below  looking  up  at  me,  which I  worried  away  and nettled  me  somewhat, got  it  at  last  withoul  falling,  but  said  I At  may  stay  here  if  some  of  gow  will  not  come and  help  me  up  with  itt.  not  one  of  them would  starl,  but  my  Father,  but  no  said dont,  thee  come.  I  thought  he  was  too  old a  man  for  that,  so  then  the  man  of  the place  came  and  helped  me  up  with  it. It  seems  strange  to  me  that  at  such  times when  there  are  flenty  of  men,  if  they  were  all willing  to  lend  an  helping  hand  it  would make  the  work  so  easy.  why  they  stand  back, 
63 
At  one  time  I  dug  a  well  at  the  barn,  had it  finished  and  walled  to  the  top  of  the  ground reaty  for  the  mortar  wall.  I  went  down  to out take,  the  water,  and  whatever  had  fallen  with working  at  it.  When  taking  the  water  cats we  used  a  barrel  cut  in  two  with  a  wooden bail.  I  was  filling  the  tubs  at  the  botton of  she  well  and  Father  and  another  manwould  wind  it  up  with  a  two  handled I  would  unkook  the  rope  while windless I  filled  the  tut  and  hooked  on  again  when Father  cried  but  in  a reaapy  to  carss. terrific  voice,  appearing  dumb  founded,  I did  not  know  what  was  the  matter,  but  was afraid  they  might  let  it  come  back,  so  I cried  out.  go  on,  goon,  It  reached  the top  without  falling,  but  I  considered  it a  very  narrow  escape  of  lefe.  If  it  had fallen,  it  would  most  likely  would  have  stmick The  hook  had  cought mey  on  the  head. on  the  lower  part  of  the  bale  with  the  point of  the  hook  Sicking  the  hard  hickory  wood, ready  to  glance  either  way,  with  its  heavoy wosighht  of  half  barrel  of  water  would  have  bein sufficient  to  crush  a  person  to  pieces Once  I  was  moving  a  steamer  and  was  passing a  road,  made  narrow  by  black  berries  bushes,  that there  was  scarcely  room  to  walk,  I  got  too  nearthe 
53 steamer  and  the  fore  wheel  struck  the  back. of  my  knee,  throwing  me  down  in  front  of  it. I  ttried  to  stop.  the  horses  but  the  wheel  being on  my  coat  tail,  and  before  I  could  get  up the  horses  gave  another  start  and  brought the  wagon  againct  me.  I  then  made  a  spring and  tore  my  coat  almost  in  two,  came  off without  gitting  much  hurt,  a  few  bruises In,  the  fall  1886  I  was  hauling  lumber to  repair  the  house  in  which  eve  live,  I  was walking  up  a  hill,  which  I  always  did. withs loaded  horses,  I  trod  on  an  rolling stone  which  threw  me  down  with  my  wrest in  front  of  the  fore  wheil. In  throwing  me forwards  it  slacked  the  lines  learing  me withont  control  of  the  horses,  only  by  the word, They  going  eep  hill  did  not  Sop,  but I  ferked  my  wrist  away  frt  as  the  wheel struck  it,  but  hurt  it  consederable  and came  within  a  hairs  breadth  of  ounning  over it,  and  with  a  heavy  load  on  wagon,  could  not help  mashing  it  to  Splinters I  was  alone  and  the  porses  wanting  to  fo I  did  not  leave  them  to  bathe  my  wrist  in  a Thream  of  water  about  1eefds.  distant, When  I  came  to  another  one  I  stopped  and bathed  it  well.  It  hurt  me  and  did  not get  wrll  for  some  time  but  I  felt  very  thantfut 
64 
to  our  Graceous  Lord  it  did  not  oun  over my  wrist. Then  at  another  time  I  was  goug  to  get  my It  was  as  sharp  as harrow  sharpened, tron  could  be.  I  loaded  it  in  the  wagon with  the  sharp  tuth  up,  in  the  back  part,  ant I  wrode  in  front.  Sot  along  very  well  until coming  home.  I  stopped  on  the  way  and  was ogetting  in  wagon  again,  when  I  Puppose  the popes made  a  start,  and  threw  me  and  I  fell  with my  head  strking  the  sharp  teeth.  It  stmickthe side  of  my  face  on  hollow  of  temple,  I  threw  out my  hand  troke  the  force  of  blow  as  much  as Bofore  I  could  get  out  of  wagon I  could and  horses  hitched,  the  blood  was  running down  my  face.  I  went  to  a  house  near  by and  bathed  it  well  with  water,  It  was about  1  or  20  minutes  before  I  could  get  the The  lady  of  the  hous  gare blord  stopped. me  some  Halsam  fthat  I  puit  on  it. I  broke  the  blow  so  that  the  cut  was  not  very keep,  had  it  not  been  so  it  might  have  killed Thiswinter,  the  year  of  188  as  I  was me bruging  a  grist  home,  in  cold  tey  weather, I  was  coming  down  a  hill,  I  had  fut  the  braker oy  which  are  of  little  account  in  icy  weather, One  of  horees  had  been  spoiled  before  I  got  him I  was. by  allowing  to  go  down  hill  fast. 
65 walking,  and  could  not  control  them  so  well it  being  slippy  and  crippled  myself  could not  stand  firmly,  The  horses  began  to  govery fast  I  feared  I  would  loose  my  footing  and fall  in  front  of  wheels  and  be  run  over with  a  load  on.  It  was  all  that  I  could  do to  keep  with  them  and  guide  them  that  they would not  buin  ints  a  deep  ditch  and  togo through  a  narrow  bridge  so  as  not  to  strike and crush  me  to  death. 
66 
Mode  of  I  iving  and.  Heet. thn  the  yiwr  1Moy  when  oather  tought  hy second  farm.  I  was  over  5  years  of  age. The  house  being  small  they  pirt  me  in the  garret  to  sleep,  I  become  so  attached to  it  I  remained  there  after  the  new  house was  built.  The  garret  was  not  ceiled and  so  low  that  it  reguired  carefulness to  avoid  beemping  the  head,  and  the  temperature  varied  from  excessive  heat  in  summer to  fer  below  the  freeying  frint  in  winter The  cold  searching  winds  would  drive  the snow  up  the  shingles,  and  played  in  and  over my  head,  and  settled  in  pretty  little  pyyramibs ooer  the  floor,  beautiful  to  look  upon  but  not so  desirable  to  sleep  in  midst  of  as  it  would dampen  the  bedclothes,  But  little  did  I  cara while  yrung  but  at  the  age  of  30  when  I  got the  mumps  in  the  midst  of  winter,  my  Sester said  I  must  come  out  of  the  garrct.  So.  I wentt  ints  a  ceiled  room,  the  first  of  any  account since  I  was  12  years  old.  I  stayed  down  the evinter  out  as  I  was  not  well,  but  when  the  cold weatter  was  over  I  moved  back  again. There  I  stayed  with  few  exceptions  until  last winter,  which.  was  the  winter  after  mother's  death, The  housekreper  saying  she  was  not  going  tobe 
