— *3u< O S I A Family History in Letters and Documents ©b,e cbiiion of tb,is book is luttitcb to two ijunbreb copies pribatelg printeb ®b,ia copg is number V Prescntcb to i frtuTlwf, %t£u*cuc s/hifeo- biitb, tfje compliments of tb,e ^bitor A Family History in Letters and Documents 1667-1837 CONCERNING THE FOREFATHERS OF WINTHROP SARGENT GILMAN AND HIS WIFE ABIA SWIFT LIPPINCOTT EDITED WITH NOTES BY THEIR DAUGHTER MRS. CHARLES P. NOYES VOLUME I 2KX8S %SP£r. , &QzJk PRIVATELY PRINTED ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA NINETEEN NINETEEN .... . THE TORCH PRESS CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA DEDICATION My dear children, As we grow older, we become more conscious that the memory of those whom we have honored fades out and that the younger generations do not and, indeed, cannot realize the value of the lives of their forefathers. It is with the hope that these letters and documents will im- press on you, as they have done on others, the strong characteristics of your noble and upright ancestry, that your father and I give them to you. Most of them came from the collections of your grandfather, Winthrop Sar- gent Gilman, of New York, and your uncle, Arthur Gil- man, of Cambridge, but there are also a number for which I am indebted to the kindness of other members of the family. At the risk of leaving in matter that will seem to some of you to be tedious, I have transcribed them with absolute exactness, as such documents have no value if they have been tampered with, no matter how little. The only exception is a sentence which was taken out before the letter came into my hands. We wished to have the volumes of a convenient size, so I have refrained from making notes, unless they were necessary to the compre- hension of the letters. I trust that these people who are, in a very real way, a part of your personalities, will stand out as clearly to you as they have to me, while preparing this book. Your Mother. CONTENTS Rev. John Hale's acceptance of call .... 3 A Deliverance from Lightning 5 Dr. Robert Hale's Letters 6-21 Nicholas Gilman to Judge and Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . 23 Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Mary Thing . . . .25 Henry Hale to Col. Robert Hale 27-29 Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Col. Robert Hale ... 29 Henry Hale to Col. Robert Hale . . . . 30, 31 Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Col. Robert Hale ... 31 Rev. James Hale to Col. Robert Hale .... 33 Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Col. Robert Hale ... 34 Bartholomew Gilman his book 37 "Settling Salary" 39 Richard Woodbury and Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Rev. Mr. Webster 42 Benjamin Ives to Col. Robert Hale .... 43 Col. Peter Gilman to Col. Robert Hale .... 44 John Payne to Col. Robert Hale 44 Samuel Gilman, Jr., to Col. Robert Hale ... 46 Col. Peter Gilman to Col. Robert Hale .... 47 Gov. William Shirley to Col. Robert Hale ... 48 Maj. Moses Titcomb to Col. Robert Hale ... 49 Story of John Gilman .50. Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . . . 54-56 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman and Mrs. John Downing 57 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. John Downing . . 58 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Col. Robert Hale to Governor Shirley Josiah Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman 58-70 72 72 73-78 80 81 Vlll CONTENTS Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 82 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . . 83, 84 Ebenezer Little to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 85 Mrs. Gilman 's Letter to Her Son 85 Josiah Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 86 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 86 Col. Robert Hale to Judge Thomas Hutchinson . . 89 Josiah Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 90 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . . 90, 91 Mrs. Nicholas Gilman to Joseph Gilman ... 91 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 92 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . . .92 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 93 Josiah Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 95 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 95 Parker Titcomb to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 97 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 98 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 99 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman ... 99 Samuel Gilman 's receipt of trusteeship . . .100 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . . . 101 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . . . 102 Col. Robert Hale to Hon. Wm. Browne .... 103 Hon. William Browne to Col. Robert Hale . . . 104 John Choate to Col. Robert Hale 105 A Petition to Col. Robert Hale from Judith Adams . 105 Bills of Mrs. Gilman 106 Joseph Gilman to Tristram Gilman .... 107 Joseph Gridley to Joseph Gilman 108 John Choate to Col. Robert Hale 108 Bills of Mrs. Gilman 109, 110 Joseph Gilman to Tristram Gilman .... Ill John Choate to Col. Robert Hale . . ... . 112 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman . . . 113 Joseph Gilman to Tristram Gilman . . . .114 Col. Peter Gilman to Col. Robert Hale . . .115 Joseph Gilman 's partnership agreement . . .116 Samuel Gilman, Jr., to Col. Robert Hale ' . . 117, 118 CONTENTS IX Joseph Gilman to S. P. Savage Capt. R. H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman Samuel P. Savage to Joseph Gilman Capt. R. H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman Elias Ladd to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman Capt. R. H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman Joseph Gilman to Capt. R. H. Ives Nicholas Pike to Joseph Gilman Mrs. Joseph Gilman to Capt. R. H. Ives Rev. Tristram Gilman to Joseph Gilman Col. Peter Gilman to Judge Atkinson A Tavern Bill Joseph Gilman 's Commission as County Treasurer Report op a N. H. Committee .... Elijah Hall to Joseph Gilman Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman . Dr. Samuel Tenny to Joseph Gilman Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman . I. Wells to Joseph Gilman .... Capt. Henry Dearborn to Joseph Gilman Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman . Jedidiah Jewett to the N. H. Board of War Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman . N. H. Board of War to Jedidiah Jewett by Gilman Col. Scam mel to Joseph Gilman Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman . N. H. Committee of Safety to Hon Samuel Hunt Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman M. Hodge to Joseph Gilman Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman Joseph Wood to Joseph Gilman Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman Notice of Election to State Senate Supply Clap to Joseph Gilman Notice of Election to State Senate Hon. Nicholas Gilman to Joseph Gilman Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . 118 . 119 . 120 121, 122 . 123 . 123 . 124 . 124 . 127 . 129 . 130 . 130 . 132 . 132 . 134 . 135 . 136 . 137 . 137 . 138 138-140 . 140 142-144 Joseph 144 145 146 146 147 148 148 150 151 152 153 153 154 159 x CONTENTS Benj. Ives Gilman to Hannah Robbins .... 162 Joseph Gilman to Hon Nicholas Gilman . . 164-167 Mrs. Peter Gilman to Patty Rogers . . . .169 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . . 170 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Joseph Gilman . . 171 Mrs. Francis LeB Goodwin to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 172 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . . . 173 Mrs. Peter Gilman to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . . 177 Dr. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . . 178 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 182 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . . . 194 Dr. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj Ives Gilman . 197-200 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Rev. Tristram Gilman . 204 Benj. Ives Gilman to his wife 206 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . . 210 Dr. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 211, 214 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . . . 217 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman 219, 225 Dr. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 233 Dr. Chandler Robbins to Rev. Tristram Gilman . 234, 236 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Sarah Robbins . . . 237 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 238 Dr. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 244 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 246 Inscription 251 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman 252-256 Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 258, 260 Mrs. Francis LeB. Goodwin to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman 261 Rev. Ammi R. Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . . 265 Rev. Samuel P. Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 266 Patty Swift to Isaac Swift 270 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Peter G. Robbins . . 272 Rev. Ammi R. Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . . 274 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . 275, 277 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. . 279, 280 Hon. Dudley Woodbridge to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. . 281 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. . 286-294 Joseph Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. . . 295, 296 CONTENTS XI Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . . 296-298 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. . . 299 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . . 299 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Dr. and Mrs. Peter G. Robbins 300 Benj. Ives Gilman to Benj. Clark Gilman . . . 302 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman . 304, 305 Benj. Ives Gilman to Nathaniel Gilman . . . 306 H. W. Noble to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . . .308 Thomas Lippincott to Patty Swift .... 309 Benj. Ives Gilman to his wife 310 Rev. Samuel P. Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . 313 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Rev. Isaac Robbins . . 316 Arthur Gilman to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . . . 319 Winthrop S. Gilman to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman . . 319 Marriage Agreement 320 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Mrs. Kingsley . . .322 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Mrs. Joseph Battell . . 324 Joseph Gilman to Chandler R. Gilman .... 328 Diary of Rev. Thomas Lippincott 331 Mrs. Thomas Lippincott to Isaac Swift .... 342 Mrs. Joseph Gilman to Mrs. John S. Miller . . . 346 Mrs. Joseph Gilman to Chandler R. Gilman . . . 350 Diary of Mrs. Joseph Gilman 351 ILLUSTRATIONS Rev. John Hale's acceptance op the call to the Beverly Church . Rev. Nicholas Gilman 's Love Letter Colonel Robert Hale's Bookplate Silhouette of Judge Joseph Gilman Dr. Chandler Robbins . Mrs. Chandler Robbins (Jane Prince) Fort Harmar by Judge Joseph Gilman Judge Joseph Gilman 's Commission The Houses in Marietta built by Benj. Ives Gilman for Himself and His Father Mrs. Joseph Gilman (Rebecca Ives) facing p facing p facing p facing p facing p facing p facing p facing p facing p facing p 5 25 89 120 190 192 217 219 281 303 A FAMILY HISTORY IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS Of all your emigrant ancestors on the Gilman side, Robert Hale seems to have come to New England first and it was but thirty-four years after he landed that the earliest of our documents was written. In those days communities were very small and they lacked entirely what we would call the ordinary comforts of life, but from this collection we shall have a revelation of their simple and friendly lives bound closely together by blood relationship, by business, and by necessity. "We must put aside the conception we usually have when we think of our forefathers, that of isolated families living in sep- arated settlements, — the Gelmans in Exeter, the Robbins in Plymouth, the Hales and Ives in Beverly, for the little towns around Boston were close enough together to have a great deal of visiting back and forth, done at first, of course, in a one-horse chaise or on horseback and later in the stage. We shall find it interesting to note the gradual changes that took place and the increase of com- forts, but it seems to have been the genius of this branch of the Gilman family to be pioneers and so we find them in that role, first in Exeter, Beverly, Newbury, and Ply- mouth, then in Ohio and again in Illinois, in each place contributing largely to the common good. In the connecting notes and the headings of letters, the ancestors of the family of Winthrop S. Gilman and his wife, Abia Swift Lippincott, are printed in capitals. It seems necessary to make some explanation of how it hap- pens that so many different family names appear and how all these people are related. 2 A FAMILY HISTORY When Councillor John Gilman of Exeter was a mem- ber, in 1693, of the committee to call a new pastor for the First Church there and decided on Rev. John Clarke of Newbury, he started the chain of circumstances from which all this correspondence arose. For Eev. John Clarke was joint guardian with his widowed mother, Mrs. Nathaniel Claeke, of his two sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth, who presumably spent part of their time with him in Exeter and so, very naturally, one of them, Sarah, four years later, married one of Councillor John Gil- man's sons, who was afterwards called "Judge" Nich- olas Gtlman. They became the parents of one of our first letter-writers, Eev. Nicholas Gilman. A year after this marriage, Sarah (Clarke) Gilman 's mother, Mrs. Nathaniel Clarke, of Newbury, became the third wife of Rev. John Hale, of Beverly. Rev. John Hale 's first wife, Rebecca Byley, came to New England when a child of three, with her parents, Henry and Re- becca (Swayne) Byley, from Salisbury, then called New Sarum, England. Rebecca (Byley) Hale died in 1683, leaving two sons, only one of whom survived, — Dr. Rob- ert Hale, who was thirty years old when his father made this third matrimonial venture. Mrs. Nathaniel Clarke probably took to her new home in Beverly her three un- married Clarke children and in 1700, Elizabeth married her step-brother, Dr. Robert Hale, when she was sixteen and he thirty-two. The earliest letters in this volume have to do with the property that Dr. Robert Hale in- herited from his grandfather, Henry Byley, of Sarum, which was managed by his mother's uncle, Bennett Swayne, of London. Dr. Robert Hale lived about eigh- teen years after his marriage and, dying, left Elizabeth (Clarke) Hale a young widow with three children. Within two years she married, as his second wife, the other son of Councillor John Gilman mentioned above, IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 3 who was called Col. John Gilman from his service in Queen Anne's War. She found five motherless children in his family and must have brought with her two of her own three and Col. John Gilman and she had four more. We shall hear particularly of four of this family : Eliza- beth and Col. Peter, of Col. John Gilman 's first mar- riage, Col. Robert Hale of Elizabeth Clarke's first marriage, and Samuel of the third marriage. Col. Robert Hale was a student in Harvard when his mother married again and he taught school in Exeter in his vacations. He graduated in 1721, followed his father's example and married his step-sister, Elizabeth Gilman, in 1723 and lived in the old house in Beverly. This will explain the close intimacy between Col. Robert Hale and the young men of the Gilman family of his gen- eration. While the intermarriages go on for three more generations and become even more confusing, it will be best to leave further elucidations until later. We now return to Rev. John Hale, who was the eldest son of Robert Hale, the emigrant, and who was twenty-eight years old when he first began to preach in the Beverly Church. The following extract from the First Church Records, the photographic copy, which is interesting be- cause it is in Rev. John Hale's own writing, and the let- ter to "Bro: Wilson" were given the Editor by the late Robert Hale Bancroft, of Beverly and Boston, Mass., who was a lineal descendant of Rev. John Hale. Mr. Bancroft could not identify "Mr. Charles Woodberry" nor tell how the second paper came into his possession, but it is undoubtedly genuine. Rev. John Hale's acceptance of the call from the First Church of Beverly. 1 July : 21. This motion was anf wered the 21 th of the 5 1 From the Church Kecords. 4 A FAMILY HISTORY ino th 1667 as ffoll viz This wrighting being read together with the names fubfribed ther was a unanimis confent of the brethren prefent unto their defire only it was left to the facrament day after when in the fulleft church af- f em [_] the confent of the whole church was fignified by the votes & fo they gaue their liberty to be a church of thernselues only they continue 5 members hear untill there being a church the Lord graunt his gratious pref ence with them, vppon this the brethren had a meeting vppon the 28 th of Auguft and renewed their call to m r John hailes that hee would be pleafed to accept of the office of a paftor whofe anfwer was as ffol : when I looke att the weight of the worke you call mee vnto of wch paul cried out (who is fufficient for theife things) I then looking vppon my owne manifold Infirmi- ties & indifpofition of fpirrit therevnto fee many difcour- agements: butt when I duly confidder the lords fouer- agnity ouer mee & all fuffucienty for my fuccor I defire wheare I fee his worke and call to fay with Efaiah heare I am fend mee ; and in perticular when I obferue the re- markable prouidences of god in bringing mee hither and pauing out our way hitherto and the roome the lord hath made for mee in their harts (wch I acknowledg with thankfullneffe to god & yo r felues: I doe look att the call of god in the prefent call call to mee beeing the more con- firmed hearin by the concurrence of our apprehenfhins, which hathe appeared in thof e things wee haue hadd occa- fion to conferr about, conferning our entringe into & pro- ceeding ou r Church affaires, which I hope the lord will enable mee to practice accordingly. Wherefore while yow walke according to gods order of the gofpell, & in the ftedfaftneffe of the Faith in Chrift And I see that with a good Confhience and freedome of fpirritt I can carry on my worke and difchardge my duty to god and man & thofe that are vnder my care according to the refpectiue relations I may beare vnto them : foe long as the lord is calling mee to labour in this part of his vine- yard ; I defire to giue vpp my f elf e to the lord & his f er- uice in the worke of the minnif tery in this place : requeu- ing yow to ftriue together with me in yo r praiers to god for mee that it may redoune to his glory, yo r Edifiinge & fc £ t to hh v -4 $ i ^ 5 ^Z.^-i il^ «s ^ s k* v i° **. •* «& ■ J ^ * - PQ ^ 3 O IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 5 of Euery foule that fhall dwell amounft vs and for ou r Joyf ull accoumpt in the day of Chrifts appearance. By mee : John Hale. 1 2 An Eminent Deliverance of Mr. Jn° Hale of Beverly & his family from Lightning. 2 Febr:19, 1688/9 His relation whereof is this. My wife, two maids & two children were by y* kitchen fire ; myself with Deacon Hill in my study & hearing y e thunder smart, were going down to Comfort y e family & as we came to y e head of y e Staires (D. Hill part down) we were both struck w th Lightning in our right Armes & right Legs, yet neither of us heard y e thunder or saw y e Lightning; He was less strook, & sooner got down staires; I was struck down upon my knees, by y 6 post we used to lay hands on, as we goe up & down staires & unable to stirr for some time ; but heard som of my family crying out of hurt below ; at last I got down, my foot as it were dead, & leg full of paine, but w th help got to lie down on a bed ; my elbow i In a book of this kind which attempts to show the changes that grad- ually have come in a family's life, the antiquated spelling and long "s" appeared interesting to the editor and they have been carefully reproduced. There is, however, another point of view which was expressed by Mr. Clar- ence S. Bingham, secretary of the American Antiquarian Society, from whose opinion the editor hesitates to differ. Mr. Bingham writes: "The method of reproducing early documents has been changed considerably in recent years. The American Historical Association, this Society and nearly all of the leading societies today have given up the exact reproducing of the old-fashioned 's' and the early form of 'ye.' The letter s ! i f .' ** t «si*isHx> "*%% $> ^n'J'iiili }9jd jy> Jibs}} A- / • ipjijimrt sv Love letter written by Rev. Nicholas Gtlman Photographed from the manuscript owned by William ('. Gilmaii, of Norwich, Conn. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 25 the People. — So Remembring my Love [torn]ters, My Service to Sir Clark & all who Afk after me I take my [torn] for the Length of My Letter this being all at Present from Your Dutif ull son — Nicholas Gilman 15 Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Mary Thing, Boston, Mass. 1 N°2 Exeter, June 12 th 1729. Dear Molly I have Spent this evening pleasantly at your Honoured Father's (I wish I coud call him mine, too) but tho I speak of Pleasure dear creature, you may well think I take but little, in your Absence coMpared with what I might enjoy in your sweet company however I aM willing to make myself as easy, and my life as pleasant as ever I can: For I have heard a Rumour as tho ' you did not design to Return home till some time next fall, the difappointments which I meet with and cannot well avoid are so many that I have no reason to create myself any Uneasinefs where I can make myself easy, but I must needs confefs tis No pleasure to me that you have prolonged the time of your Stay — doubtlefs you re well employd but So you might be at home Dearest Loveliest Fairest of women that Sweet Ingenuity of Tem- per that I have observed in you gave [torn] hope that you might receive the discovery of my affections with pity and tendernefs, but dont blame me if I must Needs say I can't well discern it by the prefent posture of af- fairs ; Pof sibly you may think it somewhat strange that in all this time of your abfence I have never been to see you or at least that I shoud be so negligent in writing as to the Former my Dear, I conceive it needs no great mat- ter of Excuse you may assure yourself iT is not for want of love. I suppofe there has not a day pafsd in your absence but I have thought of you how often has your Lovely picture Roll d over in my mind, how oft have I 1 MS. loaned by William C. Gilman, Norwich, Conn. Written backward. 26 A FAMILY HISTORY desir d your Sweet conversation your company of all wo- men ! ! ! sweet Molly is most desirable to me, but Suppofe I shoud come to Boston, hoW much of it coud I enjoy there juf t enough to Set me a longing perhaps, For I can hardly think you woud wholly refufe to See me, what woud be an hour or an Evening to one that hopes to call you his own as to my not writing oftener I am ready to blame my self and were I afsured you would give your self the trouble of reading my letters thro and not laugh at me I shoud think myself faulty that I write No oftener. Dear Molly if Boston hasn't taken away that sweet tem- per of yours I doubt not but you will excufe My Negli- gence. Lovely Fair one Things dont work according to my mind I was in hopes of Enjoying your Sweet com- pany here in a Short Season, but Since I cant bring my circumstances to my defires I must confine my defires within what I can attain. There are young women in town pretty enough when I dont think of you, but Molly that's the sweetest name, the prettyest Thing fairest of Creatures, the Object of Mine affections; and coud you love as I do If we liv d I shoud not think it woud be long to our wedding day but when we shall be united in Mar- riage how long it is to be or whether ever it will be is known to him who by his providence overrules all events, it is of the chief Importance, & shoud be the greatest con- cern of our Souls to be at peace with him, Sweet Molly I hope you will mind the Best things and live now as you woud wifh to have lived when on a dying pillow for tho you are the Woman whom I admire above all others yet I am sensible and woud have you realize it that you are Mortal as well as I. I cannot I know you dont defire I shoud flatter you with the name of Angel. Tho I hope to enjoy you for a season yet we are not to look upon this as our Abiding place but improve our days on earth in making Ready for that happy State, where there is no marrying nor giving in marriage. Tho I complain of the length of time in your absence yet I am Sensible how Swiftly our years Role away I am apt to think they might pafs with greater content on my Side were I well settled with your Sweet Self My lovely fair & I entreat you not to defer the time too long where is the Benefit of delay- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 27 ing Molly I dont See as it helps you or me whereas by yielding & consenting you might not difoblige your Self, and Might greatly Oblige your True & constant lover N :G 16 Dr. Robert and Elizabeth (Clarke) Hale had three children; Rebecca, named for his grandmother and mother, who married in 1719 Rev. John Chipman, the pastor of the church in North Beverly; Robert, whose marriage with his step-sister, Elizabeth Gilman, we have noticed earlier ; and Henry, who, ten years younger than his brother, was his ward. Henry married in 1735, Anna Ober of Beverly, and died before 1740. His five letters were written during his last years at Harvard, where he graduated in 1731. As they are docketed by Col. Robert, we are able to arrange them in exact sequence. Henry Hale to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. 1 Cambridge January 4 th 1730 [1730-1] Dear Bro r You very often have remark 'd that Nothing But want can Extort a Letter from me Your Observation is Grounded on Experience And so far Juft. But the true Reason to Me Seems to be the want of any thing to Com- municate w° will be Grateful to you I have No Oppor- tunities to gain any knowledge in the Secrets Of Trade or businef s or the Practice of Physick And as to the Math- ematicks & Philosophy & y e Like You Have Other things to think off However there is one thing an advertise" 11 Of w c will Not Afford Very Unpleasant Reflections Y r Clafsmate M r Greenwood Has In A Late Lecture Hit up- on a New Notion Relating to the Excentricity of the Or- bits of Planets He supposes that Att firft they describ'd Perfect Circles but by an Unequal Ballance of their At- tractive & Projective Forces they were by Degrees Drawn Into Ellipses, w c Still Grow more Excentrick Till att Laft They will All become Comets & further that by the i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. 28 A FAMILY HISTORY Affiftance of Accurate Observa ts the Ratio of this In- crease of Excentricity may be Determin'd & Consequ tly the Time when by a Near Transit by the Sun they will Catch on fire & Put a Period to the Lives Of their Inhab- itants (Verte) Of this Says He Ovid Might Have Some Notion from Some Now Loft Tradition of y e Ancient Phil- osophers Which Occasion 'd his Efse quoq; In fatis Reminiscitur Afore Tempus Quo mare, Quo Tellus Sc. J S r I wifh You All felicity & Remain Y r Loving Bro r & Obedient but unworthy Ward H Hale 17 Henry Hale to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. 1 Cambridge Feb. 16. 1730 [1730-1] Dear Sir// Let this Inform you that I Got Safe to Camb: about 8 that Night with lefs Difficulty Than I Expected the Next morning came On att 11 the Sermon to the Negro by M r Appleton from those words — What fruit Had ye In those things Of w c ye are Now afhamed As Soon as M r Appleton addrefs'd him He Lamented bit- terly But perhaps rather because of his Punifhment than any thing Else for he was Extremely Ignorant. After condemnation M r Adams went to him in Prison & Asking Him if He Shoud Pray & for what He Answer 'd that Mafter no angry cause I burn his house — Att Another Time — Pray for X 1 was his Answer, there was a vaft Confluence of People att the Execution w c hapned about 4 in the Afternoon M r Emerson Pray'd w th him Earneftly Under the Gallows & then being demanded w l He had to Say He answer 'd Wantee Countrymen no do so & so He was turn 'd off but being half dead before Hung but about 10 min. His body was Carried to the Colledge barn & remain 'd till the Next when it was difsected by D r Boyl- fton Att the Requeft of M r Danforth Prince & Others They Only Open'd the 2 Lower Ventes & Shew'd a few of the Largeft Membranes Muscles nerves tendons & Veins 1 MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 29 &c for Arteries I think the Doctor coud find None ' • Cer- tainly" — The Dif sector did not Enter Upon the Niceties of Anatomy for the Operation was finif h 'd in One Day — None of the Controverted were Examined Nay the Struc- ture Of the bones was not laid Open but the Negro Com- mitted to the grave with An Haf te w c Many Regretted — I am Sir Y r Unworthy Bro:&Ward H Hale 18 Henry Hale to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. 1 Camb : March 10. 1830-1 Dear Bro r I Waited att Bo f ton almoft 3 Days But the foul Weather I Suppose Prevented you Pardon My Impor- tunity Since the Valedictory is to Be Next Week & the Gift Given Up Please Sir to Send About 3£ 10 M r Johnson is in Hafte & I can but Juft teftifie that I am y r Loving Brother & Unworthy Ward H. Hale 19 Rev. Nicholas Gilman married Mary Thing, only child of Bartholomew and Sarah (Little, Kent) Thing, of Exeter, N. H., on October 22, 1730. Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass 2 Exeter March 20. 1730-31. Dear Sir 1 am just inform 'd of an Opportunity to Send a line to Beverly, but whether to You I cannot Say Not having heard for a long time whether you are in New England or indeed in the Land of the Living or No. I have writ- ten to You before Now, Since I have heard from You. What it was that I wrote or have done or what that I have Omitted to write or do that has occasiond Your long Silence. I Shoud be glad to know. Dear Sir that you i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. 2 Idem. 30 A FAMILY HISTORY are a Man of Reason I may Say without Flattery — and Since So, I woud willingly — know Why yon woud put a period to our wonted familiar Converse. So long as we are fellow Sojourners on this Terrestrial Globe and may we not hope fellow Travellers to a Celestial State — If I have provd treacherous, tell me of it and You will Soon Learn whether ever to trust me again — If I dont write So well as I usd to do when you were free for a Correspon- dence by Letters, You must blame your own Silence for how Can it be Supposd I Shoud write So well Now as when I oftner read Your lines? but whether I write well or ill I must at this time write but few Words More. The Week & Day both hasten to a Close and Titans fiery Steeds are just ready to plunge in the Western Ocean — The Twilight hastning gives us warning to begin The Sacred Weekly Rest of Christians an earnest of the future Rest that remains for the people of God, Among which happy joyfull Number that You & I with our Wives &c, May be found is I hope the sincere Desire of Your Loving Kinsman NG My wife gives her Service to You and Your Dear Consort. 20 Henry Hale to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. 1 Camb. March 23. 1730-1 Dear Bro : Y r not coming or sending oblig'd me In Order to Pay my Subscription & pronounce y e Valedictory to borrow about 3£ 10 : Whereof 40 V for a Gift 12/ for a p r of Shoes 5/ for the New Dref sing of my Hat 5/ for a pr of Gloves more in Expence &c w c S d Sum If you cou'd Oblige me with I Hope I Shouldn't Shew my self Ungrateful I am Very Sorry S r that I Shou'd now give occasion for the Old Complaint Namely that I make y e Importunity of y e Dun Thruft out the Tendernefs & Duty of A Bro : & Ward Henry Hale P r Herrick i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 31 21 Henry Hale to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. 1 April 2 d 1731. Dear Bro r I thankfully Rec d Y r Letter & Supply P r Herrick & Likewise the grateful News of y r Health & prosperity I am sorry I Have Never yet Done Any thing to Deserve y l Kindnefs as A friend w c the bonds Of blood & Nature conftrain you to Show me that I might in a Strict Sense Call you a Bro r & friend too However I Hope that In Time an Endeavour to Imitate y r & My God- like father will beget in me as Great a likenefs to you as to Temper of Mind as I Have already by the frame Con- ftitution and Shape of my body & then I can't fail of y r Love I Can Sir Write You but Very Little News tho Very Acceptable there is One of the Political States or Jour- nals Lately Arriv'd Extracts from w c Have Contrary to his Excell ys Order printed & Dispers 'd they Inveigh Vehe- mently Againft the Gov rs Arbitrary proceedings & Com- mend y e Noble Stand w c we Have made for y l Liberty & Property w c Others Have Unhappily Given up He very Plainly pretends to prognofticate the Gradual Ap- proaches of Slavery w e Like a Palsie seizes the Extreme Parts firft afterwards tottering & att length Ruining the whole fabrick that God may Avert this is the Wifh Of S r Y r Loving Bro r & Ward H. Hale 22 Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. 2 Dear Friend 1 Presume by this time you are So well acquainted with my writing that it is in Vain to make any Apology for Defects and Pretend I write in hast, which tho It be mat- ter of fact may not be the only reason why I dont write Well. If If writing Letters were as great an Exercife of i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. 2 Idem. 32 A FAMILY HISTORY the Body as it is of the Mind I Shoud much more gladly Embrace every Opportunity of writing to you but Since it is not So I am Obligd to be more remifs in thought — and it is not very agreeable to Send abroad Crude No- tions Pictures of Chaos which Ovid Describes to be — - Rudis indigestaq, Moles Nee quiequam Nifs 1 pondus Indis & c — but what Need I describe it when the present writ- ing is So near a Resemblance as for matters of Specula- tion I have Not at present Leisure to Mention any Thing. Your Friends in Town are Generally in Health Except Your Hon d Father, Coll 11 Gilman who This Day Labours Under Considerable Indisposition — As for Me I am pretty Much as I usd to be If you know how that is — I hope however I am Somthing Stronger — I am glad to hear you have escaped from Imminent danger of the Smallpox — It Seems that Sicknefs if Not Death had you Close at the Heels Breathd on your Shoulders but was not Sufferd to Lay Violent Hands on You & Now you have gaind ground on him. So that you have left him out of Sight — but however out of Sight Not out of Mind — Deaths pace is Swift its Stroke tho' Silent, Sure and None Escape but Sooner or later they fall its prey — Happy they that Can on good grounds Say to him Wel- come Friend. But I muft Close — with telling that y r Hon d Mother Defires You would Get Henry Such Cloaths for Commencement as that You Judge Suitable for him. And if he has the Offer that You Woud Advife him from Her to keep School att Newberry New Town — She Re- members her love to You all. Take this at present in Hast — From Him who hopes for a Better Opertunity to Expref s how Much I am Y r Sincere Friend N. G. Exeter June 3 d 1731 23 Rev. James Hale, the writer of the following letter, was a son of Rev. John Hale and his second wife, Sarah Noyes, daughter of Rev. James and Sakah (Brown) Noyes, one of the first settlers of Newbury, Mass. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 33 Rev. James Hale to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. 1 Afhford October y e 11 th 1731 1 give my hearty Love to your Self by thefe hoping they will find you in Good Health as I am at this Time thro' the Mercy of God. It is indeed now Some time Since I returned from your parts and have not written to you but befides that I prefently found my bufinefs Doubled here by my Abfence from home Some Weeks it was not very long before I hurt my right Hand So that I could not for fome time write or do any other matter with it So well as before. It Seems almoft too late to give you a Journal of my Safe Return that Week I left Bev- erley and finding my Family Well and perhaps it may not be much worth the while to mention that Since y l the Minifters of this County were moft of them at my Houfe at the Afsociation Meeting begun on the laft of Auguft as this Week we are to meet at M r Williams's of Manf- field. Our Crops have been the Englifh Grain with con- fiderable plenty the Indian Corn tho' Better than our fears upon a Supply of Rains after a Time of Drought Yet as so Some greatly Shortned. Our Hay and Latter Feed in a Comfortable manner. We enjoy a General Health at prefent in this place and better than was Some while ago in this place and in Windham Village a Neigh- bouring place where I hope it is better now too. My min- ifterial Work has been very Great Since my Return re- quiring much care and application. My remembrance of the great Refpect & kindnefs of my Beverley Relations and Friends to me & So of others to me in my Journey has a firm abiding in my mind. And pleafe to Remember me kindly as to y e Rev nd M r Chippman & M rs Chippman 2 & to M r Henry Hale and to M rs Hale your Confort my dear Relations So to Madam Blowers And to the Rev- erend M r Champney whom I efteem as dear Friends and many others among you in Beverley I efteem my Good Friends whom I could willingly be remembered to by you i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. 2 Mrs. John Chipman was Eebecca Hale, only sister of Col. Eobert Hale. Her husband was the pastor of the church at North Beverly. 34 A FAMILY HISTORY as in Particular Deacon Dodge and Capt n Thorndike. I hope you will write to me at y r firft Opportunity. Defir- ing an Intereft in your Prayers I Remain Your Affec- tionate Uncle James Hale 24 Rev. Nicholas Gilman and Mary Thing were married October 22, 1730. He did not take a parish for some years on account of poor health. Col. Robert Hale's first wife, Elizabeth Oilman, who was Rev. Nicholas Gilman's first cousin, died in 1736 and he married (2) December 21, 1737, Elizabeth Clarke, daughter of Hon. John Clarke, of Boston, whom this letter mentions. It was copied some time in the early part of the last century by Elizabeth T. Davey and given to Mr. Arthur Gilman, of Cambridge, by C. S. D. The original was in the pos- session of Col. Nathaniel Gilman, of Exeter. Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. Exeter, Feb y 13 th , 1737-8 Dear Sir Yours of Jan y 25 th came to hand this Morning which has given me No Small Satisfaction, 'tis a Token you have not forgotten there was (at least) once such an one as I am: As much as I may have been tho't to have courted Retirement I must own 'tis agreable to have My Friends take notice of me — I suppose it extreamly dif- ficult for any one with patience to bear being slighted by those we have a Value for, especially if we have been once in their Favour, or have so much as Courted it. Your Kind Letter is also an occasion of the further pleasure I receive in Answering it, which I must confefs would be greater might I be so happy as to write anything worth your Regard. Sir, I impute it not as any fault in you that you have so long neglected writing, but accept it as a Favour that you have written at Length. I thank you for the Account you have given me of the age that many of the Ancient Poets, philosophers and Heroes of both IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 35 Greece and Rome arrivd to before they were called to quit this Earthly Stage. You observe of them that they were for the most part famous while yet in the flower of their days; Mayn't this together with the Age they at- tained to give us reason to think that, together with an Exalted Genius they were Blest with an Athletick con- stitution, So that they Underwent without Fatigue the contemplations and Intense Study, that might Weary & even wear out the Tender constitution of many of their Contemporary's, by that Time they arrived at the Noon of Life, & probably in those Ages of the World, when the prefs was wanting, men more rarely produced their Works to Publick View till age & Experience had ripened their Judgment & their Reputation for Wit or Wisdom was well established. — So that the Works of few are Left but such as were Men of Long Life. Men indeed that are formed by Nature for a Longer Duration in this World Seem to have much the Advan- tage of Tender Constitutions for deep penetration & great Atchievements — their Spirits are not so Volatile, nor do they undergo So frequent Changes but can Under- take & pursue an Attempt to what length they please in much the same Temper. — Many a Great Soul pofsefsed with bright and Super 1- powers capable of making extra- ordinary flights, has been much deprefsed & kept from Rising by a near Alliance to a Crazy Carcase. — I am but little acquainted with the History of Sir Isaac Newton, who has obtained with most the Epithet of Incomparable. I shoud be glad to know more of him — but if I mistake not he attained to a great age, I think upward of four S cor e — I dont Suppose his Spirits were Exhausted or his Joints afflicted with Scorbutick pains by that time he had Sat an hour or two Swallowed up in thought. ^ Heav- en (it seems) had every way formed him to Shine in these Ages as a Star of the first Magnitude. He has indeed carried the Matter So far that very few have Mathemat- icks enough to Understand his Demonstrations, yet the most accurate Mathematicians allow them to be Such and rely on his Conclusions, as propositions well proved — He has Shown how far Mathematicks applyd to some parts of Nature, may upon principles that Matter of Fact 36 A FAMILY HISTORY Justify, carry us in to to the knowledge of Some particu- lar provinces of the Universe. — I doubt not but that great Man found (the further he went) a Larger field of Knowledge Still opening to his View — and 'tis not im- pofsible but he might have a glimpse of many things the fuller discovery whereof may be refered for future Ages. — It seems we cannot tell what discoveries are to be made to the Sons of Men 'eer the Winding up of the present Scene. — but men of Tender Constitutions Seem to have little reason to flatter themselves they Shall be likely to penetrate so far as they might do were they formed by Nature to Attain the Longevity of the An- cients whom you mention — I Think for a very tender Man Watts the Poet Laureat of the Christian Church has done as worthily as any man I know of. — His pen has produced many pieces very excellent in Their Kind. You Sir have Some of His Works I believe by you & I flatter myself you think with me in what I have Said of him. — I make no doubt he will be allowed a Great Man by men of Discerning. It seems to have been happy in exercising himself much in that Wherein his Genius Most excells & that is the way for Men to Shine — There is a beautiful variety in the powers of Men which conspire in the Mutual afsistance of one another in the Various Con- cerns of Life — without doubt it concerns every one with- in his own Sphere to act his part well in as much as the present life well improvd is an Introduction to true Liv- ing — and as you well observe We have little reason to Complain of the Shortnef s of Life unlef s we were careful to Improve the flying Moments to Better Advantage. — As to what you hint at concerning Heroick actions it doubtlefs becomes Superior Souls to efsay at Noble & generous things. — I hope by the Succef s you have Some- times found you will be encouragd to efsays for the Good of Mankind which (at least) Your Own Country & the present, if not future Generations will think themselves indebted to you for — Believe it will be so and never fear — Nemo Magnus Sine Aliquo Afflatu Divino Unquam fuit — Saith Cicero De N D. There is much remains to be done towards bettering the State of our Land — Many designs which Our Patriots woud do well to Signallize themselves in carrying an End. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 37 I find I am running this Letter to an unreasonable Length and Shall hasten to a Close reserving Something for next time. — As for late occurrences I have little to mention. — 'Tis (I think) a time of General Health among us. Some few have Lately been visited with a fever. — John Kimballs Wife dy'd Last Lords day Aet. 35. — Brother D. G. 1 has had a sharp fit of Sicknefs but is (I hope) Recovering. — The Rev. Mr. Secomb of King- ston is Labouring to Introduce among his people the singing of Mr. Watts 's Psalms. — Now Sir (if you please ) „ Give my Service to my New Kinswoman, the present Dear Delight of your Eyes, whom I have never yet had the happinef s to see — With her I wish you Abun- dance of Comfort and that you may rejoice together as Heirs of the Grace of Life and be late Called to a Sep- aration — But My Pen E'e'n tires yet must not fail to join — I am as much your Friend as you are mine — On other Scores I freely own that you May claim Superiority. — Adieu. N Gilman. R. Hale Esq 25 This little book is made of sheets sewed together as was often the case in those days when paper was expensive. The first page was written in a childish hand. Some notes of sermons are omitted. Bartholomew Gilman his book and hand exeter Decern 1 " 16 1741 an acount of the holy lives and triumphant Deaths of some let us then hear how mr holland a memorable saint and rarely qualified preacher exprest himself when in the i Daniel Gilman, 1702-1780, was the "Uncle DanH" i n later letters from Joseph Gilman. In his will, he gave the use of his "Silver Tankard" to ' ' the church of Chrift in Exeter whereof the Eevd Daniel Rogers is paftor. ' ' Hon. Nicholas Gilman, of whom we shall hear much, was Daniel Gilman 's grandson. 38 A FAMILY HISTORY valley of the Shadow of death as one was reading to him the eight 11 chapter of pauls epistle to the romans on the sudden he said "oh stay your reading what brightnefs "I see have you lit up any candles to which answer was "made no it is the sunshine nay says he my saviour "shines now farewell world welcome heaven the day "star from on high hath visitd my heart Speak it "when I Am gone preach it at my funerall god dealeth "familiary men [The following is in Rev. Nicholas Gilman's writing.] N. B. This was written the Morning before he was taken Sick of his Last Sicknef s. Bartholomew Gilman, Son of Nicholas and Mary Gil- man of Exeter was born August, 26 th 1731. — And died Dec r 23 d 1741. Aged 10, years 3 Months & 27 Days — From his Infancy He was remarkably, Serious, a Dutif ull obedient Child, of a Pleasant disposition. He delighted but little in thee Toys & Trifles So natural to Children of his Age — His Book was much his Delight, in which He profited for the Time above Most of his Companions; towards the Close of his Life before he was taken Sick He became very intent on the Things of God and Re- ligion, And before his Death did hopefully Experience a Regenerating Change — His Sicknef s which was the Throat Distemper lasted a Week, in Which tho' at times He breathd with Difficulty yet He discoverd Admirable Patience and great Willingnefs to dy & go to Christ — He gave his Companions that came to his Bedfide, Solemn Advice discoverd a Weanednefs from this World and readinefs to leave it, Lovd to have praying and reading in the Bible & pitchd upon certain Chapters which he chose to hear Read over and instead of being tird with hearing was Concernd lest he Shoud weary Others in reading to Him ; He was taken Sick Dec r 16 th lay Sick a Week and then (I trust) fell afleep in Jesus. — After his Decease were found of his writing the follow- ing Letters and other writings which are here pref ervd — 4. A Letter to his Cousin Dnl L-l of Haverhill Dear affectionate Cousin let us Join together to blefs God for what Marvellous work he is now doing at the Bank Let us pray to God that his Word may run and have free course, and May it be glorify 'd, that many IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 39 Souls may be newborn to Christ, let us pray that All Nations may be gatherd unto that great Shepherd & Bishop of Souls, the Lord Jesus Christ; let us pray that we may be truly and Sincerely humble, for all our Sins, and let us pray to God against all pride & haughtinef s of Spirit for God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the Humble — And I would have you pray for all the Mercies you Stand in Need of for Time and Eternity I Just run over a few lines, I had but a little time I woud have you Send me a Letter or come and See me your Self — The Folks are all pretty well and healthy — I remember My Love to all my Friends — This was the first letter that was written by Me — Bartholomew Gilman 5. a Letter to his Parents at Durham — Exeter Dec r 10. 1741. Honoured Father and Mother, after my Most Humble duty to you and Love to all My Brothers, I take Now to write to you for My Latin & English Esop Fables, And if you please, M r Watts Psalms And — I hear that God carrys on his Work Very Powerfully there, which We have reason to blefs God for — and by what I can learn, it is very dull times here, — I run over a few lines. I hope to see you in a little time. M r Elisha Odlin burycV his Youngest Son last night with the throat Diftemper Your Dutifull Son Bartholomew Gilman. 26 Rev. Nicholas Gilman was not ordained until 1742, when he went to the church at Durham, N. H. This is not an extraordinary way of "settling Salary," as in Stone's History of Beverly, p. 210, Rev. John Hale's agreement with his church is substantially the same. Settling Salary on Rev d N G at Durham Pork 500 lb of hogs That weig 150 or 200 pounds or up- ward. That is well fatted Beaf 600 lb Candles 30 lb at 40 A FAMILY HISTORY Wheat 10 Bushels Winter Rye 15 Bufhels Indian Corn 30 Bushels Molafses 20 Gallons Sugar half an hundred Such as May Now be had by The 100 at 7-10-0 P hundred Malt for Bear for a year 10. Bushels Cyder Ten Barrels. Rum Gallons or wine apples Such as are good for winter 20 Bushels Turnops 5 Bushels & 3 of Petatoes Pastoring & wintering 4 Cows & an horfe & keeping an horfe fhod Thro' The year The Pastoring To be good & handy and The wintering To be upon good English hay & keeping summer & winter Strangers horfes. wood 40 Cord If I fhould Need fo Much for firewood To be hailed To my Door in 4 foot length all To be Brought To my houfe one year after another without My being Put to any Trouble or Charge for The procuring or pur- chasing of y m & an hundred & Ten pounds P year for This first year & Then The additions of Ten pounds p year for 4 year & y n 150 £ P year To be Paid in pafsable Bills of Credit in This Province & in Cafe Said Bills Should be Still far- ther depretiated So That The Same number of Pounds in The Name of y m Should Not be in value Sufficient to pur- chafe The Same Sort and as Much of Every Sort of Cloathing or any other necefsaries for The Support of my family as They will do in This Prefent year Receiv- ing Goods at So Much p cent as They were Sold in Bos- ton for paper Bills by The Merchants at The Time when This Call was made Me by Durham. Then There Shall be an addition of as many More pounds as Shall Make The money part of My Salary Sufficient in value To purchafe The fame & as many of any & every Sort of Thing That I fhall want in my family Befides The pro- vifion part of my family as an 150 pounds would pur- chafe at y e time aforef d & in cafe S a paper Bills Should become more valuable Then z much as They fhall be More valuable for The purchafing what I want So much lef s y n an 150 Shall The Money Part of My Salary be So IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 41 y l My Meaning is That The Money part of my Salary Shall be of as Much value To me for The purchafing what I want for my family every year as It was when Durham gave me a call To the Ministry & of No more value Regarding the value of Money for the purchafing Necefsaries & Not the Name of fo many pounds & The Provifions & Money To be paid at or before The time Specified in The fall or If The Town fail hereof & their failure prove a Damage To me They Shall make good The Damage I fhall fuftain by Their Neglect. & In Cafe paper Bills Should entirely ceafe Then what- ever Should be a Medium of Trade. My Meaning is y l The Town Should pay Me in That Medium as Much z Shall be in value Equal To an hundred & fifty pounds anno 1739 when Durham Gave me a Call To The work of the Ministry i e So much of That Medium as Shall enable Me To purchafe as Much Cloathing or as Maney of Thofe Things as are necefsary & convenient for the Support of my family as an 150£ would have Enabled Me to pur- chafe Anno 1739. & In Case it Should So happen That There Should be any dispute Concerning our agreement That Each party Shall leave it To 3 Neighbouring Ministers & Three of his Majesties Justices of the peace in The Next Neighbor- hood To determine the Intent & true meaning of our agreement. 