57 bothered  with  gring  up  there  ton  the  cold  to  make There  were  but  5  in  family,  the one  bed house keeper  and  son,  a  girl  and  boy  I  had  hires and  myself.  We  occupied  the  four  rooms,  on  sciont leaving  no  spare  one  for  company story olate Prfecting  to  put  a  new  roof  on  the  house  in  the the  housckeper  did  not  think  it  worth  while 5th  mo.r gerret  to  sleep  before  it  was  done,  by  that  time to  fo  to the  roof  made  it  so  warm  that  I  did  not  go up  enntil  the  weather  became  cooter.  When  I went  and  have  been  there  ever  since  sikept about  a  week  while  I  painted  it. When  I  was  a  youth  I  went  thinly  clad exposing  myself  to  cold  and  wet  weather with  nothing  brrt  thin  summer  clothes. When  I  put  my  winter  clothing  on  they  were princepally  cotton,  and  never  wore  undercloth ercept  when  about  S6year  of  age,  I  wore cotton  flannel  undershirts  that  winter  and thoughl  I  had  such  a  time  getting  them off  in  the  spring,  thought  I  would  not  pit them  on  again,  but  did  so  the  pait  of winter  after  I  took  the  mumps.  and  never wore  them  again  until  last  wintier  was  a  year as  I  was  troubled  with  Pheumatie  pains This  written  3  mo  1  1883,  fot  therm  ont  again  and wore  therm  last  winter,  as  vitality  is  growing  less. and  the  deetine  of  life  is  ftealing  over  mer 
68 
It  was  my  cuistom  to  wear  taced  shors  in  all kinds  of  weather.  When  40  yearsold  I  got  a pair  of  coarse  boots  which  I  wore  in  deep. snow  and  to  fo  with  the  teains,  They  lasted me  a  long  time, the  spring  after  I  had the  mumps  I  got  a  pair  of  gum  boots  and have  worn  them  some  kince When  I  began  to  wear  boots  I  scarcely  ever wore  stockings,  exceht  when  I  went  from  home I  have  worn  laced  shoes  in  winter  without stockings. For  the  last  so  yeare  I  have wormn  stockinge  very  little  in  winter,  and  never in  summer. how  all  the  boys  and  girls. about  the  house  generally  wear  theme,  summer and  winter,  I  can  till  by  the  quantity  seen hanging  on  lince  on  wash  days.  Thowing that  it  made  extra  work  to  wash  theml besides  the  expense  of  living. It  does  not  take  lons  to  wear  out  a  pair of  stockings  in  warm  weather,  and  often  in cold  weather  they  are  a  disadrantage,  for they  become  moist  and  make  the  fet  cold more  so  than  without  thems I  seldom  wore  mittens  about  my  work.dn. cold  weather,  but  my  hands  would get so  cracked  on  the  back,  that  I  got  to wea. ing  what  I  called  mitts,  they  were  so  I  couly mm ge. use  my  fingers,  but  of  late  my  hauds  get  cold,  with  mittens, 
69 On  Dset D2t Father  was  young  and  boughthis farm he  worked  hard  and  economeged  to make  both  ends  meet. He  laid  up  pork  beef,  plenty  of  herring and  that  with  bread  mush  and  milk. thickened  milk,  brasd  and  milk,  and  with pies, dumplings,  puddings,  molasses  and plenty  of  preserved,  fruit,  we  did  not  starme Wfhen  we  were  children  wve  did  not  know that  the  country  was  over  run  with  butcher carts for  they  seldom  ever  came  to  our Father  did  not  buy  much  frese place, bef  thrrugh  the  season,  he  either  killed  a bef in  fall  or  winter  or  bought  to  lay  up, we  always  counted  on  having  dried  beef and ham  the  whole  year.  We  were  more fond  of  fish,  puddings,  bouled  rice,  stewed fruit  tan  we  were  of  fat  meat. Father  and  I  were  fond  of  mush  and  milk so  we  would  often  have  it.  The  thickened milk.  eve  had  was  delicious,  Mother  would sometimes  call  it  Farmers  Rice.  But  when my  sister  becamne  crippled,  and  we  had  a rousekeefuer  we  got  a  very  little  of  it. I  never  drank  tea  or  coffee,  rsed  water when  I  wanted  a  drink,  but  seldom  drank  while eating  for  Alconsider  it  a  habit,  I  can  get  my 
39 
vituals  gfown  when  I  am  well,  without  drinking. If I  had  children  and  had  my  way,  I wouty not  allow  them  to  drink  tea  and  coffee,  or ariy stimulating  drinks, milk  if  the  hild likes  it  and  agrees  with  it  is  a  good  wholecoe and  nourishing  drink, I  dont  know  but that  butter  is  wholesome  if  used  in  moderations ef  used  on  cold  bread,  but  when  too  much is  used  especeally  on  hot  bread  and  cakes with  rich  meat  and  gravy,  as  I  see  people do,  I  consider  it  very  injurious  to  health  r I  like,  butter  and  ate  it  until  19  years  of age,  but  seeing  to  what  excess  children  and grown  piople  used  it,  and  fearing  that  I might  fall  ints  the  same  habit,  I  abstamed from  using  it  attogether,  and  scarcely  ever tathe  it.  I  When  away  with  the  team  or  to town  and  dont  expect  to  be  home  un  til  year night  I  take  nothing  with  me  but  dry  buead and  eat  it  with  a  relish,  Tome  would  have  i Tpread  thick  with  butter  orfellyf. sugar  is  something  that  I  always  dearly liked  from  childhood,  and  thought  if  I  ever had  a  house  of  my  own,  I  would  indulge  in eating  it.  Mother  thonght  it  best  not  to  let me  have  it  while  a  child.  And  when  I  got a  house  of  my  own  I  did  eat  of  it,  but  thought best  not  to  indulge  too  freely. 
78 In  harvest  time  we  would  have  pies  cakes  aud rusk  for  luencheon  for  we  did  not  have  seepper until  night.  In  the  latter  part  of  Father's  time my  Sester  began  to  get  it  before  night  as  it  was the  cuistom  of  the  neighborhood,  thern  they  gave no  luncheon  in  the  afternoon,  so  I  got  out  of  the way  of  eating  in  the  fore  or  after  noon  disiding it  ts  be  nothing  more  than  a  bothersome  rabit, for  those  in  the  house  as  well  as  for  us  to  carryit to  the  field.  To  eat  between  meal  time  I  never for  nor  wanted,  but  when  I  would  see  the cared eating  the  mce  cake  and  pie  at  my others exjense,  it  was  somewhat  of  a  trial  to  refrain, I  thoughk  it  best  not,  wo  for  it  was  a  habeyt had  gotten  into  whiech  was  hard  to  break wa self  of  after  harvest  was  over,  and  I Aonea not  consider  the  work  then  at  some did other  times  when  the  days  were  of  the  same It  has  been  20  years  since  I length, have  scarcely  ever  eaten  in  fore  or  af  temoo when  I  got  my  meals  at  the  reqular times,  and  in  summer  would  often  not get  Dupper  until  near  9  oclock. If  I  worked  at  cutting  hay  or  wheat  until 2  or  3  oclock  and  can  get  it  I  may  take a  piece,  or  shock  wheat  until  Bor1oclocp at  night  without  my  supper  I  would pome  bread. dat. 
93 9th  ro  2fh,  189o,  I  hred  Wn  Duickenson  who had  lived  with  me  some  three  or  four  years. We  were  thindered  last while  a  bory te I  never  worket spring  with  wet  weather, wharder  considerino,  my  ailments.  We  had. I  pitched  more  that sixty  loads,  of  Phay. half  on  the  wapon.  Bied  all  the  mowe ing  and  reapeng. ake  care  of  mice  folks  who  are  wanting a  fffwor t  man  named  Lhes.  Iffe  I rented  a  house  of  mine  over  a  year and  worked  in  a  spoke  mill  near. an, bf In  spring  he  rented  the  mill,  in. May  ik  eas  burned,  he  lost  all  tis  tools. had  nothing  to  work  with,  Seimed  like  a Elever  well  disposed  man,  so  I  loaned him  tools  to  wook,  for  me  and  others  in the He  pestered  me  so  mucthy neighboohood. to  buy  the  mill  that  I  concluded  to  let  himt, havet  the  money.  The  lumber  was  bought befory  he  had  searched  the  reeords  for  The I  emiptoyed  a titter  of  the  frohenty. lawyel,  and  paidt  him  ten  dollars  and  there was  found  a  claim  of  7  oos  four  thousaet dollars.  and  for  me  to  stop  short,  So It  moved  the  lumber  to  my  own  property for  fear  it  would  be  livred  ufron  boy  Pailt I  did  not  care  to  let Rreditors 
13 it  bay  in  a  sporling  condition  until  the  thing was Beettled.  I  had  work  in  taking  care of  it,  and  lost  about  100  one  huudred  dollard by  Wfle  using  of  the  lumber  before  I  gok  it. and by  his  borowing  money,  hay,  straw  meal and meat  and  would  not  do  a  days  workafter,  I  moved  the  lumber. I  used  the  lumber  by  putting  up  a  build ing.  for  hay  and  wheat, 6k  mo,  1  188.  Mnother  year  has  rolled  away. Time,  is  fast  passing  and  bringing  us  nearer the  gave. I  meuitioned  last  Bpring  my discouragement  of  the  coming  season,  on  accoury of.  My  aimeurs,  arms  and  shoulders  being so  bad  with  rheumatism.  It  continued until  near  hay  harvest,  so  we  were  late  git ting  through  with  it.  Thene  there  was  maniire to  get  out,  and  plowing  which  I  did  most myseff. About  this  time  William  fut something  ion  the  warts  on  his  hands,  which poisoned  them  and  It  pad  more  to  do  until sometome  after  corn  rusking  time  began, wher  I  hired  another  man,  he  wanted  to stay  Ruring  the  winter,  I  hired  him  but het  got  so  quarrelsome  I  did  not  want  him any  Aonger,  but  wanted  to,  stay  and  frromised to  do Aetter,  so  I  hired  him  for  the  semmer He left  me  in  one  month  when  the  busy 
94 
time  came.  I  worked  alone  one  month then  hired  Wh  Dickinson  again  who  wass out  fof  work, I  had  trouble  about the  corn  planting,  lised  a  planter  whie which  scattered  the  grains  and  made  to. much  work  replanting.  I  think  twothio had  to,  be  gone  over.  etfter  the  corn  plantind was,  finished,  I  commenced  to  go  over  the thoomss  in  doing  this  my  rupture  troubled me  very  much  with  the  slipptng  of  ther truss,  I  worked  in  misery,  but  finished  threry The  weather  was  warm.  I  was  troubled wisth cramp,  very  severe  at  times,  and  fain  and numoness  at  nighk  and  during  the  day. had  bought  my  oats  from  the  weste and  sowed  it  for  sied  it  was  so  miyed with  mustard,  that  I  plowed  it  up. aid  sixty  cte,  per  bushel  for  them  which  was lost  besides  the  crop  and  hard  work  for me  aud  the  horses,  fust  at  the  comimence. ment  of  harvest  but  did  not  want  the  evil seed  fs  have  chance  to  fpread  over  the  place. Ther  difficitty  of  making  water  is  an  ailmert I  rarve,  ben  Afflleted  with,  for  over  twenty  years, in  whick  time  I  have  taken  medicine  from  twe docton  o  Lhe,  feeond  one  seemed  to  help  me. Tpought  I  had  gravel  or  stone  in  the  bfadder, better  and  worse  lintil  I  went  to  my  wifes  fathers 
78 on  a buyit  when  I  came  tome  in  misery,  thikiry urless.  I  had  retief  I  mught  nop  live  until. morning,  but  was  thankful  after  I  had  mooed around  that  evening  I  got  some  relicf  with diffieenfty I  went  to  a  doctor,  took  medicine, but  seemed  to  be  getting  worse,  soon  after this  I  got  no  reref  ecepl  in  using  a  tube and  foith  it  I  had  trouble  to  manage. Deventh  mo.  6  18f  was  a  memorase  day to  mer  on  accourd  of  misery. I  helfed  on and  off  with  ray,  which  was  in  order  for rauling  and  only  a  man  and  boy  to  do  if. If  has  been  ten  days  I  have  been  usinct the  tube  most  of  time. Whether  I  shall ever  get  any  better  is  all  closed  in  futture misteff. 6h,  how  thankful  we  should  ber to  bur  Graccous  Maker  for  uis  numerous  mercies unts  ofe. How  a  little  thing  out  of  order within  our  bodies  will  caude  such  misery and  death,  tnd  many  run  into  it  withordt feauent man  or  Lod. Went  to  lown  the  ride madh me  worse  and  in  one  month  after,  I pent again,  aud  was  bad  for  several  weeks, 2 good  bit  of  work  this  fall,  threshed  Fome wheat to  get  the  straw  to  tie  com  fodder,  shelled corn, plowed  the  ground  for  wheat  which ruit me,  Went  to  town,  and  was  bad  for id  ttfk  afteriard I  dread  the  wintere 
7 
for fear  of  being  poorly,  and  have  so  many thorns  needing  tt  be  trimmed  which  is  a I  am  worrid  that  I  ance tedious  fob poooy  to  fo  to  meeting too On  account  of 7 my  complaint  as  It  am  disturbed  sometimes often  as  ten  minutes,  and  at  nights  it. as is  a  cause  of  interrupting  my  rest. That  with  misery  durind  the  day,  is  trying cbll  mortals  lare  subfect. the  nerves, on to  afflictions  and  misforteines,  and  we  shailed try  to  make  the  best  of  them  and  be  thauke fil  to  our  Tacious  maker  thak  they  are o  yworde, itisst  mo.r  t  18f2.  Mnother  year  gone,  a sorrowful  one  to  me,  both  in  dffliction  and misfortienes dast  winter  I  hired  a man  thinking  I  would  have  him  in  the sprong. He  proved  to  be  quarrelsome aud  left  in  plowing  time,  with  all  the work  on  haud  and  o  was  so  crippled Not  ables  but  had  to  plow, I  wrote  to  ther man  I  rad  before  who  had  been  in  other business,  and  forind  he  would  come,  but. thoughh  re  would  not  suit  me  for  he wanted  a  horse,  of  mine  to  drive, 2o  I  bought  him  a  bicyele,  paid  h  135.r  63 and  ib0  for  a  suit,  with  dues  and  other expenses  it  amounted  to  16t.  &.  He  left 
77 before  his  time  was  quite  out,  and  in  debt, The  oats  crop  I  lost  entirely  on  account of  buying  western  seed,  I  plowed  it  under, Had  so  much  corn  to  suplant  for  it  canve  up At  poorty.  I  am  geruing  along,  with  a boy  who  goes  to  school,  have  mmore  thoms trim  Wet  with  snow  on  ground  and to cold  weather,  health  poor,  have  been  fooly Still  loosing several  days  each  week. sleep  at  night,  being  disturbed  as  often as  eleven  times  aud  such  sufferine, onley  known  by  those  whe  have  passed O  Lord,  I  pray thfough  the  same, thee  Ito  have  merery  to  thy  poor  afflicted mortals  for  theret  is  great  afflection  in this  world, Third  mo.  3th  189  Have  had  a  bad spell  lastiiig  longer.  At  times  having  a passage  as  often  fs  twenty  eight  umes. in  twventy  four  hours,  blood  aud  corrupt. ion  nearlay  obstructing  the  fassage  with She  weather  es a  scalding  sensation. rough  caueing  me  to  feel  worse, Third  mor  1h  g3  some  days  little  better troubled  with  a  soreness  in  my  side but  am  doug  the  barn  work  myself. Third  mo  21th  much  afflicted,  but  without relpr  Heave  hired  a  man  for  1fo  os  per.  month 