27 Richard Woodbury was a fanatic who gained great power over Rev. Nicholas Gilman after the visit of George Whitefield to New England. A number of min- isters objected to the religious excitement that followed this visit. William C. Gilman, of Norwich, Conn., owns the diary of Nicholas Gilman during the last years of his life and it is a distressing record of the growing mental unbalance of a gentle but naturally melancholy nature. Rev. Mr. Gilman died in 1748. Rev. Mr. Web- ster remained as pastor of this church for many years after this letter. 42 A FAMILY HISTORY Richard Woodbury and Rev. Nicholas Gilman to Rev. Mr. Webster, Salisbury, Mass. In the Name of the King of Kings & Lord of Lords — To the Rev d M r Webster, Pastor of a Church of Christ in Salisbury — Rev d Sir — Consider the weight and great- nef s of your Charge in that you have Precious Souls com- mitted to your care, which you are to educate & train up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord, Think what account you have to give when You and others must give account of Your Stewardship and how you have improvd the Talents committed to your Trust — Consider whether you are in the way of your Duty, while you do not come forth to vindicate and promote the good Work of God that has been going on in the Land So remarkably, Since the Time Dear M r Whitefield was Sent thro the Land, — Him God has honour 'd and will honour tho' many have defpised him, and if they repent Not it will be to their Confusion — (Read Eccl. 11.9 — & Eccl. 10.1. & 12. 1,13. & 11.5.) If you cou'd but understand What a great Charge, Yours is — 'twould be enough to make you tremble to think how dolefull it will be, and how Awfull your ac- count, if you are guilty of the Blood of Souls perishing thro ' your Neglect. Read Ezek. 33 d & 34 th Chap. — Now, Sir, if you woud approve Your Self a Faithfull Soldier of Your Lord and King, Gird on Your Armour, come forth and vindicate the Lords Quarrell. — (Mark. Eccl. 12. 7,14. — ) If you have not experienced a Work of Grace in Your Own Soul, you are not capable of duly instructing others in the Way of Life and happi- nefs — the work that has been going on in the Land, I know to be a good work of the Grace of God, by many Years experience of it in My own Soul which has of late been greatly reviv'd and Blefsed be God My Heart is daily refreshd with the Love of Christ, which Love Con- strains me to write thus to you — Rich d Woodbury (Seal) — Newbury — May 27, 1744 — Rev d Sir — I doubt not, you have heard many in those days rejoyc- ing in a Sence of the Love of God Shed abroad in their IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 43 hearts by the Holy Ghost, given unto them, (as Rom. 5.5.) You have doubtlefs also read & heard the great cry of Enthusiasm that has been raised to prejudice the Po- lite and Speculative part of Mankind — I have read Much of this Sort, but find it is a Theme More talkd of than Understood — Jn° 14.17. 1 Cor. 2.13, 14, 15.— There is a Vail over the good work of the present day, which is not to be removd but by — Asking Jesus Alone — & where this Vail is thick — by Solemn Fasting and prayer. Mat. 13.9 — to 17 — which in Love I recommend to You — and am Your Friend & Serv 1 in X* Nich° Gilman 28 The date of this letter is so manifestly a mistake that I venture to place it where it seems to belong. Col. Rob- ert Hale was given the command of the Fifth Massachu- setts in the expedition against Louisburg planned by Governor Shirley, and Benjamin Ives received his com- mission as captain on February 12, 1745. This Benja- min Ives was the son of Captain Benjamin Ives and Ann Derby of Salem and had married Colonel Hale's only child, Elizabeth, October 12, 1743. They had one child at this time, a son, Robert Hale Ives. Benjamin Ives to Col. Robert Hale. Beverly Feb y 3. 1745-6 Hon a S r When I came to Charleston Ferry on Friday last I met a Letter from my Father to do some bufinefs for him at Cambridge, so that I could not get Home 'till Satterday & lost y e opportunity of sending y r Horfe, but have now sent Her P M r Ellingwood, w th y r Baggs & a Shirt, — We are all well here, Mother x is here at my Houfe & verry cheerly ; I hope you won't make all y r Und r Officer's 'till you come Home, I am Y r Dutifull Son Ben a Ives Jim r 29 The Nicholas Gilman referred to in this letter was a i Mrs. Eobert Hale. 44 A FAMILY HISTORY son of Col. John Gilman and his second wife, Mrs. Rob- ert Hale, Sr. He was thus a half-brother of both Col. Robert Hale and Col. Peter Gilman. Col. John Gilman had died about 1742 and his widow was living at this time with her step-son, Col. Peter Gilman, in the old Gilman Garrison House, in Exeter. We note that Col. Robert Hale was a practising physician. Col. Peter Gilman to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. Exeter March 13 th 1745. Dear Broth 1- after Cordial Salutation; Thefe may Inform you of the State of bro. Nich he Remain* 1 much as he was w n you Left him, for ab l 8 or 10 days Every thing Seem'd to work well & he Seem d most of the Time much more Com- fortable as to his bodyly disorder y n he had been for Sum Time before, but Sine that he has been Takein with Some- thing of apurging for Several days tho not violent but has much weekned him; the night before Last his Cough Seem d dry & he was put to much dificulty to Rafe & So Remains : yesterday he had as bad or worf e day y n Since his Confinem 1 Something more Comfortable this day. but — Exceeding weak. & he is very defirous If you Think you can help him; If pofsible to Come & See him once more ; but if there is no pof sibility of your Comeing. to write w* you think may be proper to be done further for him ; by the next post Mother is well ; pref ents her Love to you & defire you d Send her Some Conferve of Red Roles ; proper Regards to all f rinds I am D r S r Your Sin- cere Frind & Broth 1- P Gilman P. S. Plefe if you write direct your Lter to be Left at Swets at hamtonfalls. where I will fend over In order to Receive It. 30 John Payne to Col. Robert Hale, Louisburg, Cape Breton. Sir, I hope this will find you at Louisbourg with a Bowl of IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 45 Punch a Pipe and a P k of C ds in your hand and whatever else you desire (I had forgot to mention a Pretty French Madammoselle) We are very Impatiently expecting to hear from you Your Friend Luke has lost feveral Beever Hatts already concerning the Expedition he is so very Zealous about it that he has turn'd Poor Boutier out of his House for Saying he believ 'd you would not Take the Place — Damn his Blood Says Luke let him be an Englishman or a French Man and not pretend to be an Englishman when he is a Frenchman in his Heart. If Drinking to your Succefs would Take Cape Breton you must be in Pofefsion of it now for it's a ftanding Toast I think y e least thing you Military Gent" can do is to find us some arrack when you take y e Place to Cele- brate your Victory and not to force us to do it in Rum Punch or Lukes' bad wine or Sou'r Cyder — But a Word to y e Wise is Sufficient — I can't write you any News so have Inclos'd you the Prints to amuse you at your Leizure Hours — I hope my next will acquaint you that I had a Lucky Gent n to chuse my Tickets in which case I have a Bowl of the best Egg at your Service and will be your Partner at whisk as long as you please without crying to go to Bed upon your Return — I should be glad to receive a Line from you when you have opportunity which would be very acceptable to S r Y r Humb le Serv 1 John Payne Since my Writing the above We have rec d the good News of your arrival at Canso and hope the next ace 1 will be from Lewisburg if the Martineco Fleet dont pay you a Visit J- P- Boston April 24. 1745. Robert Hale Esq 1 " Service to all Friends 31 Samuel Gilman was the second son of Col. John Gil- man and his second wife, Mrs. Robert Hale, Sr., and so he was Col. Hale's half-brother. He called himself 46 A FAMILY HISTORY " junior" probably because there were other Samuels in the older generation. Samuel Gilman, Jr., to Col. Robert Hale, Louisburg, Cape Breton. Dear Br° Ive but Just time to Let you Know, — something of our curcumftances — our Dear & Hon'd mother is well, & is Longing, & waiting to hear from you. — Br° Nich & his wife are still under Very Poor curcumftances, other friends are Gener ly well as I hope thr'o the Goodnefs of a mercifull God thif will find you. It was a Great Grief to me j l I had no opportunity to see you before you went on this Expedition: But my Dear Br° th'o I had no op- pertunity of seeing you, nor of hearing Particularly from you, yet my hearts Defier & Prayer to God is y* you may Preferv'd th'o In y e middst of danger & Dear Br° may I not say to you as was once said to a Great Genar 11 Be Valient For the Lord: for I trust it is his cause y l you are Ingag'd in, therefore d r Br° Look to him for y l Wifdome, y* is Profitable to direct in this Important affair, — ware you here you wou'd think y* all Gods People ware engag'd w h you, & can't but think this a good omen for I believe the Hand of faith is Lifted up Up on y r acct. & we hope that then Isrell will Pravil in an Espefiel manner — as to Publick News you will no doubt be Inform 'd fr° thofe better Qualified to wright Iv'e Nothing to add (it being near 12: at Night) but y l I am y r Loving (th'o Very unworthy) Br° Sam 1 Gilman Jun r : P. S. Pray Remember me to my d-r Kinf m m r Ives — we shoud be much Rejoyc'd to have a Letter fr° you Exeter Aprill y e 29 th 1745 — To Col Robert Hale Esq 6 in y e Expedition against Cape Breton thefe IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 47 32 The American Antiquarian Society owns a manuscript diary of Col. Robert Hale which has to do with this period of his life and would be of great interest to his descendants, but it is too voluminous to be incorporated in these volumes. A number of quotations from it are given in Weedon's Social and Economic History of New England. The Robert Gilman whom Col. Peter Gilman recom- mends to the care of Col. Robert Hale was a son of Col. John Gilman and his first wife, Elizabeth Coffin and so was a step-brother of Col. Hale's. He was surgeon in the Louisburg Expedition and was wounded in the campaign. "Dr. Mr. Moody" was the Rev. Samuel Moody of York, "who went as chaplain and so confident was he of success that he took with him a hatchet to cut the images in the Catholic churches." 1 Col. Peter Gilman to Col. Robert Hale, Louisburg, Cape Breton. Dear Broth r Thefe few Lines Come to Inform you that your Exeter frinds & Ralations are Generly well, hopeing thefe may find you So our D r mother Sends her kind Love to you & wants much To Know how you D° & Expects You 11 Send her a leter by the first oppertunity I Hope D r S r that the Great God who I Trust has inclined you to Ingage In this Great affair for the DefTence of our Cuntry Will In- able you at all Times to Put your Trust in him & Give you a Refignd frame of mind to all the Dealings of his wife Providence Towards You & Prepare you By his Specil Love & favor for all Events of his Providence and Tho the archers may Shoot Sore at you I hope the Lord will Cauf e Your Bow to abide in Strength and that your Arms may be made Strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob. D r S r how It may Plefe the Lord to Deal with us In regard to our haveing an oppertunity of See i Coffin 's History Newbury, 215. 48 A FAMILY HISTORY one another hear I Can' 1 Tell But hope we shall be Pre- pared for the Second Comeing of our D r Redeemer and to meet & Dwell with him together In his Kingdom above : where we Shall never more hear the Clanr" of War, or Garmants Rold In Blod. I Beg — D r Brother that you will have an Eye over Br° Robert & Councill & Direct him in that that may be Best for him If he Stands in need at any Time for any Thing that may be for his Comfortable Subfistance. If it may be in your power to Suply him I will Satisfie you to Content Plefe to Give my Duty To your Worthy Generall and to D r M r Moody . . . Re- spect to all Inquiring friend 8 I fhould be Exceding Glad if you d Plefe to favor me with a Line from you by the first oppertunitie I am with all Proper Regards Your Sincere friend & affectionate Broth 1 " Portm May 3 d 1745 Peter Gilman 33 Gov. William Shirley to Col. Robert Hale, Louisburg, Cape Breton. Boston June 23. 1745 Sir, I have receiv'd two Letters from you, one from Canso, the other from before Louisburg, & according to the re- queft of your laft have fent you another f urge on in the room of that w ch you mention to be detain 'd from your Regiment on board the Hofpital Vefsell; His name is Hay; I sign'd his Warrant two hours ago as second Doc- tor or furgeon to your Regiment — I am forry y l the Com- panies under your Command fhould have suffered for want of Medicines or proper Attendance, & particularly to hear y l you have been injurd in your own health in the time of your f ervice ; I gave you a Regiment purely out of the regard, I had for you, & sh d have been glad if the Command might have been of f ervice to your Intereft — I hope however y* fuccefs, of w° h from the General's and Commodore's Letters to me, there seems to be a good prospect, may restore your health and clear up all gloomy prospects ; In the mean time nothing will more contribute to an happy Ifsue of the Land fervice y n Harmony be- tween the field Officers, nor be a more certain Method of IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 49 eftablifhing the Character of every Gentleman than a disposition to cultivate it. In the inexprefsible Hurry & Multiplicities of Businefs, w ch prefses upon me, I must Colonel Hale refer you to Colonel Choat for a particular account of the meafures, I am taking to fupport the Ex- pedition — I wish you an happy meeting w th your friends at B of ton and am Sir, Your Afsur'd Friend and fervant W Shirley. 34 Maj. Moses Titcomb to Col. Robekt Hale, Beverly, Mass. Louisbourg Feb y 15.th. 1745-6 Hono d Sir — I Receiv d Your two Letters Bairing Date January 1 st & ditto 12th. also the Sheep and bb 1 of Sundrys By Cap 1 Collyer who Arrived here the lO.th. Instant And Sir I thank You for the Great Care You Take of me and Your Giving Your Self Such great Confern for For the Puplick good of this Army and more Espeatialy those of Your Regiment — Sir Look uppon it as a Good Providence that You Went Home Sence Your Arguments Have Proved to be of Such Great Weight — at Court in Behalf of this Army and I hope Sir You Will from Time to time do all that Lays in Your Power at Court that Justice may Dun us While we are Detain d here to Defend this Garrison at y e Expence of our Lives by Such Mortal Sicknefs that have and Still Prevails amongst us. Sumtimes it Seams to abate for Some Days and then Returns again I Hope that God Has Mercy in Store for us and In his Own Due Time Restore Helth unto us again — Sir You Desier a me to Let You Know how the Fresh Provisions that is Sent to the Army are Disposed of as Soon they Came the Gen- erall Call d a Councel of War and a Vote was Pafs d that they Should be Deliver 3 to the Comp y and he to Deliver them to the Sick accord g to their Numbers in Each Com- pany which Proof we have Receiv d Will be Under God the Means of Saving Many of our Lives Sir According to 50 A FAMILY HISTORY your Desier I have Sent You Inclos d the Acc° of the Men that Did Belong to Your Company who is aLive and who is Ded — The Master of the Schooner Keeps all the things that he Brought for Your Men that are Ded and Says that it was his Orders so to do, Sir I Wish You Joy with the Hon ble Post Latly Confer 3 uppon You I have no News Send You Having None But what Corns From New Eng- land Sum of which is Very Merry Viz 1 A Number of Lads Being arriv d there as officers to Raise Souldiers for this Garrison For my Parte I Beleave that if we are Not to be Releav d before it is Done by them we Shall Stay here Seaven Years Longer and Seventy Times Seven to the End of it which God forbid that I, or any of mine Should Stay Six Months if the officers that have kept this Garri- son Eaver Sence we Came into it Should be treated in Such a Manner as we hear they are Like to be Sir this is all at Preasant from Your Most Obed 1 Hum le Ser 1 (Maf Moses Titcomb's Letter rec d Apr. 16. 1746) 1 P. S. Pleas to Give my Sarvis to Cap 1 Ives and all Friends Cap 1 Glaizer is Well and Gives his Duty to You To Col Rob 1 Hale — In Bevirly P Cap 1 35 This pathetic little story about the illness and death of his youngest brother, was written by Tristram, the eldest surviving son of Rev. Nicholas Gilman when he was about seventeen. John Gilman The owner of this Book Cyphered thus far from March 1752 To May. having learn 't no farther y n the Rule of Three before — & this without any Instruct- er save Wards Arithmetick & my Help who knew no far- ther y n he He had learnd To write a Legible Hand — but being Sick & forc'd to lay in an easy Chair He i Note by Col. Hale. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 51 couldn't write what he had leart therefore I wrote for him & had he had Any Master to go before him its prob- able he might have gone thro' All Arithmetick in the same Time in which he did this — He had perfectly learn 'd The Single Rule of Fellowship & cou'd do a Sum in the Double He was exceedingly Skill 'd in the Power of Numbers. Understood the very Nature of Fractions & Something of Roots & Powers cou'd do a Sum in the Rule of Three or in Fractions by his Head quicker than I or others & their Pens & all this in about two Months In Short he seem'd to be a Second Archimedes — He was of a Pleasant Disposition very forward to Learn of an easy Temper neither Elated with Prosperity nor dejected in Adversity — Quiet in all the Dispensa- tions of Providence with him & its Remarkable that he was never once heard to pine or fret in all his Confine- ment nor in his most excrutiating Pains — Acted accord- ing to Reason in any Affair coud discourse upon a Topic he understood Like a Logician And After all it was his Saying, (Where Reason Ends Faith begins) In Fine he was the most desirable Companion I ever had — But every Thing here below has Vanity written upon it. Let us acquiefce in the most Heavy Strokes of Providence And say the Will of the Lord be done — Some Accounts of his Illnefs. John Gilman Son of Nich Gilman Minister a Durham was born May 10 1742 at Durham where he liv'd till he was 4 years Old from whence with Mother he came to Exeter ; A Large hearty Rugged Child. In 1746-7 I, his Brother Tristram was taken Sick & my Father continued with me all Winter, in which Time he took to Reading rose at 4 o 'Clock every Morning All Winter — In the Spring 1747 My Father was taken Sick and I got well he grew weak till Summer & then recovering a Little Strength, he, at the instigation of some Durham People rode to Durham worried himself very much grew worse & so continued, till Apr 1 12, 1748 in Which he departed this Life — From Sorrows Vale (tis hop'd) he wing'd his Way To the bright Mansions of Eternal Day Hark how his Dust now preaches from his Tomb 52 A FAMILY HISTORY My Friends prepare with Speed to meet your Doom For first or last you all must hither come J. Gr. was taken Sick Anno 1747-8 With a Poor Stomach, Slow Fever, Nocturnal Sweats &c. In the Spring 1748 I went to One D r Foster of Boxford a renowned Phisi- cian for such Ails, his Means were blef sed to his Recov- ery — Nov r 1748 He was taken Sick with the Measles but got well of them but was poorly all Winter complain- ing of a Pain in his foot & in his little Finger of his Right Hand, His Foot swell 'd & was lanc'd as likewise his Hand sometime after, he was poorly all summer 1749, in Au- gust he took to taking of Tarwater & so continued tak- ing it till November at which Time he was seiz'd with violent Pains in his Back, Hips &c. He lay acrofs Mothers Lap all Winter by Day & acrofs her Stomach by Night, till March 1750 And then I went to D r Sawyer for him whose means were blest in some Measure this Sum- mer so as that he was able to lean over a Little Table partly by Day & lay in an easy Chair a Nights & so con- tinued till in the Spring 1751 & then he grew considerable Better so as to bear to Ride he Rode over to Hampton Beach & was duek'd, bore it very well got better & so con- tinued all Winter till the Spring 1752 & was very well at his Stomach only he coundn't stretch out his Limbs All his Illnefs seem'd to be settled there, we carried him out To the Neighbours when it was warm to try to bring out his Limbs, But he got cold & seem'd to be poorly on't Mother drew him A Blister On Friday May 22 Which pain'd him very much so that he went to Bed without Supper & had a poor Night. Saturday May 23 com- plain* of a Pain in his Eyes so as that he coudn't bear the Light but desir'd me to afsist him in making a Fly Trap of Pointed Sticks. 24 Worse considerable M.25 Drowsy all Day, The Pain in his Eyes so bad that he coudn't bear the Light at all, I went to D r Sawyer of Newbury. Tues. 26 In the Morning he was tho't to be a dying, sent to D r Hate Having Numb Fits extreme Head-Ach Yellownefs of Eyes &c. Wed y 27 His Head-Ach continued growing worse. His Tongue numb at Times IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 53 Thur. 28 Exceeding bad at Times Fri. 29 Very bad by Fits Sat y 30 A little Better Gday. 31 Considerable Better talk'd all Day well, said he never Tho 't himself so dangerous as others tho 't him to be particularly my Mother he said he believ'd She was Frighted about him — seem'd himself again — Towards Night he grew worse again. Extreme Head-Ach, Delirious, & Then Strugling Fits which held him all Night till 2 o 'Clock when One went Off he dropt into a Sog for a Quarter of an hour & then awoke in another, every One tho't to be his Last till 2 o 'Clock & then he got to Sleep Monday. Jun. 1. Something Better in the Forenoon his Fits came on again at Night. Tuesday. 2. All One Wednesday 3. Sensible in the Morning the D r was per- swaded he was better said he had no doubt of his getting well — he lay in a Sog all Day almost — his Fits came on as bad as ever at Night. Thursday. 4. He was in so bad a Fit that the D r Himself tho 't he was dying. Friday 5 All One, his Fits coming On at Night. Saty. 6 All One Gday. 7. Lay Calm & compos 'd. exceeding Weak, sen- sible at Times kept his Lips going, his Eyes turn'd up & Sighs now & then Had no Fits — Lay looking about in the Evening On every Object as if taking his Farewell of all Things here below exceeding weak & unable to speak but I believe sensible not inclin- ing to Sleep till 12 o 'Clock & then began to groan & so continued till 3 o 'Clock & then was freed from the Pain of the Flesh And, as is hop'd slept in Jesus. June 8. 1752. It was 4% Years from his First being taken Sick. 3y 2 Years since he had the Measles. & 17 Days from his Last Sudden Turn — A Heavy Stroke of Gods Providence upon this Family being the most pleasant Branch in it — Let us return unto the Lord who tho' he hath torn yet will he heal us Tho' he hath Smitten yet will he bind us up. 54 A FAMILY HISTORY 36 Mrs. Nicholas Gilman became a widow at thirty-five and returned to Exeter to live. Her husband left £3,237 and her father, Baktholomew Thing, was a wealthy man, leaving £6,999. But there was no possibility of ease in those days and no place to invest money, so that Mrs. Gilman seems to us to have led as hard a life as her poorer neighbors. Her mother had married for the third time, Col. John Downing. They, too, were living in Exeter. We now begin a series of letters from Mrs. Gilman 's three sons: Tristram, eighteen years old and a fresh- man at Harvard; Joseph, fifteen, apprenticed to Samuel Phillips Savage, a merchant of Boston and Josiah, a lad of thirteen and still at home. The English custom of apprenticing a boy for a term of years evidently was common in New England at that time. The bargain which Mr. Belknap, later, proposed for Joseph's cousin, Dan 11 Gilman, was that he would find him ' ' Washin Mend- ing & making his Cloaths" but the father had to pay "£25. Pr year old tenor." Joseph seems to have had a less advantageous arrangement as he was dependent on his mother for clothes and pocket-money. To draw the line between extravagance and parsimony seems to have been beyond Mrs. Gilman 's powers and Joseph, a proud and high-spirited boy, resented the interference of his relatives. His Boston letters cover a period of seven years. Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston July 17 1753 Honored Mother These lines are to let you know that I Am Well, and am very well contented att present, whatt I have seen of Boston I like very well As well as the place I live att I Like very well as I have not been here long So I do not Know so much about it; I Should be Glad to hear from IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 55 home I am not att all Desireouf of Coming home which some folks told Me So much of. Send the watch down Also to be Mended For the longer You let it lay the worse it Will be to mend and also I should be glad You Would let Josiah Fulsome have Five pound In New Hamp e Money if he Desires it. Business is very dull att present there is Nothing new ; only there hath Near Eight Thousand Bushels of Corn Came in From Virginia in y e Space of Two Days Time which the Like Scarce ever Was known I Should be glad also you would send six more Shirts and Stockins as Soon as You Can. I have nothing More att present So I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. Post Scrip. This being the First Letter ever I wrote You must Allow for the poornefs of y e Writing as well as for the lownefs of y e Stile. Remember me to all that Ask for me And to Tristram & Josiah. If you Could procure a Quantity of Bees wax For M r Savage you would Oblige him very much he will give you Ten Shillings a pound For it att Boston. 37 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman and Mrs. John Downing, Exeter, N. H. B of ton August 14 Ever Honored Mother & Grand Mother Thefe lines are to let you know that I was in Health when I wrote them, & I hope they will Find you So. I am very well contented att Boston, & Like my place very well, I should be glad to hear from you & I should be glad You would send me Three more shirts for I cannot do with one Shirt a Week If you make any new ones Make the Sleeves Wider than the Others, Send me Two or three more pair of Stockings. I should be glad you would get me a Jacket made Either blue or Black Broad Cloth let Stephen Sweet make it I would have it made Long Wasted the Shirts scarce Deep Enough For a Pocket Let the Skirts be Cut like my Duroy only more rounding. 56 A FAMILY HISTORY I would not have it made without Shapes let the pocket Flap be quite a good Deal larger than my Duroy let the button holes be pretty long & the pocket Flap to button I should be glad of a Hanfome pair of Black Breeches pretty short att the knees & to run with Strings let the knee band be very narrow & a Flap over the buttons like my Leather Ones I do not desire you to fend my home fpun Cloth coulerd Jacket if you do I shall not wear it, if Triftram does not want the watch I wifh you would send it down by True y . Fillbrick or the first Opportunity you have, I do not know how the Day paf seth away there is no Clock Near me I do not want it for the Ornement of it but to know how Time paf seth away I would by all means have you Send it Down, I have one of the Four things which is Grevious to the Eye sigh, Viz an Empty Purse, if any Body would remove this grevious Thing I would Humbly thank them. We have nothing new only y e Weaver and Spiners you have the account in the News paper & the Arrival of his Excellency William Shirley Commander in Chief over His Majesties Province of the Mafsechusets Bay, M r S. Savage Has loft A Child the yongest since my last letter Aged 9 M ths . Hon d Grand Mother I should be glad to hear from you in Particular I wrote to you by Ward Dean it was my Forgetf ulnefs In not re- membring you in my Firft Letter remember me to Tris- tram & Josiah & to all that afk for me Pidgions were Sold for 18/ p r Doz a Week ago & now are sold for /18 d p r Doz one Man Caught 300 Doz this Season they are Very Fat & good att present, I remain your Dutiful & Loving Son & Grand Son Joseph Gilman. 38 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton Septem r . 7 th , 53. Hono d Mother Having thif Opportunity Although it be Short, I write to you Mr Coker is Just a going to Sail, I did not know that he was here till between 6 & 7 of the Clock I should be glad you would Send me the following things Viz Some more Shirts for I cannot do with one a week except IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 57 I have Checkered ones if you make me fome make y e Sleeves wider than thefe I have, I cannot pof sibly do with what Stockings I have. Send me my thick Cloaths the first opportunity I have not Time to get a pair of Shapes nor buttons for my Cloaths I Should be glad you would Send me Some money & Shoes a pair or two. Nothing new only y* man was tried for making Dollers his Sen- tence is to Stand on the Pillery I hour & To be whipt twenty lashis So I remain your Dutiful Son Joseph Gilman. P. S. I am in good Health, have a better Somach to my Victuals than I had. Remember me to my Grand Mother and Josiah & all that ask for me. 39 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman and Mrs. John Downing, Exeter, N. H. Honored Mother Received Yours P. Uncle & M r Coker am glad you are well & have sent my Jacket & some other things you Con- clude my wants are well supplied my Letter P r M r Newell tells you to the Contrary it is so cold I can hardly write I want seven good Shirts bag Holland Sleeves and half a doz p r of Stockings send me som money & I can Change it for you if you please to give me som I could buy things some times at a quarter price send me a p r of glaze gloves or deer skin I cannot pof sibly do without my hat mine is breaking all away please to send it as soon as you pofsibly can am In Health this in hast so I remain Yours Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. Honoured Grand Mother Received Yours I am very glad to hear from you. I wrote a Letter for you & 1 for my Mother & 1 for my Brother Josiah & seald them all in one & cannot find where I have Laid them you write me word you are afraid the watch will do me more hurt than good. I hope it will not am so Cold I cannot write so I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. Dear Brother Wrote a Letter for you and can not find it am glad to 58 A FAMILY HISTORY hear you are well Remember & mind your book. So I remain Your Loving Brother Joseph Gilman. P. S. by a Letter from my Brother today he wants the following things Viz some good Yarn Stockings & his Shoes as soon as pofsible some Course towels & Where- with to mend his stockings a good Neck Hankerchief send my Handkerchief also & What Ever you send him mark with his Letters is in Health. 40 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. John Downing, Exeter, N. H. Bofton Sep m 27 th 1753. Honored Grand Mother I wrote to you by my Mother I am sorry to hear of the Accident which happen 'd on Sunday morning it is not good to reflext on Second Caufes I saw my brother Tris- tram Yesterday his things are Carried to Cambridge, he hath wrote to you at Exeter Madam I think if you would Send y e watch it would be the greatest kindnef s you could do me it is a Common Saying to love for y* loavs but I hope it is not fo now if you will not send it I should be glad to have a Letter from you no news at present Re- member me to Every body that asks for me I am in health So I remain Your Son Josep h Gilman. 41 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton Novem r 2 th 1753. Honoured Mother Received yours P r post am glad you have sent my Hat you write me the Affair about William More which I am Sorry to hear of there hath a great many Accidents hap- pend here within ab 1 a Week 2 Men drowned, 1 Child scalt, 1 Man Stabbed with a knife in the manner follow- ing a difpute arose about a p r of Buckels the two men went on forthill To End the controversy by boxing one threw the other down and as he was beating of him the other drew a knife out of his pocket & run it in to the IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 59 others Belly who died within four and twenty hours the other is in Goal & since he hath been there endeavered To hang him self by taking of his shirt, I woul'd not have you Take so much pains to go about Town for me am In hast Remember me to Every body I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Oilman. 42 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton November 20 th 1753. Honoured Mother Received yours p r cousin E. Little 17th I should be glad to know about a Hat if you could Write me word, the Watch is mended it Cost but 3£ 10 Without a String the String cost 12/ old Tenor. I cannot now stay to dis- folve the difficulties about my buying som things To send Home my Brother Tristram is well Remember me To Grand Mother Brother Josiah So I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 43 Early communication from Exeter to the outside world was through Portsmouth by boat. The Squamscot, as Exeter river was then called, on which Exeter was sit- uated, was navigable for vessels of 500 tons and these letters were usually carried by the captains, as Joseph often mentions. This is the first one to go by mail. Greenland is a village about eight miles from Exeter on Great Bay, which opens into the Piscataqua. Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton Novemb r 20 th 1753. Honoured Mother Received yours p r M r Newel and accordingly do agree with you that I will Drefs neat and Clean but not fine wrote a Letter for you p r Uncle Daniel but cannot tell whether I gave it him or no this is to ask you whether or no I may get a Hat here or at home I was more difap- 60 A FAMILY HISTORY pointed in not having it than In any other thing this I have is so prodigiously that it is impof sible for it to Last above a Week it is broke so behind that there is a Hole you may put your two fingers in in my next I can disfolve all those difficultys about trading you write you are blamed by some for giving me too good Cloaths I desire Nothing but neatnefs I do not care whether my Shirts are bag Holland or no if they will wash white, nor do I care how few Shirts I have so I can have a Clean one when I want it the price of a right good Hat here is 11£ this money I will send you by the first opportunity what you wrot for I did not take the Wafers from M r Savage which I sent you I beg'd them of M r Tyler and could have had three Times as many only these was all they had out of the desk Remember me to Every body my Brother wants some Stockings & Shoes very much send them the first opportunity So I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. poft paid To M rs Mary Gilman Att Exeter to be left at M r Clarks greenland 44 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton Jan y 7 th , 53 Honoured Mother — I have not wrote to you Since P my Brother I am In Health. and very well Contented with my condition, as I was Looking over one of your Letters you wrote you were Blamed by some for being so kind as to fulfill my Re- quest thus far & considering of it I think they are to be excused because they are Ignorant of my circumstances thus I Let you know that I was better Cloathecl when I was at home In proportion than I am now becaufe that I was not In the Company I now am In If you Lived In Bofton I should not go so as I now do, If it would be of any Service I would send home one of my Shirts that I have wore a week and tried to keep Clean as far as it Lay in my power; Pride is not the occasion of my writing IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 61 thus for I seriously declare I never took Lefs pains to drefs than I now do, I am forced to go with holes In my Stockings very often & I am told of them sometimes by m r Savage himfelf now Madam I Leave it to yourself to Judge whether or not this ought to be, the occasion of my writing this is not becaufe I think you do not take pains Enough for me, but that others may not say I am Extravagant the following things I want very much Viz. 1/2 doz P r of Good Worsted stockings M r Savage hath some very good Hofe at 50/ He told me to write you that you may have 500£ worth of Goods & pay in Hamp e Money At the rate of three £ 10/ a Dollar I should be glad if M r Wentworth hath any good Black Plush you wo 'd get me Enough for a p r of Breeches Instead of Serge if you cannot get it get Serge my Last Black Breeches were made so poorly I am out of Conceit of your Taylors I also want 7 good Shirts if you can afford them if you cannot aford good Holland Shirts make me some Checkt ones such af you can afford it ought to be considered my Bufinefs is very different from a rope maker if I had Lived with one of that trade I sho 'd expect to go accord- ingly for Drefs & if you can Light of a good p s of very Light Fustian I shall want a sumer Coat. I can't at present remember all things I want Remember me to Every Body I have no time to write now So I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 45 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. John Downing, Exeter, N. H. Bofton Ja y 8 th 1753-4 Ho d Grand Mother I am glad to hear you are wel as I also am I am very wel Contented with my Condition of Life. Contentment is a good thing I never was better Contented In my Life than I now am I shoul'd be glad to hear from you partic- ularly nay I would not have you think I have forgot you for I have not in the Least It is Likely if I live I may see Exeter Next Commencement you were difappointed as you hoped you might be In thinking I Should not Stay In Bofton above a Month or two but I think it seems to me 62 A FAMILY HISTORY as natural as home, I believe I could not have don better than I did in coming here it so altered me that I am scarce the same person I was at home I Like to have forgot to Let you know I make Sieves. It is Easy work & I like it very well, I think I can never Satisfy you for y e kind- nefs you always treated me with nothing New My Duty to the Colonel so I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 46 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Honoured Mother I received Yours P W m Doran I am glad to hear you are well Am Sorry to hear my Grand Mothers Death. I have my Coat made very well to pleafe me. the making was as follows — Viz — Making — being persuaded by my Brother to send the other So I Remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 47 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton March 4 th 1754 Honoured Mother I received yours P W m Doran which brings the Meloncholly News of the Death of one who I am insensible of the Lofs of in a great Measure, I re- member I have read it, tho' I forgot y e Auther that we are never sensible or at Least so sensible of the need of our Friends, as when we have loft them my Grand Mother was to me nearer than Common Mother, but I cannot say nearer than my Mother I remember my Grand Mother Often told me I had a very Affectionate Loving Mother, which I believe I never was sensible of as I now am — I now acquaint you that I have a very good Mafter Viz one who fears the Lord, I beg you would have patients to hear me, God saith that y e Children of the Righteous upon the account of their parent have no more cause to hope for being Saved on that account than the Children of y e Wicked but God reward the Children of the IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 63 Righteous often times on account of their Parents tho' not Eternal Salvation yet with thee good things of this Life. — I have my Coat made to my Liking I wish my Jacket Cloth had been sent me before it was made up. there is now left of my Coat y 2 yard if You Could send me Half yard more it will make me a good P r of Breeches my Breeches you sent me were poorly made my Black Jacket I fhall never more wear except it can be altered, my Coat Cost for making as follows Viz. £ making 4„ 17„ 6 Buttons 2„ 18„ 9 Silk & Tape— 0„ 12„ 6 Velvet for Cape. 1„ 0„ Old Tenor £8„ 18„ 9 the Silk you sent me would not do. the Black Stuff was not so good as some Shalloon @ 16/ M r Savage had so I got some for the Lineing Sy 2 yards £.2.16.0. the Black Stuff will not sell for so much here as att Exeter I should be glad if you would send me Down some Leather for a p r of Shoes good Calf Skin — Sole Leather Let them be Cut as the paper Directs Please to make me Some good Shirts good Bag Holland Sleeves Haff a Dozen for my Best Holliday Shirts every Body tells me I do not good decent or rather my Cloathes are not fit to wear there is a great Difference between Staying at home Driving Plough making fence & the Like than going Into Ware Houfes among the Best Company to the Town Houfe & Speak to a Gentleman or going to a Lonnon Gentleman to buy a Bill of Exchange as I am forced to do What I desire by this is I may be fit to be seen in the Company I am frequently among . . . if Madam you did but know the right of the Case you would not so much Laugh at my Writing so but to Con- clude I fhould be glad you would get me some Fuftian for a Coat Remember me to all Friend my Love to my Brothers — So I remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 64 A FAMILY HISTORY 48 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Honour 'd Mother I received yours P Dudley James & M r Savage being Sick I cannot ask him ab l the Shalloon, but I will let you know P the first Opportunity M r Savage has been Sick 3 Weeks with A Slow fever but is something better the Chief purport of this Letter is to let you know that M r Belknap Will Take Dan 11 Gilman On this Lay Viz Uncle Must give him 25£ P r year old tenor this Province Money. Otherwise find him Washin Mending & making his Cloath's he Would be very Glad Dan 11 Would Come Down as soon as pofsible M r Belknap is a very good Mafter & his Wife is a Clever Woman — I woul'd be glad you woul'd send Dan 11 Down lest he shou'd loofe his birth — Nothing New So I remain your Dutifull son Joseph Gilman. 49 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston May 13 th 1754 Honoured Mother I received Yours of the 1 st Instant by which You In- form me Your Received mine without Date. I cannot Get any Brown Taffety for Cousin Ruth pray Uncle Gil- man to Send down Da 11 Gilman as quick as pofsible M r Belknap will take him On these Terms 25£ Old Tenor Sil- ver Money M r Savage will take Curr[ent] money of New Hamp e . I. d. 1 any money tha[t] pafs in Exeter & will take it Pr order not [torn] I want Some Stockings very much M r Savage has some Neat fine Cotton Hose 45/ Pr. I should be glad of a p r of them. Nothing New. Remember me to all Friends — this is in the utmost Hast, from Your Loving Son Joseph Gilman i Intended for i. e. ? IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 65 50 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston May 16 th , 1754 Ever Honoured Mother, I Received Your Letter By way of Newbury I received the 10 £ in paper P John Dean, am Now in Health Wrote P Last Post Concerning Dan 11 Gilman who must Come Down with all pofsible Speed or Else send Word if He will not Come. M r Belknap will have 25£ P Annum Old Tenor this Province Money Viz. Silver or Gold I can- not Procure any Taffety or Patch for Hamp e Currency or Current Money In the Province of New Hamp e we have no Thread higher than N° 30 which is 19/ An Oz. Silver Mony I sent you P James the Thread you first Wrote for & now I must Begin my first Memorandem Viz Some Fustian for a Coat Let it be a very good piece As many p r of Shoes as you & my Brother thinks proper to be made Like my pumps I had when I first came made P r Stacy i/ 2 y d of Searge to match my Coat to add y 2 a y d I have here for a p r of Breeches If you please to Let me have a p r of knit breeches of M r Savage who has Some very Neat ones for 5 £ Silver — I want f ome Stockings Very much • M r Savage has some very good Cotton Hose for a Dollar a p r — NB the above are to be sent p r my Brother — I cannot Come Home before Commencement All At Present — Remember me to all friends fo I remain Your Loving S on Joseph Gilman 51 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston June 10 th 1754 Honour 'd Mother I received my Shirt & Coat P my Broth & am Glad to hear you are Well If you would Send me some Brown 66 A FAMILY HISTORY Good Fustian for a Coat I should be glad I have scarce time to Write any thing But my feet Sweat so that when I have Wore a P r of Stocking three or four Days they are so Stiff that I can Scarce Wear them It would be much Cheaper to have ten or a Dozen P r Since they are never out of Fashion — I do not Care what I wear so they are but Comfortable & decent I want many things but for- bear to Mention any more since you think I am too Ex- travagant — I cannot poffibly Come home before Com- mencement my Love to my Brother Josiah & Should be glad to Satiffy him but hope to see him Shortly So I re- main Your Loving Son &c Joseph Gilman P. S. my Brother Tristram is always In such a Hurry he will not Let me think How to Write 52 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston July 2 d , 1754. Honoured Mother I received the Shoes P Cousin Little & am glad to hear that you & all the Rest of the Family are well, my Brother Set out from Cambridge yesterday at 5 minutes after Six for Boston & got Down In Twenty Minutes, 1 but had not time to write & desired me to write for a p r of Good pumps to be made Handsome & well & also would be glad you would bring down (when you Come to Com- mencement) twenty Dollars, he sais that he has Great need of them. I have wholly thrown by all hopes of having any more Shoes made at Home Except they make them better I scarce Ever saw a Worse p r of Shoes than the Last you sent me nay I am persuaded that the Shoemaker that Cobled them up could not make a Worse p r . I desired that he would make y m Broad toes Instead of which he made them so Narrow I can hardly get them on. I would not wear them if I was not forced to I am Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. i There seems to have been but one road between Cambridge and Boston at this time; that leading to Charlestown. There was a ferry running from Charlestown to Ferry Way in Boston. Tristram was on horseback, as stages were not in use until after the Revolution. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 67 53 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston July 30 th , 1754. Honoured Mother I put on board M r James 2 Doz Course & half a Doz Fine Sieves & I forgot to put the Note & Letter On board You have the Note Inclosed which money is to be paid when the Sieves are fold the Note is in Old Tenor this province money I think it is not best to make my Jacket & Breeches before I Come home for this reason Viz — I do not think M r Lord Can make y ra to fit & Suit me Un- less I am there myfelf & if they do nott Suit me at First they will not Last me half So long a Time I could n.ot get the Wigg for Josiah time Enough to put on board Cap James ; but will send it p the first Opportunity As soon as you well Can get some Checq d Linnen for me four Shirts make the Chollars a great Deal wider than my White Ones are & when you fend them please to fend y m all together these are in the Utmost hast. I remain Your Dutifull Son J. Gilman. 54 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston August 15 th 1754. Honoured Mother I received yours Pr S r Foxcroft. I wrote to you Pr M r James & put the Invoice of the fieves in it but Carried them On board In the Evening & Forgot the Letter till he was [torn] I wrote a Letter to fend Pr True Folsom but he Went UnExpectedly away without my knoledge of it. I ftand In Need of A Couple of pocket Handkerchiefs which If you please you may fend. I will fend a Measure for my Jacket & Breeches since I fhall not Come home this Year w h Will fave 8 or 10£ Charge I will not for the future give You Cause to Complain I am Extravagant In Clothes if you please you may give me fome money to buy fome books the Book I now want is the New Univer- fall Magazine. Which is a very Good thing. I can have y m for the Sterling Cost In London at 5/ Pr 3 Vol. £9.0.0 68 A FAMILY HISTORY the Amounts to & they are richly Worth it. the Reason I want y m now is very Likely they will soon be Dearer if I do not go home this year the Charge will be faved & much better fpent with a Little Addition for the Maga- zine. Nothing Remarkable I remain Your Dutifull fon Joseph Gilman. P. S. Do Juft As you & my brother thinks proper about the Magazine Only if you Can Easily fpare the Money I fhould be gld. If not I am Contented. J. G. 55 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston, August 26, 1754. Honoured Mother You have Inclosed mine of Severall Dates which for want of Opportunity I could not Send I have Altered my Mind Concerning Comeing home because Since the Last Date I have been very poorly as to health (or rather not very well). I believe that Riding will recruit my Droop- ing Spirits. I am fully persuaded that there is no real happinefs to be enjoyed here but what flows from Virtue & a good Confcience Conscious of having done our Duty to God & Man In our severall Relations & Stations, I am far from thinking that happinefs Consisteth In Wealth Honour or Long Life (tho' these are Good things) but In Living every Day or Spending every Day as we Ought — The more Our Joy the more we know it Vain — fays Young in his Night thoughts. I hope to See You at Exeter this Week & in y e Interim I remain (with Due Respects to all Friends) Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 56 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Sep r 1754 Hono d Mother I received yours p M r Perkins Of Wednefdy Last but was so ill that Day I received it I coul 'd not answer it I IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 69 Kept my Chamber from Thursday about 4PM till 11 A M today I am (except a Little weak) better than I was before I was sick, & in pretty good Health Nothing Remarkable, I remain Your Dutifull Son &c Joseph Gilman. P. S. I received my Brother Tristrams things p Coker Yesterday. Remember me to all Friends J. G. 57 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 4 th Novem r 1754 Honoured Mother I improve every Opportunity to Let you hear I am in Health : I hope these will find you and your Family so : I cannot yet find that Cap 1 James has arrived I fhou'd be glad you wou'd send my Shoes P the first Opportunity I want Them very much these I have on are wore thro' the Sole so I must get them half Sol'd. I have a great mind to and upon Mature Deliberation have thought it is in fome Measure my Duty to Learn the Mathematicks. D r Watts in his Dedication to his book Call'd The First principles of Geography & Astronomy that with som acquaintance with these Sciences it were impofsible for him to raise his Ideas of God the Creator to fo high a pitch Now you Cannot Learn well Astronomy & Geog- raphy without being Acquainted with Geometry Now if I were pofsef 'd of a Small Quantity Of that thing call'd Money I could get all this or part of this Learning at Master Leaches School evenings That part of the Math- ematicks M r Savage propofed to teach me was very small and confifted more in Speculative Than In practicall Geometry befides I found it impofsible to Learn even that in the Shop because of my Continuall Interruption I have applyed my Self to M r Leach his prize for Survey- ing is 16£ old Tenor — Surveying includes all Geometry Measureing Superficies & Solids heights & and diftances both accefsable and inaccef sable 8£ old tenor for Gageing all Sorts of Casks these two I fhall Learn [torn] I have begun uppon Surveying pray do not deny [end torn off]. 