38 
and  house  reut  making  it  21  00.  I  thuk. he  imposed  upon  me  i Tonsidering  my  ailmeuils  I  did  a  good  deal, of  works  last  year.r  I  whitewashed  the barn  in  spring  and  a  clever  bit  of  pauit. eng. The  men  I  have  had  by  the  month wbuld  excuse  themiselvess  from  doing  it Dont  thiuk  I  shall  be  able  to  do  it agaen.  I  have  kept  it  white  for  over  50  featy, When  we  came  here  it  was  as  black  as the  weather  could  make  it,  had  never  ten whitewashed Touth  mor  se  Ftill  tas,  with  other  aiteude added,  it  is  a  heavy  drag  to  do  what  2 do, Tou th  my35h  ty  help  as  gt  sens  god Hee  trummed  thobns  Whdaye  then  wint  too town,  to  get  something,  to  go  to  housekeeping I  worked  at  them.  I  try  to on. relp  all  I  can  as  there  is  so  much  to  be don-g  but  feel  at  times  as  if  I  can  do notfing  more, syyth  mor  5h  go  Fhill  teoug  a  muumatley life,  The  Foctor  has  been  washing  the place  out  every  few  days  for  three  weeks with  a  fountain  syringe  to  sstered  the bladder  and  loosen  and  relieve  the  cor ruption This  operation  nurts  me  con
79 siserable,  but  feel  better  after  it  es  done. Thill much  corruption  wouldd  remaeny Flinn  who  was  attending  me,  would  not Fr whether  a  stone  was  consealed  there  on Say thy but  he  took  me  to  Phila,  to  a  great phixsician  who  told  me  there  was  a  stone there,  and  there  was  but  two  cowrses from  which  to  choose.  To  either  have  an operation,  performed  or  to  live  out  a miserable  life,  that  must  sooner  or  later terminate  in  death, have  choosen  the  former  and  expeet to  go  to  the  hospital  next  Thirde  day,  to Iffruington  Bel. The  pleyeian  from  Thite,  is  to  te  thre and  at.  Ilinmn  to  take  shange. Fninthe  18th  of  this  month  I  shalt. be sexty  six  years  of  age,  and  being nervious  from  sicthess  I  am berr, apprehensive  of  the  consiguences But  It  fput  buust  in  Our  Blessed Lord  in  whom  all  conbidence  should rext, 
30 
Hunt  to,  hospital  6me,  7t  and  returres, 7he  26th  making  seven  weeks  stay and  long  waks  they  seemed She  opelation  was  performed  the  next day  after  I  arrived  and  the  wound has  not  entirely  realed  yet. I  have  had  some  trouble  in  reeping it  from  breaking.  ventured  home  ds soon  as  I  could  as  I  was  tired of  beena  confened I  at  afrdid  there  will  be  troubler to  ceep  the  water  from  breaking out,  I  use  the  rube  constant  to avoid  pressure  of  water,  which would  be  so  if  I  tried  to  leave  it come  lcoay  naturalln 
thgor  fr  4rod  Jon  oroo  Mryt Fmoo  ogr  Ffor  mrrot  my.  Fofrt  4fr 9rmonh  fr  rorogt  rie  fo  thoyor  fort gtrrorgh  mrfor  fr  rroo  mono  m.  try. 9  o  le rmnrorr  nt  Momornt Frrmnrt  Forr  Fr  Fro  Fror  rogos 6n332f Noyr  gogr  mr  Moy  to  rymrmt  Conyh  8  10f. ont  6myt  root  mor  rtorroft  3o.  8offf  tit Foomnor  8ogh  for  tmrrooo  oft Mmo  om Mh  oth  mo  mrmyony  Monnot  9 gooy  ti  mor  myronr  o  of  oy  to rmnnarr.  3o  nyr  omomnir  897y  t  9rrm roonoyo  tu  mirit  migyor  mo  gonyho of  rronroyfro  no  ono  norrrony mo  3oy  fof  rot  moyy  mninoy  orr ffor fo  mong.  mo  Frormgmo  1  gof  nr  tnoty miro  o  mo  Fonitnoor  mooy.  3yt  79s rm  tof  minh  no  mroyo  on  rom  Crmyh roorghh  rar  to  yony  or  nor  moyryonos  Wt rrtotno  t  moyronoo  rr  my  nroft  oy  I Fn  om  Ffnr  Cmmmroyo.  Mnor  mooy  rrooy rromomny  i3f  fo oyos  rorroy  trrrooromommmh Ir  fr  mmroyo  7994mo  ty  miy9no  torroyoro roong  roont.  Doorot  m  4mor  497m7.  6  n18  moy ty  to  mr  mnoff.  Migrryh  18y  momont  o mrmyomavgr  ft  fo  moroy  t.  nit Mrooot  r  79 trrt. 18 
82 
The  night  nurse  was  carelesl, sometimes  would  change  the  pads  in the  nighk  other  times  would  neglect  it until  7  Rclock.  the  next  morning  with  the bed  soaked  from  side  to  sede, The  day  nurse  I  liked  very  much,  fshe tried  to  attend  to  me  properly,  she  had morre  tha  she  could  attend  tos,  do  it went  on  in  that  way,  not  wanting  to  say any  thing  about  it,  until  the  Dor  took notice  tto  it,  was  displeased  about  it  and went  to  the  head  nurse  and  told  her  to  feud. one  whs  would  give  me  proper  attentionte. He  brought  one  to  me  and  asked  me whether  I  was  satisfied,  I  told,  frem  that was  the  one  I  wanted,  so  Things  went on  smoothly  for  two  weeks,  then  she  was taken  away  without  any  notice  and one  I  did  not  like  was  put  in  her place, I  rad  gas  and  pplegng  on  my Stomach  Abad. I  asked  her  tfor warm  water,  and  could  scarsily  tget  hers it  get  it,  and  eohen  she  did  get  it she  gave  me  so  little  kupk  me  in miseriy,  she  not  garing  any  shing abont  it. This  gave  me  a  poor opinion  of  her,  when  I  found  she  was 
88 to be  my  nurse  it  discouraged  me  terrible. W hen  I  found  there  was  no  other  way for me,  I  tried  to  gain  her  affections, ther she  used  me  well  enbugh  and I  became  satisfied  with  her,  then.  she was taken  away The  next  one  gave me Sery  little  attention,  bust  coming  in from, another  room  to  give  me  my  medicins and would  make  ouk  to  get  my  meals. and water,  some  times, There  being  no  sereens  in  the  windows, the flies  would  pester  me  by  day  and the mosquitors  by  night. I  made  my  own  bed  and  got the night  nurse  to  do  all  the  could. I  got  her  to  dress  the  wound  before the left  me  in,  the  morning,  and sffe she  came  back  in  the  evening she would,  do  all  for  me  she  could, I filk  thankful  for  she  seemed  to  be twullfng  to  taef  on  me  in  the  conditigg I  wol, There  was  another  thing  that fristtred  me  much,  that  was  a  pabeel  of nen in  the  nexp  room  and  out  on  thee porat right  by  my  window,  They  kept up a  I  constant  chatter  from  morning unthf 9  Octock  at  night,  whict  distitrbvens mile very  mucties, loas  nervored 
ftrrte  for  nroroor  Fmrtmunry Ftnyt mooe  wyoort  troi  rroof  moomromn  ro  grorth fww  Foooh  omoroor  oyr  tmorgn  nrotono  Comyy rxtnoono  gforh  moys  moyy  ofytomir  Croho of mryh  oof  mror  7one  nn  fr  7r  oo foor  8foo  moi  tonirhot  onh  frrny  rrty Fofmr  not  9onrnthis  o.  tnngomet omyooys  rintro  gy  onryymont  mroyh Jommnoo  onrroo  ty  ortronrryh  of  W.  trrrrys to99 mmor  myyoot  nroyt  nroton  ofr  moyroy myooo  rrmomofs  Fmoor  yoomr  oforft  4y  or oonyof  ror  nor  nor  omro  1t  or  9oro  nor. yorro  ntnros  4moyoynt  fr  moronog  to 79  7o  Fory oft  troo  of  morro  oft  to  Cry  mm no Torooootomooy  o  Fmom  troyr  Fomor  mny trt mrotnor  Fon  Foymor  o  99o.  7ty tt fo  mnt  ro  mgo  mors  nor  7romnov M9noor I Foor  Eorontr  fgnrorr  tot. myt  Frrorn.  mrot  ror  mothof  toyh.  Mnoy9 for  tnon  ono  ror  onns  oroot  of  rorr.  on  4o roort  fr  ny.  fr  frrogr  moyt  or  Fyooy mogor  fornh  Mror  993omm 4onort  1933 thoo9 ooys  fon  oonors  fr  My  N39r  t 7oto3ff  1oory  tr  tr  8om  ymnom  o  mtrme Jogor  tnirg3of fotrme  rfr  9ry.  47 4000. of  7  oxry  9on.  Fory trronoott  4oof3  88n  6moo  Fomo  of  33mh  4omro. 