70 A FAMILY HISTORY 58 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Nov r 15 th 1754 Honour 'd Mother Since I wrote rny first by Cap" I received Yours P favour of M r Sutton, dated at top Novem r 4 th and at the bottom The 9 th , by which you inform me of the receipt of mine of the 1 st Instant. I am glad To hear you are well — you write you are afraid I do not improve the kind Opportunity Providence has Indulged me with hearing M r Whitefield — I am fure you have not any reason to think f o — I inform you That I rof e at 4 In the morning to hear him and the Morning he preached his farewel Sermon I rofe at half after twelve at Midnight for fear of over Sleeping myfelf and before 4 In the morning was Att the Old South and waited for his Coming the meeting was exceeding full and were Singing when I got there I mifsd no opportunity to hear him — next you write me you are willing I should get all the Learing I can but must remember that to know God and my self is the best knowlidge I know it is but the knowlidge of the Mathe- maticks is no Impediment to the knowlidge of God but a great help insomuch that Doctor Watts says that he be- lieves it were impofsible for him to arrive at so high a Degree of knowlidge of the perfections of the Great Cre- ator had he not been fkilled in the Sciences of Geography and Astronomy — I want the money for to pay for my Learing and fhall want the Other Eight pounds very soon. No more at present I remain your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 59 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 2 d Decem r 1754 Honoured Mother I am now to Inform you I am In good Health thro' Goodnefs of God. I am now to porform An unwilling IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 71 Task which I cannot avoid Viz to write for money & Other Necefsary things, but without any further pream- ble I fhall Let you know my wants & then muft humbly pray you to relieve me. — In the first place I want 16£ Silver money Old Tenor to pay Master Leach for my Learing Surveying 8 of which should have been p d at my Entrance I have got above half way through have gone thro 'ugh Trigonometry And have now Came to apply it to height and Diftances Ac- cefsable and Inaccefsable & Shall soon Come to apply it to Meafureing Land — I plainly see I could never under- f tood Trigonometry without a Maf ter. — Secondly I want two or three p r of Stockings blue yarn Or rather Worfted these stockings I have are so worn I cannot wear them above two or three days before the feet are full of holes. — Thirdly my Shirts 3 or 4 of them are so worn that I muft send them home as foon as you send down my Checq d ones. . . . Fourthly my Neckclothes are worn almof t out 3 or four of them. — (5 thly ) my Hat I wearing away very Fast & I muft have Another very Soon or Shall have none to wear. — (6) Should be glad you would get me a p r of fhoes made dd Soles shoes not pumps ftrong flat bottoms broad Toa according to the Directions sent M r Stacy. All the above Mentioned things I want very much & muft have. I remain Your Dutif ull f on Joseph Gilman. P S I have some Profpect In a fhort time of getting Some Money for my Self otherways I cannot Live To Mrs Mary Gilman In Exeter. P Cap n Coker D a with Difpatch. 72 A FAMILY HISTORY 60 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton, Dec r 16 th . 54 Ever Hon d Mother Its now going on Five Weeks since I've heard from Home. I hope you are all in Health & that ye have re- ceived my Letters. M r Hancock asking me fome time ago in what Manner I intended to go Home & upon my Replying that I was not certain whether I should go Home or not, advis'd me to go Home because he said it wou'd cost me 6 Pounds P Week for my Board &c. Tho' I am not of his Opinion as to that because Parsons can board in Town & will this Winter For five Shillings Ster- ling P Week, but neverthelefs as I shall more immedi- ately follow those Studies next Winter which I had de- sign 'd to prosecute this at I think I'll defer the Tho'ts of it till then. I've expected daily to hear whether or not I was to provide an Horse for myself, but as I have re- ceived no Letter, I shall try for an Horse to go Home & write whether I can get One. Our Vacancy begins on the first Day of January before which Time there is a Neces- sity of my Having fome Money 50 Dollars if pofsible. Nothing remarkable except that D r Wigglesworth has preach 'd 2 Sermons against M r Whitefield which are now printed. Give my Kind Regards to all Friends — Love to Josiah &c. from y r Loving Son Tristram Gilman. P S Pray send my Money as f oon as pofsible for I am out. Monday prodigious cold. 61 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 26 th Decem r 1754 Honoured Mother I received yours P M r Lord together with The Cloth for my great Coat to be made here. I should be Exceed- ing glad if you Cou'd Let Mr. Josiah Folsome make my Wigg as soon as he can I want One for Sundays very much this I have will ferve for every day a great While Tho' it is not fit for Sunday. I wou'd not have you IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 73 worry yourself in Order to get my Cliecq Shirts or my ftockings but send them as soon as you Can Eafily. Let my fhoes be made ftrong & be lure not of Grained Leather I desire nothing but Just to go Decently I Value my Drefs Lefs & my mind more than formerly, I am Contented to go Ordinarily Clad, but I am not Contented with Ordinary Learning After I have Done with furvey- ing which in a fhort Time I fhall I Defign to Enter upon Gaugeing Or Menfuration — two things I want to Learn very much are Mufick & Drawing with India Ink. Both which I Leave for my Brother Triftram to Recommend to you If I had a Little Money, I would Improve the Blefsed Advantages I have for Learning — I am very willing to have fo much Lefs when I am free & have my Learning than have more & not have my Learning. M r Savage will give 10/ P lb for Bee Wax & will not give any more — you may I believe get 11/ or 11/3 for it. I fend by my Brother my Great Coat & that Checq a Hand fe I can pay for my Hatt Till my Brother comes Down. All at present I remain your Dutifull fon &c Joseph Gilman. 62 In 1755, Shirley and other Royal governors inaug- urated a scheme for the conquest of the French. The aid of New Hampshire was necessary and Col. Robeet Hale was selected, probably because of his close associa- tion with prominent families of that province, to lay the matter before the General Court at Portsmouth. These letters to Governor Shirley give the progress of his nego- tiations. Col. Robeet Hale to Governor Shirley. 1 Portsm March 14. 1755 Sir The Packet from y r Excellency was d d me by Cap* Hud- son & that I might (finding it your defire) be as early in my businefs as pofsible I fet out on Saturday morning & arrived here the next morning. On Monday I waited on 1 MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. 74 A FAMILY HISTORY M r Wentworth at his Countrey Seat, who Seem'd unwill- ing I Shou'd have any Intercourfe with any of the Court except the Sec y until! there was a Houfe which was on Wednesday, — after he had made his Speech & the Court was fworn I immediately conf err 'd privately with one & another of Such as are known to be the principal Gentle- men & partic. with him of Exeter. 1 It appears to me very unfortunate that New Hampshire is rated so high, they esteem themfelves but equal in Numbers to Rhode Ifland. however that be, by an ace 1 taken 12 m° ago by per- fons under Oath they had only 7000 rateable polls — As to the 4 Reg ts now raifing, they Seem perfwaded that their full proportion with in have been enlisted in their Province & they are not very forward to make any allow- ance for what we did last year — I am Sorry I am not able to say with certainty how many we are now obliged to maintain conftantly in Garrifon at the Castle & the Forts. I Suppofe them to be upwards of three hundred for which I believe they will be willing to allow — I rejoyce to hear that Rhode Island has come up to the Quota afsigned them but they have no Embarafsment about raifing Money, on the Contrary, they feem always glad of an Excufe to Strike off more Bills, here nothing hinder 'd their calling in theirs fome time ago but a Dif- ficulty about Settling the rate at which they were to be exchang'd. they are so frequently & of late so very great- ly counterfeited, that they are quite weary of them, & the more backward to Strike off any more, especially as these last can't be a tenour as the prefent Bills are & which circumftance they are very fond of — the Gentlemen ex- prefs themfelves under Such difficulties on these two heads as to render the Succefs of my Negociation doubt- ful even tho the Grand point cou'd be served & all other objections removed — Y r Excellencies Nomination of the chief Officer is much approved — I hope a L l Col 1 post will most certainly be ref erv 'd for Col Titcomb not only as he can raif e a good many brave men & is fuch himfelf, but as his Mechanic Genius will prove very useful. I ask nothing better for him not being well Satisfy 'd myself but that this post i Evidently alluding to his step-brother, Col. Peter Gilman. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 75 will best become him. The Diverfion by y e river [faded ink] is not well relifhed, as it apprehended our strength will be too much divided — [Unfinished letter.] 63 Col. Robert Hale to Governor Shirley. 1 Portsm March 15 1755. Sir I have y r Excellency's of yesterday, by Exprefs bro't me to M r Wentworth's just after Dinner with him & the Sec y &c ee so that I immediately laid before them the in- closed papers, which may be of use. My last to y r Ex. was yesterday morning by y e Post when I inform 'd that I was just going to attend the Com tee of both houfes — they confist of four of each Houfe — I had little occafion to Say much about the necefsity of the Expedition being forestalled by the pa- pers Sent to Gov. Wentworth, with which the Sec ry (one of the Com tee ) had made them acquainted — only I had taken Some pains with Some in a private way before — the Difficulty was about the Quota & want of money as in mv i a st — when I had endeavoured to anfwer all the ob- jections offered in y e Com tee on thefe two heads, & Some others lefs interesting, I withdrew, first telling them I Shou'd be glad to know their report before it was given in. accordingly in the afternoon they Sent for me & in- form 'd me they had agreed to 200 men — Your Excel- lency can better imagine than I exprefs my Situation — I Soon found it to be the fenfe of the whole Committee — I renewed all my former arguments and in as different lights as I cou'd, & added others which (being a little warm) then occurred to me they heard me with Candour & attention & after about an hour & half I took my leave, first defiring they wou'd take till the morning to confider the Consequences of Such a report — this morning early Col. Gilman of Exeter (one of the Com tee ) came to my i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. 76 A FAMILY HISTORY lodgings as I had defired him over night, we began upon it again, & went thro ' every thing, but it did not then ap- pear to make any great impression on him — being un- eafy I followed him to the Houfe, call's him out & urg'd Some things which had escaped me in the former Conver- fation — he Seem'd better Satisfied & left me to go to the Com tee about ten o 'Clock — about one Col. Atkinfon Sent for me to go with him to dinner with the Gov 1- — On the road down, he told me they had but just finifhed — that the Com tee had agreed to 600 — but to find Subf if tance only till they arrived at the place of Eendevouze intending they Shall go the neareft way thro' the woods. I ask'd him how in that Case they wou'd do for Shelter & night by the way — he Said they wou'd Send none but Such as wou'd be content to Sit down on the Ground & cover themf elves with their Heads. Every one of the Com tee he said had agreed to the re- port. & he was encouraged it wou'd pafs the Houfe — as the board was no Danger — The Com tee are of the most leading men — On Monday the report will be made, after which I Shall move for an addition, conditionally that N York find no men, but Provif ions &c ee having already hinted at it, but not caring to urge it 'till the grand point was Se- cured — I confefs I am not yet out of pain about the Quota, there being many of the other members, who don't Seem inclined to enter into the reafons why they Shou'd raife half so many men as we, when their Province has but a Sixth part so many as ours — I Shall give my whole attention to the affair, untill it has the 600 I fixt & hope to Send your Ex. the best News by the next Post — I Shou'd by no means have troubled y r Ex. with so long & particular a detail if I had not tho 't that my Inf tructions required it. If in that particular I have misunderftood them, I ask y r Ex. Excufe being Sir Y r most obedient humble Servant R H — P. S. Thofe Piscataqua men will want at least 20 Whipfaws, to cut logs into boards for Sheltring the Army — 2 P. S. Every Branch here affected to wonder how our Court cou'd afsume to prefcribe to each Government IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 77 its Quota — but took no exceptions to our leading the way — 64 Col. Robekt Hale to Governor Shirley. 1 Portsm March 21 1755 Si r When I did myfelf the honour to write to Y r Excel- lency on the 18 th by Barker, I advis'd that the report of the Com tee was to be pais 'd on that day, it accordingly was in the evening, but accepted only for 400 men & a Claufe added provided a way can be found to defray y e Charge for great Difficulties attend that, the Gov r having about 10 or 12000 £ of it, which he will not agree to receive lefs for than what is promifed in the face of the Bill — in the morning as Soon as the Houfe Sat I sent in a Memorial defiring to be heard before the Houfe which was granted, & at noon defired the Speaker pro tempore that when the debate was again returned, if it appeared likely no Alteration wou'd be made, that he wou'd, before the Houfe came to a Vote, let them know that I shou'd be glad to drink a glass of wine with them at my Lodgings, in the evening, but in y e afternoon I had a Mefsage from y e Houfe excufing their coming ther & defiring I woud fee them at their Houfe (which is a Tavern) at six o'Clock there on hearing the Difficulties stated by one & another I endeavour 'd to obviate them & took my leave this morning they again took the report into Confidera- tion — & agreed to raife 500 men* after so much Time Spent & Debate in public & private, I tho't it in vain to make any farther Efforts, so tarrying only to get a Copy of the Vote, herein inclosed, I hasten 'd out of Town — I hope for your Excellency 's Pardon in not coming directly to Boston as the General Court is so near Sitting, which I must attend on Tuesday next — I beg leave to afsure Y r Excellency, I am S r Y r most obedient humble Servant Rob* Hale P. S. I rather wonder y 1 this Gov 1 were willing to raise i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. 78 A FAMILY HISTORY so many as 500 than that they wou'd not exceed that Number, as they have a very larg Frontier exposed to y e incurfions of a Scalping enemy, whereas Connecticut's Quota is but double to y 1 tho they are at least three as large in Numbers & Wealth & have no Frontier to the Woods *in the afternoon the council concurred & to day at 12 °Cloek the Gov 1- confented, tho he raifed Some Diffi- culties — This is all I have able to obtain after all my Endeavours, & I hope will be acceptable — I am Your Excellencies most obed 1 humble Serv 1 RH 65 It is unfortunate that the first page of the following letter has been lost but it undoubtedly forms one of the group written to Governor Shirley at this time. Col. Robert Hale to Governor Shirley. 1 than 2 / 3 so much as a Cap 1 in the King's pay; they were then, to no purpose, frequently told of y* Conse- quence — the event proved the conjecture true — Col. Ruggles has told me, if but one man of weight & influ- ence more had been of y e Council of war, they had pro- ceeded — so the Army ret a re infecta — & worfe may probably be y e Consequence if, they engage a Fr. army, (for y 1 is expected, or a far lefs number might be enough) for 'tis not bare fighting will do, & this army may not be in Such a Situation as the last who had noth- ing left them but to fight or Swim thro' the lake — Col. Bagley Seems Sensible of this & thinks if there were 6 Battalions & so but 3 Regiments, the Gov 1 woud so far advance y e Col° pay as to encourage the best men — he himfelf is so Selfdenying as to offer in y 1 Case to be L 1 Col of a Battalion rather than at y e Head of a regiment, he tells me y 1 y e Gen, Sec r (for want of an Ability in y e Col to manage an Argument) has that influence in y e Council of war over the lower officers as to carry points i MS. owned by the Amer. Antiq. Society, Worcester, Mass. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 79 all along against the opinion of the Colonels — this may be remedied in Some meafure by excluding y e Majors out of y e Council, (as was at Cape Breton Exped") — I am extremely Senfible of y r Excellencies kindnefs in fearing my Conftitution may fail me as before — that tho 't does not discourage me — for bef ides that my State of Health is far better now than when I engaged in y l Exped 1 I hope not to meet with y* infupportable treat- ment I had there — but bef ides the difficulties above hint- ed at I fear much for y e Conduct of y e Com tee of war, un- lefs they are more under y r Excellencies direction — the Cannon, tis Said, did not arrive at Albany 'till August y e 2 d — they wou'd by no means be perf waded to Send flower & Bak g , inftead of Bread — nor whipfaws inftead of tents tho' it wou'd have lefsen'd y e charge many thou- sands & y e men been better covered, nor many other things which were earnestly prefsed on them timely eno', as Cap* Osborn can witnefs & which it now appears might better have been attended to — to be finding fault is an uncomfortable Situation, but who can avoid taking notice of an Error which may prove fatal to an affair of the last importance — ? I wou'd by no means be mistaken by your Excellency that I am lefs desirous Gen. Winslow shou'd command in chief than any other Genl. befides y r felf in the Province. I know he has y e most Experience of any one — I be- lieve him to have a confiderable Genius, at least for mar- tial affairs — that he will treat his inf re officers with prop- er respect & his Soldiers with humanity take a proper Care of their Health & not unnecefsarily expofe them,* that he will give his orders with calmnefs & have that prefence of mind in dangers as to be able readily to choofe the best of any two or more expedients that may offer themf elves &c, yet with all this, I can't think he will so well as Your Excellency manage so unweildly a ma- chine as an Army of good men without any Gen. Officer befide M r Lyman or any other by any means equal to Col. Gridley, apart from his Skill as an Engineer — however if Col. Plaisted Shall accept, he will be of great service — For my Self, I am Sufficiently Senfible of my incapac- ity to afford much afsiftance & was not difpleased, ex- 80 A FAMILY HISTORY cept with myself to perceive your Excellency offered I Shou'd go in the army rather out of kindnefs to me or perhaps in reward for past Services, than that you enter- tain any other opinion of me, yet I think I must be more public fpirited than I can pretend to, to engage under the disadvantages I have mentioned tho' I am notwith- ftanding under great obligations to y r Excellency for your proposal. I have your Excellencies Promife (& had great need of it) that you wou'd forgive my Scrawls, which however, were not intended to mean any thing inconfiftent with the greatest duty & respect, for I hope never to be so un- happy as that you Shou'd believe I am other than your most faithful Servant R H P. S. My Nephew R. H. Chipman is Still in so low a State of health as not to be able to attend his duty by y 6 10 th of this Month, so pray y r Excellencies farther Direc- tion. Pray Sir, dont forget Cap* John Lee jun r of Manch r . * that he will have Sufficient caution to prevent a Sur- prize 66 Josiah, the youngest son of Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, at this time left home for Newbury, the birthplace of his grandmother, Mrs. John Downing. Whether he was at- tending school or whether he was bound to "Mr. Sewell," we do not know, but his relations with the Littles, his grandmother's family, were very close. He asks for his "Corderious," which was, probably, the Scholastic Collo- quies written in 1479 by Corderius, a preceptor of Calvin. Josiah is now fifteen. Josiah Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Newbury April 26 1755 Ever honoured Mother I Received yours to Day I am glad to hear from you I Got over very well over att two, I want my hat. Get IN LETTEKS AND DOCUMENTS 81 my Corderious att Uncle Daniels & bring it over for I Want it, Coufen Little says he does not know when the sacrament will be but he Will know Monday, Tell Theo- filus I believe he can board here with me by what I've heard them say, M r Sewell & M rs Sewell remembers their Love to you Josiah Gilman 67 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 6 th June 1755. Honoured Mother I wrote you P Cap 1 James since which I have received none of your favours I could not pof sibly get your Gown done to send P James but it is now done and I shall send it P M r Rogers. — my Brother was well Yefterday. I want some Shirts very much since I have but Six in all and they are all very much wore Except the New One I was Obliged to go yefterday to Marblehead for a Bill of Exchange of M r Hooper with whom I dined & I had not one Clean fhirt to put on having but two Clean and them at M rs Kings to be new Ristbanded and must have been forced to go in a very dirty Shirt if I had not borrowed one to wear. The Reason I wear out my Shirts so fast is becaufe I have not enough to shift me when they are Dirty it would be cheaper to let me have 12 or 13 Shirts and even to hire them Washed then to have but Six and have Made fo dirty. I have now no fhoes to my Feet and must be forced to buy A p r unlefs I receive them from you before this reaches Exeter These I now have I have wore three Monthes constantly and if they had been Sea- soned well before I put them on they would have lasted another Month shoud be very glad if you woud get me three p r of Just such shoes made as the last except in- ftead of Grained Leather make them of that which is not I want a fummer Coat for Sunday as I am forced to wear my Fuftian one every day and cannot keep it clean fitt to wear to Meeting. I want also a good handfome p r of Breeches to wear of a Sunday shoud be very glad of a p r 82 A FAMILY HISTORY of Knit ones which I can get here ready made for Six Pound old Tenor, my Hat I dont expect to receive till this is quite worn out — I want some stockings very much as my feet sweat so I can't wear Yarn ones — however I believe I had as good leave out the other things I want at present being Convinced what I have wrote will be fufficient to tire your patience to read As it is so far from Exeter to Boston and You cannot know what I want till I have wanted it some Considerable Time it would I believe be much the Cheapest, easiest & best way to let me have 25£ P Quarter for the first and 20£ a Quarter for the Second Year and I will be bound to maintain my- self therewith, I had the Offer of sending a Venture to the West Indies in partnerfhip with a person who sent 70£ and he had for his Returns 174£ but I had no money to send and therefore mifsed so good a Chance. I cannot Plan that piece of Land you sent me the bear- ings properly there being a miftake in the laft Station where it says S 98 E which is impofsible. I remain with due Refpect Y r Dut 11 f on Jos h Gilman. 68 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Cambridge, Sep 1 18 th 1755. Hon d Mother I improve this as well as all other Oppurtunities to write y l I enjoy my usual State of Health — I've not been to Boston fince James came but hear he has not bro't my Things pray let Joseph or any Body else convey them on Board Coker or any other Way convey them as soon as pofsible viz. 4 Crown Chairs to make y e y 2 Doz. & y e great One 1 p r Brafs Candlesticks Box of Books &c You know I'm poorly Cloth 'd & therefore I need not write about it. Give my Service to Cap' Light & desire him if he can to send me 50 or 60£ as soon as pofsible for I must of Necef- sity have so much very foon. You have doubtlefs heard before this time of y e great Battle y l was fought last Sun- day Sevenight by y e Crown Point army in W ch Coll 1 Tit- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 83 comb 1 of Newbury Maj r Ashley & Coll 1 Williams 2 w th many other Officers were kill'd Men are daily rais'd & going to reinforce y m & we hear that at Connecticut they ride off in Companys 10 or 20 together without any Order at all so that we expect daily to hear more of War. Pray answer this & write how many men are gone out of New Hampshire & w r Coll 1 Gilman & M r Phillips 3 are gone for I hear they have. I am y r Dutifull Son Tristram. 69 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Sep r 27 Honoured Mother 1755 I arrived here safe last Night ab l y 2 past 7 o 'Clock & have no opportunity to send any thing P Josiah he is in such a Hurry to get to Newbury Mondy that he will not be persuaded to come to Boston on Monday morning which he might easily do if he would. I shall Send your Linnen Yarn P the first opportunity I have no Money to buy your Sugar Shall send all my old Clothes P James — I forgot to call at M r Lampson to be measured for my Coat, he must make it as well as he can without, make it as soon as y u can send my Shoes as soon as they are done — Yr Son Joseph Gilman. P. S. Since this was wrote I have got ready as many of my things as I could send P Brother cannot spare these Breeches to be seated lest I should have none to wear. In great hast. i This is the Moses Titcomb who was major in Col. Hale 's regiment be- fore Louisburg. He had command of the extreme right wing of Gen. John- ston 's line at Crown Point and was killed by Indians. 2 Col. Ephraim Williams, who left most of his property to found a free school in western Massachusetts, which became Williams college. 3 Col. Peter Gilman, now fifty-one years old, commanded the second regi- ment of New Hampshire men who went up to reinforce Gen. William John- ston. The "Mr Phillips" mentioned must have been Hon. John Phillips, the founder of Phillips Academy, Exeter, who had married the widow of Joseph's uncle, Nathaniel Gilman. We find him mentioned afterwards in the letters. 84 A FAMILY HISTORY 70 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Octo r 27 th 1755. Hon d Mother Since my last I have received Yrs P Gerrish Jenkins & M r Parkman I also received my Brothers Chairs Box of Boks &c P James. I am sorry that I have now to ac- quaint that your Yarn is miflaid Pr the Dyer & cannot be found, but I hope it will be in a Little Time. I send 2 of M r Whitfield's Letters which Cost 2/6 a p ce . I have not money to buy you any Sugar at present as I was forced to buy me a p r of New Shoes. Cap 1 James goes away so soon that I believe I cannot send my Coat or your Gown by him — I shall without fail Send them if he does not go toNight — the price of Great Bibles you have inclosed with on Dollar advance on each am in Good health and remain Y r Dutifull Son Joseph. P. S. This is in prodigious hast. 71 In explanation of this letter and the following draft of an answer, we must remind ourselves that at this time New England was in the throes of a religious excitement that had begun before Rev. Nicholas Gilman 's death. Churches were splitting and every one taking sides for or against the "new Light." Many of the older ministers were opposed to the methods of George Whitefield and other revivalists who were traveling through the coun- try and many churches closed their doors to these preach- ers. Tristram was at Harvard where the president, Dr. Wigglesworth, and the faculty had come out openly in opposition to Mr. Whitefield, as he wrote his mother on December 16, 1754. Probably, from these agitated notes. Mrs. Gilman was very much disturbed about her two sons. Joseph's misdemeanor was either not going to church at all or going to hear the men who were preach- ing against what his mother believed to be the truth. It IN LETTEKS AND DOCUMENTS 85 is evident, from his second letter on the subject, that he at once wrote his mother hastily and somewhat disre- spectfully. That letter was not preserved. Ebenezer Little to Mrs. Nicholas Oilman, Exeter, N. H. Newbury November y e 10 :1755 Dear Cofin y e inclofed i recvd of M r Savage in B of ton ; No perf on Knows y e Contents hear but my Self ; i think you had beft to rite M r Savage; & Jofeph your Self; i would have you be tender in y e Cafe your loving Kinfman Ebenezer Little PS y e half Joannes i had of you & Sifter Gilman by y e hands of Cofin Truftom: by miftake i lend it to a man who put it of at Bofton : i rit y e man aboute it but have had no Anfwer — He took it for a guinea EL 72 On the back of Ebenezer Little's letter there is a rough draft of Mrs. Gilman 's letter to her son. Her wretched writing and poorer spelling was the natural consequence of the neglect of woman's education in early New Eng- land. Even at a later date than this the public schools of Boston were open to boys only. The contrast between the letters of Rev. Nicholas Gilman and those of his wife is very marked but he does not seem to have respected her less for her ignorance, which was probably common to the women of her time. Dear child I wrote to you by mr Cleark & send you a pair of briches which thoue mistak he left att newels I send you a pair of stockens dear child I have yeast heard a pece of malancher new I hear you do sen to be a church man which be a greaf of mind to me mr Newel with your brother Josiah is here know soo I can say but littel about itt yow but if prov- endenc permit shall write lardge about itt I wrote mr Cleark & sent you a pair of briches wch thou a mistak he left att Newl I sent you a par Send me word how clear board is a thousand by mr rice you may write agen by Clark 86 A FAMILY HISTORY 73 Josiah Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Hon 'd Mother — I Came home well that Day — I Carried that Leather to m r Bartlet he will make them Monday he says that I had better get a pair of Thick Leather Shoes I do'nt know the benefit of them this Weather — I want another for to Change they will laft as Long again — Mafter Says there is a man going to Exeter for an ox he will bring this John is agoing along with him in the Middle of next week No News So I Remain your Dutifull Son Josiah Gilman Newbury November 14 th Friday 74 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 8 th Decem r 9 th 1755. My Hon d & Belov d Mother I now sit down to write with more composednefs of mind Then I did yesterday, I have been very poorly as to health of Body ; but much more so in mind ; as you may very well judge by the Letter I wrote yesterday. Gratitude is one of the most pleasing exercises of y e mind; says y e Spectator, and all the way I have to pay you for y e great fateegue & trouble you had with me when a Child, & still continue to undergo for my good; is to fhew by my Actions I always bear a gratefull sence of You in my mind. To obey your Commands as long as I live & ever to be concerned for your wellfare. If Gratitude is due from Man to Man ; is it not much more so from Man to his Maker ; He who gave us being for no other End but to make us happy; for I am far from thinking that the God of Love & Mercy ever Created any only to make y m miserable, & those persons that think so; must have but a very poor Idea of God's Love & ten- der Mercy not that I think God is all Love & has no jus- tice. I am perswaded that I was not born meerly to get a IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 87 great Estate, or for myself alone; nor do I desire to lead a Life unserviceable to mankind — which end I de- sire always to keep in View — I am perswaded that Riches must be given an Account of at the Last day — yet I know no Commandment forbidding us to get an Estate in a right & regular manner — & a rich man has more & great- er advantages of doing good than a poor man. I am not discouraged about Ventureing to Sea because the Gilmans hitherto have met with miffortunes thereby, luck & chance says Solomon happen to all men 1 — how- ever as I have no thoughts of going to Sea ; it is needlef s to enlarge on this head. I have Studied my Temper a great deal & find it is much easier to draw than to drive me to anything; & I find that I have had the greatest Sence of God & Religion after reading that pafsage of St. Paul "The goodnefs of God leadeth the to repentance" than in reading the most Threatning place in Scripture, & if that does not awaken me to a Sence of my Duty I am afraid nothing will & heartily wish that thro' the goodnefs of God I may be led to repentance — can any Man be so lost to all sence of gratitude as to offend so good and fo bountifull a God as ours is — I do af sure you Mad ra that I am confounded to think that I continue to offend one who is continually blefsing me with numberlefs and great mercy's — so much for Religion ; our only Solid & substantiall good. I now inform you that I received P Cap 1 James 17th Bee Wax & 5 lb old Pewter ; have fold the Bee Wax for £9.0.0 Old Tenor & is 24 fhill gs Lawfull Money which is 10/ more than M r Tyler would have gave me for it & inclos'd you have [torn] The money the old Pewter I sold him who has Credited You with it @ 6/ P lb which is the most it fells for here. Have fent you P Coker 1 Loaf of Good fugar weighing 8 lb @ 7/ P ib which is the lowest that I could buy it for by the Single Loaf & which amounts 56/ 11/ more than my Brother gave me. Please to C r my Brother with 45/ & me 11/. I have likewise sent P Coker 1 m 10 d Nails price £3.5/ i This seems to be a rather free rendering of Ecclesiastes 9:11. "Time and chance happen to all men. ' ' 88 A FAMILY HISTORY & 1 doz. Nail Gimblets 8/ my Aunt's Tea Dishes Your Gown, my old Coat & all my old Cloth's. Coker had saild before I received Your Letter so could not send the Sieves but can fend them to Newbury if you pl ease — write whether you would have them f ent or not. I am now in pretty good Health & remain Your Duti- full Son Joseph Gilman P. S. Should be glad if you would not f hew my Letters f o much & these to nobody ; herein you will oblige me very much. J- Gr- 75 The next letter is written in such a way that one can- not fathom its real meaning. Whether Col. Hale was annoyed with Governor Hutchinson or, in common with him, with a third person, it is difficult to say. At this time Thomas Hutchinson, the afterwards unpopular Royal governor of Massachusetts, was a judge of pro- bate. What Mad 6 de Saxe's "Pantin" was or who was Madam Wiborne, are things we shall never know. "Mr. Bellan" was probably the Mr. Bollan who came to Massachusetts in 1741 and was later agent in England for the colony. The "Dog Act" was passed this year, giving a bounty of 5s. "to encourage the keeping of dogs." Two years before the town had voted a bounty of 2s. on every dog's head brought to the town treasurer. This must have made Beverly unpleasantly conspicuous among the small towns around and the inhabitants were ready to take offence owing to another nickname that the town had borne before which Col. Hale alludes to. Roger Conant, in 1671, had tried to get the name changed to Budleigh, which was his birthplace in England. His rea- son was that the town, being "but a small place," had the ' ' constant nickname of ' Beggarly. ' ' ' Book-plate of Col. Robert Hale Owned by Robert Hale Noyes of Portland, Ore- gon, sixth in descent from Col. Robert Hale IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 89 Col. Robert Hale to Judge Thomas Hutchinson, Bos- ton, Mass. Beverly Dec r 24. 1755 Dear Sir Fashions generally take their rife at Court and from thence by flow degrees descend to the extremities of the nation where the fashion appears when the reason of it if out of sight ; they are not however always founded in reason, yet mostly obtain, as there are always more fools than wife — as it was 100 years before when D r Fuller wrote of it — No one is ridiculous, for what he is, but for afsuming what he is not — thus it might be well eno for Mad e de Saxe to curtfie with her Pantin, but not so for Madam Wiborne — M r Bellan, I am perfwaded, is more dictated by good fenfe than custom — fhould he write you he had fent you fuch a paper inclosed, his information wou'd be unnecef- sary — if he anfwers any part of y r letter, you wou'd be as fully perfwaded he had rec d it as if he told you so — 'twou'd be impertinent to mention it, if he had nothing to fay to it — which might be because the fubject was ex- hausted, or it might not deferve an anfwer. For either the weak low or trifling notices in it — & this last I con- fefs I always took to be the reafon why you have fcarce ever anfwered mine, as for the contrary property in them, I always anfwer yours — A late writer of y e History of Great Britain, obferves that divers places are at this day famous for the fame tempers, dispositions &c which Campden remarks in them so Swift fayes that Banbury is as famous for Zeal tho' not for Cakes, & I afsure you that what as much as any- thing displeafed our pple here about y e Dog Act was that some of our wifeer Neighbours, on its pafsing call'd this Dog town. However, it feems our legislature last year were a little more compafsionate & obliging than that in 1671 — Cap 1 Lothrop (who with his Company were all but 3 kill 'd by y e Indians near Deerfield 1675) was the Agent to y e Court for y e Town, & y r Deputy in 1671 — he came from Beverly in Yorkfhire & prevail 1 against Conant, tho ' f upported by almost all y e principal men in y e Town. 90 A FAMILY HISTORY my predecefsor, then an Inhabitant here, did not fub- fcribe with y e rest — that is, he was not in the fafhion, & there is fomething you fee of the fame unpolitenefs descended to his Grandfon, Y r most oblig'd humble Serv 1 R H — Th. Hutchinfon 76 Josiah Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Hon'd Mother I improve this oppertunity to let You know that through the divine goodnefs of God I've got redd of my cough. I have receiv'd 2 p r of Breeches & one Jacket the Plufh Breeches I can't butten att the knees. I shall send them home — Clemence lives on the Road 1 or 2 houfen this fide of Thurrel's bridge on the right hand — I sent you a Sheet of Paper it coft half a Crown — I have paie Edmund Bartlet 18 Shillings for making 2 for what Leather he found — I want a p r of Shoes thefe are wore out — Theoph is well — So I Remain your Dutifull Son — Josiah Gilman Jun r . Newbury March 15 1756 77 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 31 March 1756. Hon d Mother I have just now seen M r Perkins who arrivd in Town about y 2 hour ago & designs to go out tomorrow morning he tells me has a p r of Shoes for me & likewise a Letter but has left them both at his Lodging which is % of a Mile from hence I cannot therefore answer the Letter but must defer it to the next opportunity never could have any thing happend more luckily than my shoes being sent at this time for I am allmost barefoot & have not one penny of money to get any with — should be glad if you would send me 2 or 3 Thousand of Clear Boards pr the IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 91 first opportunity as I owe M r Dawes & he is willing to take them provided you send them soon I have had no spending money since I was at home therefore pray you to pity the poor or rather your poor Son I am in Health & Remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph. 78 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Oilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 6 th April 1756. Hon d Madam I received P M r Lord a Shirt 2 pair Stockinge & four Crowns two for my Brother & two for myself for which am much obliged should be glad if you would lay out the remainder of the Bill I left with you when at Exeter in Quills & send y m P the first opportunity do not fail to send me 2 or 3 Thousand Boards P James as I have prom- ised them to M r Daws who expects y m very foon, & who I have owed these two Years We had the 22 d ult a prefs in Town for Men to go to Crownpoint 1 — and escaped very narrowly. I am in Good Health & remain with due Re- spect to all Friends Y r Dutifull May 6th inftead of Aprill Son Joseph 79 Mrs. Nicholas Gilman to Joseph Gilman, Boston, Mass. Exeter may 23 dear Child my doler is not Come yet I expect them next weak I fhall Send them by the first opertunity if you have not Sent Josiah Shurt & the briches Send them by the first opertunity in hast M G Send my gound by the first good opertunity i In order to get the large number of soldiers that were needed to pro- tect Louisburg, the British resorted to impressment in Boston and riots followed. Col. Hale was put on the committee to report on these outrages. 92 A FAMILY HISTORY 80 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 8 th June 1756 Hon d Madam I receiv'd yours dated 21 May P M r Lampion but was in the Poft Office, for which I paid about twelve pence a Line Have wrote severall Letters to you since I have had any from you, This serves to beg you would by no means fail of sending the Boards I wrote for as I have promised them to M r Dawes & he now wants them very much I tell him he may depend on having them P James or Coker. I want some Stocking very much. Am in Health & Remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph. P. S. My Brother was well yesterday. 81 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilmaist, Exeter, N. H. Cambridge 28 th — 1756 — Madam — Having this Opportunity to write I improve it, I am at present in pretty good Health as to my Body in general but neverthelefs I shou'd not be surpriz'd if I shou'd be oblig'd very soon to take a Tour somewhere or other to get rid of a very troublesome epidemical Ail that I am something suspicious has taken hold of me tho I am not certain but if it is really so I shall be certainly perplex 'd what to do for it will be a grievous Affliction but I must invent Some Means or other perhaps I may come Home but after many Tho'ts I can't invent from whence I caught it — If you can send any Dollars by Daniel Gil- man I wish you wou'd for to speak the Truth I have now but 3 Dollars by me having paid off all the rest since I came — I have I think but 4 Shirts I tho 't I had 5 — Noth- ing Remarkable except that Gov r Shirley has lately lent this Province 300000 Pounds to enable them to carry on the Expedition — I am w th Regards to all Friends Y r duti- full Son Tristram P. S. Pray send my Sheets. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 93 82 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 26 th July 1756. Hon a Madam I have received no News of you since you left Boston but hope these will find you and Family in as good Health as it leaves me. Have bought the Bible you left me the money for and shall send it with your Whale Bone and Wheat (if I can get any) by the first good opportunity. Have some good India x to sell upon Commissions which you may have by the single pound for £5.5/ or by the half dozen for £4.15/ this money, you may write me word whether it will suit at that Price with you if it does I will send up some M r Savage talks of going to Portsmouth this Week P whom shall write more particulars 'Tis probable I shall ride up my Brothers Horse. Y r Dutifull Son Joseph P. S. my Love to Tristram. 83 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 3 d Sep r 1756 Hon d Mad m . I receiv d yours P M r Doran yesterday and P M r Per- kins this day both dated 1 st Sep r . My last was P Cap 4 James we were then in fuch a hurry I could not pof sibly write you so particular as I would have otherwise done as we were then just opening an Insurance Office 2 so hope you will excuse me. I received a Shirt P M r Doran — could not pof sibly ride up my Brothers Horse for the above reason viz our opening an Office in which there was no body to write but myself and considerable businefs to do, tho' I am sensible i India tea. 2 In the Boston Gazette of August 30, 1756, is the following advertise- ment : ' ' Notice of opening Insurance Office. Sam : Phillips Savage Ann St. near Town Dock. Policies will be underwrote by Gentlemen of un- doubted Credit and upon reafonable Terms." 94 A FAMILY HISTORY it would be for my health to come into the Country once at least in a Year, yours P M r Perkins informs me Cap James had just arrivd & you had your Whalebone & Bible by him safe — I could not get you any Wheat good for seed as there was none then in the Dock — The reason why I sent you no Indigo is because I think that I have to sell is not so good as the sample you sent me and you desird me not to send it if it was not so good. I should be glad you would get the Boards ready for M r Dawes, I have by some small work at writing (since you were here) earnt enough to pay him £13.10. this money and should be glad I could have paid him y e whole Sum I owe him ; he says he would willingly give me the money again for Boards so if you please to send enough you may have the money for your own use. I am very sorry you had that Fustian Coat made for me as it will not fit me and it will cost something to alter it and the Season for Summer Clothes was very nigh spent when I receivd it and I cannot wear it every day for above one Week before it will want washing and the Washing will cost before it is wore out as much as a New Coat would — my Breeches you sent me now want wash- ing tho' I have not wore them a fortnight and shall not want to wear them much more this Year. I should be glad you would get me some Shoes made just such as you sent me P M r Jewet which I sent up by my Brother to be Soled let them be strong double soles and not too large I shal soon want them as I walk now Three times as much as I have done since I livd in Town. I want a good winter p r Breeches, and my Shirts all want mending — I want some New ones very much, (want I believe is a word usd the oftenest of any in my Letters). I should be glad if you would buy some Quills with the money I left with you when I was last at Exeter I Left 3£ vour money and you were to pay M r Tilton 12/ for 1 G-rofs Quills I bought of him please to send the remain- der all in Quills if you can get them. My Brother was well yesterday. Am in pretty good Health at present and Remain with clue regard to all Friends Your Dutifull Son Joseph IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 95 84 Josiak Gilinan to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Hon'd Mother Trough the goodnefs of God I am in good health at Prefent. I Left your wool at Hampton falls & Did not pay for the reft Becaufe he was not at home & She Said that it would do as well when you sent for the other. M r Tit- comb says that one fpring in a Window will do for a small one. I will get one made & send it over, he Thought that you would ufe that Butter if he could not git it over he would be glad if you Would buy him some Butter with that money he left at I s lb. He Expexts Some Beef of you or Sauce this fall if you can get it over. I paid for your Tea bought some Cocolate & sent you. No more at Prefent. Your Dutifull Son Josiah. Newbury Sep r 13 1756. P. S. Do not Buy the Butter without you can send it. 85 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 1 st Octo r 1756. Honourd Mad m My last was P Post since which have receivd yours P M r Newell with the Meloncholly News of the Death of Uncles two Children which hope will have the desird ef- fect on me. I never received any Letter relateing to their sicknefs which you fay in your last you fent me — am forry you did not mention any thing concerning M r Daws Boards as he asks me allmost every day about them, now for my wants — firstly my hat is allmost wore out. 2 d I want my Coat turnd or else a new one 3 d I have not one Jacket fit to wear to meeting 4 th I have no Breeches to wear but what are tore all to pieces nor can I tell when I shall get mine of Sutton and I will go naked before I will run in debt for a pair and it will not be long if I do not receive some before I shall be naked, 5 th I have but 3 Neckclothes I can wear, 6 th allmost all my fhirts are 96 A FAMILY HISTORY worse for wear — 7 th my feet sweat full as much now as they did in fummer so I cannot weare a pr ftockings above two days so as to leave any bottoms to the feet of them. 8 th I want some shoes very much as those you sent me last are so much too big and long for me that I cannot pofsibly wear them with any manner of ease or comfort. I have paid M r Daws towards what I owe him £13.10.0 paid him for putting on Buttons & mend g my Coat 1.15- paid him for mending my Jacket 0.10.- paid him for Lining for Ditto 0.15.0 paid M rs King for mending Shirts 0. 9- paid for Washing my Coat twice and Breeches ... 1. 0.0 paid D° my White Jacket & Lining mend s &c 1.10- Carried Over 1 19. 9.0 Sum Brought Over 19. 9.0 Cash paid a Shoemaker for mending my Shoes ... 1. 5.0 paid for mending my Stockings 0.10.0 Cash paid for new Lining my Hat 0.10.0 Cash for small Expences since last July 0.15.0 Cash paid for a Penknife 0.12.0 £23. 1.0 so I have spent all my money I got by keeping an Ace 1 of the Lottery which I intended to have sent as an Adven- ture and doubt not but by the Blessing of Providence I might have doubled my money, I have opportunity's enough to fend Adventures as by my Businefs I become acquainted with allmost all the Merchants in Town and so much into favour with some that I could have the Lib- erty to fend twenty or thirty pounds in their Vefsels without paying Freight — I hope you will remit me the above money which I think was none of it spent extrav- agantly — if you will send the Quantity of Boards 2 you agreed to fend M r Daws he will pay me the money for all above what I owe him should be glad if you would fend me some part of the above within a Month as I shall have i A new page of his letter. 2 The manufacture of lumber was the chief source of revenue in Exeter for a century after the settlement and owed impulse to Edward Gilman, our emigrant ancestor, who was a man of property and set up saw-mills there. Even as late as 1802 " Gilman 's Saw-mills" are the only ones shown in a plan of the town. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 97 an opportunity to send a good Adventure to the West Indies in that time by a good carefull man. — You will please to remember there is a Dollar coming to me from the Kingston Woman for the Bible which please to get af soon as you can. — I left with you when at home last year a three pound Bill 12/ of which was to be paid M r Tilton to procure me Quills, I have wrote M r Tilton to procure me Quills to the Value of 48/ which now remains in your hands and as it belongs to M r Savage should be glad you speak to M r Tilton about them. — I want to come to Exeter for many Reasons but have no prospect of coming this year. I like my Businefs very well and have enough to keep me constantly employd for which desire to be thankfull. I am in Health and Remain Your Dutifull Son Joseph Oilman. P. S. Since I wrote the above I received yours P M r Rogers shall write you by Clark or M r Rogers. 