18 
85 1the O  ne  3 The  wound  got  to  breaking  out  ageen, I  got  it  stopped  for  fourt  days,  but last  night  it  broke  out  agoin,  and ad good  bit  inflaroed I  have  been nome  a  month  and  have  felt  a  greats deak  better. I  cannor  go  abotit much  on  account  of  my  rupture I  can  wear  no  truss.  The  Fo  wartts me  to  be  quiet,  so  I  go  about  so  little it  worrieg  me to  tf I  mo. The  wound  troke  oit  tast Seventh  day,  but  have  got  it  stopped ag  nin  i I  have  to  try  to  keep  quit. I have  been  rilping  with  the  harvesting for fefty  seven  years  cand  it  has  been  a trial  to  lie  in  bed  part  of  time  whife others  did  it. It  womeds  me  white at the  rrospital,  hou,  it  would  get done, The  weather  was  so  wet. efp crops  wire  taken  in  more  damp I  like,  but  Saac  Steele  and tham and my  wifis  son  did  it,  and  bettee than gy  otyrs  i  could  have  gotter, uf  it  had  rappeived  last  year whife  William  Derkinson  was  here it woutf  have  guered  me  teryible 9  ro  3e I  have  bein,  so  long  wifhout My truss,  aud  the  rupthure  has  fallen 
noone  Frrrot  fonoor  frr  prrro  noofr  rarit, Frror  Foror  oroor  mronoot  ot  or  mor  tnon te  4rmy  48 roo  Fomoyfin  fo.  mt  mo3f omar  fo  oornt  fonne  nnorr  ot  rothor mmry  mnay  3t  mmor  fooog  nr  yrr3  88th mr  mo  r  moyr  mor  mr  myt  may mogo  noroot  not  Cmo oo  Foyo  mo  fr  mrroongo  omont  7ory mromogh  fo  moyyeort  Ntr  got  Crymot myormr  font  rr  fnnem  ofth  4omo moroingor  moir  mynon  tror  mor  my 6r 8851ont  87 rmaryiro  ommi,  mrooyo  fomrono anir  aon  foror  axmn.  tit. roo  nra9y Mr fror  mrnh  Fmrofor  noore  frnr  yeom.  ffr nary  oyor  ot  rf oo  oo  Fr  mrrr  fo  ron  rrnt  fr  Fonno moh  mony  gt  Frmmrort  mooo  noff orgtrme  fon  ognmy  mnor  miry onor  orof  rnioor  Fmmngfnr  or  4omrnr3or rh  4ry  momorrgo  oot  roonrn  ttot 699 7  go  myyront  Cnot  Coofr  moy  For  Tooo9y ronor  Ftmron  orf  mirhir  rerts  1ot 93r3  7my  Fmogoor  tmyy  n  oft  mroyoony mor  or  gr  moyn  nof  myyoot  nio  tmron mo  tron  of  tootn  of  moroot  ro  th fnrohmr  99 og  roront  moo.  fo  noot  tr  oy  9 
88 
87 of  time  for  the  past  three  months about  fix  weeks  axs  I  went  to  meting but  the  wound  feaked for  three  First  dayt, control,  of  it,  so  had 2so  much  and  had  no I  had  not  been to  give  meeting  up. I  am  sorry  I  cannot there  for  a  fear. I  have  been  going  to  New gs. port  with  marketing  most  every  werk and can  manage  that  pretty  well. went  to  Hospital  second  time  in tor 9th  mo 1f  was  there  ten  weiks, There was  another  stone  removed  larger the  first  one Dhanl Hy  was  poopy  altt  the  foftouwng  totey was  confined  up  stanrs, aud The next  summer  he  went  about  but feeling  miserable. wad was  interested,  in  every  thing the gring  on  about  hrim  until  the  last. He  took  his  bed  after  riding  out. fedd,  to  superintend  some  work  he tor having  done,  and  died  in  about deedd week.  3th  mo.  29th  189f. one Passed  away  quietly  about  7  R  2. 
109 Willow prove  Jarm Seventh  month  10th  1887 Reffections  and  Meditations  of  eblfred  I  Paxson C  Deiith O  Death  thou  pays  no  respect  to  ary  one  great or  small,  thigh  or  tow,  rich  or  poor,  for  whare  ever thou  lays  thy  claws  thow  makes  sure  of  thy  victim breaks  and  scatters  asunder  the  strongest  tyes  of earth  and  leaves  their  Relations  and  Friends  to mourn  their  lost.  The  baby  on  its  Mother's  lap the  child  in  the  beauty  of  youth  and  health, the  young  man  in  the  prime  of  his  life,  as  well as  the  old  and  infurm  are  all  subject  to  suddgton death  showing  how  importent  it  is  for  us  to be  prepared  for  the  change  so  as  when  we  leave  this life  of  care  and  strife  that  we  may  be  happy  in the  onef  to  corne. Fooooong Fny  itonth  tho  18th  188t 58y  3 dark  and  dreary  day  in  the  midst  of winter no  sun  shine  to  drrive  away  the gtoom  that  surounds  us  and  I  am  writing here  in  the  garret  without  any  fire and 
mrm  onr  four  onvmrnr  mop  rorft  rmmornooof  yoooooo mro  fo  trooro  goronoo  ooyf  tyr  mopr  roygnot  oor trooo  t  ororoge  oorofr  moorfy  mor  moof  ofooo  rmrs morrgomorort  trono  fo  oromorooo  grfyyroofor  oooo3y  of roomon  sburonoyooy  oooy  tropeo  ofr  rroyt  mmroyonrye mroronogty  ogoo  mrytrnr  ofofr  moong  brorgt  for ofrfo  mmryromono  ofr  gor  ofrrooo  rnro  mrommor  fror, Frmon  royyont  gror  of gor  Mrto  my  ormmoroooo  mr  7or tr  ory  hofo  Frm  on  ff  rnorivooo mr  ooroyor  tyo9 46 mtonp  moourgmmo  trrmooron  fonr onty  mr  mroyhorimy moyyonoo  ot  unor  ot  rymon  poyy  onofs  mo  morp onog  bmmmroomo  ony  morogfrmr  o  roonr  otoso  fr  or tomro  gorro  wr  roo  of  ovon  orn  fr  ornroof  gorromnty mmo  nr  ofr  tr  morrom  mooffno  rof  frrft  ronroy mys  toy  oomoyomort  goog  tomo  ronomng  Mnor  prooop grooy  yroo  royyoyyooogt  ofr  moroy  oppoonrto  mymom toyt  thogr  omroye  morrogt  fo  momgormmons togr  moont ronrog  rommroror  onyt  moroyfrnt  r  ornr  o 99 6h mo  moyor  mynofr  Wrro  to  morongoo  oryytruny  Wttort omooon  ont  royt  orfrt  toofroof  mror  root  royt  ggo  mr oowoyotho  mo  rf  mogoge  Ino  3r  4ns  ronr  tiyyt  tymyr miggoo  o  or  tr  obrrrofr  mmrmymroroooper  or  Joryy  frry moommoyomur  momr  mrrrogirr  rront  orgt  or  wortryoffo 77 M99  4y  9o  My  f noyhn3o9r.  W. 197 
192 gow  weigh  the  matter  well  in  the  scales  of  fustice and  impartiality  to  discover  on  what  platform  iwve doth  stand  wether  that  of  sin  or  that  of  piety dont  let  us  deeeive  ourselves  by  self  righteousness. hor  let  fur  reasning  power  oberrule  the  divine dictates.  if  we  stadid  on  the  former  let  us  retracl, repent,  ask  forgivenous  of  our  Blessed  Haviour, and  pray  to  Him  to  gilide  us  in  the  paths  of thuth  righteousness  and  pyety,  that  will  leade to  everlasting  Life  and  flory  to  him  towhoms. all  Glory  to  due.  if  on  the  latter  let  us  humbly strive  to  mantain  a  firm  foot  hold  so  as  not  to slide  off  that  platform  unknown  to  our  selves. for  it  takes,  strick  watching  to  keepup  fair standard  in  righteousness.  It  is  an  edsy  thing  to  be good  when  setting  quietly  within  a  Friends  meetrng house  or  when  surrounded  by  a  social  circle  of Preelations  and  Friends  yhen  every  thing  is agreeable  and  pleasant  around.  It  is  when  the  cares and  strife  of  this  life  are  pressing  us  at  every point,  vexing  and  exeiting  our  aniemal  passion, uit  is  then  it  reguires  a  great  care  and  all  the  saving power  of  our  Blessed  Saviour  to  prevent  us  from commiting  sin  either  by  words  or  actionsr  It  it important  for  us  to  have  the  Christen  armor  on for  satan  is  always  ready  to  invite  and  entice with  arrows  pointing  to  the  weaker  point  and 
108 if  we  suffer  them  to  make  a  wound  it  will  be harder  to  cure  than  to  prevent,  for  if  we  always have  the  Christen  armor  on  they  will  fall. harmless  at  our  feet. All  Thanks.  Praise  and  Honor  are  due  to  our Gracious  Sord  and  Saviour  for  the  numerous gifts  to  us oooo ooo 
104 Willow  Grove  Farm Seventh  Month  10th  1887 Reflections  and  Meditations  of  Alfred  I  Paxson Eften  have  I  wondred  all  alone  in  solitude in  the  twilight  of  the  evening  to  some  secluded spot  there  to  Reflect  and  to  Heditate  on  the Beautiful  and  surrounding  senery  of  Sature that  surrounds  us  on  every  side  and  overhead  to. I  think  of  properly  dwell  on  have  a  tendancy to  draw  our  thoughts  to  thous  more  permanent pperpethal  and  have  more  beautiful  and  sublim senery  of  Heaven  unaloyed  and  free  from earthly  changes  O  let  us  reflect  on  the  beautofert weather  we  have  in  the  Spring  of  the  Year in  sum  mer  time  and  austumn  to  it verries  in  its  sublimity  brit  it  is  all  in perfectness.  All  Sature  Fmiles  on  them  perfect. days  imbrude  with  all  the  beauty  and richness  of  earthly  grace Sprinkled  with  sunshine  that  drives  away the  darkning  gloom  that  we  so  often  tred  to trace. For  are  the  nights  less  beautiful. The  midnight  moon  srenely  smiles  over Sature  soft  repose  no  lower  ing  cloud  obseure the  sky  no  ruffling  tempest  blows Now  every  passion  sunk  to  rest  the  throbbing 
165 heart  hies  still.  the  verying  schemes  of  life no  more  distracts  the  labors  will. In  silent  hush  to  reasons  woice  attends  each mental  power  come  let  us  enjoy  reflections  favorite hour  come  while  the  peacefoill  sene  invites. let  us  search  the  ample  ahound  to  discover  whare the  fleeting  forms  of  happiness  is  found doss  it  ldmids  the  frollic  mirth  of  gay  assembly dwell  or  hid  beneath  the  solome  gloom  that shades  the  hermits  cell. How  often  the  laughfing  brow  of  Joy  a  sickning heart  conceal  and  through  the  cose  deep  reeess invading  sorrow  steal. In  vain  through  beauty  fortune  and  wit  the fugative  we  thrace  it  divell  not  in  the  faithless smile  that  brightens  Clauds  face. to  temper  wishes  Just  desires  our  happiness confine  and  deaf  to  follys  call  attend  the  music of  the  mind. I  blind  to  each  indulgent  aim  of  power  who surpremly  wise  who  fancy  happiness  in  not the  hand  of  Heaven  denay  f---g thinking  they  have  a  right  to  do  as  they  please  and  gou  have  mo right  to  control  them.  like  the  people  of  the  South  they contend  that  they  had  the  right  to  secede  but  the goverment  thad  no  right  to  compel  them  which  was  a delussion  all  tagather  for  no  gonerment  can  eyist  unless  they can  gevern  their  own  plople, 
166 The  Uneertainty  of  Life While  in  life  we  are  in  midst  of  death we  know  not  when  we  may  be  taken  from this  state  of  probation.  a  little  boy  in  our immediate  neighborhood  when  eating  his  dinner one  day  said  he  would  put  his  pie  on  somethin away  to  eat  another  time  but  before  that  time come  he  was  crrushed  to  the  ground  by  the falling  of  a  large  white  oak  tree. a  litthel  girl  about  the  same  distance  from  my home  in  the  beauity  of  gjouth  and  health runing  a  splint  in  her  foot  was  within  two  weekes laid  within  the  silent  graver Now  this  shows  of  what  a  wast  importance  it  is for  us  to  be  prepared  for  the  change  if  weare  not how  dreadful  it  would  be  throbn  in  to  perpethat punishment  and  misery  through  our  own  neglect of  the  most  importent  thing  of  life  that  is  our duty  to  our  maker.  how  Strange  it  appears  to me  that  so  many  people  apparently  well dispose  seems  so  inddiffrent  of  their  immortal Soul  it  seem  as  if  they  might  intend  to attend  to  it  but  still  putting  it  off  to  some future  time  their  is  great  danger  in  thes it  is  the  present  time  in  which  we  should do  our  duity  for  the  future  to  us  is  all  clothed in  mistry  it,  is  only,  the  present  we  can  enjoy 
107 the  oppertumty  of  improvement  and  in  that  we should  improve  every  oppertunity Now  their  is  many  a  thing  that  I  class  with  the evil  that  so  many  thinks  no  evel  of  or  are  to blind  to  see  it.  mow  I  consider  horses  and  other unimals  are  given  to  us  to  use  to  take  good  care of  and  not  abuse  but  how  many  is  there  that  the fast  they  can  make  them  go  the  better  men  they consider  them  selves  and  it  is  not  confind  to  the men  alone  for  the  wemen  have  a  great  propensity to  drive  them  to  the  top  of  their  speed. I  have  been  farming  for  my  sell  for  19  years Fathers  horses  was  Fretty  much  wore  out  the  one about  2  gears  old  I  bbought  one  between  7  and  8 years  of  ofe  that  fall  a  Mother  in  the  Spring  9  years old  they  done  my  work  and  driveng  for  1years  one of  them  being  injured  before  I  got  him  began  to  fpail last  spring  I  years  a  nother  one  and  keep  that  one tho  mame  was  fim  ever  since  for  the  good  he  had  done the  other  one  name  Dick  still  does  all  my  work, where  two  is  needed  I  plowed  hard  stiff  thimothy sod  from  I  to  I  inches  deep  him  and  the  other  that I  bought  last.  both  of  the  old  one  are  I7  years  old. I  have  used  him  all  through  harvest  in  the  reaper mower  hauling  in  hay  and  wheat. Now  I  consider  thir  shows  if  a  horse  is  properly  used taking  care  of  he  will  live  to  be  good  for  I7  or  30  years ofage  the  old  one  of  Fathers  lived  untill  he  was  3h  or  38 
115 cannot  get  along  without  it  I  consider  it  all  a  delusion for  if  the  pepple  only  do  what  is  right  they  therie  is e  usle  o, figeting  for  the  more  they  do  it  the  more  they cultevate  that  revengefuul  dispodetiom  towards  their brother  mortals  that  it  is  our  duty  to  curk  and  bring it  under  the  influence  of  compassion  and  love  that will  go  out  to  the  hold  of  the  human  family  in  the propertson  to  the  love  we  have  for  Gode. Mar  as  many  other  evils  is  a  violation  of  the  Chrestran principle  it  is  the  mave  spring  of  many  dark  and  erndl evil  such  as  slavery  and  inhuman  treatment  of  our pellowe  martals  when  they  are  in  our  power  such  as negect  to  the  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded  on  the  field of  battle  that  might  be  and  preventing  their  frends from  doung  it  and  foreing  them  in  to  prison  and  their neglectihgy  them  and  depriving  them  of  the  comforts thet  thay  were  entithe  to  as  prisons  I  war  many of  the  goverment  troops  lost  their  lives  and  more had  their  healths  rued  in  those  harreable  Southern prisons  from  being  deprived  of  the  neessitees  of life  such  as  food  and  other  nessarres  of  life  doring the  herrable  civel  war  that  raged  in  this  country from  the  spring  of  let  unatill  1alek. When  I  was  a  bay  I  hope  that  their  would  be  no war  dousing  mny  life  tie  but  sadly  have  I  been dissapointed  their  has  heen  two  wars  one  with  a  foreigh nation  Hexice  and  a  cisel  war  in  our  own  counteyr 
176 
I  was  suibject  te  a  draft  douring  our  civel  war  and expected  to  be  drafted.  but  was  not  if  I  had  beenl I  expected  to  go  to  the  haspitte  for  I  could  not consciously  have  bern  arsns  to  engage  in  deadly  conflict with  fellow  mortals  and  to  have  a  subsituite  to  go  in our  place  only  makes  the  matter  worse  for  it  envolves two  instead  of  one  in  the  evil  not  that  the  risk was  less  in  the  hospitle  was  than  the  army  lor  if called  on  to  go  on  the  field  of  battle  whare  shot  and shell  was  rlying  fast  we  would  have  done  it  and would  have  been  sufject  to  all  the  diseases that  was  going.  but  I  do  net  count  it  wrong  to administer  to  the  sick  and  wounded  to  alleviate their  sufferings  let  them  come  by  them  as  they may  not  that  I  say  but  that  many  of  theme think  it  right  to  give  their  lives  for  their  country bout  that  I  consider  it  a  delusion  what  ever  one  out to  sencersly  reflect  on  it  is  so  conjenial  with  the natuarl  disposition  of  man  and  have  followved  it so  long  that  it  has  become  identified  with  them so  that  many  beleive  it  to  be  right  or  that  we cannet  get  along  without  it  it  has  practice  se  long and  distilled  in  the  people.  that  perhaps  it  will take  centsurys  of  individual  labor  to  do  it  away and  one  feeling  it  wrong  should  whole  a  faithful testimany  against  it  even  many  of  the  Puiead douring  our  last  civel  war  regardlers  of  the  testeamony 