86 Parker Titcomb to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Newbury Novemb 23 1756 Ma dum Gilmind I would aquaint you that if I can have of your Beaf as I Can have at newbury which is 12 d pr pound with the Taler for the Cash I shal set my worke at Cash prise and as for that Cash I left with you for to by me sum Butter I Cant Desier you to Trobul your self about that only send me the money But if you have bought the But- ter then as there is an opertunyty to send that and the beaf tow By Esqr smiths Teeme that is a cuming to new- bury next weeke as I am inf ormd this from yours to serve Parker Titcomb my worke Eight days at half a doler pr day and Expence — twenty one shiling the hole is 10-2-0 Madum pleas to send me good Beaf if any To M s Mary Grilmon At Exetur 98 A FAMILY HISTORY 87 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Jany 4 th 1757. Honord Mad" 1 I just now received two Letters P Zack with a Shirt, two p r Stockings & pocket Handkerchief I receid 10 Dol- lars by M r Taylor with your Letter, & answerd it by Cap. James — I have got my Coat turned here as it was so much worn could not wait any longer. I want very much to go Exeter but M r Savage is not willing thinging (I suppofe) there is no connection be- tween any Relations befides himfelf & his. however I would not find fault with him. — I am in Health and Remain y r Dutifull Son Joseph [This note is written on the same sheet and is to Tris- tram Gilman.] Dear Brother Tuesday 3 ° 'Clock. I just now received yours by Zack — I believe M r Sav- age will not let me go home as he refusd me a little while ago — but as he is not here now, I cannot go to James Folsom but you may depend on a Letter by the Post (in time) whether he will come or not. Yours &c. 88 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 21 st Feb y 1757. Hon d Mad m I have received none from you since my Brother went home. — I expected a pair Shoes P post, but he tells me he has brought me none : mine are much worn, and I know not what to do for a pair ; unlef s I have y m by next post. — looking over my Shirts I find I have but two fitt to wear, p [lease] send me fome by my Brother, or I m[ust go] naked I want a good Jacket very mu[ch], my Hat is very rusty. Neckclothes I am in great want of — I am allmost IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 99 discouragd asking for Money or Clothes, as it is very- hard to get Dollars or any thing else that will answer here, but at the Tame time necefsity obliges me to ask or go naked. I am in Usuall Health and Remain Y r Dut 1 Son Joseph. P. S. pray remember my Shirts as I cannot do without them any way. 89 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman-, Exeter, N. H. Mad ra Cambridge 9 h March 1757. Arriv'd last Night safe at Cambridge I think upon the Whole it was best I came when I did, Today have been to Boston bo't your Spectacles & Cases & Sermon the Price Josiah has — Joseph says Boards in Boston are 13 £ P Thous d but they will soon fall. Dawes expects 3 Thous d Mer* pine & 1 Thous d Hemlock which I told him you woud send him as soon as the River was open — Prentice will take Mer 1 pine Boards, but then he dont want to buy till June when they are at the Lowest, how- ever He says that if you will send him some within 6 Weeks he will give 12 £ P Thous d but don't want any clear they are about 18 £ P Thous d — I've discours'd w th Allen about his Wool and he informs me it is very uncer- tain whether or not he can take any Boards because it was his Brother who us 'd to sell the Wool & he is dead & his Sister will endeavour to pay some Debts in Boston with her Wool, it was 6/3 P m last Year & perhaps will be 6/6 this Year. He will certainly have some to sell for money & has promis'd me the first Offer — I am better in Health I believe if any thing — I am your dutif ull Son Tristram — 90 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston April 13 th 1757. Hon d Madam I receivd yours P M r Taylor with 2 fhirts for me and a 100 A FAMILY HISTORY small Bundle for my Brother, as also yours P Cap 1 James with a Guinea which wants but one Grain of Weight and will pafs for as much as if it wanted nothing, it is worth £23.6.8 your money Dollars at £5. — I have got the Bone put up and shall send it P James by whom I shall write particularly. I this day received yours P Daniel Gilman, am glad to hear you and Family are well Candles are from 4/ to 4/6 P Box and sell well. I should be very glad if you would fend M r Dawes Boards P James, if you can get 1000 Plank Board Meas- ure or 500 Plank Measure he would be glad of them. I am in great want of Neckclothes, and thin Stockings as Summer is now approaching and my Feet sweat so much I cant wear a pair above two or three Days at most. I have severall more old Shirts which I should be glad to change for New Ones. I want a Handsome Jacket very much as I have but one which I have worn constantly this Year & half and it is now very shabbed. I remember you told me you would give me a New fuit of Handsome Broad Cloth this Summer, if I was a good Boy, I think I have been pretty good and fo expect them. Your Dutifull Son Joseph. 91 Samuel Gilman was the eldest son of Judge Nicholas and Sarah (Clarke) Gilman. He was a Captain of Foot in 1732, justice of the peace in 1740, judge of the Superior Court from 1740 to 1749, and Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Foot in 1755. This receipt evidently marks the end of his trusteeship for his brother's chil- dren. June y e 18 tb 1757 then Receved of bro Samuel Gilman fifty Nine Pounds and one Shilling old tenor in Part of what he was in- trufted to Improve for the benifit of my Children P me Mary Gilman IN LETTEKS AND DOCUMENTS 101 92 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 20 th June 1757 — Madam — According to my Promise of the 19 th I now write you being at Boston — I am forry you sent me any Affairs for my Cloaths as I did not expect them & we expected Commencement f ooner than usual & I had provided Trim- ming here — Pray write me as soon as may be who are coming to Commencement — As to my Gown You may make up what you have if you make any — As I have not yet seen my Things when I have seen them I shall again write you — I am in health & in great Haste Your duti- f u ll Tristram P. S. ' Let Josiah give my Compliments to the Coll 11 Family & invite them if you think it best — my Love to Josiah To — 6/6 M rs Mary Gilman Six Shillings for the Post In To be left at - M r Clarks at Greenland Exeter 93 Tristram Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Mafs 1 Hall June 27 th 1757. Madam This in the utmost haste by M r Little informs you the Overseers are going to set again tomorrow to vote whether we fhall have a Commencement 1 or no & we are not able to determine whether we fhall have any or no. I shall write as soon as I know — want Nothing but Money which I must have foon, am at present as well as usual. Your dutifull Son T. Gilman. P. S. If we have Commencement it will be on July 13 th , I suppose. Love to Josiah, & Respects to other Friends. i Tristram Gilman graduated this year from Harvard. 102 A FAMILY HISTORY 94 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Sep 14 th 1757. Hon d Madam I receivd your P M r Clark, am glad to hear you are well. I should be obliged if you would send me a p r Shoes P Cap 1 James, or P Post if he is come away, as I want them very much. It is now time to think of Winter Clothes, & I have none by me — I should chuse to have a good broadcloth rather than Searge and for Col r should chuse a blue and Breeches the same I should be glad to have a black or Crimson Jacket and as I have had a black one lately if you please you may get the latter. It will be best to send the Cloth and have them made here as M r Daws owes me enough to pay for the making a fuit, please to send some white Tammy 1 to Line the Coat and Jackett, and Buttons for the Coat the same Col r those for the Jacket I can get here. If there is no Goods come in to Portsmouth, I be- lieve it will be the best way to get them here as I can have them much cheaper to pay in Boards than w th you Should be glad if you would let me know foon whether I can have them there, for if I cannot I must look out for them here as I cannot possibly do without this Winter, I shall want a p r Boots this Winter, I know not what to do for a p r , if they are made at Exeter, tis ten to one whether they fit me, and I have not money to get them here. My Hat is fairly worn out. I am not in present need of winter Stockings as I have 3 or 4 p r yarn ones by me. I should be glad of a Couple more fine Shirts, I have one (that Mr. Prentice of Cambridge left here) of my Brothers, which I should have fent him but believe I stand most in need of it. I am in pretty good Health & Remain Y r Dutifull Son J. Gilman. Sep r 15 th P. S. I receivd y rs P M r Perkins, but could not fend any thing by him as he went out of Town this morning and I am much hurried w th the Office businefinef s. J. G. i Tammy or Taminy was a light worsted fabric. IN LETTEKS AND DOCUMENTS 103 95 Capt. Benjamin Ives, Col. Robert Hale's son-in-law, was living in Halifax, N. S., at the time of his death, De- cember 26, 1757. His wife returned to her father's home and there spent the rest of her life. Col. Robert Hale to Hon. William Browne, Beverly, Mass. Beverly Feb. 3. 1758 Worthy Sir It is not improbable but Van-Hale whom you mentioned to me when I had last the Honour to wait on you here might be a descend 1 from the first of our Family but is no proof that we are of Dutch extract, but rather that his origin was from England — for I take it that all prefixes of y l kind denote y e younger branches especially if you consider that there are at least two places in England call'd Hale — one in Cornwall, the other a little above Liverpool — but I look on our name to be of far greater Antiquity than either the Dutch or English nation — vid — 2 Chron. 17.7 — there you find Ben-hail (or as it is fince corrupted Ben-hale) the chief es of King Jehosa- phat's princes — now you know that Ben in Hebrew is the fame as Van or Mac, Fitz or Son in Dutch, Scotch, French or English — whence it appears that even this Prince was a Cadet only of our Tribe & tho' I can't tell the intermediate parts of Succefsion, — yet 'tis as certain as if I fhou'd call by name every link of the chain — I take it ours is by this account the most antient Family extant in the univerfe for as Jehosaphat livd Anno Mundi 3090, we can tell of one of our Stock who flourifh'd about 2600 years ago — indeed it does not appear to w c of the tribes he belong'd— but as he was doubtlefs of Judah or Benjamin, I question not (as the Jews were very careful of their Genealogies) but fome of them might be found who cou'd, ftep by ftep, trace up this Princes Original even to the Patriarch Jacob & then you know, we are cer- tain of every one of his progenitors even to Adam — Be- sides, 'tis very pofsible they may be as well acquainted with the defcending part of the line 'till fome at least of the Family fettled in Scotland— For there is no doubt 104 A FAMILY HISTORY but that Country was at first peopled by the Ions of Israel ; as may be gathered from their abhorrence of Swine's flesh & their wearing no Breeches in y e Highland parts even to this day, not to mention their coats of many col- ours, fuch as Jacob made for his fon Joseph, nor many other things in which they Symbolize with their fam'd Ancestors of old — Some one of thefe I fuppose emi- grated to Liverpool & gave name to the Village near it who retaind the Name with the variation only from Hail to Hale, while a very considerable number of them con- tinu'd in the North, who to this time have no farther cor- rupted it than to write Haye instead of Hail which is very inconsiderable, f ince tis only fuppref sing the terminating letter w c is common with many nations to do when it is a consonant & then it founds exactly as Haye — this last, you are well inform 'd is a very numerous (as well as a Noble Family) in North Britain, & to them I am proud to be nearly related — I doubt not (so numerous are your Family & ours) (I mean the Hayes) but upon a very little fearch you will find fome branches of them united — I afsure you Sir if so, I fhall be no lefs pleas 'd with an account of that alliance than with being able to tell the names of every one of my ancestors in the male line (for fuch I certainly had) even up to the great Protoplast of us all — I fubfcribe myfelf, Sir, (upon this prefumption,) your most affect Kinsman & humble Servant Rob 1 Hale 96 Hon. William Browne to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. Dear Sir. Your Obligeing Letter refpecting the Pedigree of the Ben-hails, vel Van-hales &c th reached my hands this cold morn with as sparkling a countinance as a mug of Warm Old Syder could pofsibly show, and was as refrefhing to me, as that would have been to a market man just at break of day. That you & I are Related to each other is IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 105 a Matter beyond difpute; but as it took M r Warburton three years continual Application in joining the Links of the Chain of the Bryun's, Brun's, Brayn's, Bryn's, Bruin's, Bruens, Brum's, Brent's, Brown's, Brownings, Brownlow's, Brownrig's &c th &c th &c th pray how long a time must it take me to Link to this Chain The Ben-hails, Von-hales, Hayes &c th . you certainly Judged right S r in applying to me to Clofe this Chain for you, for had you applied to M r Warburton he would have deceived you, be- ing but a fresh man in Rabbinical learning & quite Unac- quainted with the Endlefs Genealogys mentioned by S l Paul, you may depend upon it, that I shall make a thor- ough search in my Office, in order to gratify your curiof ity & my own Vanity in haveing a real title to Subscribe my- self for the future — Your Ever Loveing Cof sen Beverley Feb : 4 th 1758 till Death — W Browne 97 John Choate to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. February 13 th 1758 Dear Sir When I meet you the other day you told me you Should be here Sum time on tuesday. I have fpoke to Coll Ap- pelton to be at home as you defired And beg Leave to Expect you in time to dine with me. If you have Aney good News Pray bring it with you for we have none here and are in grait want. your Humble Srvt John Choate 1 98 A Petition to Col. Robert Hale 2 from Judith Adams. Honoured Sir after most humb e & penitent Confession for all my past misconduct & abufe to my fellow Crea- i Hon. John Choate, of Ipswich, 1697-1765, was Justice of Sessions and of Probate Court and was on the Governor's Council from 1761-1765. 2 Col. Eobert Hale was justice of the peace in Beverly. 106 A FAMILY HISTORY tures of whome I ask ten Thoufand pardons, hoping and desireing I shall Tome time or other be able to make amends which I Shall readily Embrace, & trust & hope for — but as the Cafe is now Curcumstanced with me, I Cannot do anything towards y e Same, being now Con- fined In a dark & Loathsome — Goal, which tho : hard in it Self, is a lefs punishment than my Crimes deserve, for I acknowledge I have led a bad life in times past, & have been guilty of many & bad crimes, for fome of which I have been deited & punnished, but I hope & Trust I have Seen the Evil of my ways, & will do the utmost — that lyes in my power, by the help of him who Governs and over rules all affairs, for the futer to live a fober honest and Regular life, & Desire the prayers of all good people for me, that I may be inabled f o to do. — Honoured fir I beg this favour that I might have the opportunity to dis- courfe with you, & that you would take my deplorable Cafe & Curcumstances into Consideration, & if possible to Relieve me in fome measure (if not in the whole) fo that I might [torn] wholly Confind here, pray fir give a lis- tning ear to my poor distresed Cafe, & beg leave to fub- scribe your Honours penitent Humb e & distrefed Serv 1 Salem Goal April 10 th 1758 Judith Adams P : S : I Shall be intirely willing to Conform to any rules & meafures you Shall think proper to propofe on my behalf — To Robert Hale Esq r 99 A few of the bills that passed between Mrs. Gilman and her son may be interesting on account of the articles and prices. It is very evident that the products of the farm and possibly of a saw-mill were bartered in Boston for the family maintenance. Boston June 7 1758 Invoice of a parcell of Pewter belonging to W m T. Kilby & Joseph Gilman in the hands of Cap Joseph Frost in New Castle and is to be deliverd to M rs Mary Gilman of Exeter — IN LETTEKS AND DOCUMENTS 107 viz Lawfull Money 2 Tea Pots with Legs at 4/4 £0. .8. 8 1 ditto . . .without d° 0. 4 . . 8 Bafons weigh 6 10 : lb 10 oz at l/7y . . . 0.16.111/, 3 doz Plates. . . .30 lb at 1/7%. . . 2. 8. 9 13 Dishes 30: 2 at d°. . . . . . 2. 9.10 y 2 doz. pad Locks 0. 4 . . £6.12.2y 2 is in Old Tenor £49.11.6 100 Joseph Gilman to Tristram Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Oeto 10. 1758 Dear Bro r I yesterday rec d yours P M( [torn] B[torn] I am very glad to hear you enjoy a good f [torn] of Health, & am obliged to you for informing me of it — I rose this morn- ing af soon as it was light that I might gain a little time to write you, for neglecting which by severall of the last [torn] This waits on you by my old Friend Doc r Lampson, by whom I shall fend M r Edwards Book if he can convenient- ly carry it — All I can say about your Letter to Barret you sent last Winter, is, that I have been carefull to de- liver all your Letters immediately on my re[ceiving] them, yours to M r Chardon have del d him — M r Edward 's Book was printed off before I rec d yours fo had not opp° to fubscribe, but got it at the fame price viz a Dollar — M r Prentice has paid Cap Stedman, & I only wait for his rec 1 (which he says he will bring the next time he comes to Town) to repay him — My next by M rs Rogers who will go out of town the beginning of next week by whom I shall fend your Copys ; if they are not finishd to fend by this opp° I remain your Loving Brother Joseph Gilman P S I have been at M r Kneelands to enquire about the other Book you write you Subscribed for, there is feveral Sermons lately published by M r Belle [torn] half a [torn] is not among the Subscribers, if this is the Book you mean please to write me & I'll procure it — Y rs J G 108 A FAMILY HISTORY 101 From this letter we suppose that Joseph Gilman was at one time at the head of one of the lodges of Free Masons which were formed in Boston about 1733. Joseph Gridley to Joseph Gilman, Boston, Mass. Halifax 12 th January 1759 Brother Gilman To you I write, as Supposeing that Honour (which was Justly Confurd on you, when I had the pleasure of being one of the Craft & under your Direction & Command) is Still in Continueance, I therefore Greet you with that Love Obedience, & Affection Due from an Inferior Mem- ber, to One who is Invested w th that power which your Merit Greatly Adorns — Your Presidency will Excuse my Neglect of writing which t call my Duty, and pray let this Neglect be Intire- ly Obliterated, as it was not Commitd for want of Love, Affection & Due Esteem, but be Afsured, my Breast Con- tains as much of this towards you & the Fraternity, as you or they Can Expect, notwithstand s I havnt the pleas- ure of Renewing it Weekly — I hope you have brought matters in Due form & Regu- lation, as also that that Brotherly Love which is our Pro- fession is Still predominate in the Hearts of each one. My Hurry of Businef s, will not permitt me to be Lengthy upon any Occafsion. therefore I beg you will Excuse the Brevity of Dear President — Your AfYect nt Brother Pray my Love to the Brethren Jo : Gridley M r Joseph Gilman 102 John Choate to Col. Robekt Hale, Beverly, Mass. February 27, 1759 Dear Sir Your faveour of yefterday is fo full of matter good fence and frendfhip yt it deferves a fuller anfwer and acknoledgement then the Crowd of people I have about me will allow me to Give. My letters went to bof- ton a day or two before yours was fent you. I wrote y e IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 109 left Gou about Coll° Gerrish, tho I dare not mention him to y e Gou v and thought I had told you so in my letter. I had in two days y e left Gou v Answer It was the fame you tell me he wrote to you. I am Exceeding forry the Gen- tilman we boath Named feems at prefent obnoxious as I agree with you fir y l he would best anfwer the End you f peak of and make y e Country that way eaf y. I thankfully obf erve your Coufan x for my better peace and Comfort in the Court and hope your Kind Indevours to promote it will meet with fufefs. I am told from marble Head y l M r Hooper pretty safe unlefs brother dolton Can have it, but yt M r Bowe who has been at bofton is preffered to any by y e gou y I am glad to hear you are Coming this way hope it will Not be long, M r Wood is going I muft Clofe and am Your Obedent Humble frvt and friend John Choate 103 A Bill D r M rs Mary Gilman To Joseph Gilman Octo 11 To Ball a of Ace 1 fent by Mr. Rogers . . £19.19. .0 Nov 18 To 1 Muff £2.10. d° 1 doz Porringers 2. 5. - 4.15 — 1759 Feb y 6 To 1 box Spectacles 1. 4 — To Cafh lent you when at Exeter June 6. 1757 £12 Hamp e Curr y 4.10. . 30. 8. To Cash p d M r Alif on for mend g fhirts & Stockings to Jan y 19. 1759 £ 3.12. 9 p d for 3% y as Cloth @ 8.8/ & 5 y ds Shalloon at 18/ 36. p d for mending Shoes 0.10 — for a p r Boots 4 Doll rs 9 li/ 2 y as Flannell @ 18/ 1. 7. 50. 9. 9 80.17. 9 i Caution. 110 A FAMILY HISTORY To 3 papers Ink Powder @ 6/ £ 0.18. 6 Spelling Books @ 7/6. . . 2. 5.— 1 Box Spectacles 1. 5. — 4. 8.- £85. 5. 9 To Y> doz. f mall Porringers at 7/6 2. 5. — y 2 doz blood d° 3/9 1. 2. 6 l 16 Knitting Needles forted 0.14.— 1 bag paint 0. 2. Curse Cowardice 0. 3. 6 3 doz Corks @ 3/ 0. 9. Cabbage Teed 0. 9. 6 1. 4. £90.11. 3 Credit brought forw d £ 8. 0. March 15 By Ballance due to Joseph Gilman- Carr d to the Debit of M rs Mary Gilmans New Ace 1 82.11. 3 £90.11. 3 Boston March 15 th 1759 Errors & Excepted Joseph Gilman 104 Bofton Novem r 2 a 1759 Ace* Sundry Goods sent M rs Mary Gilman P Cap 1 Dudley James viz — i/ 2 Doz Pint Basons £ 1.17. 6 V> Hobbs 0. 9. V> 14 Oz Tax 0. 7. y 2 doz coarse Sieves 2. Loaves Sugar S8y 4 lh @ 6/6 12. 8. 7 6 lb Whalebone @ 48/ 14. 8.— 21/, doz Tiles (a) 28/ 3.10.— 1 6z Thread N° 60 3. 6.— 1 doz mid g black Beads 0.12. — 6 Silk Laces @ 5/6 1.13.— 1 p e black Shoe binding 0.18. — 7 Oz Isinglaf s 1. 6. — 42.15. 1 IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 111 Tagging 3 Laces 0. 1. 8 Porterage 3. 3 Tenor £43. 0.— Lawfull Money £5.14. 8 105 Joseph Gilman to Tristram Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Bofton 12 th October 1759 Dear Brother Doubtlefs before this reaches you, you will hear of the furrender of Canada to the Britifh army. A vefsel ar- rived here this morning in feven days from Louifburg. The Mafter informs that, the 15 th September Gen 1 Wolfe with five thoufand men engaged Monf r Levy with fifteen thoufand, about 3 miles from their intrenchments. Our army received three Fires from the Enemy before they returned any. Our firft fire was general and very heavy, put the French cavalry in great confuf ion — they being in front drove back on the infantry & by that means broke their Lines— & put them all to flight. Our people purfued them fo clofely that when they jumped into their trenches, our men leaped on their backs & by Sword & Bayonet foon cleared the trenches, and drove the enemy into the city. The brave Gen 1 Wolfe is killed. He received two wounds before he received his mortal one which was through the Heart. He lived to fee the Trenches cleared holding his Bowells in with his hand & fpiriting up his men. All the officers give him the greateft character. He was but twenty-eight years old as I hear. 1 I have not yet heard the particulars. An Exprefs failed from Louifburg for this place thirty hours before this vefsel sailed, but is not yet arrived. Coll Monckton has loft his nofe and is wounded in the Bowells. He was the f econd in command. Townf end, on account of his being difabled, has taken command. Vaudreuil furrendered the city and Canada on the terms propofed by Townfend, what t'hofe terms are, I cannot tell. 'Tis faid we loft five i General Wolfe was nearly thirty-four. 112 A FAMILY HISTORY hundred men, and the French fifteen hundred. Tuefday next in the forenoon Religious exercifes are to be per- formed in the feverall churches in Town, — in the after- noon the militia railed — in the Evening the Town Illu- minated. Your Loving Brother J Gilman 106 John Choate to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. Defember 3 d 1759 Dear fir finding by your Last letter yt all I had faid in mine had not Relieved your disponding Apprehentions with Re- fpect to the french, their one day prevailing in their de- fign of univerele monarchy, I fend you Doctor Mayhews two Sermons on ocation of our Late fucfeses to See what they Can do upon you. It would Sir be as vaine as Needlef s for me to make aney Remarks on them to a per- son of your uncomon defernment, but I Can hardly help acquainting you of one of my wifes making, tho fhe fell- dom makes I mean exprefes aney as aney mans works. As I was the other Evening Reading to her that part of his Second Sermon where he fancies to him felfe that the Reduction of all Canada will be allmost the Certin Consequences of taking Quebeck, and that Numerous Kingdoms and a moft Extensive Empire would groo up here as a part of this Conqueft She Could not help Ex- prefsing her aftonishment at the Docters indiscretion in mentioning fuch tender points with fo very little Gard. But when I Came to what he by a foul of prophecey fays Relating to the fuller Joyes of futer Ages on this ocation and introdufes the old Sire as informing his Son at 3 or 400 hundred years hence of this Event that happened us many years before, fhe faid it Reminded her of an old weaver fhe had heard of who in a like mood of fanciing as he fatt in his loome fell aCrying and being asked the Reson faid it was becaufe he Emagined that his dafghter would Play the whore and have a Child and that the Child would Run under his loome and that as his fhuttle was Runing the thread would brake and the fhuttele fall down and with its picked end putt out one of the Childs Eyes. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 113 you will Eafily fee fir yt the Effects on thefe two Gentile- mens mind was as different as Joye and Sorrow is But yet as the principles, affections and probability of boath where much the fame the Comparaf on may be prety Good, tho in fum other parts of y e performance I think many warriours and very few preachers Could have Equaled the doctor in the Judment of your most obliged frind and very Humble Svt John Choate Coll Hale 107 Joseph Gilman to Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston June 2 d , 1760. Hon d Mad m Yours P M r Rogers came safe to hand & of him I rec d five Dollars tho he tells me he is not certain they are for me. I should have been at Exeter the beginning of last M° but was prevented by M r Savage's being sick he is now so well as to be out and I expect to see you in about a Week. I should be much obligd to you if you would col- lect as much money for me as you can conveniently by the time I come up as I shall stand in need of £700 or 800£ this old tenor which I cannot pof sibly do without. Three of our London Ships arrived here last week and two more are daily expected which will be an advantage to me as Goods were pretty scarce before the arrival of these Ships — I am sorry the Cart boxes are too fmall, I was afraid they were too large — I will send you a sett larger P first vefsell there must be some mistake in the price of the pans you mention at least I cannot buy them so now by the Ton. The price of a large Bible without the Apochrypha is £9, T the peas I sent cost 5/ I remain with love to my Brothers Your Dutifull Son Joseph Gilman. 108 In Boston Vital Statistics in the "Intentions of Mar- riage" we find "Joseph Gilman and Jane Tyler, July 31, 1760." In the "Marriages" is the date of their mar- 114 A FAMILY HISTORY riage, August 14, 1760. Joseph Gilman was twenty-two at the time. This record has been found since the pub- lication of the Noyes-Gilman Ancestry. This letter evidently should have been dated 1760-1 and they had been married about six months. It seems strange that anyone who was in later life so accurate as Joseph Gilman should have made so many mistakes in writing, spelling and dating as he did in his younger days. Joseph Gilman to Tristram Gilman. Dear Brother Boston Feb y 7th 1760 I should have wrote you by last Post, but expected M r Fowle would have gone out of Town before this time my Jenny is now launching into the eternal World She looks on Death as a friend rather than Foe, as it carries her to her God & Saviour who is dearer to her than any her dearest relatives in this world, she tells me she can part with me with pleasure, tho' she dearly loves me, to go to Christ who is far better — I am now my Dear Brother in the School of Affliction I beg your prayers that God would instruct me in it & carry me thro ' it, tis hard my Brother, tis very hard to bear, but I beg & desire that I may be able to resign her to God, who gave her to me — I cant write particularly, 'tis too much for my weak mind to bear, I desire you would give my Duty with my Jennys to Mother, I should have wrote her by this opportunity but am not able thro' distrefs of mind — There is no dan- ger of the small Pox in Town now tho' twas generally tho't it would spread sometime ago — I hope you have rec d the Chest of Goods of M r Fowle as he tells me he gave Orders to his wife to deliver it, please to examin the cont ts & see that it agrees with the Invoice I sent you — if you have not already rec d it I beg you would make no delay as M r F has a particular Charge to deliver them from M r Flucker — my Jenny gives her kindest love to you & Brother Josiah, and hopes to meet you in the happy realms of Light where perfect Friendship & happinef s is tasted without any alloy — I am your Aff ect te Brother Joseph IN LETTEBS AND DOCUMENTS 115 109 Col. Peter Gilman lost his second wife, Dorothy (Sher- burne, Byrnes, Kogers) Taylor, as the following letter tells, in 1761, when he was fifty-eight years old, and very soon afterwards consoled himself by marrying a widow for the third time, Mrs. Moses Prince (Jane Bethune) of Boston. Mrs. Prince had a son, Samuel, and two daughters, Jane and Deborah. When Mrs. Prince be- came Mrs. Peter Gilman, her daughter Jane was al- ready engaged to Rev. Chandler Bobbins, of Plymouth, and they were married on October 8, 1761, probably at Col. Peter's home, the old Gilman Garrison House. Col. Peter Gilman to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. Dear broth r Exeter Feb ry 2 d 1761. This Brings you the Sorrowfull news of the Death of my Dear wife She Departed this Life Sabath Evening the 25 Jan ry and is gone I Trust To keep an Everlasting Sabaoth with our Glorious Bedemer. She was always Pleasant in Life and Befig d To Gods will in death and is now hapy I Trust with the Lord. But D r Broth r the waves Bole heavy over me I am the man of Sorrow and acquainted with Greaf I mourn Like a dove the abfense of my Dear mate but ah She Gone for Ever Gone no more her Cherfull Countenance to Befresh my fainting Sprrit Adieu my D r Broth r pray o pray for your poor Depres d Aflicted & very Sorrowfull Broth 1- Peter Gilman P S my Duty To mother * who I Trust heartly sim- pathizes with me under my affliction & Love To Sister y r as above 110 Col. Peter Gilman to Col. Bobert Hale, Beverly, Mass. D r Broth r Ipfwich Sep r 9 tb 1761 I have but Just Time To Tell you That I am Lately married To M rs Prince of Boston a very agreeable Lady i Mrs. John Gilman, who had been Mrs. Robert Hale, Sr. 116 A FAMILY HISTORY and am now In my way home I Trust I shall be again happy in That Relation — pleaf e To pref ent my Duty To Mother & Sister and Accept the Same from your affectionate Broth r &c Peter Gilman 111 As Josiah Gilman had now attained his majority and Joseph had made a beginning in commerce, they returned to Exeter and entered into partnership with Nathaniel Folsom. They had a general store in Exeter. Their advertisement, as preserved in the Gilman Genealogy, shows a varied assortment of goods, " Crimson, fcarlet, black, blue & cloth color 'd Broad Cloths, Baize, Plufhes, Swanfkins, Velvets, Ratteens, Allapeens, Tandems, Bibles, Felt, Caftor, Beaveret & Beaver Hatts, Chizzelles, Tea Kittells, Hour Glaffes, Weft India Rum, Molafses, Bohea Tea, Lamp Oyl &c &c &c." 1 As we shall see later, they also did an exporting and importing business in sail- ing vessels. Memorandum of agreement between Nath Folsom Joseph & Josiah Gilman Octo 19 1761 — 1. We agree to put in equal Stock and each to draw an equall proportion of Profitts or to sustain equally the Lofses which may accrue while we are in Partnership. 2. We agree that the Partnership shall subsist for Seven Years neither of us to leave the Company in lef s time unlef s either of us should remove out of Town. — 3. We agree that neither of us shall carry on any sep- erate private Businefs in Trade either in or out of Town. With regard to any sheemes of consequence, such as Bargains, Contracts, Building of Ships, or venturing to Sea shall not be prosecuted by any one of the Company without the full consent of the other two. Nath el Folsom Joseph Gilman Jofiah Gilman i Gilman Genealogy (1869), 87. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 117 112 Col. Robert Hale had at this time living with him at Beverly, his mother, Mrs. John Gilman ; his second wife, Elizabeth (Clarke) Hale, and his widowed daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Ives, with her two children, Robert Hale Ives, aged seventeen and Rebecca Ives, fifteen. Rebecca vis- ited in the home of her half-uncle, Samuel Gilman, Jr., at Exeter, where there was a daughter, Sarah, of her own age. The jokes in these letters are about Joseph Gil- man, whom Rebecca married in September, 1763. Sarah Gilman married Joseph's younger brother, Josiah, two months later. Samuel Gilman, Jr., to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, JV/fogg Newbury Oct° 27 th 1761 Dear Bro r I thank you for y r kind fav r Last week, & Perticularly for y r fine complem* on my Daughter w ch I can Return with the utmost Sincerity on y r Amiable Grandaughter with whom we Parted allmost with tears ; but as I am not alltogether free from ensuasiam Sompthing within (as the Quakers say) tells me She will one Day be near me, & very, very happy ! I'll say no more at Prefent, heaven Blefs you my Dear Br r & Excufe my adding as 'tis all- most five of the Clock & Bound home this Night, Pray Deliver the Enclos'd to our Dear mother, & M rs Phillips, as one Letter is from my wife the other from my Daugh- ter — Accept the Regards of Both, as well as all Pofsiable affection from Y r Very, Very, Affectionate Brother, Sam 1 Gilman jr — y° know I am apt to talk of things Long before I Put them in Execution, I therefore tell you, on the word of a Newhamp 6 man that I Intend, you a Vif sit between this & the Year one thouf 'd Seven hundred & sixty two Vale P. S. I came f r° home y 2 after ten — I Long more to see y° then Ever, Pray supply y e want of seeing y° by y r most kind & agreeable Epistles — I wont tell y° I'm in the utmost hurry y rs ut supraa S G 118 A FAMILY HISTORY 113 Samuel Gilman, Jr., to Col. Robert Hale, Beverly, Mass. Newbury 11 th Dec r 1761 — Dear Brother, I've but Just time here to Inform you for the Satis- faction of our Dear mother that I Left all well at home this morning & hope to find them so this Evening tho' had I known it wou'd have been so cold before I came from home, Shou'd not have Attempted It this Day — we've nothing New, health & Peace thro' the Divine Favor attends us, — I Enclose a Letter to your Amiable from the Cabinet Counceller who [takes] her Pen & Ink as soon as She hears I [torn]ound this way, as It con- tains a whole Sheet Suppose It contains matters of Im- portance In Love affairs, & when I Request a Sight of her Scribling I am Anfwar'd with a Pray Sir, 'tis only a Line to Cousin Becca &c, & m r is allways at hand to Syth to her or Enquire News — I am my Dear Br° with my Duty to my mother, my Complem ts to Sifter, M rs Ives, & M rs Beca, y r Very affec 1 Bro r Sam 1 Gilman — m r Joseph Gilman had a Vefsell Arriv'd in w ch he was a Q l Concern 'd in Good Safty fr° S 4 Kitts Last week, all that know him Love him & can but Rejoyce at his Pros- perity — he has too much Senfe to mention any thing of Bufinefs in Good company — Vale S G 114 Joseph Gilman to Samuel P. Savage, Boston, Mass. Exeter 14th April 1762 Sir I have now to acknowledge the rec 1 of your favors of the 25th & 28th ult°. We had the pleasure this morn g to receive a Letter from Capt n Marble acquainting us of his safe arrival at Antigua, on which we give the underwrit- ers joy — Cap 1 Marble tells us he believd he should not go to S l Martins or Anguilla as he had heard Salt was very scarce & dear at both them Islands, but as he was not certain how he should proceed as he had been arriv'd but a little time when he wrote, I shall be oblig'd if you'l IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 119 make the following Insurance for ace 1 of Folsom Gilman & Gilman — viz Seven hundred pounds Lawful mony at & from Antigua to S l Martins & Anguilla & at and from thence to any one Port from New York to Piscataqua inclusive, on the Sloop Dolly Sam 1 Marble Mast r , on the Vefsell only, as he is uncertain as to his Cargo — you write me the above will be done at Fourteen P Cent to return four P Ct. in case she does not go to either of the above Islands — and I suppose the underwriters will re- turn Two P Ct in case he goes to but one of them, indeed by his writing I do not think it probable he will go to either of them, as I have said above, but chuse to have them inserted lest he should — we are in hopes the above will be done something lower than what you write me, but leave the affair wholly with you, as I know you will get it done at the lowest rate — Cap* Marble writes us he fhould sail at soonest some time the beginning of this month, if not disappointed, but should write us more par- ticularly by the next Vefsell, so that he is fully in time I am &c JG To M r Sam 1 P. Savage at the Insurance Office B of ton 115 This is the first of a series of business letters between Joseph Gilman 's firm and his brother-in-law, Robert H. Ives, who was captain of merchant vessels and frequently took cargoes for Folsom, Gilman & Gilman. Capt. Robert H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman, Ex- eter, N. H. Bridge Town Barbados March y e 9 th 1765. Gentlemen I have just now Contracted with Cap 1 Richard Salter of the Schooner Betfey, Belonging to Cap* Adams of Portsmouth, and Bound there, to Carry my produce Viz : a hog* of Rum for 12£ ham re Money — I am Sorry that it is out of my Power to take it my Self but the price will not Brake before we Sail for Tortuga which is tomorro it is thought it will Brake at /18 d — I have on Board two 120 A FAMILY HISTORY hog d of Rum and 25£ Cur le Cash on Cargo — and there remains with M r Daniel 309£ 11 s l d Cur ie to be Shipt in Cap. Salters all in Rum, Except five Barr 1 of Sugar — Wee make up a Large fleet for Tortuga and many Bound to Boston therefore I Should be Glad if you would leave Orders for me with Jonathan & John Emmory in Boston as Difpatch is Necessary. Your Humb e Serv 1 . Rob 1 Hale Ives. This my third New Castle 25 th April 1765. Gentlemen Cap 1 Rich d Salter is now arriv d who brings this letter. I sent Cap 1 Sargent on bord — he has for us 28 hh d Rum & 7 bb Suger tomorrow Cap 1 Salter I suppose will begin to Discharge and hope som of you will be down to Recieve y r part of the Cargo. I am y r H ble Ser 1 Jos. Frost. To Mefseurs Folsom Gilman Gilman & Frost March 18 in Piscataqua. 116 Samuel P. Savage to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston Feby 19. 1766.— I find a Ballance on my Office Books due to you of £37.15.5y 2 . I also find a Note paid N— Wheelwright Esq 1- for money borrow d of him for you for £50 odd I should be obligd when you come to Town the same may be fettled. — I have for some time past left the Town and have sat down on a small Farm in Weston, where if I can spend my few rem g y rs in Peace detatchd from Buftle & Noise shall esteem myself happy. — I meet with vast Difficulty in fetled my Office Accts — and was it not for the kind- nefs of my worthy Friend M r Bafs — could scarce expect to bring them to a Clofe. My kind respects to M rs Gilman I am with Esteem d r Sirs Yr Frd & Ser 1 S. P. Savage Judge Joseph Gilman From a silhouette IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 121 117 Capt. Robert H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman, Ex- eter, N. H. ■ Gentlemen, 1 take this opportunity to acquaint you of my proceed- ings. I ariv d hear the 29 th of Last month, but could not get my Vefsl up the River untill the 4 th Ins 1 by reason of its being the dead of the Nip — have now got about half my Cargo on Shoure, and expect the rest of it there in 3 or 4 days. I believe the price of Lumber to be about four pound fiveteen Shillings p r Tho d . — I can not at preasent tell weather the Brigg will be Sold or not, there is all- most as many Brooms, at the Ships mast heads, 1 as there is Ships at the Quay ; If she should not be sold I soppose Mr James will put her up for Boston, & the Piscataqua; and I hope, we shall get away by the first of October, hope I shall be able to give you a more particular ac- count, by [the] Nex opportunity, which will be in about ten days, by Cap 1 Welch to Boston. From Your humble Serv 1 Rob 1 Hale Ives. Bristol 2 August y e 8 th — 1766 — 118 Capt. Robert H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman, Ex- eter, N. H. Gentlemen Finding the Brigg would not sell, we this day put her up for Boston and Piscataqua, but at present can not tell which. I shall go to first, M r James tells me that he shall put on Board 60 or 70 Tuns of Salt and if he Can, will fill the rest up with dry goods, Freight is an Article verry hard to come at here, as their is so many Vefsels waiting for it — I hope if you are providing another Cargo of Lumber, you will take Care not to have it exceed 12 Inches wide, for you not only save the Bounty but it best i A broom at the masthead meant that the ship was for sale. 2 Bristol, England. 122 A FAMILY HISTORY answers the Markett, — hope we shall be able to Sail from here by the Last of September — meine time Shall make all the dispatch in my Power — I Conclude Your Most hum Ser 1 — Rob' Hale Ives Bristol Aug 1 23 d — 1766 To B e fh 2.16 Mefseu rs : Folsom Gilman & Gilman Merch ts at Exeter Newhamshire P r favour Cap Welch Via Boston 119 Capt. Robert H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman, Gilman & Frost, Exeter, N. H. Bristol Sep 1 y e 26 th 1766. Gentlemen In my Last by Cap 1 Welch I inform 3 you of my takeing freight for Boston and Piscataqua, and expected to Sail the last of September but have been disapointed by rea- son of the Nails, which I was to take, was not made : I,ve got on board eighty tuns of corse Salt, which I thought might answer your end better; than fine Salt or Coales and about 10 or 12 Tuns of goods on Board, & shall get the rest on Board as soon as pofsible. but am afraid, not before the 10 th of next Month and then shall proceed im- mediately for Boston — Lumber goes off verry slow, as there is great quantity imported lately from Norway — Your Cargo has the name of the best that has ever been imported from North America — I hope the next account you have from your Brigg 1 will be by Your humble Servant Rob 1 Hale Ives. N. B. No Vefsels arived from Boston or Piscataqua since I have been here. IN LETTEKS AND DOCUMENTS 123 120 Elias Ladd to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman, Exeter, N. H. octo durham — 1 st — 1766 Mager Folsom & gilmans gentlemen I think not to bring the beef to Exeter that I talkt ofe sence I understand that cash bares the quickest market so I have sold the oxen and am to have the money in twenty days the man is very sponceble I think so as soon as I geet it I will com & bring it — & you shall have that at the market price So I depends upon seing you paid hansumly before my note is a year old — gentlemen your humble servent Elias Ladd To Mayger folsom or Either of his partners at Exeter 121 Capt. Robert H. Ives to Folsom, Gilman & Gilman, Ex- eter, N. H. Boston, Dec. y e 20 th 1766. Gentlemen I Receiv d yours of the 15 th Wednsday Last wherin you advise me to proceed immediatly to Portsmouth I did not understand by you weather you ment to have your Salt Sold here or not but I think it can not Answer at Piscataqua, have Sold about 15 hh at 12 s / but Shall not get more than 10 s / for the Rest. For the sale of Dispatch I shall Sell all to 100 hh this day which I shall reserve for Ballast. I shall take care to imbrace the first favorable oppor- tunity to get round to Portsmouth as the wheather is verry uncerten Your hum 6 Ser 1 R. Hale Ives. 122 Col. Robert Hale died at Beverly, March 20, 1767, after 124 A FAMILY HISTORY a lingering illness, aged sixty-five. He left an estate amounting to £2,452. old tenor. The annuity to his widow of £16 must have absorbed almost all of it. His daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Ives, died a few months later, October 18, 1767, aged forty-two. His widow survived him twenty-eight years and lived in Boston. Joseph Gilman to Capt. Robert H. Ives, Beverly, Mass. Exeter 24 March 1769 Dear Brother Your not settling & paying off your Sisters part of your Grandfathers Estate has been a great damage to me. You may remember when you were here last Spring, I told you I owed money in Boston & depended on paying it out of what I received of you, as Executor to the Estate. On your afsurance you would speedily Settle the Estate and pay me your Sisters part, I engaged the money to be paid foon — not doubting I shou'd receive it of you; I waited fometime and then took a journey to Beverly on purpose but you were gone to Boston before I arrived. I see by the Boston Paper you are enter 'd from the West Indies. I hope you have had a profperous Voyage and that you and Family are well — fhou'd be glad of a Line from you, in which you will let me know when it will fuit to finish our affairs, or when I shall see you at Bev- erly to fettle them — I am your Sincere Friend & Brother P. S. Your Sisters Love to you Joseph Gilman & mine to sifter 123 Nicholas Pike to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. York 27 th May 1769 My dear Couzins — This accompanies the Books you lent me last Fall, for the Loan of which am greatly oblig'd to you — since my last, have been very poorly, occafion'd I suppose by my IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 125 Schools, which for five Months, were from 9 o 'Clock A M. to the same Hour P M. — But why do I give you so par- ticular an Account of my own Concerns, when you deign neither to enquire after them nor even to acquaint me of your own Welfare? However this Difference between us, I will own, that I am under Obligations to you, which you are not to me — & therefore am far from thinking your Neglect will exculpate mine — last Week had the Melancholly News of Couzin Sammy's Death, & wish it may have a suitable Effect on us all — A Line, but more efpecially a Visit from you wou'd chear the Heart of your cordial Friend & Affectionate Couzin Nich° Pike x M rs Pike begs the Acceptance of her best Regards — Joseph Gilman 's public career began with the pre-Rev- olutionary excitements, into which he threw himself with ardor. It is rather noteworthy that he did not sign the engagement to suppress disorder caused by the "in- famous Stamp Act," which was signed by most of his family, including Col. Peter Gilman. On March 25, 1770, there was a town meeting at which a petition was pre- sented on the subject of encouraging home manufactures and discountenancing importation of foreign goods, especially tea. A committee was chosen consisting of Nathaniel Folsom, John Phillips, Nicholas Gilman, Sam- uel Folsom, Joseph Gilman and Enoch Poor to inquire of the representatives "what legal and constitutional measures have been taken by the General Assembly of this province for the redress of our grievances . . . and if any measures be advisable, to give their Repre- i Son of Rev. Nicholas Gilman 's younger sister, Sarah, who married in 1730, Rev. James Pike, of Somersworth, N. H. Nicholas Pike published, in 1788, a "New and Complete System of Arithmetick. ' ' 126 A FAMILY HISTORY sentatives Instructions to be by them observed at their next session." The committee 's report to Exeter was that the General Assembly had authorized the preparation of a letter to be signed by their speaker and to be presented to the king by their agent in England. The speaker, Col. Peter Gilman, had refused to sign it, as it did not express his personal views. The town therefore instructed their representatives to see that such a letter was signed and sent at once. Col. Peter Gilman signed the second one that was brought to him, but it is thought that his loyal- ist views did not change, for in 1771 he ceased to be a member of the Assembly. At the time of the following letter, Joseph Gilman had been married about eight years and had one son, Benja- min Ives Gilman, born in 1766. Mrs. Gilman 's brother, Capt. Robert H. Ives, was married in the same year to Sarah Bray of Salem. They had four children : Eliza- beth, who later married Thomas Bancroft; Thomas Poynton, who married Hope Brown; and Charlotte and Robert Hale, who both died unmarried. The "brother of Mr. Gilman" mentioned below was Rev. Tristram Gilman, who had been settled over the church at North Yarmouth, Me., since 1769. He was one of the first trustees of Bowdoin College. "Aunt Lee" was Elizabeth Ives, aunt of Mrs. Joseph Gilman, who married (1) Richard Lee, of Salem. The visit of the royal governor, Sir John Wentworth, in 1722, which Mrs. Gilman writes about, must have been somewhat embarrassing to the officers who were training their men in anticipation of possible difficulties with the home government. It is said that Col. Peter Gilman added a new front to his house in order to entertain the governor suitably. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 127 124 Mrs. Joseph Gilman to Capt. Robert H. Ives, Beverly, Mass. Exeter Oct to thlO l 1772 — Dear Brother I have not had an oper 1 to write Since I Received your Last kind Letter of invitation, it is Needlefs to tell you that I was Greatly Difsapointed in not going at the ap- pointed time you my Dear Brother that know how fond I am of visiting my native place & Relations will Easily Conceive of it, We all made Great Dependence upon go- ing, but Every thing Conspired to prevent us, I think I never Saw Brother Josiah So set upon going any where Since I knew him. I Suppose it was partly oweing to his being a Brother officer it is Natural you know for people of the same profefsion to have a peculear Sim- pathatic Regard for Each other, we were full of Company at Both houses m r Gilmans Brother was up which was a principal hinderance he Lives at Such a distance that it is verry Seldom he can visit us & they thot he would be Troubl d if they went out of town when he was here & m r Pike & wife was here m r Gilmans only Aunt & another minister & wife Daughter to mrs Pike so that we Could not Leave home with any propriety Coll Folsom did not wont inclination but he was just Return 'd from a Fatigu- ing journey to Coos however I belive if Either of the Brothers his partners Could have gone you would have seen him at Beverly upon so agreable an occasion, you Cant amagin how pleas 'd they are with your having a Comifsion. I Cant Conceive what the reason is, unlefs it is because they are so Excefsive fond of millitary af- fairs that they are Glad to hear of its prosperity any where & think that you will be a means of Reviveing there Beloved art in a place where it was almost Extinct. I hope my Dear Brother will Excuse my Dwelling so Long upon one Subject our Sex you men say is given to pro- lixity & I freely Confefs your sister is one instance of it however my Dear I am in a hurry as I always am when I write, & have not time to put my Ideas in so few words as I Should be Glad to both for your Ease & my own 128 A FAMILY HISTORY Sattif action — I had a verry agreable visit from our aunt Lee this summer, it Refreshed my Spiritses more than I can exprefs, I was in a poor state of health but the unexpected Sight of her & Polly Really made me forget my infirmitys — if I had Time I would Divert you & Sister a Little with a Detail of some things that Transpird while they were here Relative to parson Rogers, you would have Laught if you could have seen him Apeing the Gallant, mustring up all his old Fashion Congees & Compliments that he us'd to practise forty or fifty years ago not neglecting the most triffling piece of Complysance that he thot would make him appear Sprightly & young, but you shall have the whole af air at Lareg when you & Sally Comes for Come you must my Dear Brother & Sis- ter, dont say no I cant bear a Denial your Friends here all of them are impatient to see you both here as well as I indeed my Dear I Shall hardly have Courage to go to Beverly again if Sister dont Come, I dont think She will ever be able to Leave home better than now, do pray oblige us — Come when the Governer Comes to Review the Regement perhaps there will be something to be seen that will amuse & please you at Least there cant be so much Expected here as in more populous places but they are taking Considerable pains to have there men behave properly, your Brother has been planing the Review & marshalling of them in order as they are to stand & if the officers & men get there several parts perfect they will make a very pretty appearance — Coll Folsom is to make the Entertainment for his Ex- elency & the officers & Gentlemen he is very Desirous to have you come then if you can pofsibly, but dont Let there be any ifs in the way, mr hale offers to go & wait upon you here if you will come & that will be of any ser- vice. I believe it will be the week after next & I dont know but sooner your Brother or I will write a Line & Let you know the Day the Governer has not Determined yet but they Expect it will be fixed very soon — adieu my Dear brother & Sister & accept of the affec a Regards of your Sister Rebecca Gilman P S Capt Gilman Desired the favor to write a poscript to this but he is not come & I cant waite any Longer for IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 129 him as Sammy is impatient — I cant pretend to say what he would have wrote but I can say thus much that he will be heartly Glad to see you & your Spouse at Exeter m r Gilman sends a deal of Love to you Both & the Little ones Benja Desires his Duty to uncle & Aunt & Love to Betsey & Tommy he says he dont know the other with the Strange name — 125 Rev. Tristram Gilman to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, Mass. Dear Brother North Yarm° Octo r 20. 1774.— After I had wrote to Mother I thot it might be satisfac- tory to you to know the State of your Note to me of which we were in Doubt when I was at Exeter. It is as follows, The Note is for £53„2„6 Jan. 12. 1770 The Payments are, April 2. 1771 . . 13.. 5.. 8 June 1 12. 16. May 26. 1772 At which Time I have a Receit in full from you. . . 12.. 0.. 2 Novem r 1773, Sundries 2.. 7. 11 Septenr" 1774 Sundries 4.. 3.. 6 44..13.. 3 Ball ce without Interest 8.. 9.. 3 I wrote to Mother for you not to send me more than 20 or 30 w ts of Butter if you had not already sent it, as I have a Prospect of procuring some from Amesbury. And I shoud be glad to hear from you that Jewetts Note is paid. I shoud have sent the Money by M r Chaix but thot it was not worth while as I believe Bean will now soon make out some & if you want it you may have it from Bro r Josiah. — We are in great Fears here about poor Bofton lest it be drenchd in Blood & wrapt in Flames. But we hope a kind Providence will interpose & prevent it. — I hope you & your Family are in Health. Mine & my Wif es Love to You & Sister. — I am your affectionate Brother Tristram Gilman 130 A FAMILY HISTORY 126 Col. Peter Gilman to Judge Theodore Atkinson, Ports- mouth, N. H. Hon d S r I Rec d the Sumons you Sent & should have Atended this day but being Very unwell & it being Stormey wether makes it unfafe for me to Journey today, you Pleafe to make my Excufe to his Excell cy I am your most obedient Humble Ser 1 Exeter Dec r 15 1774 Peter Gilman On His Majestys Sarvice To The Hon ble Theodore Atkinson Esq rl At Portsm 127 Samuel Folsom's Tavern is noted as the scene of Gen. Washington's stay in Exeter in 1789, when he was re- ceived by Hon. Nicholas Gilman. The "Committey" for which the following bill was incurred cannot be identified. Dr. John Giddinge married Mehetable, daughter of Col. Peter Gilman. Co 11 Hurd Doct Gigdinge Capt Emery & M r Joseph Gilman 1776 a Committey to Sam 11 Folsom Dr — January 10 To a Bole & y 2 of Punch 2/ one Bole of Cheary ll d £0. .2. .11 the 11 To Punch y 4 Cheary Toddey ll d 0. .2. . 3 the 12 To 2 Boles of Punch 2/8 d Cheary Todey 6 d Gin3 d 0..3.. 5 the 13 To Punch 2/8 d Cheary Todey ll d 0. .3. . 7 the 15 To flip & Grog 8 d the 16 To Punch & Flip 1/ 0..1.. 8 the 17 To Chearrey Todey 6 d flip 4 d Coffey for 2 l/7 d 0..2.. 5 i Royalist Chief Justice of New Hampshire. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 131 The 18 flip 4 d the 19 To Punch & Toddey 2/ the 20 Punch & Toddey 1/ 0. .3. . 4 The 22 to one Bole of Loof e Suger Todey 0..0.. 9 the 23 Punch & flip 1/ The 24 d to Punch & flip l s /8 d 2 8 25 to Punch & flip l/8 d tne*26 d to Flip & Todey 1/1* 0..2.. 9 February 14 The Committey one mug of Syder . . . . . 3 23 to Punch l/4 d March 9 d to Punch & Todey l/10 d 0..3.. 2 the 13 to Punch & Todey l/ll d the 15 to Punch & Cherey Todey 2/4 d 0. .4. . 3 the 19 to Punch l s /6 d the 28 d to Punch l/6 d ap 1 1 To Punch l/6 d 0. .4. . 6 £1.16.. 11 Exeter aprel 5 1776 Erros Excepted P r Sam el Folsom Rec d of I Emery one fhilling & Sixpence of Joseph Oilman Eleven fhillings & Tenpence d John Giddinge Esq Eleven fhillings & Tenpence Sam el Folsom After the Boston Tea-Party, January 3, 1774, a sym- pathetic meeting was held in Exeter which adopted patri- otic resolutions and appointed a committee to correspond with the other towns of New Hampshire and to prevent the sale of tea in Exeter. Joseph Gilman was one of the five members. On December 26th of the same year, he was put on the committee to see that the non-importation agreement was strictly adhered to. This must have practically ruined the business of Folsom, Gilman & Gil- man and accordingly we hear nothing more about the firm. 132 A FAMILY HISTORY 128 Joseph Gilman 's Commission as County Treasurer. State of New Hampshire In the House of Representatives Sept r 19 th 1776 Voted That Joseph Gilman of Exeter be & hereby is Appointed Treasurer for the County of Rockingham and that he be not Qualified to act in said Office untill he give bond in the Sum of Two thousand pounds with Two Sur- eties in one thousand Pounds Each, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for the use of Said County For the Faithfull Discharge of his Said Duty and Trust. P White Speaker Sent up by M r Lovewell In Council Eodem Die read & concurred E Thompson Sec y A Copy Examined by E Thompson Sec y 129 We find in the New Hampshire state papers record that Joseph Gilman served on two important committees in 1776. One, with Nicholas Gilman and Nathaniel Folsom to take care of prisoners from New York, empowered to draw upon the Treasury for £150, and the other, a com- mittee of claims, with his brother Josiah and John Taylor Gilman, who was afterwards governor of the state. Report of the Committee appointed to examine Mr. Rollins' accounts, Joseph Gilman, chairman. 1 The Committee appointed to examine M r Rollins 's Account, Beg leave to report, That the said Account as now exhibited amounting to Nineteen Hundred Eighty one Pounds, six shillings and nine pence half penny is right Cast. — They further Report, that in the Ar- ticle of 53 Blankets charged as paid Cap 1 Win- 3„12„0 throp Rowe's Company, six were supplyed by the Selectmen of Exeter. i MS. loaned by Theodore Gilman, of Yonkers, N. Y. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 133 That receipts are produc'd-for the Payment 93. 8.5 of £93.8.5 back Allowance, but it does not ap- pear what sums were due no Orders from the Commifsary being produc'd, the payment of this Money was (in our humble Opinion) the proper Businefs of the Commifsary — It ap- pears that the Hon ble Committee of Safety gave M r Rollins Orders to procure One Hun- dred Coats for those Persons who lost their Cloaths at Bunker hill — The Sum of £150.5.91 150. 5.91 paid James Hastie & others M r Rollins in- forms the Committee was for Cloth & making the above Coats, what Number was made and deliver 'd to the Soldiers does not appear. — 3. 9.0 That the Three Pounds nine shillings paid Garfield & Tapley for carting Fish & Boards from Salem there are no Vouchers for. The account of Billeting Men under Col° Reed amounting to £9.10.2 Cap 1 H. Dearborn billeting his Company £15 — Provisions de- liver 'd Cap* Wentworths Company includ g Balls, Flints & Knapsacks amounting to £24.10 — and the Provisions for Cap* Titcomb's Company amount 5 to £11.2.7 The whole being 60. 2.9 £60.2.9 are proved to be paid by M r Rollins, but it appears the Travel of these Companys are made up in the Rolls and paid by the Pay Master. — That of the six Blankets bought of M r S Hall, M r Rollins says two were delivered to Col Wyman, the other four to Soldiers un- known who lost theirs at Bunker Hill. — We find no Orders for purchasing Pouches, the Twenty six M r Rollins paid Cap* Shortridge 6.1.4 for amount 5 to £6.1.4 are made up in his Roll and the Money paid him by the Pay Master M r Hobart. 11.20.0 That, of the £11.12/. charg'd as paid Jacob Cooper Com ny ' s Clerk, a receipt is produc'd for Three Pounds only, further the Committee are of Opinion that it is properly the Commif- sary 's Businefs to pay his own Clerk — That two Orders drawn by Cap* Jonathan 134 A FAMILY HISTORY Wentworth on the Committee of Safety 1.19.0 amounting to One Pound nineteen shillings are indors'd, but it does not appear who paid them. — 16. 6.4 Cap 1 Scott to whom M r Rollins paid £16.6.4 for billeting his Company was not then in the Service of this State. 1 . 8.0 That John Fors 's receipt for Twenty eight shillings to purchase a Vice for himself, was to be deducted out of his Wages — That as the Committee of Supplies have not settled their Accounts as a Committee, we can- not ascertain what Sum belongs to each of them to account for — And that M r Rollins has given Credit for £110.10.6 receiv'd for Hides Sold. — Among M r M c Gregore's Papers we find the following memorandum in his own Hand writing — Viz "Ichabod Rollins Esq r receiv'd of Ebenezer 127.17.1 Hall £127.17-1 on the 18 th September for 110.10.6 Hides.— In behalf of the Committee 17 . 6.7 Joseph Gilman Chairman Exeter 26th March 1777 130 Elijah Hall to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Letter 2 Portsmouth Newhampshire July 18 1777 Sir you will Consider the Consequence of Erecting a works which will a mount to Near two thousand Lawful with out a Suincent quantity of iron mine to Carey the workes on for fix or feven yeares I Cannot think it worth while to Set it up at that Plase for the land Carrig Being So grate & it will be Imposible to Supply the Iron mines By water Carrag. Nither of the mines that you fent down By Mr Hacket are Rich the one of them will anser which you Say is in a Spruse Swomp the other will Be of No use as it is Nothing more then a Sort of a tarres So I will Intirely leave it with you to detarmin the matter whether to send for the Bulder or not as my time is IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 135 intirely taken up in fitting out the Ranges fir I am Your most obedent & Humble servent Elijah Hall. 131 Joseph Gilman was made justice of the peace for Rock- ingham county, June 26, 1779. Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 17 th Sept: 1779. Dear fir I have y r favor P Capt. Blodget of the 9 th Curr*. by w ch I observe you had not rec d my Letter wrote about the fame time last Week P one M r Fullerton w n I sent you a Sett of Chesterfields Letters just then come out — I have got the rest home & will send another Set by M r Blodget if he can carry them, the others first Opp°. the Difference of the bound Books are Sixteen Dollars, if you incline I can exchange a fett paying the Difference. I'm sorry to hear of the unhappy & cruel Accident in Col Sherburne's Comp a the Criminal will doubtlefs meet his Deferts — our penobscut Expedition we are all ashamed of & greatly chagrind at the Event as well as the people y r way. The General Court of this State are now fetting & have appointed a Committee as a Court of Inquiry to be held in Fanuil Hall, when Every one may have Opport y to hear the Examinations — the Commodore bares the Blame at present & is under Arrest, tis certainly a most disgraceful Affair. — I rejoyce to hear by M r Blodget that you've [rec]ov'd from y r late Indisposition, w ch M r Wells informd [me of] a few days agoe & gave me trouble to know of hope M rs Gilman holds out well, you've an excellent good Nurse in her. You & I ought to make much of so good Wives but M rs Hurd is now a little unwell, having a fmall Touch of her old Disorder, & fearful it may lay her by — tho' I hope it will work of foon, when I intend bring 6 her along as far as Exeter if she can hold out the Journey that we may have the pleasure of spend g a few hours together. Interim with our best Regards to you & M rs G. I am very cordialy y r Friend & humb e Serv*. J. Hurd 136 A FAMILY HISTORY My regards to y r Broth 1 ", M r Hale & all Friends. If I dont send the Spanish Grammer will bring it along w n I come. 132 Dr. Samuel Tenny x to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Danbury November 29 th 1779 — Dear Sir, When I inform you I am in a cold firelefs Chamber, writing on a Teatable so compleatly in Ruins, that it is with the utmost Difficulty I can, with two Knees & one Hand, keep it together, you will have a more convincing Proof of my warm Friendfhip for you & your agreable & amiable Lady, than the most specious Protestations could pofsibly afford. — Till I met with Col. Folsom, in this Place, two Days since, I had never heard from you, or a single Friend in Exeter since I parted with them. By your own Feelings on similar Occafions, you may judge of the Happinefs I enjoy 'd in hearing by him of your Welfare. Soon after I left Exeter I joind my Regiment at Rhode Ifland, found my Friends well, & have spent the Time very happily till since the Evacuation of Newport. — We are now on our Way to Head-Quarters, which is to be near Morris-town in N. Jersey. Our Unhappinefs now is that we have to build our own winter Quarters, at a Time when we ought to be in them, & after a Summer of Idlenef s & Luxury to spend the winter in Penury & Fa- tigue. — But upon every Adversity in a military Life, the Frenchman says, "C'eft la Fortune de Guerre", & makes himf elf easy ; — & I know of no better Way than to imi- tate him. — He is certainly happy who is contented with his Situation. — Had the British Army, & consequently our Regiment, continued at Rhode Ifland, I pleas 'd myself with the Thoughts of spending some Part of the Winter with my Friends at Exeter & elsewhere — but now the Distance will be so greatly encreas 'd, that I am uncertain whether 1 Dr. Tenny, of Exeter, a surgeon in the Revolutionary Army, married Abigail Gilman, daughter of Samuel Gilman, Jr., and his second wife, Lydia Robinson, widow of Col. Zebulon Giddinge. This Col. Giddinge was a brother of the Dr. John Giddinge associated with the rest in the Tavern bill above. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 137 so much Happinefs will fall to my Share. But be that as it may, neither Distance nor Time will ever be able to efface or diminifh thofe warm Sentiments of Respect & Esteem with which I have the Honor to be, my Dear Sir, yours & M rs Oilman's very sincere Friend, & moft obed 1 Serv 1 Sam 1 Tenny P. S. A Line or two from you directed to Col. Scammel's Quarters will not fail of coming safe to Hand, or of af- fording me the highef t Satisfaction. — My bef t Respects are presentd to all Friends — 133 Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 13 th April 1780. Dear Sir I have not yet had the pleasure to see y r Friend Mr Fouquet — y r Letter to him still lyes by me — I enquir'd for him at Mons r Duplifis in our Neighborhood on my first coming into Town, & was told he had gone a Journey to New London w ch is a little unlucky. I have by me ready to send you by first Opp° Buchan's family Physi- cian & a Couple fmall tooth Ivory Combs agreeable to M rs Gilman 's desire, Cost as at foot, £30 w ch you'll please to answer for me to M r Secretary Thompson as Master Pearson can inform may be requisite, and let our Friend Mr Eliph* Hale know I have bou 1 his Bandanna Hand- kerchief that shall be sent along with y r Things. pray my kindest Compliments to M rs Gilman & am with great regard Y r most humb e Serv* J: Hurd. Cost of Buchan's Fam. Phys n £18— 2 fine tooth Ivory Comb s 12 £30— 134 I. Wells to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 10 th July 1780 Dear fir as Major Gains is going your way thought I would 138 A FAMILY HISTORY write a few lines to Inform you that I got home faf e, and have eat and Drank my allowance evry day — I dont mean Hastapuding — but something sollid, & half a bottle Porter a Day — the Journey your way Has done me so much Good I believe I shall pay you another Vifit before fall — I have laid out some of your Money for a bb Rice & some Coffee y e Rice @ 120£ Coffee 66/ P lb 50 lb y e re- mainder I shall Endeaver to lay out with somebody that I find wants y e Money Most, & Ship them y e first opp y to Colo" Wentworth — Major Gains Can Inform you about News &c — M rs Wells sends her love to M rs Gilman and says she longs to see her, & says if I go without her you Must turn me out — so uppon y e Whole I dont see but I must — my regards to all Friends &c &c and am with Re- gard Your Fren d I Wells IPS I shant write by Colo" Hurd unlefs something turns up More than I Know of at prefent — 135 We have not found the date when Joseph Gilman was put on the New Hampshire Board of War or the Com- mittee of Safety. Capt. Henry Dearborn to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Camp Octob r 12 th 1780 Sir/ if you can procure good cloath and trimmens for a coat soon & deliver it to Mr s Dearborn you will oblige me, — how comes on the orrange trees, pleas to make my com- pliments to Mr s Gilman — I am Sir your most obed 4 & very Hum 6 Serv* H. Dearborn. 1 136 J. Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. D r Sir. Friend Clifford is in Town & will take my hhd Sugar i Capt. Dearborn was in Col. Stark 's N. H. Regiment. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 139 on Fryday Therefore if you have not Engaged a teem keep it for him — In haste am Y rs J. Wentworth Jan y 2 a 1781 — 137 State New Ham p shire. In Com tee of Safety. 1 Feb y 17th 1781. Sir The a/cs which this State has ag 81 the United States for transportation the year past (furnished by the Board of War & now to be settled with M r Emery) you 11 please to make out in your own name & take his obligation as A.D.Q.master for payment. 138 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Portsm Feb y 20 th 1781.— Dear fir. I am stil confined to my Chamber, I hope soon to be out — In the Interim fear 6 M r Emery may set out for Head Q rs to settle his Commissarys businefs, and it may be necefsary for the Board to furnish him w th our Sup- plies in his Department, I inclose the Invoice of what we sent to Coos — the Waggon Matters you can furnish him with I mean the different Transportations of Powder & Rum &c a . I likewise Inclose a Certificate of M r Jaffrey 3 w ch I ment d to M r Emery to take with him & procure an order for on the Loan Office w ch he was obliging eno. to offer to Effect if posible — please to give it him, taking his rec* for it in the name of M r Jaffrey. — Is the Treasury stil empty — sh d it be, & continue so long we must take out a Statute of Bankruptcy — I am with regard D Sir y r very h e serv 1 Josh Wentworth 2 i Provincial 4" State Papers, N. H., x, 534. 2 Joshua Wentworth was a cousin of the Eoyalist governor, Sir John Wentworth, and also of Judge John Wentworth, husband of Rev. Nicholas Gilman 's sister, Joannah Gilman. Joshua Wentworth was a merchant of Portsmouth and one of the New Hampshire Board of War. 140 A FAMILY HISTORY March 30. 1781 Return* M r Jaff reys Certificate to Col Wentworth * Joseph Gilman Esq fav d P Lieut Jn° Gardner Exeter 139 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Portsm Feb y 21 st 1781 — Dear fir Your fav. of yesterday came to hand this morning — I have shewn y r Letter to M r Penhallow who thinks with me you had best execute the business ment d & are of opin- ion one may as well as the whole. — I am D. Sir Y r h ble ob Ser 4 Josh. Wentworth P. S. I wish you wou'd observe the afsortment of Goods Mefs rs Cabots have & their mode of Sale w th price & let me know on your return. Y rs W 140 Jedidiah Jewett to the N. H. Board of War. Camp New Hampshire Village April 4 th 1781. Gent n Inclosed you will find a Memorandum of all the Goods found in Store belonging to the State, all the Articles that I could find the price of, is marked againft the Ar- ticle. I should be glad to have the price of all sent, as I am not certain those marked, are Right. The articles of Clothing most wanted are, Shirts, frocks, Overalls & Shoes, the last of which is always wanted, & always will be, untill better can be had for them, a great part of those drawn from Continental Store, will not laft more than a week, before they are all to pieces — a Soldier very much wants two Shirts, two frocks, & two p r Over- alls at a time, & then they would keep them clean, which i This line is a notation by Joseph GiiiMAN. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 141 would make them last much Longer, then they now do, for now many of them will wear their Shirt untill it is so dirty, it wafhes to pieces very eafy and last them but a very short time, when you know the number of Recruits Raised, and the Situation of their Cloath, you will be much better able to Judge of the Number of Shirts &c wanted, then I at present can be — Rum, Sugar, & tea Coffee or Chocolat, is much wanted by the officers, & Never more Necefsary than in the Spring & Summer Sea- son — I w i s h for some paper to be sent by the first Con- veyance, as it is with great Difficulty I can git enough to write a Letter on — the Soldiers in General want nothing but to be well fed, Cloathed and paid their wages, in small Sums, & often, to be very easy — Gratuities they think nothing of, while they sopofe they have a debt due them, many at the time they are receiving a gratuity will say, damn their gratuities, let them pay us what they owe us, & we want no more. I have paid Fifteen dollars to each Soldier as a gratuity & Shall (Unless ordered to the Con- trary) pay the remainder of the money on Account, then the State can Charge them with it, or not, as they Please. The Mafsachusets has given their Soldiers nine Hard Dol s each, with a promise of Fifteen more to be sent them soon. The other two New England States have given none but pay a small Sum, which Seems to be thought by the officers of all the States to be much the best way. and appears to give equil satiffaction to the Soldier. Pro- vifions have been plenty & Good, the winter paft, & the army remarkably Healthy. There is nothing new here, more than you have undoubtedly before this time had in the public papers. I am Gentlemen Your Most obedient Hmble Ser\ Jedidiah Jewett. To the Hon ble the Board of War New Hampshire War Office. 1 Received April 16 th 1781. with the Return of Clothing left by Major Bafs. i This line and the two following are notations by the war office. 142 A FAMILY HISTORY 141 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Portsm April 11 1781 Dear Sir I rec d your fav r of this day P D. Nichole, I shall be up for the money fryday morning. — and as it is most prob- able the purchase will be made beyond Newbury, shall postpone set g off 'til monday as going sooner will not fave time to advantage I am D Sir y r very h e Serv 1 Josh. Wentworth The Alexander, Cap Simpson return 3 this morning from her Cruize, has not taken any Vef sel no other news 142 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Portsm Ap 1 23 d 1781 — Dear Sir I have set the Taylors to work to make the Cloaths w cb are to be finish 'd wednef day night, sh d be glad you woud send down one of our Waggoners w th a horse & the bag I bo' at Cape Ann on Thursday Morning to take them up. — I have supplied Capt Robinson w th a Coat Cloth & f ace- ing — w ch is all we can pofsibly furnish him, indeed he is contented, except we cou'd get Lining of Shalloon, w ch I will try to do, — I have obtain 'd the fav r of Cap Robinson to take up 5% yds white Cloth w ch he will deliver you — remain D Sir y rs Jos Wentworth Inclosd is the paper of to day I send it for your goverment in the advertizement for the Offices 143 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. D'Sir I send by Hector 20 p r Stockings & 10 small fhirts w ch IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 143 I bo 1 ready made cheap, they will do for Lads, to morrow, shall have about 30 large fhirts, Stockings Coats & Waistcoats, sh d be glad the horse may be here early as posible, — shall be obliged you wou'd take off what is Lieut. Jn° Gardners Wages as Lieut 1 to Jewell & Adjutant to the Col Bartlets Reg 1 & send me the two sums down tomor- row — I shall have Cloth for a few more Coats than I send to morrow, w ch cou'd not be finish 'd in time w ch will send soon as made — In haste am D. Sir Y rs J. Wentworth P S. the reason of send s the articles ment Q above by Hector, was his offer to carrie them & the Cloaths here will fill the Bag I ment Q in mine P Capt Robinson to be sent down 144 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. D r Sir,/ Lieut Merrow is the Officer we promised 4 fhirts toe, & suite Cloaths, sh d be glad you wou'd furnish him Y r h e Serv 1 Portsm Ap 1 25, 1781 — Josh Wentworth for self & M r President 145 J. Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. War Office Portsm Ap 1 26. 1781 D. Sir At foot you have Ace 1 of the Cloathing P Nich ls Nichols, more Shirts & Coats are now making w ch will send soon as finish 'd remain Y r J. Wentworth 38 P r yarn hose 41 Shirts 16 Coats 16 Waistcoats 144 A FAMILY HISTORY 146 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Portsm April 28 l 1781 — D r Sir. Inclos'd are a bundle & Letter P post yesterday. — also two discharges for 6 m os men w ch you will Note — I have agreed w th a Man belonging to Newbury for 150 p r mooskin Breaches at £75 to be inspected & those we disaprove off to turn bye — pay half in a State Note half Cash — they are to be at Exeter next Thursday, when I will be up — I am D. Sir y rs Josh. Wentworth 147 J. Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. D r Sir Your fav r of this day P fifer Odiorne rec d . we have no Cloth on hand a number of Coats are made & will be sent up first opp ty . — no Cloth to be purchas'd in Town of such Quality nor indeed any blue, if any sh d come will buy eno. for 6 suites you mention & send to Exeter as the mode of making wont suite the Non. Commifsion'd Officers they say with respect to Dowlas, 1 we cannot buy any 'til our Commifsion is out for the Commifsion'd Officers, fearing Cash wont hold out. — We have purchas'd Cotton & Lin- nen, & the Other Cloathing to am 1 of our finances, 'til the Officers money cannot be Invested, as you are sencible they will expect their suites agreeable to Col Dear- bourn's solicitation to the Court & their order in Conse- quence — remain D Sir Y rs J. Wentworth Portsm Ap 1 28, 1781 — 148 The N. H. Board of War to Jedidiah Jewett by Joseph Gilman. War Office Exeter 23 d May 1781 — Your Letter of April 4th came duely to hand, inclosing a 1 A strong and coarse linen. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 145 Return of what Clothing you found in Store, some of the Articles you say were not mark'd (the Copies of Invoices of those Articles being at the Office in Portsmouth pre- vents our sending the prices by this Opp° but will send them by the next party who will march in a few days — This incloses an Invoice of a Cask Coffee & one ditto Sugar, and such Articles of Clothing we were able to pur- chase, for the Officers, Amt £. 313.4.7. in delivering which you will observe the Instruct" you have already rec d from us. The other Articles you mention shall be sent on as soon as the Court supply us with the means & the Articles can be purchased. We are Sir Y r hum ble Serv ts J Gilman In behalf of the Copy to be fent to Portsm Board of War. 149 Col. Scammel to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. 1 June 9 1781 "I am confident you have not been wanting in your exertions for us. Our foldiers — poor fellows I feel dif- trefsed for them beyond defcription — they are ragged, very ragged but a fmall degree removed from ftark- nakednef s. I would suppofe that our brother citizens are doing everything in their power for us, while we are en- joying Continental fare in the field. Their political fal- vation depends on a good army well found. I fhudder at the profpect of the enfuing campaign, not from fear of the enemy, but from apprehenfions of ftarvation. The fupplies are fo very precarious that the Commander-in Chief cannot lay a fingle plan, or commence a fingle operation, for want of the necefsary fupplies. What a pity that our great and good General fhould be cramped in his operations, which, perhaps, if well feconded, might this campaign be decifive ! I wright this part only for your ftanch Whigg friends. I don't wifh the Tories might know the circumftances, leaft they fhould triumph. Make ufe of it as a Spurr to our Afsembly as many of them as you can truf t. ' ' 1 Gilman Genealogy, 89. 146 A FAMILY HISTORY a\ The refinement of our Commander-in-Chief's ma- noeuvres & movements eludes the army and I prefume of the enemy. But what fhall we do with our money? The new emifsion has fhared the fame fate as the old, and puts me in mind of the funeral procefsion at New Haven on the firft news of the new emifsion being ifsued. They buried a quantity of old bills, and fixed a new bill on the grave-ftone, with this Infcription wrote upon it — Be ye alfo ready." 150 Joshua Wentworth to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Portsm Oct 6. 1781.— D r Sir Only 60 flints remain 'd on hand of the States — Col Langdon having a Q ty belong 2 to the Continent, supply 'd 1000, w th answers for the number you wrote for — No further news here from the Southward, — remain D. Sir y r m° h e Serv' Josh. Wentworth 151 The N. H. Committee of Safety to Hon. Samuel Hunt, Charlestown, Mass. Exeter Octo 7. 1781 — Sir By Order of the Hon ble Committee of Safety for This State, I have sent a quantity of Military Stores, directed for you — an Invoice of which is herewith inclosed, also a Receipt for the fame, which you will please to sign & deliver to the bearer Dudley Nicolle, one of our Wag- goners — I have the honor to be with great Esteem Your most hum Serv 1 Jos. Gilman Joseph Gilman served on a committee with his brother Josiah and Mr. Ephraim Robinson, to consider the depre- ciation of wages of officers and soldiers belonging to the New Hampshire line of the army of 1780 and 1781. This IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 147 appointment was made on January 18, 1782, and in Sep- tember of the same year, he was made judge of probate during the absence of Phillips White at Congress. 152 Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 5 th June 1782 Dear Sir I had the pleasure of y r Letter of 2 d Inst P Col Fol- som — am obligd by y r Care of forward 5 my Friend's Let- ter fome time agoe to Capt Sullivan, & send s the Deed by Major Hodgdon with the Money for record g if any far- ther Expence, you'll please to let me know & shoud be glad to have the Deed returnd by fome f af e Hand if you can get it from the Recorder Capt Waldron who I heard fome time agon had been very fick. I recollect fomething about the Bur Mill ftones I be- lieve M r Fisher sent for intend 5 them for his Mills at Coho 'os, but afterwards releasd them to Gov r Wentworth. what the Sterl s Cost was I dont remember, cant think it coud be so high as £50 St g . I have this day made Inquiry of Some N. York Gentlemen who formerly imported fuch — they say the Cost was fome where between 15 & 20 Guineas, & that they were sold for about 40 or £50 York Curr y — tis not likely they woud sell in this Town, how- ever I will enquire further & inform you if any Encour- agem* foon. Pray my respectful Complim 13 to M rs Gilman whom I am very glad is in fo good health, with kind regards to Mast r Ben, thank them for their kind Enquiry about my Son Jacky who I heard very lately was as hearty & well as I coud expect him to be, & hope will hold out fo for another Campaign. Jacob has been at Coho'os from the time he left you last Spring — heard from him about a fortnight past — he has great patience & resolution to tarry there so long at hard Fare & Labour — but hope it may be for his future Benefit, to bare the Yoke in his Youth — have you at Exeter any late Advices from Con- gref s respecting the State of Vermont, & are our Western Counties like ever to return into regular legal order. I 148 A FAMILY HISTORY wish to hear fome authentic account — a few lines from you to the purpose will much oblige D r Sir Your real Friend & most hum 6 Serv 1 Jn° Hurd. pray my regards to our Friend M r Hale — I wish to fee him in Town that I may discharge a fmall obligation am under to him. Remember me too, if you please, to y r Broth 1 " Capt Gilman and our Friend — I left feveral Town Charters with Master Pearson to be recorded. Be so kind to take them into y r Care till I can send for them. 153 M. Hodge to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Newburyport, 28 July 1782. Sir I have a quantity of y r States New Emif sion Money by me to the am 1 of 600 Dollars, which I could wish to be well rid off, therefore would kindly thank you for your advise, whether to wait for its redemption or to Ex- change it for y r states Notes, or whether its Likely the Interest will be paid on it, or what y r Legislature will determine concerning it, shall Esteem it as a favour to inform me, what measures have been taken & what in your Opinion is Likely to be taken for its Redemption M rs Hodge will have the pleasure I hope of handing this to you, & find you & M rs Gilman in as good health as it Leaves your most Obed 1 most Hbl e Serv 1 M. Hodge 154 Col. John Hurd to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 9 th Apr 1 1783. Dear Sir I have y e pleasure of y rs of y e 7 th Inst* P Gen 1 Folsom, & observe you had rec d y e papers respecting M r Olmsted's Sons Wages which y e woud be mindful of — am forry to IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 149 find that you had been in so very ill health when I wrote by Capt Jewet, w ch I had not heard of tho' I never fail to enquire after y r & M rs Gilman's Welfare w n ever I have Opp°. I pray God you may enjoy better health & sin- cerely wish you long to live happily together. I am truely grievd to hear of M r Nich 3 Gilmans Death, 1 tis a great public as well as private Lofs & many may have reason to mourn for him; nor had I heard before Gen 1 Folsom informd me, of poor M rs Gilman's Death — their Family must be much dif tref s 'd — may a kind prov- idence be their Comforter They will find, I hope, many Friends to Sympathize with them & alleviate their Troubles — pray make my Complim ts of Condolence to them. There is a time of mourning & a Time of rejoycing for us all. I have had a Share of y 6 former you know — the prospect is now changing with me, & I expect in about a Month from this to take upon me the holy Yoke of Matri- mony & once more try my Fortune in y* way — I know not whether you may have been inform 'd of it — But I have lately formd a very intimate Connection for that purpose with a Widow Lady M rs Foster * Eelict of Dr Isaac Foster late of Chariest 11 an agreeable person of good Characf & Connections, tho' so much younger than my- self by 20 y rs that f ome people think I have more Courage than Discretion But so long as the Lady is fatisfyd, no other person I think has a right to complain. — I shall be happy by & by to introduce her to y r & M rs Gilman's Ac- quaint ce — In the meantime I rest afsured of y r good Wishes for my happynefs — being with very affectionate regards D r Sir Y r Friend & H Serv 1 Jn° Hurd. pray my kind Complim ts to y r Broth r & Family, M r Hale &c &c. * you see I'm fond of y e family name i Son of the ' ' Uncle Daniel ' ' of whom Joseph had written earlier, and father of Hon. Nicholas Gilman. Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, Sr., died March 17, 1783, and her husband on April 7, of the same year. 150 A FAMILY HISTORY 155 Joseph Wood to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Beverly December 28 th 1783 Sir Yours of the 15 th of November Last I received on the 19 th and have agreeable to your Desire not Sold those articles mentioned in your Letter but Sold all the rest of the estate Exceping the y 2 a pew in the meeting House What I Sold amounts to better than £100 — I have not re- ceived but few accounts as yet — I Should have before this have Wrote to you on the Subject, but I have been verry befsey in Publick and my own Private affairs So that I have not had oppertunity to Examine the papers relative to Cap* Iveses eftate, 1 as I Should have been glad to have done. I this evening been Informd of Hectors going to Exeter tomorrow morning, the Notice being so Short I Cold not Send you the Peticulers desired in your Let- ter — as I do not So well under Stand your meaning rel- ative to my sending you an account of monies Cap* Ives received, wheather you mean monies or personal estate he received that was not Inventoryed as Col Hales estate or monies &c that was Inventoryed. I think I have found a Copy of the will and Inventory, alfo acc ts of monies and Charges paid by Cap 1 Ives alfo Some notes or bonds on hand that are Desperate and out Lawed alfo Sum receipts from your Self of personal estate received but No pe- ticilar receipts about the Negros. I Should esteam your enformation relative to any or all the foresaid Peticulers as a grate feaver and that as Soon as You Pofobly Can as I Shall waite your answer before I Send you any fur- ther Peticulers, and uppon the receipt of your Letter I will with the gratest freedom and Dispatch Comply with your most Resonable Demands and furnifh you with any acctt that is in my power your Speedey Compliance will Grately oblige your Very Humble Servet * Joseph Wood The post Knows Where I Live i Eobert Hale Ives, Mrs. Joseph Oilman 's brother, had died at sea, October 19. 1779. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 151 156 Col. John Hurd to Joseph Oilman, Exeter, N. H. Boston 27 th April 1784 Dear Sir I rec d y r favor of 3 d Inst P M r Gorham with the char- ters of Bath & Relhan 1 & am obliged by y r Care therein; I shoud have wrote you P his return but the Weather being bad for feveral days I did'nt know when he set out— am glad to find the Articles I sent you were to your mind, doubt not of your readynefs to return the fmall favor as I have great proof of y r Friendship in many respects which I fear shall never have Opp° sufficiently to retaliate either to you & M rs Gilman as I coud wish. I hope in the Course of this fummer ensuing & promise M rs Hurd that we will make a Journey into New Hampsh : to see our Friends, and twill give me great pleasure to introduce her to you & M rs Gilman at Exeter — At pres- ent M rs Hurd is confind to her Chamber, after a severe & critical time of laying in by w ch She run great hazard of her Life, but we have much fatisfaction in her having brought into y e World two pretty little pledges of our Love female Twins, w ch are healthy & like to do well & she herself fave a little extra weaknefs, in a good way of recovering her health & ftrength — I know twill give you pleasure to hear, among the rest of our Friends that we can do fuch great Things in our advanc'd years — it hap- pend that Parson Parker's Wife of this Town, brout him Twins, Boys — the fame day, (yesterday was four Weeks) w ch occasiond considerable Chit Chat, among the Ladies especially, you may therefore conclude twas pleas- ing to us — our Little Girls were Xen 'd a few days after by the Names of Catherine & Elizabeth — the first in memory of & out of respect to my late worthy & good Friend M rs Heard of London dec a : the other of my late Dear Wife — May the Children inherit y e Virtues of their predecefsors — M rs Hurd requests her kind Complim ts & Respects to you & M rs Gilman with mine & I am very truly Your affectionate Friend & most hum 6 Serv 1 John Hurd. iPelham? 152 A FAMILY HISTORY My regards to M r Ben my son Jacky desires his respects. Jacob is at Coho'os. P. S, As to the price of public Securities — they are nearly as follows — Peirce's Certificates, Imlays and other Cont 1 Commifs rs sell at 3/ 3/3 & 3/6 P pound according to y e Interest due on them, a little more or lefs. Loan Office Certificates with two years Interest due on them have been sold at 6/8 in y e pound, there feems some prospect of their rising now, as we hear Congrefs have pafsd some late resolves providing for paym 1 of the Interest — our Maf sa : State Certificates sett at 7/. they have been lately at 8/ & 9/ but the G nl Court rising without laying any new Taxes for redemption of them as expected, they have fell again & are dull fale — I think after next May fefsion of the Gen 1 Court, when its probable fomething further will be done — the ftate fecurities will rise. New Hampsh: State Securities have lately sold at 6/ I meet with them but seldom. Shoud be glad to know how they are fold in y r State & what provision for payment of the Interest — Shoud all the ftates come into a Gen 1 Impost as we have some prospect now, undoubtedly all public Securities must rise, w oh I hope will be the Case in pity to many who are great fufferers by their Depreciation. I thank you for y r Intention of recommending any of y r Friends to me in this way — I negotiate considerable Value, tho' I do not flourish away by Advertizem ts as f ome Folks do. pray my respects to Gen 1 Folsom & Fam- ily also to y r Broth 1 ", M r Hale & theirs 157 Notice of Election to the State Senate, 1785. Hampton falls, May the 18 th 1785. Sir Whereas it appears, by examining the returned Copies of the votes for Senators, that you are chosen a Senator for the County of Rockingham by a ma- jority of votes : You are therefore desired to attend at Portsmouth IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 153 on the first Wednefday in June next and take your Seat agreeably to the Constitution of this State. 5 M Weare. 158 Supply Clap to Joseph Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Portsmouth July 14 th 1786 — D r S r I have rec d all the Public Stores from Col Wentworth, and should be Obliged you would deliver the bearer, all that are in your Pofsefsion (except the Powder) with a minute of every article, he will receive them at the Store & carry them to the Gondola. — I should not think it worth while to fend the empty Casks you mention 'd — or anything else that is of no value, as it would enhance the expence & be of no benefit to the State, Your Compliance herein will very much oblige — sy P S. I suppose these Your most Ob 1 Serv* Stores will be Receipted Supply Clap for w th Col Wentworth — 159 Notice of Election as State Senator, 1787. Concord June 7 th 1787 — Sir, The General Court having elected you a Senator tor the County of Rockingham for the ensuing year, this is therefore to notify you thereof and to desire your attend- ance as soon as may be. — Jn° Sullivan, The Honorable President Joseph Gilman Esq. . Exeter. (public service) 160 Hon. Nicholas Gilman was born in 1755. He was dis- tinguished in the Revolution and was the New Hampshire commissioner to the Federal Convention that drafted the 154 A FAMILY HISTORY constitution, which was adopted September 17 and pre- sented to Congress September 20, 1787, with a letter from Gen. Washington in his capacity as president of the con- vention. Hon. Nicholas Gilman to Joseph Gilman. Philadelphia September 18th 1787 Dear Sir The important businefs of the Convention being closed, the Secretary set off this morning to prefent Congrefs with a report of their proceedings, which I hope will f oon come before the State in the manner directed ; but as fome time must necefsarily elapse before that can take place I do myself the pleasure to transmit the enclosed papers for your private fatisf action — forbearing all- comments on the plan but that it is the best that could meet the unanimous concurrence of the States in Conven- tion; — it was done by bargain & Compromise — yet — notwithstanding its imperfections, on the adoption of it depends (in my feeble Judgment) whether we shall be- come a respectable nation or a people torn to pieces by intestine commotions and rendered contemptable for ages. — Pleafe to prefent my most respectful regards to M rs Gilman — My love to my friend Tenney & Cousin Ben : of whose return I was very glad to hear — I am with the greatest Eespect D r Sir Your Most Obedient and Hon'ble Humble Servant Joseph Gilman Esq 1 " Nich : Gilman On June 12th, 1787, Joseph Gilman attended the open- ing day of the Senate, took his oath and was immediately chosen "Senior Senator" in virtue of which position he "administered the oath to the President," probably the presiding officer. He was also elected one of the five IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 155 Councillors for New Hampshire for the next year. On the 27th, Mr. Gilman was put on a committee to consider a bill "to exempt Bodies of debtors from prison when there is sufficient estate tendered to satisfy demands. ' ' x The bill was presented the next day and was enacted. On September 28th, he was appointed a commissioner to settle Continental accounts. From this time, the fall of 1787, when everything ap- peared to be going well with him, we know nothing of his affairs until we find him leaving Exeter in November, 1788, and moving with his wife and son, a young man of twenty-two, to the new settlement on the Ohio river, afterwards called Marietta, then in the North- West Ter- ritory. It seems hardly possible that the brothers, Tris- tram and Josiah, did not know beforehand of the change, but I have not been able to find any letters which explain it. It is said that the Gilmans were proud and could not endure to have their old friends in Exeter know of their changed circumstances. It is evident that financial condi- tions forced the move. The uneasiness evinced in some of the past correspondence about the new Emission money and the redemption of state securities and their conse- quent value, shows how difficult were money conditions immediately after the Revolution. It will be seen later that Joseph Gilman was a creditor of the state for advances on clothing, etc., which he had furnished to the troops and this debt and the entire col- lapse of business must have rendered his position ex- tremely hard. The family had always been a leading one in Exeter and it would be natural to suppose that they did not like to reduce their scale of living while among their old neighbors. In the Records of the Original Proceedings of the Ohio Company, edited by Archer Butler Hulbert, Professor in Marietta College, and pub- i N. E. State Papers. 156 A FAMILY HISTORY lished by the Marietta Historical Commission, light is thrown on this subject and I shall quote freely from the book. Rev. Mannasseh Cutler, pastor of the Ipswich, Mass., church (who, with Gen. Rufus Putnam, Maj. Winthrop Sargent, John Brooks and Thomas Cushing, all of Mass- achusetts, was on the original committee to draft the plan of the Ohio Company) gave his church the follow- ing reasons for his emigration: "I had suffered ex- ceedingly in y e war and after it was over, by paper money and y e high price of articles of living . . . Purchas- ing lands in a new country appeared to be y* only thing I could do to secure a living to myself, and family in that unsettled state of public affairs." 1 Probably Joseph Gilman would have said very much the same thing. After his departure for the west, the legislature passed a resolution, February 5, 1789, as follows: "Whereas Joseph Gilman, Esq r , one of the Board of War, has left this State and Joshua Wentworth & John Penhallow Esquires, the other two members are desirous of settling their accounts with the State, Therefore voted that M r Nath 11 Rogers, M r Nath 11 Peabody & M r James Sheafe or either two of them be a committee to receive their ac- counts; Examine vouchers & state the accounts & make report at their session." 2 On January 19, 1790, the ac- count of "Joseph Gilman presented to the House of Rep- resentatives by his son Benj. Ives Gilman, showed a bal- ance due Joseph Gilman £7057.12/.6d. paper money which allowing for value at time of expenditure equals £182. 18/.0. silver money." 3 The committee reported that they had carefully examined the vouchers and found them "well vouched & correctly stated & more accurately than could have been expected in so complicated a Busi- i Eecords of 0. P. Ohio Co., i, lvii. 2 N. H. State Papers. 3 Ibid. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 157 ness," 1 On January 21 another report approved for payment "cloathing account" for the year 1782 of "the Committee of Safety," and also for Mr. Gilman's "ser- vices at 6/. Pr day £89. 1/. lOd." The report was not concurred in by the Senate, although the Lower House approved it. Just how much he ever received, I cannot tell, but the last amount, £89.1/10d, was paid him on June 7, 1791. The formation of the Ohio Company is one of the most interesting events of our history. Prof. Hulbert says of it: ". . . it was not a typical land company formed primarily for speculation, but rather the New England element of the Continental Line attempting to secure its due by assuming the guise of a land company to which Congress could make its first sale of western land under the excuse that the national debt was being paid." 2 "As an agent of good government, as a pioneer influence holding out its hand to the humble and the unfortunate, as the representative of the Government in time of horror and disaster, as an exponent of brother- hood, as the advocate of justice and righteousness and civic pride, the relationship of the Ohio Company of As- sociates to the first men and women of Ohio was uniquely unselfish and thoroughly American. No land Company in America can match its record as a public servant in laying the foundation of an American State." 3 "Were the records extant, it would probably prove that the real springs of action . . . would be found to be in the military and Masonic associations which bound these rev- olutionary officers together ; these ties extending beyond state boundaries, included officers from nearly all ad- jacent commonwealths." 4 It will interest us to see how i.2V. E. State Papers. 2 Bee. 0. P. 0. Co., i, xlviii. 