117 they  held  broak  and  went  to  the  war. If  our  Blessed  Saviour  was  sent  for  a  pattern  for  us  tr  follons as  near  as  we  can  war  than  must  be  wrong  for  it  is udvent  to  every  thing  he  promulgated  and  practiced  througge out  this  life  while  here  an  earth. I  think  the  nearer  we  persue  in  thouse  paths  pounted out  by  thim  the  more  thafpy  we  will  be  and  the further  we  stray  away  from  them  the  more  oniserable we  will  he  for  thous  truth  purity  brotherly  love  and Dharity  so  enyjoyn  en  us  by  Hee  are  all  edverst  to  war  and if  we  practice  it  it  wilt  cultevate  all  those  uncharatatle and  revengeful  feelings  towards  our  brether  martals tease  whs  daes  not  persue  a  path  accndent  to  our wisher  O  Greaciious  Saviour  I  Pray  thee  to  have  merey on  us  all. wnd roooooooooooooooooos 
118 
On  Spring Winter  gone  spring  coming  what  a  delightfule portion  of  the  gear  that  every  thing  that  has  life in  that  laying  dormant  douring  the  cold  blasting winds  of  winter  while  the  earth  is  frogen  and covered  with  snow  and  terrific  sterms  raging that  fills  the  atmosphere  with  drifted  snow  as  soon us  the  glourious  sun  warsul  the  eaeth  an  atrrrosphere, they  comes  forth  as  of  new  life  of  delight  both  inseet and  vegtable  see  the  cherry  trees  as  white  as  the  drifted snow  at  a  distance,  shewing  nose  of  their  foliage the  apple  tree  almost  white  tinged  with  pink showing  part  of  their  foligge.  the  peach  blossoms allmost  red  the  large  cariety  of  fruit  and  fanet trers  evergreens  and  fonrert  all  verying  in  thein folage  Phape  an  appearence  according  to  the  kind and  the  verious  kinds  of  beautiful  verigated flowers  verying  from  the  darkst  to  the  light shade  with  the  dark  green  grass  and  a  lighter shade  of  wheat  covering  a  llarge  portion  of  the earth  rith  a  considerable  portion  frish  ploweid up  earth  preparing  for  the  sumnoner  crops  all ddding  to  the  reriethy  of  the  beautiful  and subtime  senary  of  the  landseape  giving  us  a large  material  of  matter  to  reflict  lnd  mneditate  on if  done  in  a  proper  manrer  it  will  have  a  tendaegh 
119 te  lead  us  towards  those  far  more  permant  and sublime  seenary  of  Heaven  unalayd  and  free  feome earthly  changes  creating  a  ardent  desire  that  we  may conduct  ourselves  in  such  a  mannier  that  some  day  we may  te  at  rest  seerenly  withen  thase  Jourious  regions above  whare  pain  distress  and  sorrow  never  come  but truth  purety  harmeny  aned  Happeness  reigns  supreme withen  the  presence  of  our  Heavenly  maker w---oooond tn  Pummer gone  summer  coming  with  its  intense  heat Thrin making  all  aegitation  goue  and  ripeing  a  portion  of  it giving  work  to  those  who  will  do  it  grass  and  wheat the  latter  part  of  the  sixth  and  the  for  part  of  the seventh  month  making  a  quanity  of  hard  tabor  to  cut prepare  and  house  it  though  now  a  days  the  cutting part  is  pretty  much  done  by  machsnery  drawn  by horses  but  in  my  gouthful  days  we  done  it  with the  segthe  cradle  each  portion  of  the  gear  doth weruy  but  each  retaing  a  beautiful  surrenity  of nature,  shouing  to  every  scerriouy  reflecting  mind  that god  reigns  supreme  over  all  nature  for  if  he  was  to with  etrane  the  sustaning  and  nurisheny  powers  fro the  regtalle  and  aneate  That  sistain  anumal  life  therm and  us  wauld  soon  all  go  doun  to  their  mother  sacth  theit  to deemmpose  and  anolder  away  back  frem  thence  they  comee 
120 
On  Autumn beft  came  antimn  with  its  aerigated  leaves of  different  kinds  of  trees  shouwing  that  frost  hae  mip the  sap  that  did  sustain  their  life  they  still  thein awhile  in  all  the  beautifulness  of  talling  health as  if  striving  to  stem  the  tide  of  death  that  is  sure to  overwhelen  them  for  the  autummn  winds  will blow  them  down  and  seatter  them  over  the  earth with  the  loaded  apple  trees  of  delightful  fruitr with  the  different  kinds  of  nuts  all  brought  to perfection  by  the  autumn  frost  and  windr with  the  Heautiful  green  wheat  fields  in  the  midst of  Jading  veqilation  all  adding  to  the  beautifulners of  the  landseape. with  corn  potataes  and  other  things  brought  to perfection  for  our  use O  hou  thankful  we  ought  to  be  to  our  Maker  for  alle of  Hhes  Jreacious  gifts  tous get  their  is  a  geat  mary  to  all  appearence  dose  not think  of  Hem  at  all  but  lead  a  life  of  sin  and weakddness  neither  fearing  god  nar  man  nor  the Salvation  of  their  own  Souls. oooooooooooooooooooos 
121 On  Winter Autumn  gone  winter  coming  with  its  cold  pricering winda passing  over  the  earth  chilling  and  freging  it  to the  depth  of  feets  making  budges  over  Carge  rivers  so  that theavy  teams  can  pass  aver  with  safty  surching  every  garmed where  ever  it  canget  and  through  all  buildings  where  they are  not  air  tight  and  it  will  freege  the  people  to  if  they are  not  well  elad  and  house  took  at  Bovepert  army one  of  the  finest  that  had  ever  went  from  Pance  to enoade  a  foreign  country  the  burning  of  Maseoule by  the  Dussians  where  they  expected  to  find  winter quarterd  to  protect  them  from  the  cold  it  deprived  them of  the  power  of  protection  so  all  most  of  them  perished by  the  element  of  cold. it  ios  mtyo  moe  too9uoooonatothy  were  douy  whet  o think  is  wrong  and  perhaps  it  night  have  been  a Jadgement  from  on  High  to  check  the  carrear  of  ambiteut men  and  snow  them  that  if  no  human  power  cay be  brought  to  withstand  those  overiwhelon  powers  that when  the  elemnent  of  nature  turns  ageinst  them  they are  powverless  and  thrown  on  the  merey  of  their  enemes uho  ryyfjeenns  in  their  dowuypll. showing  how  importent  it  is  to  act  so  as  to  keep  in  the feviour  of  our  maker  and  how  thanful  ive  ought  to  be. that  he  has  endowed  us  with  the  ability  and  previded  the means  forus  to  protect  our  selves  from  the  elementer 
122 All  nature  show  the  gooness  and  impardtality  of our  Maker  even  winter  has  its  verture  freeging  tthe  earth geving  it  a  rest  fromn  constant  exertion  preparing  itfor other  crops  causing  the  sun  to  pass  in  such  a  way  as  te give  others  sumoer  when  iwe  have  winter  the  days being  short  and  the  mghts  long  giving  the  peole an  oppeortuouty  to  rest  their  selves  and  regain  their  lost strength  that  they  had  lost  dourigg  the  thot  asdlaboureoned portions  of  the  season  while  oegitatione  t  grewing  fast and  a  aboundence  of  labor  to  seve  it  fem  spoiling  and prepare,  it  for  the  support  of  animale  life  for  we  carre not  have  any  thing  unless  we  take  care  of  it  for  the same  power  that  produces  it  will  destray  it  if  not taken  gare  ofo FooooooooooomFoooFFoo 
128 On  Fhe  Monedterfulness  of  Oith Mellk  eft.  in  the  forsreng  of  the  Rruman  body and  preservoing  it  for  such  a  length  of  time. often  times  have  I  theuight  how  wise  and  skillful ke  must  have  been  to  form  the  human  frame in  such  a  way  as  to  preform  si  mruch  tabourons  work without  fatigue  for  such  a  length  of  time  for  I  can remnember  in  my  gouthful  days  I  could  werk  frone early  snoin  to  mine  or  ten  eclock  at  night  and still  feel  skiping  and  playing  around  thegard in  18lt  when  Father  builf  an  additien  to  the  houve in  whiche  we  lived.  I  was  tending  the  brick  layer that  was  working  in  it.  he  took  a  notion  to  one  of  our cows  and  the  workmen  in  those  days  were  different than  now  adays  they  would  work  untill  nigght he  lived  at  Hewark  some  foteh  and  half  miles. distant  it  was  tn  sumhimer  time  when  the  nights were  short  I  went  to  thelp  him  to  take  his  cow  and it  was  very  late  before  I  could  get  back. now  onty  look  at  our  bouls  made  of  thin  skin  and in  constant  use  foer  fifty  sixty  seventy  eighty ninty  and  even  a  hundred  gears  and  some  tames oved  kept  in  working  order,  when  a  disarangement in  them  wouldd  cause  death  so  it  is  with  each  organ of  the  body  if  any  of  them  get  out  of  order  it disaranges  the  whole  body  as  ane  wheel  cut  of  order  in a  mochene  will  disarange  the  whole  and  a  broken 
124 
wheel  will  stap  the  whole  rigin  ssit  shous  what a  great  mercy  it  is  for  our  Mtaker  to  farm  and preserve  all  of  those  different  ergans  in  perfect  order to  such  a  length  of  time  as  in  olden  times  but  these days  the  people  abuse  their  bowls  so  pitifully  by improper  diet  such  as  hat  cakes  sevam  in  Hutter fresh  bread  rich  pies  cakes  and  puddings  highly spieed  with  injurious  spices  and  swamn  in  creamn and  sugar  uiith  rich  preserves  swan  in  erean now  the  stmache  over  toaded  with  so  much  rich suituals  the  digesting  organs  must  sooner  ar  tater give  out  if  they  are  streng  and  healthy  and  the person  use  a  great  deal  of  exercise  they  will  perhaps whole  out  the  longer  but  they  musst  give  out  ra. time  for  whe  ever  vuislater  nature  laws  musst  suffer the  penaltyoooo 
125 81 6h Aemall  Fight  Lalling Right  laceing  is  a  thing  I  dissapeave  of  for  I  consider it  injurous  to  the  person  who  does  it  and  a  wilatern  of naturs  Jaus  and  wh  ever  wwlates  naturrs  laws  must suffer  the  penalty  either  here  or  herealter  we  may  if done  througt  ignorence  we  may  escape  punishonent  in the  life  to  come  through  the  adorable  mercy  of  our  blessed Saviour.  but  if  we  supprers  the  orgens  of  our  bodys so  as  tor  prevent  themn  frem  preformning  their  proper functions  we  must  suffer  from  the  disarangement  of those  orgens  to  preform  their  proper  functonse B  let  thy  waste  be  frel  from  tourehous  bindinge  of  thy lungs  and  heart  at  liberty  to  preforen  thein  proper  fuunctons fit  the  dress  to  the  form  giving  ample  room  to  each organ  to  prefarm  its  duty  and  when  it  becomes  the Jashion  it  will  not  anly  be  right  but  will  look  right for  I  can  remember  the  times  when  the  femnale  with hoops  spread  their  skints  as  large  as  biy  barrels  and consider  them  nice  and  would  nrot  appear  in  compang uitheudt  them  because  it  was  the  fasheon  and  if  it  had nrot  been  the  fashien  they  would  have  been  ashame  to of  weee  them  for  they  did  mnake  a  conspicous  appearence, I  think  the  all  wise  creator  made  the  female  form beautiful  and  graceful  enough  without  any  artifical  aneent of  cantrectay  sore  parts  and  expanding  others  ty  carrying a  paek  of  day  goods  or  hard  ware  either  frent  or  back. 
126 to  add  beaity  and  grace  to  the  naturel  foume I  admrre  a  lady  dressed  in  plain  attere  with  modest manners  I  consider  piety  coppled  with  modesty  is among  the  brightes  Jewels  that  human  nature  doth poseees,  see  children  at  the  tatle  some  of  them behaving  so  rude  that  one  can  scarcely  refrain from  making  remarks  and  others  so  modest  that  one can  not  help  to  admire  so  it  is  the  would  over with  the  grown  peaple. 
127 Stanton  Third  Month  19th  1892 7h  the  9ortny  D89m  tr Fiemnds  M22tingy  at  Htantom It  is  with  sorrow  and  regret  when  ever  I  reflect on  the  going  down  of  Driends  meeting  at  Stanton I  have  attend  that  meetiny  over  half  acentury and  witness  its  going  dowre  ane  ty  one  going  to  their long  hames  whole  famulys  meving  away  others married  ints  other  societys  and  going  that  way  untle their  is  but  one  except  myself  that  attends  withen them  walls  at  that  time  attends  when  I  first  begas to  ge  at  that  time  their  was  a  pretty  clever  little  meetirg I  dont  know  exaethy  how  many  but  I  suppose  frorm fifty  to  ixty  now  they  have  dwindle  down  to twelve  to  thirteen  and  at  times  their  is  but  two females  to  represent  their  seats. preparateve  meetings  was  kept  up  untill  after Benjan  in  Cranston  death  it  was  then  laid  doron and  the  house  open  only  on  Firot  days  for  meeting of  warship  their  is  bit  five  members  belanging  to the  meeting.  I  have  not  been  able  to  atterd  Lince last  Fall  an  account  of  alimentr.  I  dost  knose whoether  I  shall  be  able  to  attend  any  more  which  I  ave 
128 very  sorry.  I  have  often  been  aery  much  kurried short  days  in  winter  with  the  wark  I  had  to  do to  take  care  of  the  stock  but  t  always  tryed  to  get, ready  in  time  when  ever  the  weather  was  fit many  a  cold  day  have  I  gone  far  I  think  it  isour duity  to  attend  meeting  of  worship  to  wait  onour blessed  Lord  their  ade  mnany  that  are  to  careless  in that  respect  their  muut  be  some  cause  for  the dtwindling  down  of  Friends  meeting  it  is  not  enly Stanten  but  their  are  many  others  going  the  same way  ie  ought  to  trok  in  to  the  cause  and  try  to plevent  it  if  possible  Friends  of  late  gears  have  not been  carefuil  enough  to  bring  up  their  childeen  in the  old  plain  styte  of  fumer  Friends  in  dress  and manners  they  have  let  them  mingle  ivith  other society  go  to  theia  meetings  whare  they  have  been entireed  by  their  musie  singing  and  the  fashion  of  the would  with  its  amusements  they  care  more  about them  than  about  our  Lord  and  Sarwuer  or  thein own  oul  Lalsation  deprived  them  of  any  relishe of  our  plain  and  quiet  way  of  worship  which  I consider  the  most  acceptable  to  oue  Maker  to  wait an  in  sitence  to  have  that  still  small  oice  that  is. to  quide  us  thraugh  this  warld  af  sorrow  and wiekednesss  and  point  out  the  paths  of  touth  and Biety  fer  us  to  go  inn  now  of  parents  would  imprens on  their  childrens  minds  while  they  are  goung  the 
129 importance  of  them  serving  their  Maker  in  a  plain and  modest  way  they  would  not  be  so  easy  drawn  off  by the  fasheon  and  amusemente  of  the  world  when  they  are. let  to  grow  up  in  a  buuite  way  some  will  say  no  use  goung to  meeting  set  there  and  hear  nothing  others  that  are  more rude  will  say  I  haint  going  to  be  a  quaker  as  if  it  is  benenth their  dignityAfter  Mothere  was  laid  within  the  silent  grave  therr  was not  a  plain  bonnet  to  represent  the  old  stiyte  of  Prrends within  stanten  meeting  unless  we  had  strangers their  agreat  many  of  the  goung  Friends  of  thir  day you  ean  scarcely  tell  them  from  other  secuety  by  their dress  they  may  not  by  quret  as  gay  as  some  but  more costly  then  many  I  have  known  Drispiterians  and Methodist  more  plainly  dress  than  many  of  the Purends  a  great  falling  off  of  primative  Friends who  were  terrable  persecuted  and  many  lost  their lives  to  uphold  the  principle  that  they  had  proslaimed to  drai  people  away  from  presstereff  and  delusrion  of them  days  cind  whis  principle  are  badly  needed  in these  days  for  great  many  people  tookup  to  thein Menisterd to  take  them  to  Heaven  insteed  of  thein Saviour for  if  they  cant  have  a  Menister  they  dont thimnk  it  worth  while  to  hold  a  meeting  at  all  it  is well  to  have  a  good  Aerister  to  help  us  on  the  way  but we  have  it  to  travel  our  selves  with  the  aid  of  our Blessed  Paviour wo wnood 
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