3 Ibid., cii. 4 Ibid., xl. 158 A FAMILY HISTORY these words of Prof. Hulbert's are illustrated by our letters. Joseph Gilman was not an incorporator of the com- pany. He arrived in Marietta a year after its establish- ment and his name does not even appear on the list of shareholders, although his son, Benj. Ives, was later a member of the Council and owned two shares. He, how- ever, took a principal part in the affairs of the colony at once and became an important citizen. This is evident from the records and we can read much of his character in the impression made by him on the little community. He was put on a committee to meet the governor, Gen. Arthur St. Clair and to "inform him of the House pre- pared for him & request his acceptance thereof;" 1 on another to ascertain the value of clearing city(?) lots and the "Ultimate Grand Division of Lands;" 2 and with Dudley Woodbridge and Elijah Backus to address the ' ' Court of General Sessions of the Peace of Washington Co. on our present defenceless situation & report." 3 He offered to build a Block House (familiar to him from the one in Exeter owned by his grandfather) "on the lands granted for the use of Fort Harmar and not otherwise appropriated ' ' 4 and he was put on a committee to lease the public squares and ornament them, planting Marie Antoinette square with mulberry, elm, honey locust, weep- ing willows, etc. The work he had done so many years before with Mas- ter Leach was useful now, for we read, November 17, 1794, "Joseph Gilman Esquire one of the Committee ap- pointed by the Agents of the Ohio Company to make a plan of the Purchase & Rufus Putnam Esquire Superin- tendent of surveys, Reported to the board the following i Bee. O. P. O. Co., ii, 126. ^ Ibid., ii, 23. 3 Ibid., 71. * ma., i2i. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 159 state of facts (Viz) That agreeably to Judge Gilman's Calculation of the Meanders of the Ohio River alowing for the Sphereal figure of the earth or the difference of Miles, making a Degree of Longitude in each paralel of Latitude, The Ohio Companies purchase of seven Hun- dred and fifty thousand Acres aught to extend on the next boundary of the seventh Range of townships, North from the Ohio, . . . That Judge Gilmans Calculation was very Minute he having formed tables adapted to give the smallest proportion of variation, while General Put- nams Calculation were made from a mean proportion applied Generally to all the Meanders of the Ohio River — Whereupon Resolved that Judge Gilmans Calculation shall be taken. ' ' * The scene of these letters now changes to Marietta. At the time of Joseph Gilman's departure for the North- West Territory there were still living of his family, his mother, Mrs. Nicholas Gilman, who died February 22, 1789, aged seventy-six; his old cousin, Col. Peter, who died December 1, 1788, aged eighty-five; and his two brothers, Tristram and Josiah, who lived until 1809 and 1801, respectively. 161 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman. 2 Marietta 11 th May 1789. Dear Sir 1 embrace the first Opportunity to thank you for your kindnefs in forwarding Doct r Tennys Letter, which I found on my arrival here the 8 th Ult°. It was so late in the feason, when we arrived at the Youghegany River being the 22 d November, and took fo long to build a Boat, that we were Oblig'd to fpend the Winter there, we were lucky enough to procure one of the best Cabbins in the i Bee. 0. P. Co., ii, 229. 2 The Congress of the United States, of which Nicholas Gilman was a member, met in New York, April 4, 1789, for their first session. 160 A FAMILY HISTORY Settlement, it was tight & warm, and fufficiently large to accommodate the whole Family Seven in number. — M rs G. bore the fatigues of the Journey remarkably well, and the whole family have enjoyd almost uninterrupted health fince we left Exeter. — I fincerely congratulate you on the New Government's taking effect, and that you are a member of it. Your fituation affords you the earliest intelligence from every quarter, and there being so many persons now at N w York who have been in this Country you will form a much better Idea of it from their infor- mation, than is in my power to give you from the little time I have been here ; all that I can fay at present is that my expections tho' rais'd, are fully satisfied. Several fettlements have been begun, one about 15 Miles from the City up Duck Creek, two or three up the Muskingum, and one about 12 Miles down the Ohio, this last is carried on with great fpirit. 2 good Block houses and many dwell- ing Houses are already erected, and considerable ground Cleared — You will doubtlefs have heard before this reaches you of the murder of one man at this Settlement Cap 1 King from Newport a man much esteemed here, his lot was the lowest in the Settlement and imprudently on the 30 th April he went to work alone % mile distant from his Mefsmates, was found murdered, fcalpd and ftripped to his Shirt in the Afternoon but one track could be dis- coverd & this a Moggasin one, but here moggasins are worn by whites as well as Indians, from many circum- stances, it seems far from certain that the murder was committed by Indians. The furveyors were out in differ- ent quarters at the time but faw no marks of Indians, should no further mischief take place soon, Gent" here who seem best acquainted with Indians & their manners, fay, they shall be at no lof s but the murder was committed by some Vilain of a hunter. This is certainly a most delightful Country and feems destind in time to be a very great one — I doubt not it will be among the first Objects attended to by the New Government. Judge Parsons arrived here on Saturday last, he informs that Governor S l Clair, waits for the Arrangement of matters before he fets out for this place. It is a matter of delicacy with me, and what I should by no means attempt, was not I afsured by One of the first IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 161 Characters here, there was no impropriety in foliciting our friends in Goverment for such Offices as they may judge us capable of filling, whether or not this may be the case respecting the Office now vacant by the Death of General Varnum and your humble Servant, is left entire- ly with you, all that I shall say further on the fubject is, I fhould not thought of it, had it not been fuggested by the Gent" alluded to above. I am to fet out this morning in Company with a party from the Garrison to take a View of the land 30 or 40 miles down the Ohio. On my return I shall be better Able to give you some particular Account of the Country than I am at present. M rs G & Son send you their best Wishes. Please to make my Compt s to Gen 1 Members from N w Hamps e . I am with great esteem Your Affect te Friend & Hum bIe Servant Joseph Gilman. 162 Before Benj. Ives Gilman went west with his parents he had fallen in love with Hannah Robbins, the pretty step-granddaughter of his father's cousin, Col. Peter Gil- man. There used to be a window-pane in the Gilman Garrison House on which Hannah had scratched with a diamond : "Hon ble Peter Gilman Esq r and M rs Jane Prince were married Sep 1 1761 Chandler Robbins and Jane Prince were married October 1761 Thomas Cary and Deborah Prince were married Sept. 1783 Hannah Robbins Apl 9 th 1788" Col. Peter Gilman, as we have said, died in December, 1788, and thenceforward his widow spent her time be- tween the homes of her two daughters, Mrs. Chandler Robbins of Plymouth and Mrs. Thomas Cary of New- buryport. We now include this new family circle in the correspondence and an explanation of the people men- tioned is necessary. 162 A FAMILY HISTORY Rev. Chandler Robbins had a brother and four sisters. His brother was Rev. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, of Nor- folk, who married Elizabeth LeBaron, of Plymouth, and had a number of children : Nathaniel ; Ammi R., Jr. ; Elizabeth, who married Grove Lawrence; Rev. Thomas, the Diarist; Sarah, who married Joseph Battell, of Nor- folk; James W. ; Samuel, and Francis LeBaron. His sisters were Irene, who married George D. Thomp- son, of Halifax, and who was at this time a lively widow with two sons; Sarah, who married Rev. Peter Starr, of whose sons we shall hear later; Hannah Re- becca, who married (1) Rev. John Keep, (2) Jahleel Woodbridge ; Rebecca Hannah, who married Dr. William M. Gould. The LeBarons married into the Goodwin family of Ply- mouth and Dr. Chandler Robbins' eldest daughter, Jane Prince, in marrying Dr. Francis LeBaron Goodwin, in 1787, became connected with the family of her aunt, Mrs. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins. Dr. Goodwin was a surgeon in the Revolution and shortly after this time moved to Maine. Benj. Ives Gilman to Hannah Bobbins, Plymouth, Mass. Altho' I do not consider the present oppertunity as a proper one, by any means, for sending you my sweet girl a line, yet so great is my inclination for writing that I cannot help hazarding a scrawl by a common traveller. Cap 1 Bradford who with his Family arrived here about a week since from Kingston informed me that your good Pa'a's Family were all well two months ago. Judge what pleasure the news afforded me after pafsing eleven long months without hearing from a Family in whose happinefs I feel my own most intimately connected. I'm told M r Goodwin is gone to Penobscot with a view of mak- ing a settlement. I wish he may make out well, but I think your Sister is of too tender a make to undergo the hardships of a new country & what is still more disagree- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 163 able a severe climate. We pafs our time very agreeably here & there is but one person necefsary to compleat our happinefs. M r Storey a Young Gentleman from Ipswich is our preacher & every thing I afsure you wears the appearance of a much older settlement. Those people who wish it have not only the necefsaries but the luxuries of life in as great plenty here as in N England. But the generality of the Settlers are content for the present to live in a very frugal manner. Our Family Dined yester- day with Secretary Sargent who is a very genteel & friendly man & is lately married to a very agreeable young Lady. Vegetation is much more rapid in this coun- try than I had any Idea of & the longer I tarry here the more I'm pleas 'd with the foil & Climate. Our Corn grows beyond expectation, we planted the 2 d of June without ploughing & have hoed it only once & I think we shall have at least 300 bus ls from 6 acres — perhaps you will think it very strange for a young man to pretend to entertain a Lady with an account of the growth of corn &c, but when you consider that we are all Farmers in this Country you will pardon the presumption — I feel amaz- ingly anxious to return to New England but as there are some important divisions of the Lands to take place soon, I cannot determine when I shall set off. Let me conjure you ever amiable Hannah to write me a Line by the first oppertunity. I afsure you that if I do not receive a Let- ter soon I shall conclude that you have forgotten that there is a person at Muskingum who once pof sefsed your friendship & whose foul is ever devoted to your happi- nefs — You will excuse this hasty Scrawl for the bearer (a M r Bryent of Bridgwater) is impatient to be on his journey. — My respectful Comp ts to your kind Parents — M rs Thompson, M rs Goodwin &c &c — We are under no apprehensions from the Indians they have done no dam- age since the unfortunate murder mentioned in my last. Remember your unalterable friend & Sincere B:I:G Marietta August 16th 1789 — NB Col: Sproat & Family arrived here this morning — 164 A FAMILY HISTORY 163 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilnian, New York. Marietta 21 st Aug st 1789. Dear Sir It is with the greatest pleasure I embrace this first op- portunity of acknowledging the receit of your kind Letter of the 20 th June, it came to hand in one Month from the date. Since I wrote you, have been about 40 miles down River, from what I have seen myself and information rec d from a number of respectable Gent n who have had opportunities of exploring allmost the whole of the Lands purchas'd by the Ohio Company I am fully satisfied of their goodnefs. I believe it may be justly said that the bigger half of the whole are excellent notwithstand so many reports to the contrary ; it is true the general face of the Country near the Rivers is hilly, that many of them are fteep & some of them allmost inaccefsable from the Rivers, yet there is few of them barren, the greatest part are covered with the finest Timber Trees, and will when wanted make most excellent Wheat & pasture Land. The Soil & Climate are exceeding well adapted for the cultiva- tion of all kinds of Fruit, peach Apple & pear Trees have the most promising appearance, many thousands have been fet out this Season — fome of which blofsom'd this Year and doubtlefs will bear fruit the next. Melons here are in the greatest perfection I ate part of one Yesterday at Major Sargents, 1 that measured 18 inches long 21 round & weighed 14 pounds, this was of the common kind but very good, but I think no fruit can exceed the Canta- lupe Romania & China of all which I have often ate at his house ; while I have been writing this he is arrived with his wife on a Visit & sends you his compliments. M rs Sar- gent is a well bred agreeable young Lady, we esteem them the first of our Friends here. We are in no want of company and have fome that are very agreeable. I return you my sincere thanks for the kind manner in which you have been pleas 'd to Interest yourself in my 1 Col. Winthrop Sargent was one of the original incorporators of the Ohio Colony, afterwards secretary to the governor, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, and later still, governor of Mississippi. This Mrs. Sargent was his second wife, a widow, Mrs. Mary (Mackintosh) Williams. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 165 behalf, I had little hopes of succef s when I wrote you, lefs when I rec d your Letter, and lefs fince Col Sprouts ar- rival, he informs a M r Bowen from Rhode Ifland was foliciting, but let the Event turn as it may I feel myself under great obligations to You. perhaps something else may turn up, tho I do not know of anything at present. Since I wrote you we have enjoyed perfect peace, and nattered ourselves that we should enjoy it uninterrupt- edly thro' the Season, till yesterday M r Matthews one of our Surveyors returned from a tour down River where he has been employed the greatest part of the fummer, & informs us that 14 days before about fun rise in the morning his party was attacked first by the fire of 2 Guns by which a Young man belonging to Connecticut by the name of Pachin was fhot thro' the Body, this rous'd the Soldiers who were fitting & lying on their Blankets, im- mediately a Volly was fired by the Enemy and so true was their aim that 6 foldiers were killed M r Matthews, a Corporal & two others made their escape to a neighboring Hill & from thence to the Ohio from which they were dis- tant about 4 miles & about 25 miles below the Mouth of the great Kanawa, whether these Indians were out a hunting, or were a party on their way to or from Ken- tucke is uncertain, the place where our people were killed (I understand) was near one of the great War Paths from the Indian Country to Kentucke. It is said the Kentuck- ians have march 'd in force against the Indians of the Wabash or Omi Tribes. I am in hopes af soon as Con- grefs get pofsefsion of the Out Posts a final end will be put to this disagreeable businefs. The Report here is that head Quarters are to be moved from Fort Harmar to the Miamis and that the General will be ordered down this Autumn, we fhall be forry to lose so many of our new acquaintances especially the General and his lady, Cap- tains Prat & Cap. Strong & Lady. M rs Gilman & Son join me in their best wishes for your welfare. Accept my thanks for the Newspapers — And believe me to be — with the greatest esteem Dear Sir Your Kinsman & humble Servant J. Gilman. 166 A FAMILY HISTORY P. S. Pray present my most respectful Compliments to M r Langdon, M r Wingate, M r Livermore, and particular 7 to your Brother J T, 1 if at New York & tell him I fhould be extremely glad to receive a Letter from him. 164 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman, New York. Marietta Septem r 21 st 1789. Dear Sir My last bearing date August 2 d in answer to your kind favor of June 20th I committed to the care of Lieut 1 Frothingham of General Harmers Reg 1 who was bound to New York desiring him to put it into the post Office at Pittsbourg since which I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you. I have just been informed that M r Parsons, son to the Judge is to fet out to morrow morn- ing and will probably go through New York, I could not omit so favourable an opportunity had I nothing more to fay than to repeat my thanks for your kind endeavours for serving my Interest A certain M r M c Cormick arrived here a day or two ago from Washington in Pensilvania he informs, that he saw in a Pittsbourg Paper among the proceedings of Con- grefs that a Land Office was established by Congrefs for the sale of the Lands in the Western Territory, but I cannot learn that he can give any particular Ac- count of the matter. The Agents of the Ohio Company have granted a Tract of about 3000 Acres to 30 Afso- ciates at a place called the long bottom about 32 Miles from this place down the River in which I have two Shares. These Lands contain part of the Townships N° 2 & N° 3 in the 11 th Range — in Township N° 3, Lot N° 8 reserved by Congrefs lies its whole length on the Ohio and contains (being a Fractional part) about 500 Acres. This Lot divides our proposed Settlement and my Shares are likely to fall above it, or up Stream ; if this Lot could be obtained it would be a great advantage to the fettle- ment in general and to me in particular. — I have there- fore to request the favour of your fecuring this Lot for i John Taylor Gilman, afterwards governor of New Hampshire. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 167 me, if it is in your power — My Son proposes to fet out in about a Month for New England and intends taking New York in his Rout, — if nothing more can be done fhould be glad the preemtion might be fecured till he ar- rives, as in connection with the other Land it is with me an object of considerable magnitude, tho to a person not interested in the other Lands it would be of little Value. I am forry to give you so much trouble about my Af- fairs, but have no other excuse to make but the necef sity of the case — M rs G. and Son are well — and as to myself I have enjoyed better health fince I left New England than I have in any one Year for 20 past. I am with great esteem Your friend & humble Servant Joseph Gilman. P. S. Nothing has transpired here respecting filling the vacancy mentiond in my former Letter. I wait the event with patience, my hopes not being great, conse- quently my disappointm 1 cannot be so — Should I mifs this, and any thing else should offer, your kind af sistance will be a fresh obligation laid on your humble Servant. J G please to Accept M rs G. and fons cordial Compliments. 165 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman, New York. Marietta 23 d Feb y 1790. Dear Sir I wrote you in September last by young M r Parsons, since which your very obliging Letter of October 5th came safe to hand, this was brought down River by M r Parsons, but before you could have rec d mine. We were very sorry to hear of your indisposition. The disorder you had penetrated quite through the Country from N York to this place, very few here escaped. M rs G had her full fhare was confined nearly a month, but has been since & now is very well. We have the pleasure of hearing by Capt n Thompson (the bearer of this) that you had ar- rived at N York before he left it, and that you were well. Capt Thompson brought me a Letter from Ben dated at 168 A FAMILY HISTORY N York the 29th Novem r this was the first News we had from him after he left Shippensburg. The Winter has been very moderate, neither the Ohio nor Muskingum have been frozen, but for about six weeks past all inter- course up and down River has been interrupted by the floating Ice, and within these few days we have had a greater fresh than ever was known by any of the Settlers in this County. Our Point which has been so celebrated for its beauty, and so coveted by many that a fingle City Lot of about Vz of an Acre has been fold for 90 Dollars, was wholly under water, and for several days no Com- munication with them could be had but in Canoes. The water must have rose 8 feet perpendicular higher to have come to our house which is % Mile from the point, and two ftreets back from the Muskingum. Decern 1- 12th Governour S l Clair arrived here, and on the 30 th fail'd for Kaskaskias, during his stay here, I was frequently in his company, dined with him feveral times, once at his own house, he treated me with great polite- nefs and affability, did me the honour of appointing me a Justice of Peace & unus Quorum, Justice of the Court of Common Pleas — and before he left the place Judge of Probate during the absence of Judge Putnam. Had I been so fortunate as to have got down River before he left this for N York I think with you, I might have ftood a good chance for the other Office. He was pleased on my thanking him for the honor he had done me, to reply, that "he wished it was in his power to give me fomething more permanent, that he felt a very great inclination to f erve me, for tho ' our acquaintance was fhort, he was no ftranger to my character." The Governour expected to have met Judge Turner here and that both he and Judge Parsons would have at- tended him in his Tour, the fate of the latter must have reached you long before this time. The Laws which have been enacted here are good, but we fuffer greatly for want of others, our prospect of relief is distant, the Gov 1 " will be absent at least fix months and another Judge must be appointed before anything can be done for us, as Judge Symms has too much businefs of his own at the Miamis to admit of his fpending much time here, where the Seat IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 169 of Government will be (I think) for fome time. Whether further application in my behalf will be proper I leave entirely to your friendship and better judgment. The conjecture here, I find is, that Gen 1 Putnam or M r Cutler will be appointed, no one, Col Sproat excepted knows I was ever on the list, this he informed me he had from M r Lear. I hope in my next to entertain you with something more pleasing than my own Affairs. M rs G admires this country, the temperance of the Climate and finging of birds in Winter charm her. fhe joins in most cordial Wishes for your happiness with Dear Sir Your Friend and P. S. Servant J Gilman. Please to present my Compliments to Mefs Livermore & Foster. M r Langdon & M r Wingate, my best regards to your Brothers J T & Nat. I take the liberty of enclosing a Letter to my Son. Honourable Nicholas Gilman Esquire Member of Congrefs New York 166 Mrs. Peter Gilman to Patty Rogers. 1 erbur. [Newburyport] dear Patty I Received your agreeable letter by M r Gilman it all- ways gives me plasuer to hear of your wellfare which I ever regard with the tenderest concern, it gratifys & pleses me that you r visit to Boston was made so agreeable & profeetable by many valuable presents & finding you r brothers & other friends well. you r being perticuler af- fords me satisfaction in reading or hearing any good that falls to your share, we all expecte d to see you on i Patty Rogers was a daughter of Mrs. Peter Gilman 's Exeter pastor, Rev. Daniel Rogers, whom Mrs. Joseph Gilman makes fun of in a letter, October 10, 1772. He was minister of the Second Parish, started by those in sympathy with the Whitefield movement in 1743. 170 A FAMILY HISTORY your return from boston the young Bobbins seem d much disapionte d however as it was not in your power we ex- cuse you. I expect to go to plymouth the last of this mounth but the though 18 of takeing so longe a Journey at my time of life & in my feabel state allmost discorages me from attempting it however I hope I may return here again Should be glad to see you before I go if it sutes your converntes — M r Cary set out on a Journey yesterday for new york for his health with his Uncle Cary at Charlstown it was the advise of all his friends that he should take this op- portunity as it 8 a fine Season — it will be very maloncholy for Debby to be left alone in M r Carys absence & I leve her with regret — here we have no certain doeelling place & may we seecke one to come that has a sure foundation living religion is a grand reality the power of Jesus upon the heart will inffluence the chiristen to live in the fear of god — M rs Cary joins me in our affectiont 6 regards to you & M r [illegible] & beleve me your truely affec* frind Jane Gilman 167 Ben j. Ives Gilman went east early in this year and was married in Plymouth, February 4, 1790, to Hannah Rob- bins. They stayed in New England until June when they started across the mountains on horseback. We have a vivid description of the perils of the journey twenty-nine years later (1817) and the conditions of travel must have been much worse at this time. Ben j. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman, New York. Boston February 27 th 1790. Dear Sir The repeated instances of politenefs and friendship you have shewn our family, induces me to forward to your care Sir, a large packet to my father. — As an apol- ogy_ for my giving you this trouble, Sir, I mention my having had the pleasure of effecting a settlement of my fathers accounts as a member of the Board of War. Con- trary to the expectation of the General Court, particu- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 171 larly the Portsmouth interest (who most cordially hate every person connected with Exeter) the Committee re- ported a Balance due my father. This is a piece of intel- ligence that will afford my good parents the greatest satisfaction, which makes me more anxious to have a speedy and safe conveyance. I was much disappointed in not having the pleasure of seeing you at Exeter — my father wrote sometime since, respecting purchasing a reserved Lot of Land, the prop- erty of the Publick. If these reserved lots should be for sale Sir, you will lay a fresh obligation on us by giving early information — the one mentioned above is contigu- ous to a part of our land and would be a very convenient addition — it Contains about 300 acres — If my father should send any Letters to your kind care Sir, I shall be much obliged if you will forward them to your brother Nath 1 at Exeter. I am Sir with respect & esteem Your obliged & very hum b Ser* Ben Ives Gilman. 168 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Joseph Gilman, Mari- etta, Ohio. Plymouth June 6 th , 1790. Will my dear M rs Gilman give me leave to addrefs her, upon a painfull subject to me? That of parting with my dear Child, I once pleas 'd myfelf with the fond expecta- tion that my Children, (particularly my daughters) would live near me and be the solace of my declining years. "How I dreamt, of Joys perpetual, in perpetual change. ' ' A firm belief that perfect wisdom and love authorizes evry event stills my mind, and is my only anchor in the storms of Life, happy should I be if this thought was always impref s 'd on my mind ; and always influenced my conduct. I then should not be too much elated, with prof- perity, or depref s ' d with adversity. Hannah will be happy in a companion I have not the least doubt, his disposition I know, is amiable, not a cir- 172 A FAMILY HISTORY cumstance that is not agreable but when I think of the distance. — all the fortitude I am pofsefs'd of is too little to supprefs the starting tear. I wish the connection may add greatly to the happynef s of your family. I ask leave to commend her to you as a Child, I speak with confidence when I say I know you will be a mother to her. You know the hopes, and fears, of a parents heart, ! how many avenues for pleasure, and pain, I impose silence on my pen, I don't know where it will stop on this subject. My Mother 1 desirs her most affectionate regards to you, she has injoy'd her health the winter pas'd, as the hot weather comes on, she is very languid. It is a great satisfaction to have her with me, to have it in my power to contribute to her comfort. My regards to M r Gilman in which M r Bobbins joins, he intended writing to him but Company has prevented With evry sintiment of esteem I subscribe your sin- cere friend Jane Bobbins 169 Mrs. Francis Le Baron Goodwin to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plymouth June 12 th 1790. My Dear Sister You will be agreably fupris d to see the Bearer of this Letter. 2 Our dear Brother was so disappointed in not seeing you before you went your Journey, that he was quite unhappy, he could neither Eat, Drink, or Sleep, (as the saying is) at last determined to persue you if he went to the Ohio — after you. We all encouraged the Motion knowing it would be an Unspeakable Satisfaction to you ; & a Gratification to us. My dear that Horrid never to be forgotten Morning of our Seperation. Such Pangs I am sure I never experienced before. But I will not think. You have a good & Affectionate Husband that i Mrs. Chandler Bobbins 's mother was Jane Bethune, who married (1) Capt. Moses Brince and (2) Col. Beter Gilman. 2 Isaac Bobbins, Hannah 's next younger brother. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 173 will do all in his Power to difpell any gloomy Idea's that arise to disturb you, & we must be Contented. You will be happy to see Our dear Brother — who, I think, gives a strong Proof of Fraternal Affection. Hope he will not come in upon you very Suddenly — I fear the 111 Conse- quences of Sup rise — in your Critical Situation. Do be Careful of yourself — hope you bore Journeying well — Pray write me by My B r write particularly, every thing I want to know, or should ask you in Private. Do my Dear sifter write me by every Oppertunity. You cannot think what a Satisfaction it will be to me, when in at Penobscot, where I shall Certainly go — if I live — Early in the Fall. I had a letter from my dearest b . . . Chandler 2 he says Bid Mr Gillman & Isaac good bye — & God Bless them — & Kifs Hannah for me, tell them I am sorry I cannot see them — But wifh them every Blefsing. it is late — I must conclude — May the All Gracious God Be with & Blef s you & Yours — More particularly support you in an Hour of deftref s & Peril. Tell Mr Gillman I love him much have time to say no more. Your Affectionate Sifter J. Goodwin. 170 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman. Marietta 16th June 1790. Dear Sir My last bore date Feb y 23 d and was in answer to yours of the 5th October last, this I forwarded by a Captain Thompson who brought Dispatches for the Governor and General Harmar since which I have rec d your agreeable favour dated January 2 d and on the 2 d instant I rec d a packet from my son and the N York papers you were so obliging as to inclose — but no Letter, from which cir- cumstance I fear mine by Thompson had not reached you — This gives me pain, not that my Letter contained anything very interesting to either of us, but the fear lest you should think I decline cultivating a correspence so 2 Chandler Robbins, Jr., the eldest brother. 174 A FAMILY HISTORY much in every respect to my advantage — We had the pleasure to hear by Judge Putnam that you were well when he left N York — his Appointment, his appointment, puts an end of all hopes from that quarter — At the same time it confirms to me the Office of Judge of Probate to which I was appointed by the Governour during his ab- sence — This with my Commif sion of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas takes up much of my time and is of some though no great emolument, but will increase as the Country settles — whether this increase will be rapid in proportion to that of the Country down the Ohio, or slow as it has hitherto been, depends intirely on our Fathers the Congrefs. Could the Indians be brought to such terms either by chastizement or treaty, as it would be safe to fettle our Lands from 20 to 40 Miles from the Rivers Ohio & Muskingum, I think in a very few Years we should be entitled to a Seat in Congrefs. Yesterday to our inexprefsible joy and fatisfaction, Major Doughty and Captain Hart arrived from a long tour of 5 Months in the Indian Country. We had frequent Reports that the Major & his Party were cut off by the Savages — He was attacked on the Tennese River by 40 Indians in 4 Canoes and had all his men killed or wounded but four, the Indians continued to pursue him for four hours, and then left him, but as you will have every particular from him by the person who carries this. I expect my Son with his Spouse is now on the Road and that we shall have the pleasure of receiving them in the course of this month. Excuse my not enlarging at this time, as the Boat that carries Major Doughtys Dis- patches is now ready to depart. M rs G joins me in most cordial wishes for your health and happiness. Adieu J. Gilman. Wednesday Afternoon. You, my dear Sir, will excuse the inconectnefs of the foregoing, when I afsure you I had but a few minutes to write, being informed that the Boat would leave the Garrison early in the morning and besides being obliged to attend our Court of Common Pleas now fetting. This will be handed you by M r John Morgan fon of Col. Mor- gan of N Jersey, he is a Cadet in General Harmars Regi- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 175 ment, and is much esteemed by the Officers and by all his acquaintances — is well acquainted with this Country in General From him you may receive much information respect s this Country, he is very intimate in our Family, and can give information of any little particulars you may wish to know respecting our fituation, manner of life &c &c. Any attentions paid to him while in New York will add to the Obligations I am already under and will be properly acknowledged by me. The Governour & Sec- retary Major Sargent left this Place the 30th of Decem- ber for Kaskaskias, in this Grand tour, 'twas proposed to visit all the Settlements in this wide extended Govern- ment. — I received a Letter Yesterday by Major Doughty from my good Friend Major Sargent dated at Cayhokia April 30th, he informs me they were waiting for the Judges Symms & Turner to proceed on their businefs. Major Doughty thinks they will not return before the month of October. The Secretary is on the best terms with the Governour — and is so much my friend that should anything turn up worthy acceptance I think so far as depends on those Gentlemen I shall have the offer of it in preference to any person now in this quarter. The Office to which young M r Parsons was appointed and now holds of recorder of Deeds in this County, is the only one I know of at present — fhould he not return and fettle in this County, as I think it probable he will not, will be to disposed of — I think will be worth attention, and may be had unlefs promised conditionally to another person, previous to his and my arrival here. I am informed his views are to be appointed Secretary to a Land office, should one be established in this Country, and that he went fo far as to make overtures of selling out his Com- mifsion before he left us — this appears probable to me as he is a Speculater of the first order, far exceeding his late father, yea so far exceeding him, as he exceeded com- mon men — A propos of Speculation — This Country opens a boundlefs field, and I think the foundation for plentiful fortunes may be easily laid by a prudent per- son, whose genius leads him that way — but as it is en- tirely out of my line — wishing for nothing more than a good farm — I shall content myself if I can obtain the 176 A FAMILY HISTORY Congress Lot mentioned in my former Letter — or one up the Muskingum about 15 Miles as the River runs and 12 by Land from this place, which I will mark out in the Plan which I intend forwarding in my next. Our furveys are not yet complete, as soon as they I will lose no time in making out and forwarding to you accurate plans of the Rivers and principal parts of the Land in the Ohio Purchase. Provisions have been fcarce and dear in this Settlement, owing to great quantities of Indian Corn be- ing cut off by an early frost last Crop both here and up the River', and very large quantities fhipped for New Orleans where Flour has been current this Year at 20 Dol P barrell. But our prospects of Wheat & Rye are now good the latter will be fit for the fickle in 2 or 3 weeks. The people are industrious year beyond any- thing I ever faw in the Eastern States — And there is more than three times the Indian Corn planted than will be fumcient for the present Inhabitants for another fea- son including what will be necefsary to fatten our fwine. We have now plenty of vegetables as Peas Beans &c in our earliest Gardens, some of our early or Canada Corn has put out for Ear. I have in my Garden a few Peas up which were planted from feed of this years growth, tho the first crop was not planted till the 29th March and are on a flat Land no way remarkable for early vegeta- tion. In fhort I am more and more pleased with the Coun- try — so kind a foil and fo temperate a Climate, capti- vates every attentive mind — We want but two things to make us completely happy — The Absence or a perma- nent peace with the Natives — and the presence of those choice friends we left behind — that we shall fee many of them here in a few years I doubt not, though I much fear whether you my dear Sir among the number — but how- ever this may be, may the best of Heavens blefsings at- tend you wherever you are. Yours fincerely J Gilman. My best Respects to Your brothers — Also to M r Liver- more M r Foster & M r Wingate — fhall write to them as I have opportunity. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 177 171 Mrs. Peter Gilman to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Mari- etta, Ohio. Plymouth Nov r 29 1790 My dear grandaughter I find no distance of time or place can make me un- mindfull of one so near & dear to me as you are I found it a great tryal when we parted last the thought of the longe & fatuging journey & the many dangers I aparnde you would have to meet with, gave me greate concern on your account, till we were made happy by your letter giv- ing the account of your safe arriavel, found your dear parents well who received you with joy & that you were perfectly contented in fine health & everything agreeable. This was a great relefe to my anxious mind, especially that you found a tender & affectionate mother to comfort & take care of you under the circumstances you ware in. but o the uncertainty of all our earthly injoyments & often that we most depend on for help & relefe — how des- tressing the account in your letter that your dear mam is dangerously sick of a feve[r ev]en life dispaired of, & how melancholy to lose so valu[able] so amiable & lovely a friend in the vigour of life & mi[dst] of her usefulness, if she should be taken away it would be a grevious lofs to all her connections but my dear child I feel peculiarly distresst on your account as I think you never wanted a mother so much as you do now however stil hope in god we shall yet re Joyce in her recovery. — I am pleased to hear Isaac likes his situation & imployment I hope his conduct & behaviour will be agreeable to all his connections thare & have my love to him tell him I dayly think of him with the tenderest affection. My kind regards to your dear Mr Gilman who I allways esteem 3 & lov d & more so now than ever & sincere respects to your dear parants we longe to hear good news from a fare country, may a holy Sovereign god prepare us for his blessed will to his kind provedence & power grace & marcy who is every ware present I desire to commit you my dear child & beleve me your truly affect 6 grandmaa Jane Gilman 1 i Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman 's eldest child, Jane, named for her mother, grandmother, and sister, was born November 9, 1790. 178 A FAMILY HISTORY 172 Dr. and Mrs. Chandler Bobbins bad a large family. Those whom we hear of frequently in these letters are: Chandler, born in 1762, went at first to Hallowell, Me., married Harriet Lothrop and moved to Boston; Jane Prince, who married Dr. Goodwin; Isaac, next younger to Hannah, who was a missionary in the middle west and then moved to Alexandria, Va., and married Mary Douglas Howell; Philemon, who was apparently not normal; Samuel Prince, who lived for some time in Connecticut and took a church in Marietta in 1806, mar- ried Martha Burlingame and died there in 1823; Peter Gilman, who married Abba Dowse, and became a physi- cian, living at Roxbury, Mass. Dr. and Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plimouth Dec r 19 1791 My dear, very dear Children, None but they who have y e Heart of a Parent, can have any Idea of the Sensations we, at this moment feel re- fpecting our dear ones — all at a great distance, except y e 3 little ones — Chandler at y e West Indies if alive, & Jenny at Penobscot, the others you too well know the Situation of, But our principal concern & Anxiety at present is on your Ace' who live on y 6 Ohio, at this alarm- ing Period. Imagine the distrefs of y e friends of those poor Sol- diers, who went from us into your country, since last Fryday Evening, which was y e first we heard of y e sur- prizing & awful ace* from our Army — We have, as yet, had no official Acc ts — expect y m daily — but a Letter from a Gent" in NYork to his friend in Boston, says, that the Indians have gained a shocking Victory — kill d 700 privates & 27 Officers — among whom is poor Winslow Warren &c probably some if not all y e young Sold rs from Plim are flain, Torry &c &c whose friends are fill d with grief in anx s Expect" of y e Event — But poor M rs Warren seems inconfolable. But what shall we say of our dear Children & their connections there"? Tis natural to IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 179 think & forbode y e worst — We cant but fear greatly for you. The savage foe, flufh a at y e Victory they have ob- taind, will in all probability purfue y e Advantage, & is there not reafon to fear will fall upon y e new Settle- ments — at least greatly distref s & put them in perpetual fear ! May a merciful God restrain their rage & prevent y e dreadful effects of their barbarous Spirit. We have a propofition to make to you, my children, to which must intreat you to attend — We cannot but think, & most earnestly advise you, as a rational & prudent measure, that considering the present gloomy situation of affairs w th you & the uncertainty when things will be in a quiet state & above all, considering your (M r G) ill State of health and y e increafe of y l distrefs & disorder upon you, you had better (with your dear ones) remove from thence to us, at least for a seafon. What are all earthly pofsefsions, where health is wanting? especially if in addition to this, one lives in fear, on Ace 1 of y e most inhuman of all Enemies! You dont conceive y e Joy & Satisfaction you w d hereby give us. Our house arms & heart are open to receive you. Do think of it, my dear Children. The affair of your growing Disorder, is really serious & affecting. We received your last, of Oct 1 " 9 th , about 10 days ago, wherein you give particulars of your com- plaint — & agreable to your defire, I have made a busi- nefs of making every pofsible enquiry (without particu- larizing too much, as it refpects you) respecting such kind of complaints & cant but have some reason to fear, your apprehenfions are not without foundation — & your not voiding any gravelly substance or sediment leaves fome grounds to fear it may be y e beginning of y e formation of a Stone in y e bladder — I have consulted Doct r Thacher, who is really skilful, in theory & practice. — And he wished me to ask you y e following quest" 3 "Have you any pain ab l y e region of y e Kidneys? & does it extend to y e bladder? "Are y e fits of pain attended with a Nausea or vomiting? "After y e paroxisms of pain are over is your Urine turbid, or do you obferve a mucous Sediment in it? "Is y* Urine ever tinged with blood especially after Exer- cise? & does exercise bring on pain near y e neck of y e bladder? Have you pain in, before & after discharging urine. "Is a free discharge of urine fometimes suddenly 180 A FAMILY HISTORY interrupted so y l you are oblig* to void it [torn] Drops? ' ' Finally, Do you ever feel a numbnef s down y e Thigh & Leg?" In your next you 11 please to reply. I have met with 2 Recipes, since receiving your last, (In my other letter of y e 17 Oct. I wrote you 2 or 3 others, particularly y e very simple one of ' ' rubbing all y e parts thoroly & f re- q'ly with Hogsfat or Lard" which has actually done won- ders in gravelly compl ts & thofe like yours), The new ones are "Wild Carrots" a Decoction. Y r other, Gen 1 Warren gave me, whofe Lady has had much of y r com- plaints in years past. "A large handful of y e fibres or roots of garden Leeks, simmered gently in 2 Q ts foft water, till reduced to one." A pint taken ab l 3 times morning noon & night, a proper dofe for an adult p r day. In y e instance given, y e patient perfevered five weeks & then was compleatly relieved. If after all, my dear Child, you shl d find y e disorder continues & increafes, & there fhld be reafon to fear there is a Stone — Dont delay too long I intreat you looking out for speedy, & y* best advice & afsistance — And I am particularly glad to be able to inform you & also requested by others to inform you, that there is a Gentleman now refiding in this State, at Jamaica plains, in Roxb y , Doctor Le Prilette by name, who has the high- est Reputation of any man in America (in y e Opinion of y e best Physicians in Boston & near us) as a Surgeon & particularly for disorders of y e kind y° complain of — And when cafes have come to require y e Operation of y* knife, he has performed it in y e most incomparable & suc- cefsful manner to the admiration of some of y e greatest men of y e faculty in this part of y e world. Thofe of 'em in Boston, have so great an Opinion of him, that (rare as it is) they, tis s d , actually follicited him to move to Roxb y to be near them. — & have made him a Member of y r Medical Society. — I exceedingly wish you co d fee & advife with him, if y r complaints continue. Well, dear Children, we can but commend you to y e care & mercy of y e algracious & powerful God, who can do all for you for your Souls & Bodies y* you need. look to him — Cry to him daily for every blef sing you want. He is a Refuge & he alone can fave you in time of need. No special news among us. M rs Hedge, our young neighbor, has a little Son, born y e Day your Bro r fail d for W. Indies, 14 th IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 181 of Nov r . M r Dunkin 1 has returned, & removed his wife & family to Philad a — in comfortable Situation. Pray write us oftener — fend to go P r post from Pittsburg — I am oblig d to fend this in that way, as I have no other way & I cant be filent. Aunt T. 2 goes for Bost n in y e Morning, by her I send it to y e Office. May Heaven guard, defend, blef s & fave you. All ours fend Love to all you as this is to all 3 of you, Benj. Han. & Ike — not forgetting many kifses to little Jane & best regards to y r dear Parents. Your very affect 1 Father Chand r Bobbins and mother Jane Dec. 21 st . Letter not gone yet (by bad weather) I for- got an import 1 Article I intended to infert, which is The Springs at Saratoga, which have of late been prov d so efficacious for gen 1 Disorders, have very lately been found remarkable for complaints of y e nephritic kind, & an instance mentioned (if not more y n one) in w ch they have actually difsolved a stone in y e bladder which is an additional Motive to induce you to come this way. May God blefs every attempt for your relief: To confirm y e above, Gen 1 Warren, my informant, adds y l y e Waters are of such a powerf 1 soluting Quality, y l they have actually, (in a few days after thrown in) difsolved a Stone of y e Grindstone kind. Dec. 22 d y e shock 8 News y s day confirm* 1 worse y n at first report 11 Warren was fee am 6 y e N° of Slain. But friends anx s to hear whither Torry, Kingsly, Whiting, &c, from Plim are living. Write us if y° know. Or come & tell us y r selves. [torn] TON DEC 28 PAID 5 M r Benjamin Ives Gilman Marietta Western Territory Ohio pr post to Pittsburg via Philad a i Mr. Dunkin was the husband of Mrs. Chandler Bobbins 's cousin, Susan Bethune, daughter of Mrs. Peter Gilman 's brother, George Bethune, and his wife, Mary Fanueil. "Aunt Bethune," as George Bethune 's widow is called in these letters, was living in Little Cambridge. She had another married daughter, Penelope, who was Mrs. English, of Boston. 2 Irene (Bobbins) Thompson. 182 A FAMILY HISTORY 173 Mrs. Chandler Bobbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. 1792. Oct. 5. I love to open my desk, and take a sheet of paper, and fold it up in this way, if I only say my dear Han- nah. Par says "I thought you would alter your mind, tho ' you determind to write only by post in future. ' ' 12. Din'd at Deacon Dimans, wedding dinner, dear for all has brought his wife home, a neice of D r Thachers Sucky Gray of Barnstable, Anna says you knew her. 22. Your Par and I went to Boston, He had a great in- clination to hear the Tricentary sermon that is to be preach 'd by D r Belknap, on the discovery of America by Columbius. as we ware riding over kingston hill, met a man that inform 'd us, that M r Little was ship wreck 'd of New York, and they had put back to Bed- ford, to refitt. poor man, I felt deftrefs'd for him, and his wife, how dreadfull it must be. we put up at M r English's, had not a very agreable time Company, however it was but one day. went wensday morning and breakfasted at M r Mackpeaces. She was very glad to see me, "how do you do, M rs Bobbins, I am glad to see you look so well, I expected when your Children left you, you would be as dead as a Bat in winter. I have all most worred to death about Hannah, myfelf, but by all I can learn she is quite happy." I took your last letter out of my pocket and read to her, she was very much gratify 'd. she says, tis Hannah yet. Your Par inquir'd after Mrs. Battell, she is not arived in Boston yet, you are a good child, to write all oppertunitys, it is a great releif to our minds, as we- can 't help feeling anxious for your safty. Your last letter my dear Han- nah has determin 'd me to keep on writing, and send it when I can, if you ever have my pacquet, you will hear all about Chandler, and not think he was negleted by us. Par says he thought he had wrote very particu- larly about him, in all his letters to you. when you say anything about your dear little Children, 1 I feel as if I long for wings, to fly to them, as to Isaac I hope my 1 Joseph Gilman, second, was born June 23, 1792. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 183 Dear son Benjamin, will advice him what to do. I hope that years, and experience, will teach him wisdom, poor dear Child seams to be wandering about, without a pro- tecter or friend, I wish it was in our power to put him in buisnefs, tho if it was, I am not certain it would be best for him. as we were riding home we met Major Thomas, and M rs Burr, we stop't and spook to them, ask'd her how she did very unwell indeed she answer 'd, Major Thomas said M rs Burr has the vapours, I said I am very sorry, and in a very chearfull way, ask'd her, how far she intended to ride to get red of them, she bust into tears. Maj r Thomas said, Mrs Burr, thinks we are all going to destruction, but I hope not. I never was more suprized, did not know that any thing aild her, she that was all life, and sprightlinefs. is now the picture of melancholly and dejection, we call'd at John Seaver's, M rs Rufsell their, Nancy expects to be confin'd soon. I ask'd Mrs Rufsell what was the mat- ter with M rs Burr, she says, she is afraid the family will come to want, 0! how dreadfull such fears are, tis the divil all over, those people whose circumstance are independent are more subject to those fears, than the poor that don't know where thay shall get the next meal. 28. We had the great, the Learned, Mr. Peneman to day, preach 'd all day, just the same conceited, out of the way mortal, he ever was. aunt 1 never hear'd him be- fore, she said tho' she had heard so much about him, it exceeded evry Idea she had form'd. as soon as he begun she thought of your taking him off. each &c I was very carefull not to catch her eye, I am sure, if I had I could not have behaved with decency. 29. Esq r Watson come in this fore noon for your Par to go and see M rs Burr, she is raveing destractecl, got up last night and attempted to destroy herself. Prifsa happen 'd to wake, and saw her mother puting a rope round her neck: she call'd the family; and by that means it was prevented, they are greatly destrefs'd, as you may well suppofe, they are obliged to keep every thing out of her way. i Aunt Thompson. 184 A FAMILY HISTORY 22. Your Par, and I, at a wedding, at M rs Cottons. Bet- sey Cotton, to a M r Hafkell, of Rochester, a very good match for her, tis said ; a very steady man, and a good farm. Ward is a very genteel young fellow. I thought while I was their, if any perfons are to be envied tis those parents, that have their Children settel'd, where their is a pofsability of seeing them, what led me to the thought was, receiving a letter from Chandler he is very well, has as much buisnefs as he can do, is pleas 'd with the place, has thoughts of byeing him a place on the river, and setteling their, letter from Jenny she is well — M r Trible that moved their, is re- turn 'd with his family, they say, that part of the east- ward will be deftrefs'd for corn this winter. I am sorry that Jenny did not stay when she was here. I know she wanted much to stay if she could, went away very dull. Nath Lewis has a daughter. Nancy Seaver, a Son. she was very bad, ill 2 days. Aunt has had another spark, an Uncle of D r Mercy, from Stockbridge^ aunt never saw him, or heard of him, till D r Mercy intro- duced him to her. Lydia says, she wishes M rs Thomp- fon was married; she is sure the girls will stand no chance till she is. 29. Annual Thanksgiving, aunt and Robbins here, a very fine day, after dinner aunt, and I, went up in the back Chamber, and talked of our dear absent Children, Par gave the Boys leave to play in the garding for exersise. let us said I fancy that M r Oilman and Han- nah are below the bank, He leading little Jane up the steps, and Hannah behind him, with her Babby in her armes,* Jenny & Isaac coming out of the gate, and Francis taking hold of her apron, saying I want to go to Mar Robbins, she is up at the window, aunt asked, where's M r Goodwin? down to the eastward. Par call'd us to tea, and the pleasing scene vanish 'd. The parish, have bought the Bafe Voil, of M r Inglee, for public worship it was introduced this day. M rs Burr is something more composed, when I think of your dear little Children I am quite impatient to see them. * Chandler playing with the Baby over your shoulder. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 185 Dec. 4. Sam Thacher call'd in to see us, going to Jail in an hour, so He thought he would spend that hour with us. after going thro' so many Courts he has lost his case, and can't pay the cost, it hurt my feelings, to have a poor old man, sent to Jail at this season of the year. 10. We had 2 french Gentlemen din'd with us to day when aunt come from Boston last she brought one with her, she boarded one last summer by the name of Peraux, Pero he was call'd, who was so pleas 'd with his situation, that he advised his friend to come here, your Par is instructing him in English, his name is Le Batt a very amiable young man, I never felt a stronger atachment to a stranger, the reason of their coming here to learn our language, is, there are so many frenchmen in Boston, in confequence of the troubles in the West Indias, that they can't learn so well. 15. Your Par received a letter from Judge Gill to day desiring him to supply Sam Thacher with clothing, and every thing necefsary for his comfort while he is in goal, and he will pay the account on sight. M r Gill chuses he should remain in confinement, the time al- loted for taking the poor mans oath, Then he will come upon M r Bourn for damages. Thus has ended the mat- ter that has been the subject of so much talk, and the sanguine expectations of getting a great Estate came to nothing, I think M r Gill is very kind to provide for M r T s comfort now he is confind, when he put him to so great expence to defend his cause. M r Gill told your Par that he had spent 500 dollars. I read a letter to day that come from Hannah Le Baron, she is in the West Indias, went there with a Cap 1 DeWolf 1 that married a daughter of Gov Brad- ford, he had accumulated a fortune, in the African trade, the last voyage he made, one of the poor negros broke out with the small Pox a day or 2 after he saild. upon which he inhumanly order 'd her thrown over i Capt. De Wolf, of Bristol, E. I., married a daughter of William Bradford and Mary LeBaron. Eev. Thomas Bobbins mentions visiting him in 1799 at his home at Mt. Hope, B. I., where "he has a set of china ware which cost two hundred and fifty dollars in Canton." 186 A FAMILY HISTORY board; when lie got home, search was made for him, upon which he was obliged to fly the country, went to the W I, and sent for his Wife and family. Hannah had liv'd with them so long, that she was quite willing to go with them, she says, She is very happy and in- joys fine health, mentions our family very affection- ately. I think I shuld have stay'd behind, if I work'd hard for a living rather than have lived in the greatest affluence with them under those circumstances. If their 's a power above He must delight in virtue And that, that He delights in must be happy. 19. 'Tis a long time since we had a letter from you. evry post night "cold, hott, wett, or dry", Par setts out in hopes of a letter from you, I can tell, when I see him return, whether he has one, if he dont say a word ; the Post office is at Esqr Watsons. I hope you will not be backward, on account of postage, tis only 1/6 from fort Pitt. just heard D r Hayward is in town from Georgia des- tin'd with the troops to the Ohio, you will be glad to see Nathan I know. M rs Burr is much better, to day she din'd with the family, your Gran Mar is as well this winter, as ever I knew her, appears chearfull, can hum a tune as well as ever, "when serious life, void moments spears." as to Anna she is not so well, poor girl I am afraid cant live long. Philemon is a fine boy, loves work ; I think, I could not keep house without him. Sammy Prince is very studious; his master says he may enter College next summer, but we think it is best he should be one year older. Peter is in his latten tes- tement, fond of learning, a M r Briggs a young gentle- man that is courting Debby Sampson is a privett schoolmaster. I think I will send you a letter that Debby sent to your sister, when she was here. It is a genuine peice of witt. M r B intends to study divinity. Debby must sow all her wild oats. I was in company the other day with M rs Sampson, one of the company ask'd her if she had done with the thought of moveing into town, she said Debby chose to live at Plymton, and IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 187 she was Law, and she soppofs'd she would be gosple too, when she had Briggs. 29. I often amuse myfelf by reading over your letters, find one that I intended, when I rec d it, to answer but had not time by M r Little. He call'd for my packet in a great hurry, you mention your going to housekeep- ing it would give me the greatest pleasure to see how you manage family matters, you sett out with cour- age, intend to out shine your mothers, I dare say we are agree 'd that you should. I recollect some lines, I think in D r Youngs works, that pleas 'd me very much. ! May I steal, along the vale ; of humble life, secure from foes. My friend sencere, my judgment clear. and gentle businef s ; my repose. My mind be strong, to combat wrong. gratefull to Heaven, for favours shown, Soft to complain ; for others pain but bold, to triumph, ore my own. when you tell us of the delightfull prospect from your Chamber windows, I shuddered least you should see Indians coming up or down the rivers. I hope my dear Children are safe under divine protection. May the Candle of the Lord allways shine upon your tabernacle. "Where we have a tent, God should have an alter." We have had letters from Jenny, all well, I soppose tis the last we shall have this winter, dear Child ex- pects to be confin'd. how very different your situation from hers, you never knew the want of a tender mother. We had a letter from aunt Cary, giving us an ac- count of the installment of a M r Brown, at the uper Parish at Exeter, He came from Nova Scotia last summer married a neice of D r Coffin's wife of New- bury, from his connection with D r Coffin, he was intro- duced to M r Spring who ask'd him to preach, and rec- ommended him to Deacon Odiorn of Exeter, who in- gaged him to preach several Sabbaths, which was fol- lowed by a call from the Church and parish, and he was last month install 'd. D r Haven made the first prayer M r Macclintock preach 'd from Acts 2 d , 22 M r Thayer 188 A FAMILY HISTORY of Kingston, pray'd before the Charge, D r Langdon gave the charge, M r Rowland the right hand of fellow- ship, M r Buckminister, made the last prayer. This M r Brown had been ordain 'd in England, was only 4 years setteld their, and left them with a design to come to America, He rec d a licence from Lady Hun- ingtons college. Aunt Cary was at meeting, she says, Simon Wiggens, has bought your Gran Pars pew, the parish have bought old Coll Sam Gilmans house, for the new min- ister. Nancy, and Patty, Roggers, live by themselves, in a small house, that was M r Rice 's, they are set up in a small way of buisnefs their situation is very agreable, I thought you would be pleas 'd with this account which I collected from Uncle, and aunt Cary's letters M rs Giddins has her sences perfectly, but is a Cripple — Turzzah x lives with M r Nath Carter at Newbury, now 1 beleive I have told you all the Exeter news. Jan ry 1. 1793 I take up my pen, to wish my dear Chil- dren a happy new year, how soon my thoughts can fly over the Allegany mountains, and see you, put your hand over little Joseys face, and call him all the names you can think of, and your invention was fruitfull in this way. tell little Jane Mar Robbins will give her a new gown, when she can get any body to carry it. we din'd at gen rl Warrins to day, Henry and his wife, live their, they have a fine baby, call it Mercy. They have not been to houfekeeping yet. He says their is not a houfe in town to lett, that is fitt for a gentleman to live in. others think he don't go to housekeeping because he is in no way of buisnefs. only clerk of the general court. M rs Burr so much better, that she din'd at Judge Thomas's, perhaps you will not know where that is, as the title will not sound natural, Maj r Thomas is Judge of Probate for this County. 5. aunt come from Boston in the stage 2 to day M rs i Tirzah James had been the housekeeper at Col. Peter Gilman 's in Exeter. She married in 1794, Samuel Brooks, who died in 1807. She made her home in later life with Benj. Ives Gilman. 2 This is the first mention of a stage in these letters. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 189 Minott and Polly Mayhew come in company with her, They are come to Sally Nickcolson's wedding, He, (that is, M r Hez Jackson,) has ingaged the westerly half of our old house. Zep Harlow has bought M r Englee's, and he has built a large brick house, near his works. 7. M rs Hedge sent for me, to spend the afternoon with her and her mar tis the first time M rs Burr has been their, and the first time I have seen her since her, de- rangment. I am sorry to say tis not M rs Burr yet, she discovers a great anxiety — restlifsnefs, &c very different from her natural difposition. We have received a letter from my dear Chandler, with one inclosed for you, that you will have by D r Hayward. we are really impatient to hear from you my dear Hannah, not a word since the 17 September, it never has been half so long since you left us. hope this post we shall have the pleasure, I want to hear whether M r Little is arived safe, we felt for his mis- fortunes at first seting out his journey. 10 th . Par and I had been out last evening, as we got to our door, saw Isaac LeBaron coming out, gave Par his news Paper and told him, we had a letter from the Ohio, and that the office was shut we could not get it till morning, we were up very early, sent for our letter, when to our very great mortification, it was from our tennant at Branford. 1 — allso had a letter from aunt Cary dated about 3 weeks ago, telling us that Oliver Dodge was going to the Ohio, by the first of this mounth, tho the time was pafs'd, we thought he might be detain 'd, and wrote to you to be left at M r Carys for him to take, however I did not regret it so much, as we shall send so soon by D r Hayward. 13. Sally Nickolson wedding — Cake, wine, punch. — 14. Din 'd with a large Company at Nath Jacksons I was suprised, we had a very genteel, elegant dinner, and with as littel fuse as ever I saw any where for so large a Company 20 sat at the table, very nice port, and evry i Eev. Chandler Robbins 's father was Rev. Philemon Robbins, pastor at Branford, Conn, for fifty years, and the reference was probably to his house. 190 A FAMILY HISTORY else dref s 't well, they say betsy Jackson, had the whole managinent, and M rs Bill Hall. — the morning after Sally, was marred, John Davis sent her, one doz of pictuers, that he bought at a vendue, some years ago, when Esq 1 " Mayhew's furniture was sold, was not that beautyfull? it discover 'd so much sencebility, it realy affected me. 16. Hannah, I believe I will tell you, that thro the me- dium of some Gentlemen of note in Boston, your Par, has a diploma, from the University at Edinburgh, con- ferring on him the honour of a Doctorate, in Divinity. Par looking over my shoulder, says poh, what did you say anything about it for. I tell him because Children, must be pleased with evry exprefsion of respec paid their parents. We have had a most delightfull winter as ever I re- member, no deep snows but warm rains, and fine serene weather after, but as poor master Joseph, us'd to say, I'll tell you what, M r Bobbins, winter will not rott in the sky, so we may expect a touch of it before spring. — While I am writing I feel so anxious to hear from all my dear Children at the Ohio, that I can 't say no more now. 18. I am happy, by the recept of a long letter from you my dear Hannah, Dec 7, it gives us pleasure to hear what you say of your dear little Children, after you had told of the amiable qualitys Josy, was pofses'd of. did not you mean to say he was very much like his Paa. However, I know when I am writing I am apt to make miftakes, so can easyly overlook it. Par is dispofed eno to gratify you Hannah you will have a carpet when we can send it but am suprized to hear you say, Josh is going to the Ohio, I am afraid he is gone, if he intended to go with Oliver Dodge, — we will take pains to inquire, as to the miniatures, I have seen some, that the person that advertises has taken, I can't say, I think they are good likenefses. We shall be happy to grant your request when we go to Boston in the spring, your mentioning, the Person that brought your letter on as far as Philadelphia, reminds me of M rs Dunkins living their, did not I tell you that Dr. Chandler Robbixk From an ambrotype copy of a miniature owned by his great grandson, Chandler Robbins, of New York City IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 191 M r D — n had return 'd with a pritty property, and has carred his family their, about a year and half ago. aunt Bethune, Nancy, and Nath, visited them last fall, went in the stage, how glad Susan would be to have you write to her. I am glad for her, she did not injoy herfelf perfectly, in the situation she was in at home. We din'd at Billy goodwin's to day, with a large com- pany. 19. Barny Hedge, has a fine little daughter born this evening, she bids fair for a large family, only 14 months, between this and little Barny. Nancy Seaver is very unwell never has recovered her health since she was confin'd. She told M rs Winslow, that she has not had a well day since she lay in with her first Child. 22. just as we were drinking tea, the frount door open'd quick^ Paa said who can that be, I said tis Chandlers step, just as I spoke the dear Child come into the room, very unexpectedly, he had occation to come to Boston and thought he could not return without spending a day or 2 at home. I never saw him look better in health, he is much pleas 'd with his imployment, but doth not think the compensation, is adequate to the Buifnefs, and told M r Vaughn so, upon which he desird him to mention his own termes. I put your last letter into his hand to read, when you say Isaac has sixty dollars a month, he say'd if that is afsertain'd, he will quit his present buisnefs and go to the Ohio and open a School, on the whole we think you ment a year, instead of a month. 24. great paraid for Plymo to day a civic feast, your Paa, by desire of the gentlemen of the town spoke an Oration in the meeting-house to the largest afsembly that lever saw here. D r Hayward will tell you all about it. 25. din'd with a large company at aunts to day, Mifs Mayhew, M rs Minot, Lydia, Debby. D rs Thacher, Hay- ward, and Bartlett. Billy Goodwin, M r Briggs Par and I. our dear son went away this morning, has had a fine day. his stay was so short, that I can hardly real- ize that I have seen him. poor Jack Bartlett, dy'd last night. 192 A FAMILY HISTORY Anna went home last Saturday very sick, she allmost dy'd, when she got ready to go, says she shall never come to town again, till she is brought to be buried, it was very affecting to us all, she has lived in our family 14 years, and as faithfull a girl, as ever was. Chandler had not time to go and see her. but sent her a dollar, it was kind in him. tho she shall never want for any thing, as long as she lives. Nancy Coad, wants very much to come here again, but I think I can't bare with her temper. If we should get a carpet for you, how are we to send it? M r Gilman must tell, we long to have it in our power to do more for Children. I am sure tis the greatest satisfaction in the world, to make them happy. 26. I have try 'd to get you a nice handkerchief but can't, have sent a y d of muslin the best there is in town, a pair of gloves, a ribon ; as D r H goes in the stage am afraid of making the bundle large, accept of them as a small token of love from your affectionate Mother. P S my dear Children grandmar must say a word if its only to tel you how much I love and longe to see you and the dear littel ones. I rejoyee to Hear of your wellfare which I ever regard with the tenderst con- cern and that your situation is so pleasant and agree- able it gives me comfort and satisfaction on your acount but when I can realize the meaning & certainty of eternal things, this swallows up all other cares for my Self & dear Children nothing can be of equal im- portance o that we may view things now as they will appear when we come to leave them my affectiona te regards to your dear parants I hope your dear Mar Gilman has not quite forgot those old Exeter aquant- ences thay remember her with esteem & love I send a pece of Callico for a winter gond for littel Jane as a small token of my love — dear children farewell may the god of love & peace dwell with & bless you is the wish and prayer of your truly affect nt grandmar Jane Gilman I have thought, that I could with chearfullnefs go thro the fatigue of a Journey, to see my dear Chil- dren at the end of it. even to the Ohio, tis my duty to Mrs. Chandler Robbins (Jane Prince) From an ambrotype copy of a miniature owned by her great grandson, Chandler Bobbins, of New York City IN LETTEKS AND DOCUMENTS 193 be contented and easy, in the situation I am in tho I am call'd to meet with many things that are not joyous, aunt says she will write, Par is writing to Isaac. I would but have not time as tis allmost dark. Heaven blefs you, my dear, dear Children, do improve all oppertunitys to write, love to Your dear parents, from your affectionnate Mother Jane Bobbins. 174 The next letter has to do with the Scioto Company and nowhere can we find the matter so clearly put and in so few words as in Prof. Hulbert's volumes. 1 ''The Scioto coterie was composed of an interesting crowd of promot- ers and speculators; their operations, individual, cooper- ative and international in scope, throw light upon the financeering and speculation of the first years of the re- public's life." "Their correspondence of the time shows no intention to better by one penny a single property that came into their hands, no intention to create a dollar's worth of wealth." They contracted for a large number of acres on the Ohio, which they did not survey, but held for a speculative value and which was supposed to be alongside of the Ohio Company's land. Joel Barlow was the agent whom Col. Duer, Craigie and the rest sent to Europe with very little instruction as to their plan. "The Yankee in him made him so practically presump- tuous as to suppose that if the members of the group could not realize on their option in one way, they would be glad to do so in another. ' ' What the men wanted was a loan from abroad, what Barlow got was a "little emi- gration party of about five hundred" who arrived at Alexandria, Va., in the spring of 1790. "The pitiful account of their sojourn in Virginia has been frequently repeated. . . The brunt of the situation fell upon the Ohio Company. Its men piloted the unfortunates to i Bee. 0. P. of the Ohio Co., i, lxxiii-xei. 194 A FAMILY HISTORY their lands for which the Scioto trustees never paid and built them temporary cabins." The Ohio Company lost eighty thousand dollars when, in 1792, the panic took down the three important Scioto trustees, "Duer and Flint of New York and Craigie of New York and Cam- bridge. ' ' It is important to note that the Ohio Company was not involved, morally or practically, in this specula- tion. "At the time that the Scioto group was in the last throes of dissolution and Duer was being haled to jail, the Ohio Company was dividing an $80,000 dividend among its stockholders." "That a group of men who had made a Massachusetts legislative committee afraid of their own shadows would have allowed this dividend to be distributed, if there could have been found the least reason why the Ohio Company should be held responsible for the Scioto speculation, will be credited by no sane person." Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman. 1 Marietta 6 th January 1792-3 Dear Sir I shall make no apology for troubling you with this Letter, your own benovolent heart will apologize for me the moment you are informed that the fubject of it is in favour of Strangers who have been grofsly imposed upon by some Speculating Americans. As you have been for a long time at the Seat of Government, you must have heard, that Certain persons calling themselves the Scioto Comp a , by their Agent M r Barlow in France sold large tracts of land in this part of the Country to a number of Gentlemen there, describing the same by a Plan there shewn as beginning nearly opposite the Mouth of the Great Kanawa and extending down the River Ohio to Scioto River, this Land was fold at a high rate and (as I am informed) one half the purchase fum was paid down 1 Congress moved to Philadelphia, December 6, 1790, so this letter must have been directed there. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 195 in fpecie, and for the remaining half Bills of Exch a were drawn or such other fecurity given as makes it highly probable the whole, or far the greatest part of the pur- chase fum has been paid — In full confidence in the Right of the said Comp a to dispose of said Lands a number of respectable Gentlemen embarked bring with them num- bers of Servants to whom they promised Lands in con- sideration of their Service when the term of their Service expired, with provisions & Cloathing in the interim — In this fituation they arrived here, and began (two years ago) a fettlement at a place named Gallipolis, and per- haps no people were ever more industrious in clearing building &c &c in a new Country than they were, till on compleating the Survey of the Ohio Company's purchase it was found to include not only the Ground where their Town ftands but also a great part of the lands purchased of the Scioto Company — This news was nearly fatal to the fettlement, most of the Servants leaving their Mas- ters, giving as a reason that they would not be able to give them the Lands agreed upon at the expiration of their Service. Notwithstanding every discouragement, a number of the principal Gentlemen have had the forti- tude to remain on the Ground flattering they should have been secured in their titles by an exchange of Lands be- tween the two Companies of Scioto and Ohio — or a pur- chase from the latter by the former Comp a , which last it is probable would have taken place had it not been for the failure of M r Duer, but this has set them all on note — and in this distrefsed fituation they have determined to apply to Congrefs for relief. Two of their Agents Mon- sieur De Rome and Monsieur Vandelbergen are now here on their way to Phil a they are both men of good Charac- ters (well known in this County to which Gallipolis be- longs), and as such my dear Friend permit me to intro- duce them to you. They have not any particular plan, but mean to petition Congrefs generally unless otherwise advised when they arrive at the Seat of Government. Mon r de Rome fpeaks good english, and appears to me too well bred to be troublesome. He will give you a true relation of their present situation and the various grada- tions that have led to it. — I have confined myself to 196 A FAMILY HISTORY simple facts, the general Government is fully adequate to redrefs all wrongs — Nor do I mean to include all the persons who are ai'sociates in the Scioto Company many of whom are Gent" of known and acknowleged worth, but the immediate Actors have my utmost detestation. I believe you never received my last letter, but as it only related to my Family and private concerns 'tis of no consequence. I only mention it to afsure you no Let- ter of yours has been neglected. I wish I could write you any thing new or that would be agreeable from this distant part of the world. But it is from you we are to expect news. We are constantly on our guard, tho' no damage has been done for some months past — at night we fasten our Gates and gener- ally are confined at home for the night. — We have neither poverty nor riches, so have no reason to repeat the prayer in Proverbs but on the whole are contented with our Lot, which perhaps is really preferable to that enjoy 'd by far the greatest part of mankind. My two Grandchildren are looked upon as none such here, I mean by Grandma' & Ma' — The oldest is a pratler and by the multiplicity and odness of her questions, is sufficient amusement when confined at home. The Boy is about 6 months old, is a fine hearty child, and bids fair (should he live) to make a fubstantial farmer, the honestest and most independent of all callings. I suppose by General Putnam who is to leave this place soon for Phil a you will receive a number of Laws, made for the Government of this Territory, the fummer past: I wish you would critically examine y m . There are some of them which want explanation and others not founded on any Laws of the original States, and contrary to that general Liberty which every man in every free Govern- ment has a right to, particularly that prohibiting the fale of foreign Articles except by persons licensed, this Law has a direct tendency to encourage monopolies, which ought to be carefully guarded against in every & especially in all new Countries — I wish you would con- sult M r Livermore on this Act. My famaly join their most cordial wishes for your health & happinef s with Dear Sir Your humble Servant J Gilman. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 197 175 Dr. and Mrs. Chandler Bobbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gelman, Marietta, Ohio. Plim May 6 th 1793. To Benj a , — Hannah, & Isaac, if with y° — My dear, very dear Children — I long to see you— -Oh when will y e wish d for day come, when our anxious disires may be gratify d ? — I check y e fond thot — perhaps never, in this world! — Well, if Heaven sho d ordain so, let us, my dears prepare to meet in Glory — where friends will never regret absence & feparation more. — Do you think of these things, my dear Hannah? Do you practically think you shall soon die — that this world is not your home — that God has placed you here, only to prepare for Eternity — an Endlefs Eternity. how folemn the Word! Or, on the other hand, is your Heart taken up with your dear babes & Husband & pleafant Enjoyments, fo that you have your happinefs & hopes only in this life. — if so, my [chi]ld, you are in a miferable Condition, & like to be more so [torn] all thefe are dying Comforts, & may leave you, at an unlook d for moment, & be blafted in Death — & then — what will you do, & where will you fly for help, if you have no God — no covenant interest in God, for your Support? Indeed, my dear Children, you must have a better Good than Earth affords, or you must be forever unfafe, forever wretched, in this dying World. — I have had much, much Occafion to think of my Chil- dren of late — when I have f een such great — such aston- ishing Displays of divine Grace & power in this place, since Jan y last — more efpecially among the younger part of this Congregation — Such a folemn Concern for their immortal Souls — fuch ardent & affecting Enquiries, ' 'What shall we do to be faved" — quitting their vain Amufements, & vain Companions, & prefsing into the Kingdom of God — & Numbers of them, who, a little while ago, would scarce hear much less talk of Religion, now, — with cheerful Joy speaking of the Glory of Christ & heavenly Th ss , & longing for y e Converf ion of others — that they may join with them in adoring & praifing God for redeeming love. 198 A FAMILY HISTORY I think I said something to you, of this, when the Awak- ening first began here, in one of my last letters — but forget what, & of whom among your Acquaintance, I wrote — Some, I will here mention, who we have reafon to hope & trust have met with a laving Change at this period & join d or joining to y e Church — D r Cotton — M r Prince — Barn 3 Churchills Wife — Hannah Nicolson — Nancy Dunham — one Zilpah Morton (baptiz d y e same day you was.) Betfy Withrill — Jefse Bartlett — John Carver — young Sam 1 Bradford — Polly Le Baron — Polly Drew — Elijah Donham & his wife — two of Rich- ard Holmes's Daughters — Lydia Holmes y l was, who marry d Th s Torrey — Tomme Withrell — & many others, whom you are not acq d with. — The young Christians, with others who are under great Concern for y r Souls, meet feveral Evenings in the week, for religious Exer- cises & Converfation — We have frequent public Preach- ing in y e Meetinghoufe — & Ministers from abroad visit & preach with us. You would be astonish d at y e Altera- tion in this town, in y e Morals, & B[torn] of y e people, old & young — Strangers from other places, who [torn] here, observe, with Surprize, y e great Decency, order & good behav[torn] The little Children appear unufually imprefs d — sev- eral of them we have reafon to hope, have become new Creatures — they af sociate together of y r own Motion, as often as two Evenings in a week, for f erious Exercif es — 2 or 3 of those, whom we hope well of — lead in them — pray with their Mates — read & fing — & break up in good feason, & retire home in order & peace — They have met twice at our houf e — We had a Def ire to hear y m , in an adjoining Chamber — & the solemnity — & y e Expref- sions in Prayer, were perfectly surprizing — for Propri- ety. When they broke up, our people counted them as they went out, & there were 92 of 'em — & you would not have known, if you were below Stairs, that there was any body in y e house, befides our own family — such was y e Order & Silence & Solemnity among y m . — from about 16 years old, down to 8 or 7. — Never, truly, was there such a Day, since I knew this place — nor for above 50 years before the present time. — I know that God is not limited IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 199 to time, nor place — but I have, at this remarkable fea- son, been ready to wifh y l my dear Children had been with us — when God has come so near to us, in fuch vif- ible tokens of his Grace & power, & been ready to fay, who knows but fome of mine might be made Sharers in this great Salvation. — cutting thot, to think that^ they sho d remain in an unconverted, Christlefs State & live & die Enemies to God, & be lost forever — while others of their acquaintance, Companions & friends are call d into the Kingdom of Grace, & preparing for the Kingdom of Glory! ' However — God is every where — & tho it is, & must be owned to be a great privilege to live in a day & place, where the Spirit of God is poured out in gracious Effu- sions, for y e Conviction & Conversion of Sinners — Yet I will hope for you & yours, & for all our Children that they may not be left behind, when others are taken — but that God will, in infinite mercy, bring them all to y e Knowl- edge of themf elves — of y r perishing conditions by nature, & to look to Jesus Christ alone for help & Salvation. — Dont think yourfelves happy, be your circumftances what they may, but view yourfelves in an infin l ly dangerous & wretched Condition, till your peace is made with God, by a faving Interest in Chrift — thus you 11 be prepared to live & prep d to die. — We hear, now & then, from your Br° Ch r & from j enn y — they are well — Jenny has another Son — born 15 th Feb. last. Aunt Thomfon & George, (who lives at home now, & ftudies w th Maj r Thomas) are well, & fend Love — So does y r Grand Mar, who is well, for her — Old M rs Bartlett is dead — So is M rs Dowe & sev 1 others this Spring. — Mercy Rufsell lies dangerously fick — y e Event is fearful — Betfy Withrell alfo, of y e fame fever — but hope is getting better — Hannah, I must tell you, since I mention her — you wo d have been affected, you wo d have wept, to have feen & heard Betfy, last week, when they were all affraid she wo d die — look up upon us & fay — "Oh I have no will but Gods will — whither to live or die — I know tis a folemn thing to die — but I can fweetly glide thro y e dark valley, looking to Jesus, & putting my whole trust in him" — these were her words — Oh y e 200 A FAMILY HISTORY power & Comfort of Religion in life or Death! & how beautiful in young perfons. Our dearest Love attends y° both & y r sweet Babes — Parents &c. Do write us, & ab l dear Isaac. Y r afr 1 Par ts Chandler & Jane Robbins. 176 Dr. and Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plym , Dec r 13 th , 1793. My dear, very, very dear Hannah. You & your best of husbands have been so good about writing, and it gives us so much heartfelt satisfaction to hear from you, that I criminate myself for writing no oftener — for I have been looking over in my Almanach my List of letters wrote to & recieved from, & I find yours exceeds mine to you. This hurts me — for I always thot, & intended to write oftener than I rec d — But will endeavor to make Amends in future, if God may please to afford Opp°. Last Evening, we were made very happy in rec ng yours of y e 1 st Nov r , by M rs Hafkell, as you fay, tho it came by y e post, from Boston only. You say you shall miss y e C° of this good Lady — I am sorry you sho d be deprived of any confolation, at that distance from us. But there is one friend, (if we will make him fuch, & will choofe him for our friend) who will never leave — never forfake us — who will be a constant friend, & a powerful helper in the greatest Exigences — & efpecially in the last Scene, which must Seperate us from all mortal friends. — O my Han- nah, I muft, I do, I will hope, that while you are far re- moved from your tender Earthly Parents, you will feek & fecure this imortal, Etern 1 friend. The deareft, sweet- est Connections & Comforts, without this, are totally un- certain, & will be unavailing, in the greatest Emergen- cies — particularly in a dying hour. How often, my dear Children, do you think we v thought of you in this View, for thefe 12 m os past, while we have seen fuch aftonishing displays of y 6 power & fov n grace of Christ, towards f o many of y e Youth in this town — in turning them from Darknefs to Light — from y e Error of y r ways to y e Wisdom of y e Just, & in open- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 201 ing their mouths in y e praife of God & his redeeming Love. Never in your, or our day, has anything taken place comparable to it — And the Change in them, ap- pears happily abiding, & not as y e morning Cloud y 4 foon pafseth away — Their fruits evidence the feriousnefs of their Converfion. And I believe there never has been an Instance, (where there has been fo great a Revival of Re- ligion) that there has been fo little vifible Oppofsition, & fo free from corrupt mixtures, Disorder or Irregularity. And thro y e goodnefs of God, we ftill have Tokens of his gracious pref ence & power — tho not in f o great & vifible a degree, as in the Spring & Summer past. Private Meet ss & Conferences for religious Exercifes are still kept up — & appear to be attended with y e pref ence & blefsing of God. that you & all our dear Children may become "New Creatures" — "born again" — & pofsefsed of that Religion which your Bible, which Jesus Cx afsures y° is abfolutely necefsary in ord r to enter into y e Kingdom of Heaven ! How is your Brother Isaac now? You or your husb d wrote, not long since, that you concieved great hopes, & believed, that after all, he would become a steady, good man. You dont imagine what Comfort it gave us. — And what added to our Satisfaction & increased our hopes, was, a letter we received from him, not long ago, in which his mind appeared very thotful, & it was evident he was, at times, under ferious Imprefsions about y e great Con- cerns of a future world. I wrote him an Anfwer — twas sometime in Nov r — hope he has rec d it. Wifh to know where he is. I don't get any Idea by his dating Buf- falo — Charleft" &c. It cant be y 4 Buffalo Creek where y e Savages make y r incurfions & have kill d our pple, can it? Where does it lie ! & how far from you? Do write us more about Isaac, in y r next — You can both of you eafily concieve how rejoiced our hearts must be, & w l good News from y l far C°, it would be, to hear of a thoro, last- ing Change in that dear Child. Heaven grant us the Satisfaction! — How could it be pofsible Hannah, that you sho d not fay a word about your dear Babes, with re- fpect to Smallpox — You dont know how anxious we felt for them for y e last News about them was, you told us 202 A FAMILY HISTORY in your last letter, (before this) they were innoculated y e very day before you wrote. — But we fafely conclude from y r Silence that, they got well, & had it favorably — & will rej ce for it. You exprefs a longing desire to fee us — Nor is it greater, or more ardent & conftant than ours to fee you & yours. when will y e welcome hour arrive? If it were not for this unfortun 1 Indian War, we sho d hope it wou d be fpeedily — But I sho d almoft be affraid to have you come now. — If it pleafe God to put a final & happy End to it, we don't wholly defpair, (sho d you re- main there, wh b we often are ready to hope may not be y e cafe, if confistent) of once feeing that world. But this, as well as every thing elfe, in y s mutable State of y ss , is uncertain. But while this happinefs is deny d us, do let us try to make it up by more frequent epistolary Com- munications — I have had much on my hands, of late in that way. By some Turn in y e Difpenfation of prov- idence, I have lately a pretty extenfive Correfpondence open'd in England, in sev 1 parts of it — both Clergy & other religious Characters in y e civil & Mercantile line of Life. Have recieved, about 3 weeks ago, large pack- etts, with fome Books &c from y 1 quarter — And was all last week writing Anfwers — to go by our last fhip this Seaf on bound for London. — The Names of the persons — Rev d D r Williams — Little — Hutch n s n — Blackmore &c. The latter of thefe, (a Merch 1 ) has large Connect" 8 & Dependants, & has thots of coming over here — writes for fome particular Information of Matters & things, with y 1 View. There is not anything fpecial here that I think of, fince I wrote you before ; — except that it has been very sickly here, & in other places, in Sep 1 & Oct r — chiefly y e Dyfsen- tery. But thro y e tender Mercy of God, while others have dyed, & Numbers call d to mourning, we & ours have been f pared. Tho your Mother, (I think I ment d in my last) was vifited with it, & bad, fome days, but is now as well as ufual, & y e reft of us. Grandmar is yet with us, & in Statu quo — sends her Love to you all. We had let- ters ab* 3 Weeks ago from Jenny, & alfo from Ch r & Har- riott — all well there. Poor Co 1 Lothrop is in a mifer- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 203 able Situation — has been quite deranged in bis SenXes — bis Brothers bire him boarded up at Kempton's place, a mile off — but he appears to be just gone — I was called to see him yesterday, thot to be dying. — Poor soul — broken — ruined & fallen, by every kind of Excefs. — John Watfon's Wife is dead — dy d ab 1 a month ago, of y* Dyfsentery — & feveral others, whom you was not acq d with. Your Mama & Aunt Th n , y e week before last, went to Bofton, by land, & returned y e fame week — had a pleas* Journey & Visit. Judge Gill gave her, as ufual, a large Cheese ab 1 40 lb , made at Princeton. — But one thing your Mar was exceed g ly pleas d with. She was at Cambridge & law there M rs Dunkin, who moved from Philad a (where they live) last Summer — She told y r Mother, they efteem it a trifling Journey, from Phil a to Marietta. And that she had an Acquaint 06 of hers there who was going to Marietta, not long since — (Name she y r Mar thinks was Hunt) — Sukey charg d him to call & fee you — On his Return, she enquired of him — & he told her he did — " & a finer Woman he never faw in his life, & was almoft fallen in Love — And two fuch Children as she had, he never laid his Eyes on before." — Thus much for that. It was pleafing to a Parent — i e, fupposing twas true, that he did call on you. — & I have no reaf on to think the Gentleman made y e Story to pleafe M rs Dunkin. — Our Children all send Love. You made us laugh when in yours you say "Dear little Peter I hope is well." You have no Idea, I conclude, y l little Peter is bigger y n Sam was w n y° faw him — & that he ftudies & recites Virgil — Tully &c & is almoft fitted for College. Sam 1 , will go, I fupp e next Commencement — & Peter might be got ready by y* time, but he is too young yet, Old Anna is yet aiive — but poorly, lives at her Mother's — but crawls over here now & then. — Well my dear Children — I v written a long, tho promifcuous Epistle. Do write w n y° recieve it, if y° ever do. We all join in y e tendereft Emo- tions of Love to you both & sweet Babes. Alfo, kind Reg ds to y r dear & worthy Parents. Write Soon, my Son, & tell all ab* y e War &c & your Situat" — hopes — fears &c if it continues, I pray y° leave that & come back to 204 A FAMILY HISTORY y e Bofom of y r Native C° & friends, & rej ce y e H t3 of y r aff' Parents Chandler & Jane Bobbins. P. S. Unhappily, my dear Daught 1 ", y e Post went off last week, & forgot my Letter. Therefore I newclate it, viz. Dec 1 " 24 th — Nothing special to add — except that GrandMar is a little more poorly, for a day or two than usual — but she oft has ill turns. One or two fudden Deaths. Old M r Nelfon whom they call d Uncle Johnny is dead — & Bill Barnes, a drinking man, went to bed well N : before last, & found Dead in y e Morning. — Last Sabb. being Fr. Fath rs day at y e Defire of y e pple I preach d a Fr. F rsl Sermon. Han Nicolson is going to be marry 4 to a Gentleman merch 1 in Salem — pious Man & an excell 1 Match. — Write ab l Geo. Torrey. His friends v nev r h d by letter f r him. PLYMOUTH. Dec m 23 d — 25 M r Benj: a Ives Gilman. p r Post Marietta To y e Postoffice in Ohio Pittsburg Via Philad a . 177 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Rev. Tristram Gilman, North Yarmouth, Me. Plymouth December 29 th 1794 My Dear Uncle — I had the pleasure of receiving a line from you some time ago — and as its not disagreeable to you should have wrote you before, had I been favour* with an Op- portunity. — You mention a desire to be informed the particulars of my Journey. — I took leave of the best of Husbands, and loveliest of Children 2 d of June Just be- fore day. — M r Gilman hired 8 Men to come up the River by land. As a safeguard to us in the barge — seven in number. — As we came against the Current, we could not go further than 40 miles that day. at night, I requested the owner of the barge to let me anchor off in the middle of the River, lest there should be enemy on shore. — he i Forefathers' Day. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 205 consented — and remained with me and my Brother Isaac, who was with me — on board. — I pafs' d a very dis- agreeable night, but was a good Centinel for my fellow pafsengers on shore. — next night we got to a good sta- tion 80 miles from Marietta, and out of danger from In- dians. — 4 th of June, we arrived at Charlestown Mouth of Buffaloe. — Here my Brother Isaac resides. 106 miles from Marietta. — M r Bailey and myself then took Horses, and commenced our Journey. — nothing material hap- pen" 1 till we got within three days ride of my Uncles at Norfolk, State of Conecticut. 1 — where M r Bailey went to the stable for my horse, and found he had a swelling on his back near as big as my head. — For the first time, I felt discourage" 1 & disheartned. — After I saw it — I went into the house, began to think of & wish for the presence and advice of my dear Husband. — I was going to give vent to the feelings of my heart— but check" 1 my- self, and determined to overcome such feelings, and reas- sume my former resolution. — I went to M r Bailey, told him that as the horse was a very fine one, perhaps he could exchange him, with a trifle for one not so good, he went out, & soon returned with another horse, and Just before night we proceeded on our Journey. — I rode him as far as my Uncle's— but as I was not use' d to a trotting horse, it overcame me so much that I determined to take the Heartford Stage, and proceed to Boston.— After resting some days at my Uncle's, I took a seat in the Stage, & arrived at Boston 1 st day of July. — doubt- lefs my dear Sir, you read an account of the terrible Tor- nado in Conecticut, — I forgot to mention, that I saw the Cloud rising in its awful Grandeur, and had I been 2 hours sooner, should have been caught in the dreadful scen e. — But I was remarkably preserved — and much favourd with regard to the weather, was not detain 'd one quarter of an hour by rain. — It seem" 1 as if Providence smiled upon the undertaking — Every difficulty I met with, appear ' d but for a moment.— Hope I shall ever re- member with gratitude to Heaven, my preservations thro' that long Journey, and Gods mercy to me since my arrival here. — Thus my clear Uncle as you wish" 1 — I i Eev. Ammi Euhamah Eobbins. 206 A FAMILY HISTORY have wrote you a particular account of my Journey. 1 — I thank you my dear Sir for your good wishes for myself & dear absent family. I was pleas ' d with the account of your Children — Joseph, I remember to have seen at Ex- eter, the others, I never saw. — It would afford great pleasure to receive a line from any of them, I feel inter- ested in their concerns and wish them Happy. — Please to excuse my writing so lengthy — and all inaccuracies — and believe me with respect your dutiful & Affectionate Niece Hannah G-ilman 178 Mrs. Chandler Bobbins' mother, Mrs. Peter Gilman, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Cary, in Newburyport, March 9, 1795, at the age of eighty-one. Benj. Ives Gilman to his wife, Plymouth, Mass. Marietta April 25th 1795. By the last mail but one I wrote you my dear H that I could not commence my journey so soon as proposed — About the time that I proposed leaving this Col Meigs received an appointment in the Indian Department and is gone to - attend the Treaty : of course the Prothono- tary's Office became vacant — This Office at present is not very lucrative but is daily encreasing and is a re- spectable appointment — Several Candidates appeared and I had some doubts whether I could obtain the Office, altho' the Court and many other Gentleman were my friends — Governor S l Clair arrived here the 22 d ins 1 . I waited on him and he immediately introduced the subject and after many exprefsions of friendship, told me that he would with great pleasure appoint me to the Office or any other in the County in his power to bestow. — To-morrow I expect to receive the Commifsion and take pofefsion of the papers. — I have been thus particular for your satis- faction as you must have been anxious to know the cause that put off my Journey. — It is necefsary for me to be i Mrs. Gilman 's third child, Benjamin Ives, was born at Plymouth, October 3, 1794, after this difficult journey. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 207 here at June Court, immediately after which I shall com- mence travelling. — I am aware of the difficulties that will attend so long a Journey in the heat of Summer, particu- larly w h a young child: but on the other hand, future prospects must not be wholly sacrificed to present con- venience — I must either travel in Summer or wait untill September Court is over, which would be extremely dis- agreeable as I cannot think of living so long without y 0U> — I doubt not but this absence from your family is very distrefsing: but did you know the keen sorrows I feel at this long, this painful seperation, your own suf- ferings would vanish and sympathy for your husband occupy your whole attention. — I am sometimes so anx- ious to be with you and our dear little Ives, that I deter- mine to set off immediately and should, did not prudence come to my aid and say that its impofsible — Alas, a Journey from here to Plym is no trifle and a thousand things must concur to make it eligible. — The Expence, Time, Mode of Journeying &c &c &c &c: are all to be maturely considered. — I am sorry to inform you that my dear parents are frequently indisposed — particularly my Mother who has some alarming Symptoms — She however is not confined — We yesterday had a new Maid, which will relieve my mother from much care — Her name is Rebeca Jones (or Lake) you have perhaps seen her washing for M rs Meigs — She had eighteen months to serve and we gave twenty dollars to M rs Lake for her time and are to give her perhaps ten dollars worth of Clothes — You will doubtlefs concur with me in this, that it is highly improper for me to be absent from home long, on account of the situation of the family, (independent of any consideration of my businefs) I therefore wish you immediately on the receipt of this Letter, to write me a Line (which shall expect to receive by the 20th of June) and inform me, whether it will be possible for you to meet me either at Hartford, New York, Phila d or any other place, for even at Connecticut, it would save me four weeks time. — Do not think by my so frequently and earnestly asking you to meet me half way, that I wish you to travel in an "improper manner: far from it — I would rather go to the Province of Main for you, than to have you travel ten miles without a kind afsistant and pro- 208 A FAMILY HISTORY tector — Ah! that Journey from Hartford to Boston, the bare recollection of it fills me with inexprefsible hor- ror 1 — Good Heaven! had I known, at the time, of your situation, I should have been distracted — There was something even in the appearance of the thing (inde- pendent of the danger) that wounds & Mortify s my feel- ings beyond expref sion. — I was much grieved at the ace 1 of our Sons illnefs mentioned in your last (Mar : 6) — let us thank heaven for his recovery & for the unusual share of health that our dear Children enjoy at this place — Jose is now standing at my elbow and knowing that this Letter is for you desires (of his own accord) that I would tell you that he "is a good Boy and that he will be very glad if you will come home soon". — Jane is constantly talking of you and every Boat that appears in sight, she enquires of me if you are not on Board — I should prefer bringing you to Phila d by Water, if you can consent, or in a Horse & Chaise — I fear travelling in the Stages will be dangerous for our infant. — Write me what a Strong horse and fecond hand Chaise can be purchased for. — However (as I have always said) the mode of Journey- ing shall be left to your choice. — Judge Putnam is gone on to N E he proposes being in Boston at Election — I have desired him to receive my 2 d Dividend of the Funds of Col Talmadge and leave it (about 60 or 70 dollars) with M r Gridley or John Davis Esq 1 " to be paid by them to Your Pa 'a or his order — This renders it unnecefsary for me to go to Litchfield. — I wish you to send to Boston and buy me a Treatise on rearing Cattle &c by John Mills Esq r (which I have seen advertised in the Centinel) — Prepare yourself for surprise ! Lucy W ge was mar- ried a few nights since to Judge Petit and yesterday set off for Gallipolis — M rs W ge and Clara B s, set off the day before for Connec 1 For reasons (to be here- after mentioned) I wish you not to go thro Norwich, as I do not wish you to call on that Family. — Our neigh- 1 It is odd that Mr. Giuman was horrified at his wife's having traveled alone in a stage from Hartford to Boston, and yet he treated her going from Marietta to Hartford by boat and on horseback with a friend as quite an ordinary thing. It seems to be the latest custom that is the objectionable one. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 209 bour M rs Schaumaun is dead — D r Spencer, Col° Lord and others are settled five miles below here on the Virginia side of the River. — Every account from below mentions the prospect of peace : Maj r Cafs * (who commands Fort Hamilton) writes me that he has no more doubts of a peace taking place than that the Muskingum empties into the Ohio — Gov r S l Clair says there is not the least dan- ger of any difficulties arising & indeed this is the opinion of all intelligent persons. — I am very anxious to have you here in August so that you may taste of the earliest Peaches — the prospect is good and if the Trees bear as well as usual we shall have two hundred bushels this Year. — I have made considerable additions to our fruit this Year — Four thousand Cions of apple Trees beside Rare Ripes, Pears &c, were sent on to this place by a M r Put- nam they were collected in Connec 1 R Island & New York — I grafted fifty apple trees which are all living but five — there are Sixteen kinds; among which are Newton Pippins, R. I. Greenings, fix kinds of Permains &c &c — I have also Apricots & Nectarines growing. — We intend sending on this Winter for Cions of the most celebrated plums, pears and peaches in order to make our collection of fruit as complete as pof sible. — This climate is so favourable to Fruit Trees that there is great pleas- ure in paying unusual attention to them. — I shall trouble Your good Pa 'a to collect me a Box of Cions, this fall, in the neighbourhood of Boston — The Inhabitants are moving out daily, and the prospect of peace, so long wishd for, gladens the hearts of all. — I wish it was pofsible for me to pafs even a few days at Plymouth, but this inexpref sible pleasure, it is impofsible for me to enjoy, for should I come on that far my hurry would be so great that I could not stay more than one day — I must therefore solace myself with the reflection that on your next visit I shall be there with You. — You i Major Jonathan Cass was a native of Exeter, served through the Eev- olution, and attained the rank of major in Ohio later. He married in 1781, a Mary Gilman and had a son, Lewis, born 1782, who studied law at Marietta, was governor of Michigan in 1814, secretary of war in 1831, United States senator in 1844 and 1851, and secretary of state in 1857. He died in 1866. See his letter of February 9, 1832. 210 A FAMILY HISTORY have probably seen Maj r Haskell before this, I write him by this Post. — If he brings on M rs H, this year, cannot we contrive to come on in Company — It would be pecu- liarly agreeable to me. — I almost always neglect mention g Duty, Respects, Comp ts &c to friends, You must always give them, as much as if I mentioned it in the most formal manner. — Cath e Warth (Thierry) has a fon — fhe is married again, to a Frenchman at Gallipolis. — She was married in the House we lived in, Thierrys House not being large enough to accommodate the Guests. — We had a smart frolic. Madame Petit was there — Judge Petit was mar- ried sans Cerimonie. — I dined yesterday at Col Sproats: Governour, & a select Company. — M rs Sproat is one of the most agreeable women in the world — She is extremely anxious to see you — There is a coolnefs be- tween Col S & Judge W ge that affects the fam- ilies. — I have crouded this Letter & wish the paper was ten times so large as writing to You is the only amuse- ment I enjoy — Your affectionate B : I : Gilman 179 Benj. Ives Gllman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman, Philadel- phia, Pa. Marietta December 27th 1795. Dear Sir We have been informed that Congrefs would probably establish a Land Office this Sefsion. As I feel interested in this measure from my local situation, I have taken the liberty to addrefs You, Sir, for information on the sub- ject- Whenever Congrefs open their Lands for Sale, I hope it will be under such restrictions, as will prevent Specu- lators, with large Capitals from engrofsing. If pru- dently managed the North-Western Territory will be a ver^ productive source of Revenue for the United States. I have also taken the liberty of enclosing a Letter for M r G. Lamson & one for Col Sargent. Should the latter not be in Philadelphia, will thank you, Sir, to keep it until his arrival. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 211 Our townsman Cap* n has left this settlement — where he now resides is to me unknown. In him we have a striking instance of the necefsity of setting out in the world with fix'd Moral Principles. Whoever calculates that appearances is the only difference between an honest man & a knave or between Virtue & Vice ; must in the end find himself egregiously mistaken. My Parents are both very well as are the members of my small family; and desire me to present their respectful Compliments. I am Sir with Respect Your Obedient & humble Sery 1 Benj a I. Gilman. 180 Dr. and Mrs. Chandler Robins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plym Jan y 26 1796. My dear, very d r children — Redoubling the Addrefs, after your example, does but exprefs the intimate feel- ings of my heart — my chief concern ought to be, lest they be held too dear to o r Hearts, & thereby stand in competition with an Object infinitely fuperior to y e dear- est earthly friend. We recieved, by last post, yours, dated Dec r 22 d (fore- father's day) in which you inform us, you had recieved mine of Nov r 24 th — but, by your Silence conclude you had not, that of Dec 1 " 1 st , in Anfwer to yours of Nov 1 " 1 st (w c we rec d y e 26 th ) — but prefume, you probably might recieve it by y e Mail after. And that will fupercede the necefsity of my answering one pafsage in your last, my dear Han- nah, respecting your proposal of refending the Bills, if they sho d arrive before Col. Tallmage left you. We doubt not the proposal arose from the purest & most affectionate motives, but in y e prefent cafe, our own feel- ings will be gratified in far greater degree, by your Ac- ceptance than Refufal. I can never reflect upon y e Pains you took, the hazzards you run, & the difficulties you en- counter 'd, with such unbroken and aftonishing Refolu- 212 A FAMILY HISTORY tion, in order to vifit your Parents, without y e most ten- der Emotions & oft with tears, — That Token, therefore of our affection, in return for yours, is, comparatively trifling, & don't mention it again, my dear. Then your good friend M r Fearing is marry d at last. Well I think he is wife in so doing, & wish him, most sin- cerely, & his good Lady, all happinefs, in the tender con- nexion. It must, undoubtedly be an addition to your happinefs to have so agreable a person for an Neighbor & Afsociate. Col. Tallmadge, it feems, is yet with you. It gives me pleafure to hear of his welfare, always — Am glad you have had y e satisfaction of seeing & enjoying his com- pany fo long. Prefent him, renewedly, my affectionate Regards, if he is yet there — Tho I think it probable he will have fet out on his Return before this reaches you, by a word in your last. He fhew you y e letter I wrote him, you say, & circular letter &c, & you ask w l my friends in England said about D r Hopkins' System &c. They, in general, approve it well. All my Correfpondents had not had opp° to read it, when they last wrote — but as far as they had, they spoke in terms of approb n — except a Remark or Enquiry which one of them made, respecting a point of no great confequence in y e System — viz whither any just Idea of a Deity could ever have been obtained, without a Revelation from God. M r Hopkins fuppofes it pofsible, & brings Rom. 1.20 as a proof. My Clerical friend in England, fuppofes differently — & that all true Notions of a God originate from a verbal, tho' not, at first, from a written Revelation &c &c. M r & M rs H. are exceed B ly pleas d with y e Book in general. They have still, great Satisfact" in 3 of their Children, from y e comfortable hopes of their having become new Creatures, by a faving Converfion to God. You would be much delighted to read her last Letters. But I cannot be very particular in a letter — Mar must do that — her Journal you fay gratifies you, on that very ace 1 — You have rec a one of 'em, I hope, that fent by Gen 1 Wadsworth — And fhe is preparing more, for fome future Opp°. You will, (by y e way) let me know, as I defired you in my last, in what way we can send, & to whom, in Pliilad a , any heavier a IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 213 Things than Letters, if we sho d have Occafion — & to Isaac too — as he freq'ly reminds us of his little blue box here &c. I intend writing again, next post day, to Gen 1 Wadsw th in Phil% to know whither y e bundle we fent is yet with him, or gone on to You. Should really be forry if that sho d , by any means, fail in its rout over y e Moun- tains. You will alfo, doubtlefs let us know ab 1 it — & Remember, Han. ; as I once before hinted, always to write me y e Dates of those y° rec d fr. me, & of thofe you fend — & I '11 do y e same — by which we can always know whither any and which, if any, of our letters miscarry. I observe you are pretty good & punctual in attending to a former Agreement to write once in ab* a Month or 6 weeks. You fail d once this fall, but then I prefum d it was becaufe you knew Co 1 Tallmadge wrote me just at the time you w have wrote, & told us all ab 4 you & yours, & Isaac — with all whom he said he din'd that day, & w r well. Why! that sweet Jose — to thank Grandpar's Profile for his new Skirt. I wish Gr. Par could fee him at his houfe, he would give him a Skirt made out of something better than his old gown — & Jane & B. Ives too. Dear, dear Babes — It hurts me almost to weeping, to hear such things of them, & can't fee'them. Heaven blefs the sweet Lambs — & grant we may, if it be his will, see them in due time, in this World — & prepare us & them with their dearest Parents, to meet in that State of immortal friend- fhip where we fhall never part any more ! It rejoices us greatly to hear Dear Benj a is relieved of his complaint, & that you are in Peace, & deliver 3 from y e fears of y e En- emy & your Country increafing in Population & Improv- ments. The Sicknefs, Canker-Rash, still continues here, — numbers have dy a — hope it abates, however — Our fam- ily, thro y e disting 5 Mercy of God are well — while others are in Sicknefs & Sorrow. I believe I wrote you in my last, (didn't I?) of y e mellanch' y sudden Death of young Ich d Shaws Wife, had y e Epidemic Disorder, when fhe lay in, & dy d of it. poor Cap 1 [illegible] dead too, coming from W. Ind s — & fince him Cap 1 Bill Sherman both bury d at Martha's Viney d — Had a letter from Chandler last week he has rec a a hurt, by lift s , with fome 214 A FAMILY HISTORY people, at a Rock — Strain d his Stomach, & very unwell since — hope to hear from him; recover* 1 fr. it. Jenny, not heard from, since I wrote you. Sam 1 at home, being Vacation. Peter at School — & Mona as ufeful & clever & mufical as he uf a to be. I thot, Hannah, I had effectually got rid of the affair of delivering y s pub. Dis s at y e Humane Society's Anni- verfary, by y e letter, you know, I wrote last year — But alas! 'Tother day rec d another polite Letter fr. y e Secr y inclofing an unanim 8 Vote of the Trustees, to y e fame purpofe — & having no good excufe, as before, am oblig d to accept. Our polit 1 quarrels, my Son, have indeed been sharp in Plim° — but hope near at an End. We are, y e chf of y e Characf & Prop y here, y* Side of federalism — Tho Gen 1 W. & 2 or 3 m° strive hard to have it oth r wife. All send Love to y° & y r dear Par ts . Y r affect 1 Parents Ch r & J. Robbins. P. S. Always our love to Isaac & let him know, when y° hear from us. 181 Dr. and Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mr. and Mrs. Ben j. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plimouth Dec r 20 th 1796. My very dear Children, We are daily thinking about you, & the sweet little ones with you, I must name y m . Dear Jane Robbins — beloved Joseph, (among his breth- ren) sweet, resolute Ben Ives & tender babe Rebecca, 1 — four Lovelings — the constant objects of parental Sollici- tude, & Grandparental fond affection. Dont let our Love, however, be inordinate — lest we love them to Death. Fading flowerets, remember they are, & liable to be cut down & withered, ere the Noon of life shall arrive. Such are all our terreftial Enjoyments. Happy, thrice happy they, who have an Interest in an immortal friend, who will never fail or forsake them. This is post day — and tho I have not recieved any line from you, since we wrote last, I seem as if I must not wait longer before we converfe again, this way. 1 Eebecea Ivea Gilman was born September 1, 1796. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 215 The last I rec d , was wrote by you, Han, dated 10 th Oct r ; & rec d y e 4 th Nov r , with the agreable particulars of the kindness of Gods gracious providence in your safe deliv- erance, & your resolution, (0 may you ever keep it) of trusting, in future, more on the Lord, & lefs on an Arm of flesh. We had rec d just before that, a Line from Benj" announcing y l happy Event, dated Sep r 4 th These are y* last from you. Except that we have the prefumptive Evidence that you are all well, by a Letter, or 2, M r Prince has rec d from you, w th Cash &c. (You fee, I am always particular, in the Chronology of dates of letters. Tis best — I wish always y e fame from you.) Since I have written to you, as follows — Nov r 8 p r post, in Anfw r to yours of Sep r & Oct 1 ", I mention 3 in this a Request of M r Woodbridge, quondam Preceptor, ab l Rights of Land. Tell if you rec d it. Next, wrote Nov r 11, or thereabouts sent by Gen 1 Wadsworth to Congrefs, he took it at Bos- ton — This contained your Mar's Journal &c. Let us hear y° rec d this. Next, Nov r 26 — to go by one Tupper, (Son to late Gen 1 T) who, I heard was with his Sister at Eafton, near Bridgwater, & going on, sometime this win- ter, to Ohio — This, rather a Random letter, but it cost nothing, & his bro r in Law ask d me to write by him. These are all, of late dates. Wrote to Isaac, Nov r 22 d , in anfw r to one rec d from him. We felt exceed g ly disapp td in his not returning with M r Prince, but since recieving his last, feel fatisfy d . — Providence orders all Events, & therefore they must be for y e best. We hope & trust our dear Children are in the Situation & Circumftances God would have them to be, & defire to commit & reft them & all their Interefts & Concerns in his hands. We wrote you, fometime ago, it had been forneth 5 fickly here, in y e summer & fall & of y e Death of M rs Le Baron, (Sally) & Esq r Cromwell &c. It has been fince that time, more healthy — Much as usual with us. But I was, just now call d to Bille Le Baron, to see poor young Sally, who lies very dangerously fick of y e fame fever, her Mar dy 4 w ith — has fome alarming Symptoms — I fear, but ftill there is grounds for hope she may recover — Poor Man, her father is quite borne down with it, & y e poor, thotlef s Sisters, seem much affrighted — being unufed, till lately, 216 A FAMILY HISTORY to Trouble, & more unufed, I fear, to serious Reflections, or to imagine in reallity that they must ever die. Wish it may be an abiding and ufeful Lef son to y m all. I have had more indispofition, of late, from my old Coinpl 1 , than common — Papl tn — extreme Indigestion, Debility & faintnefs, at times. So y c it fatigues me ex- ceedingly to preach, at times — almost discourages me. But, thro the mercy of God, I now, feel better than I have done. I keep ab 1 , much as usual, but still have those try- ing Complaints. Wish to be prepared for all God's Will. The rest of our family, are as ufual, thro divine good- ness. So are your Br° & Sister, by last Acc ts , in letters lately rec a from them. It is now here, all dreary Winter — Snow, & vast deal of Ice on y e Ground — all lock d up. You, I prefume, have it very differently with you. But in y e midst of all, hope you enjoy health, & the blef sings of providence in suffi- cient Competency — which, if you have alfo, grateful hearts, is enough. Your Br° Sam 1 P. has leave of ab- fence from College to keep a School, 8 weeks, this Winter & begun Yesterday, at Easton, 24 miles from this. Ex- pect him on New Years Day (as he intends) to stay a day & y 2 & then goes back. He is a very home boy, you know, Hannah, & cant bear to be long abfent from his parents. Dont neglect writing. You have got in Ar- rears. M r Prince is much better in health. Well, y e im- port 1 Choice of Prefident, is made, but not yet announced here. It will be known ere you rec e this, no doubt. Wifh it may prove favorable to our Constit n — Peace, & y e Prosperity of the Union — which makes me hope it will be Adams. But y e Lord reigns — & directs all y e Affairs of y e world in inf 1 wisdom. Noth g special of news, y* I think of. May no Seeds of Disunion be permitted to be fown, by foreign or domestic Incendiaries which shall ever seperate the Country on y e Western waters, from their Sist r Atlantic States, till y e Millenium shall come, & then y re will be no Danger of Disunion ! All send Love, here & at Aunt T s . Your ev r affect 1 Parents, Ch r & J Bobbins. P. S. Seeing a genteel, delicate Dunning Line to all Delinquents, in Ruf sell's Centinel, tother day, I intended, - c 9 < K 5 fe 2 * 4-, " -- 02 o CO o — IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 217 in my next letter to ask you, Benjamin, what you have done, or wish to have done, on that Subject — I feel y e more interested, as I spoke, myself, for y e Paper for you, in Conseq ce of your Desire, as you recollect. You 11 let me know, in y r next. 182 Joseph Gilman to Hon. Nicholas G-ilman, Philadelphia. 1 Marietta. 12th February 1797. Dear Sir, Permit me to send you a sketch of Fort Harmar as it appeared before the works were demolished, it was taken from the Hill a little North of West, and includes the set- tlements on the Virginia Shore, and a small part of Mari- etta Point, the perspective is accurate as it respects the Garrison and Gardens the other parts were supplied by the eye and are nearly true, as to the^ shading I am sensible there is not anything can be said in its favor. It may afford you and some of our Exeter Friends some amusement, as it designates the spot where your and their old friend and his family have weathered out the Indian War, and continue to reside. Our House is built in the Gardens at the place marked with the letter F, from whence we have a prospect of three miles down the Ohio, about half a mile up the River, and about as far up the Muskingum. We have had much the severest Winter ever known here, all communication by water has been interupted by the ice till the beginning of this Month, but at present not a vestige of it remains, the River is as clear of it as at midsummer and the weather so mild as to leave but a faint trace in the mind of the late severe Season. By the last Mail I received a Packet from the Secretary of State inclosing a Commission as Judge of the Territory for which I am indebted to some friends here, and particularly to you if I may judge from your former exertions, and for which I return you my sincere thanks. The Duties of the Office are considerable and important, no exertions shall be wanting to fulfil them in the best manner I am capable. I see by the News Papers i MS. loaned by Daniel Gilman, Exeter, N. H. 218 A FAMILY HISTOKY you decline be considered as a candidate for a Member in the next Congress, I have flattered myself from time to time of having been able to cross the Mountains and to have spent a Month or two in Phil a while Congress were sitting but have been hitherto prevented. The In- dian War has prevented our making such improvements on the lands as we wished to, and indeed the last Season is the only one since we have been here that we could ven- ture far abroad. Crops in general were very good and the face of the Country begins to put on a smiling ap- pearance. Our little farm produced about 800 bushels Indian Corn of a superior quality 150 bushels Ry and Wheat and Hay sufficient to winter about 50 head of horned Cattle &c &c. We are blessed with all the neces- saries and are seldom without any of the comforts of life, and altho' we have neither Concerts, Theatres or Amphytheartres, still we are strangers to ennui ; in short we are contented, judge then my friend, can we be un- happy. Much of my time is taken up in public business, my garden and my Grandchildren of which I have a pair of each sex afford sufficient amusement to employ my leasure moments. A Memorial and Petition signed by the Directors and Agents of the Ohio Company was sent last Winter from hence and presented, I believe, to the Senate, but too late in the Session to be acted upon, praying among other matters an appointment of Agents or Trustees to take care of and rent out the lands reserved in our Patent for public uses, The Ministerial and School Lots belonging to the Town of Marietta are mostly cleared and very valuable and would be immediately productive if leased out, the Ministerial Lots includes nearly two thirds of the Ground originally laid out for the City and would pro- duce a sufficient sum to maintain a minister hansomely even the present year. I wish my dear Sir. if time and your other engage- ments will permit you would enquire into the business give it your helping hand thro' Congress the present Session, as it is a matter of much importance to the people of this Town. Be pleased on your return home to present my most affectionate Compliments to your Brothers and Sisters .3 - 35 -5 — ^ ^ - > ^ hi ^ ; A < -T» «-' •sr O ^, i rr*-*3 -I 1«5% d ■a /•■ a"« r - 5- 5 o J ; j •'3 v; ^ * ' 5 ^ 4 \> V * \ J "S ! < X <& \ « j • ' f \ ■ '■ -Biiiini * ^^3 JLH V IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 219 and in general to all Friends, I earnestly wish to visit them, but when or whether ever I shall be blest with an opportunity is at present uncertain. I expect to be called on soon to make the Tour of the Western and Northern Counties, which will take up a great part of summer if not the whole. My family Join their best wishes for your health and happiness with D r Sir Your friend and P.S. The Sketch inclosed is so very humble Servant defaced I am almost ashamed Joseph Gilman to send it, it was the work of some leasure moments when unwell last Winter purely for my own amusement & to preserve the Old Fort from oblivion. 183 Mrs. Chandler Bobbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. 1 A D 1797 June retire to private lodgings, away from Confusion and Company, I could account for his illnefs. He exerted himself, spoke very loud, and it was a cool day, the house all open, and the air struck on his back and head all the time — which obstructed perspiration suddenly; and he had as sick a night as ever I knew him, I put his feet into warm water, and put poultices on, he was very reftlefs all night and burnt like fire — and in extreem pain in his head, and back. ! Hannah what a def tref s 'd night I had, I realy thought he was taken with a fever — away from home — among strangers — towards morning he sweat very profusely, next morning hardly able to lift his head from the pillow — but very desirous if pof sable to ride towards home ; as he was sure it would not go off without a settled fever — I fear'd so myfelf, but tryed to keep up his spirits, he rode with my driving very slow, and carefull 2 or 3 miles, and then stop and lay down, and we rode in the course of the day 15 miles, till we got to Mallbro' He could go no further nor set in the Chaise — he lay down a little while — felt sick at his stomach puk'd several times, which was very beneficial — i Beginning and end lost. 220 A FAMILY HISTORY had a better night next day got to aunt Bethunes'. 0! how Thankfull I felt to get in sight of that house, it was so much better than I had reason to fear when I set out. Their we had eviy attention paid that was pofsable for friendship to dictate, we stay'd till Monday, rode into Boston — Par feels better but weak, and has a bad cough — Wednesday 11 th June, rode home — you don't wonder I was so glad to get home, do you Hannah? June 16 While we ware at dinner today, some body open'd the fronnt door and walk'd thro the entrey into the kitchen, who can that be said I"? Peter answered "tis Sam 1 it comes in just like him" we ware not long in suspence, how was we supprized to see my dear Chan- dler — and to see him look well — come in (from Hallo- well) in a vefsel that he freighted with Lumber, is to make us a visit of a week — that is long for him — your Par's Cough very bad yet. we can get nothing to re- move it — he is better of other complaints — we fear, his disorders are fix'd on his Lungs — he lofses flesh — we feel anxious about him, We want better blefsings than health, or ease — a chearfull acquiefence in the will of him who doth all things well. 19 June, din'd at Coll Watsons, with our dear son, M r Brimmer & wife, M rs Burr, agreable visit. 20 th din'd at D r Thachers with Chandler, he has not been at home to dine but one day, I tell him to refuse if he is ask'd again — I so seldom see my Children, I want them all the time to myfelf — 23 d My dear son gone in the stage to Boston, on his return home today. 29. This day my last bird is flown, Par has carried Peter to Bridgwater to study with M r Sanger till com- mencement. Par, Mar, and our dear faithful Philemon now constitute the Parlour, and Lydia Churchill and Anna the kitchen, she cannot be contented at home — and I have invited her to stay here the summer or as long as she pleases, as a compensation for her fidelity in our fam- ily in years past — not for the benefit of her conversa- sion. you can't think how I mifs Peter. 30 th Mifs Scollay came here to day to spend a fortnight on a visit, I was realy glad to see her. July 4 Concert for prayer, a very large congregation; IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 221 Par preach 'd from Numbers 10,29. "The Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." after sermon, read some extracts from letters, he received from England, accounts of the Mifsionarys sent to the South Sea Is- lands, as I often wish my children to see those beautyfull letters, I shall coppy, what your Par read in public — on the whole my dear Children I will give you all the letter. Birmingham March 7 th — 97 Rev d and dear Sir, Upon reviewing your letter of Oct 7 — 96 I feel regret that I should suffer so long an interval as twelve months to elapse without sending a line to so kind a correspond- ent, this I did intend to do last fall when I spent six weeks at Plymouth — but could find no ship during that period bound to Boston — I should be ashamed to trouble you with so many Queries concerning D r Hopkins's system &c did I not feel perswaded that your kindnefs and read- nefs to communicate would not even find a sort of grat- ification therein. For which you are entitled to my thanks. Some of your anfwers have removed my objec- tions from the D r and others have confirmed me in the opinion that good men from different habits and modes of reasoning, may think very differently, yet very sin- cerely, on the same subject. I doubt not a great part of the felicity of heaven will reslut from the clear unob- structed view we shall have of divine truth. Every diffi- culty will than be cleared up — and full evidence of the glorious propriety and consistency of the Moral Govern- ment of Jehovah will blaze on evry Mind. Hence, the perfect union of the afsembly of glorified Saints. It will be one indivifible — harmonious — blefsed society — without a discordant Word or Idea! My soul longs for that perfection! and I would say with the Psalmist "Then shall I be satisfied when I awake with thy like- nef s ! But while this happinef s is withheld, ! for grace, to supply in brotherly affection what is deficient in un- derstanding. I would not forget to tell you what little evangelical Intelligence I have to communicate. The Mifsionary Soci- ety have compleated their first Mifsion, To the South Sea Hands. In a few months the subscription for the pur- pose amounted to Thirteen Thousand Pounds ; a striking 222 A FAMILY HISTORY proof that the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord. The silver and the Gold, of the earth are his ! nor can be better appropriated, than as a sacrifice at the gos- pel Shrine. Men were not more difficult to procure than money. Several came forward and offered themselves to embark in the arduous undertaking of earring the news of salvation by our precious Emanuel to a perishing heathen World! a ship call'd the Duff was purchased last year by the Society — and fitted out — and stored by the voluntary contributions of Benevolent Individuals. The Spirit which appear 'd on this occaf ion was singular. a ship-wright employ 'd in fitting the ship for her voyage, whose work could not be estimated at lefs than £200 — made a formal charge to the Directors of the society of 5 shill 6 for the whole businef s. a Gentleman gave a Cable worth £200 — and hundreds of private famileys contrib- uted lots of smaller articles — such as Linnin — hard- ware — Books — Pickels — and evry other necefsary and convenience for so long a voyage, a pious Man, who had been a Capt n in the east India service Twenty years — but had retired in affluence to spend his remaining days in ease at home — was drawn forth by the attractive in- fluence of so noble an undertaking — but still more (we trust) by the Love of Christ, to offer himfelf to conduct the expedition. His piety — sensibility and sweetnefs of disposition endeared him to the Directors and Mifsion- aries. His nephew an agreable Serious young man ac- companies him as chief Mate. The ships crew were sel- ected from profefsing Christians. The Mifsion consists of 29 men — (not all of them preachers but some intended to afsist as mechanics in the intended Settlement. But all of them (as far as human understanding can Judge) partakers of ardent love to Christ, and unconquerable desires for the salvation of immortal Souls) — Five Wo- men the godly wif es of some of them — and 3 infant Chil- dren ; 37 Persons in the whole. These sailed from Spit- head on Thursday Sep 1 22, 1796 — and were bound to Otaheite — It is the intention for the whole mifsion to stay in that Island three months, till they have formed a good notion of their language, customs &c and obtained a peaceable footing among the Natives — After which as IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 223 many as can be spared — are to remove to adjacent Is- lands, of which the language is precisely the same. I feel no small gratification in having among this truely honourable Company — two young Men — the fruits of my Ministry — and one of whom continued under my care some time previous to embarking in this work. You will doubtlefs unite your prayers with Thousands in this land for a blefsing on this important undertaking! This bread of life is cast upon the waters — we need persever- ing faith — Prayer and patience to wait and it shall be seen after many days ! All the promises and Prophecies are in our favour. God has long since said to the North, give up, He will also say to the South keep not back! — Great obstacles are indeed in the way — and more than now are known may occur, but the arm of the Lord will be sufficient to conquer them. Nay should it entirely fail of succefs— We may then look up to heaven and say "We are pure of the blood" of these South Sea Island- ers. Here the animated conclufion of a sermon preached at the Second Meeting of the Society is worth remember- ing and preserving. — "To conclude, ye Righteous peopel, engaged in this work of a Mif sion to the South Seas ! for your firm- est consolation reflect, that you cannot here play, (if I may so speak) a loosing game. For nothing can be lost should the gosple not be received. What can you loose? Not your money ; for what is given to the poor is lent to .the Lord; at whose second appearing you shall receive your own with usury. What can you loose? Not your prayers, for if you pronounce your peace, and the son of peace is not there, your prayers shall turn into your own bosom. What can you loose? Not your care and trouble, for in these your souls have been exercising and forming after the manner of the heavenly World : Where the Sal- vation of immortal Souls is the great, univerfal, and per- petual concern. What can you loose! only one thing more can occur to your minds ; and that is perhaps the blood of those whom you send. But that will be no lofs. not to the church, for it will be propagated, established, instructed and adorned by it! Not to the Mif sionaries ; for to them to die will be gain ; gain immediate, immence 224 A FAMILY HISTORY and everlasting ! But if you win, what do you win 1 noth- ing lefs than Eternal Glory, for millions upon millions in the South Seas, till the coming of the Son of God!" I beg pardon, says M r Little, for so long a Quotation, several distinct Mifsions are now preparing for the vast continent of Africa. A Gentleman in Scotland has de- voted Twenty five thousand Pounds to carry a Mifsion into Bengal. But the East India Company have refused permifsion to sittle there. How natural it is for the in- terests of Time, to Clash with those of Eternity ! as you give us reason to expect you shall yet obtain the Evan g Mag ns you will have in the succefive numbers thereof, detailed account of all these things. I don't wonder that appearences with you are different from what they were under the late blef sed revival. The Period is not yet arrived when the people shall all be rightous! and altho' God may condescend to afford us many blef sed anteparts of that clay ; they are rather cal- culated to encourage our faith, than gratify our expec- tation. We are hereby reminded that God has not for- gotten his promise, and taught to look forward to the complete fullfillment of it. It must be esteemed your honour and happynefs to have been an instrument in the glorious work of God of late among you ; and a partaker of its blef sings. Noth- ing of the kind has yet been added to the list of our mer- cies. E-eligon wares but a dull appearance in England. The gloom in temporal afairs — which is stretched out- over the Land, seems to affect Profefsers to a great de- gree. Infidelity makes rapid strides. The poison of Deism works to an extraordinary degree among all ranks, and remind us of our Lords words "When the Son of man cometh shall be find faith on earth ? what a mercy it is for us in the midst of all the confusion — Toils and Blasphemies of the Children of of men — to be able to lean upon a covenant God in Christ — I begin to feel the unfpeakable value of his Promises, and to live by faith upon them — you will smile and ask — Did you never do so before? yes my dear Sir — but new trials — makes this exercise as new — as if it was the first time. Look which way I please in the world I see no Consolation un- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 225 till I turn to the everlasting Promise — and unchangable f aithfullness of Jehovah ! May his gracious prefence be with you Yours affectionately Robert Little." I did not think the letter was so long when I begun it, but I did not know where to stop. We are informed by another corrispondant, that some of the first ministers in London, have agreed to preach a Sabbath evening lecture to the Jews, who flock in great numbers to hear, their design is to prove from their Scriptures, that is the Old Testament, that the prophecies have been fullfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. How eventfull is the Period, my dear Children, in which we live. What revolutions are in the earth — It seems as if ' ' the time of the promise drew nigh" to favour Zion. When Gods ancient people the Jews are to have the vail taken away — and be made to look on him whom they have percied and mourn, and own him as the true Mef siah, their Lord and their king. 184 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plym Oct r '97, to Nov r '98. 1 Oct r 13, 1797. My dear Benjamin and Hannah, I sometimes think so much of you and your dear little family that I loose sight of evry other object, and feel as if I must fly to see you. But my wings are soon clip 't by the great distance of 700 miles, and the weight of a fam- ily, and other dear absent children who I want to see. After fluttering from one part of the continent to the other from Muskingum to Penobseutt, I rest in the thought, (tho I know not the designs of Providence in thus seperating those so dear to me) That I and my dear children are just where infinite wisdom has ordered our lot, and that it is my duty, and intrest to re Joyce at all times that nothing takes place under his government that will not eventualy be for his glory, if we are not wanting i This ia probably an error for 1797. 226 A FAMILY HISTORY to ourfelves we may meet at the Throne of grace evry day, and commend each other to divine mercy. I desire to acknowledge the goodnef s of God that I can so often hear from you — and let you know my thoughts, and tho they are very defultory — and triffling often times, they give you pleasure. I have sent a packet for you by Mifs Zilpha Wadsworth who is going in the stage in the morning, and expects to meet her Par, on his way to Congrefs. I am prepareing for another journey, we have not de- termin'd where, if you Par finds riding beneficial we shall go on to Newbury. 1 I fear your Par is not able to go so far from home. I never left home more anxious, as I feel unwell my f elf, and I can't forget the deftrefses of our last journey when your Par was so sick. But I ought also to recolect the mercyes of it — and hope the best. I must bid you good bye for the present. Oct. 28 th . Well my dear Hannah thro the great goodnef s of God we have got home safe. Your Par mended evry mile — and I came home the invalid. — I took cold, and brought on my hooping cough with violence. He was obliged to take all the care and drive all the way home. We left home 18 instant, rode to Bridgwater, Lodged at Eq r Snells by desire of M rs Morey who was there. If she had been our Mother she could not have received more affectionately. Next day to aunt Bethunes to dine. We concluded not to go into Boston, as M rs Gill is very dangerously sick of a fever at Princton found aunt Bethune nicly, I never saw her look better, the family all happy in her recovery, she said "she expected to be well eno to go to town, to attend the Theatre this winter" poor improvement of her regain 'd health, a beautfull day, got into the chaife, rode round thro' Watertown, call'd on M rs Hunt, she had in her armes, the finest child I ever saw, about 6 months old, it look'd more like wax- work, it was a beauty. I don't think there is so hand- some a child, at Marietta. The first word after they had askd us how we did. ! Cousin, did you ever expect to see Mar so well. We did not stay long as our object was to keep [Pages 2 to 17 are missing.] i About ninety miles. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 227 Monday we rode in M r Grills carriage, to Cambridge, to see our dear Children. Peter was at the funeral 1 Sam 1 had a bad cold and could not attend found them well, rode to Boston to dine call'd upon M rs English a few minutes, Nath, Nancy and M rs Dunkin live together at Cambridge yet, they have divided the household furniture, and aunt Bethuns Cloths, but the real estate remains, as it was, each one to have their part of the income. Saturday 31, Bobbins, call us early in the morning says, George is dying. He revived a little, but is just gone. I stay'd all day. He don't want to see any of his former acquaintance, only those that can pray with him, and for him. Elle Holmes came in to lift him into the chair. He said, ' ' M r Thomson you have but a little while to live to all appearance what is your advice to us." He exerted himfelf , ! said he, not to live as I have done, I despised the worship of God — I despised the word of God, I de- spised reproof, and talk'd, till he was so spent that he could not speak, and appears to be filling up fast. Your poor aunt is bowed down under this affliction. I keep there all the time, except at meals, and nights and than, I must be with your Par. M rs Thomson says, when he mifses me out of the room, he says where is aunt Rob- bins. He wants your Par, and I, there all the time. Monday, George dyed, about 6 o'clock this afternoon, just before he breath 'd his last, his mother said, my dear child, your just lanching into Eternity, can you trust in Christ, and commit your departing Spirit into his hands, He say'd yes yes. He had his senses perfectly, knew when his pulfe stoped, spoke of it, call his Mar, and told her, his eyes grew dark, soon was gone ! what an affect- ing scene, your aunt allmost beside herfelf . it was with difficulty we could get her out of the room. May this speaking voice of providence, be improved by us all to prepare to dye. We have had letters from England, and Maz ns account of the voaige of the Mifsion Ship, a letter from M r Little their is something so eafy natural and pious in his letters that I am much pleased with them, and feel a pecu- liar affection for him, his picture is in one of the mag n3 i We judge that this was the funeral of Aunt Bethune, but owing to the missing pages, the date is lost. 228 A FAMILY HISTORY He look's good. M r Hutchinson wrote your Par, that it was a very striking likenefs, his youngest son about 4 years old, as soon as they shew it him, said tis Little — tis Little. Do you want to see his letter Hannah, you shall, when I can get time to coppy it. April 5 fast day and as we have but one exersise I thought I would coppy the letter. My dear Sir, Birmingham July 31, 1797. Having an oppertunity by a gentleman going to Amer- ica, I caught it, to be dedicated to the service of friend- ship — friendship, I say, for what are the^ billows that roll between us? They are only the partitions of our Earthly House, and our heavenly father does not permit us to have very easy accefs to each others apartments at present. But if we are locked up from the sight of one another on earth, are we therefore not children of the same Parent? Yes truly, and soon Seas and Distances will be known no more. We shall live together in one holy, happy, society; and look back to this little speck, our former residence with triumphant Joy, and thank- f ullnef s to him, who kept us while in it, from being of it. I am thinking now what a source of pleasure will arife from our conversations together upon the dealings of the Lord with us while we dwelt below ; and our mutual in- fpections of each others labours, and progrefs thro this world will discover to us much more of the infinit wis- dom, and goodnefs of God in appointing us our several stations. So I find by my dear friend M rs Hutchinson you have been brought allmost within view of that World. Such a confinement from the delightfull work of preaching the Gosple must have been in itfelf very painfull. But it pleases God that we sometimes, should serve him by patient endurance : as well as at other times by active obedience. I re Joyce that you are spared, and I hope you are entyrely recovered so as to be able to go thro evry accustomed duty. With respect to myfelf I have abundant reason for thankfullnefs to the God of all grace — for continued health and strength of body — 0! that it had been more entirely employed in his service. — IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 229 It is a blefsing to be permitted to do anything for God. I want to do more for Mm ; and live to him alone. But alafs I am a poor dull creature in Religion, and scarce crawl towards heaven. I can often say with Paul, "To will, is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not." Do you feel it so Sir! pray are you languid, cold, and unprofitable to yourself in privat? are your prayers often flat, insipid, and lif elef s ? Excuse the freedom of these questions — for tho I so often preach about these things to others : I frequently think — No one feels so much of it as my f elf — In public exercises in- deed — my mind has been more generally at liberty, than ever I remember heretofore, and altho we have not many instances of awakenings or conversions, still many have been comforted and built up in the faith. I have seen some of the plants of grace growing like trees planted by rivers of water, bringing forth their fruite in season. But I pray God to send down his sacred influences more abundantly. It has pleased God in his wife but mysterious prov- idence to point out to me the propriety of changing the scene of my labours, after long and earnestly seeking his direction, and taking counsel with my Brethrem — I am about to remove, and take charge of a Church about 40 miles — Northward of this Place. may it appear that this, as well as all other changes that happen in the Church, may further the cause of Christ and spread the sweet savour of his name. As to our correspondence, I hope it will not be interrupted by this event. I my next I can tell you further about my situation and how to direct. The thunder of war still convulses Europ. Evry Month the clouds hang darker over the Land. The Lord only knows what will become of us as a People. I fear the Nation is infatuated, and devoted to Ruin. May the Lord prevent it, if it be his blef sed will ! The religious intelligence of our country reaches you, in an authentic form in the Evangelical Magz" to which I refer you. I must now bid you adieu with afsurances of affection — such as ought to reign in the heart of a Christian. Robert Little. My dear Hannah, I hope you will like this letter I have 230 A FAMILY HISTORY wrote it with a very bad pen, but you are used to your Mothers scralls. I must communicate to you a letter from on board the Mifsion ship, when they were at Eio de Janerio South America. To the Mifsionary Society. Dear and honoured Brethren We think it our duty to inform you, we arrived at this place on Saturday 12 of November, after a pafsage of seven weeks and one day. We cannot sufficiently ac- knowledge the great Goodnefs of Almighty God in the signal blefsings we have been favoured with, since our departure from our dear native country, and dear con- nexions therein. We have not experienced one day of real bad weather since we launched upon the bosom of the extensive deep : winds and waves in the hands of our God have been propitious. The fiery heat of the sun, in pafsing beneath its directest rays, have been kindly checked by intervening clouds or cooling gails, so that we have crofsed thus far through the burning zone with- out feeling those inconveniences that we ware naturally led to expect. Our visitations of sicknefs have been par- tial and transient: few have been afflicted and those, through divine goodnefs soon recovered. The abundant supply of evry necef sary, furnished by our liberal friends in England hath not suffered us to feel the smallest want. The worship of the most high God has been duly and con- stantly attended without any omif sion but when necef sity or prudence made it warrantable, whatever spiritual tryals, we individually have suffered, moments of re- freshments from God and our Saviour Jesus Christ have more than compensated. Harmony and concord continue among us as a body ingaged in one common cause. We look forward to what remains of our voiage and future operations with that concern our peculiar situation de- mands. Our insufficiency we feel and where our strength lieth we know. We humbly hope that the hand of God will continue with us, by his spirit to direct us, by his power to guard us. We give ourfelves up to God, thro Jesus Christ our Lord, and desire to lie placid in his arms. Dear Brethren, the whole Body of Mifsionaries, as the IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 231 heart of one man, present there Christian love to the body of directory's the Society and all true lovers of Christ and his Gosple. We pray an interest in your fer- vent prayers for us, and for our undertaking: that we may aquit ourfelves as men faithfull in the cause in which we are ingaged, and be rendered mighty instru- ments in the hands of God for the conversion of the heathens of the South Seas. So shall iniquity stop its mouth and the mighty power of God displayed in the eyes of the World. This letter was wrote by John Jefferson, Secretary of the Mifsionaries on board the Duff, in the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, coast of Brazil South America. Hannah is not this a beautyfull letter? We have 8 or 10 letters wrote by persons on board, to their friends in England giving a particular account of their pafsage, which was perhaps the most remarkable one, ever made, another short extract from the Rev d M r Vaughn's letter "only 7 weeks you will observe have elapsed, between our weigh- ing at St Helens, and our anchoring in this place: a dis- tance of five thousand miles, in the runing of which we have experienced no trying Gale or scarcely an opposing breeze, insomuch that throughout the whole pafsage we have neither been obliged to stay or wear the ship, and the sea hath not been at any time more agitated, than that, I should have thought myfelf safe on it, in a long boat, glory to God our protector." I am ready to think such a ships crew, were never on the water before. I must give you the Coppy of one of the hymns composed to be sing on board the ship — Indulgent God once more we meet, And bow as suppliants at thy feet Thy special presence now impart And enter evry waiting heart. II Thou know'st our errand at thy throne We plead to have thy Gosple known ; That Jesus kingdom may extend Unto the earth's remotest end. 232 A FAMILY HISTORY III. Into thy care thou heavenly Friend, Ourselves, our all we now commend ; We'r launching forth, in thy great Name Thy matchlefs glories to proclame. IV. Go with us o're the boist'ous deep, And bid the rif ing billows sleep ; Protect us safe, send heavenly gales To speed the ship, to fill the sails. V. Our Captain blefs, and all on board, With thy best blefsing dearest Lord Daily communion may we find With the a gracious God and kind. VI. May friendship, sacred peace, and love To us abound, from thee above ! let no bitter fruit be found Our souls to grieve, thy cause to wound ! VII. Give us a proof, Dove divine ! The cause, and all on board is thine. And may we trace the pathlef s flood In sweet reliance on our God. VIII. And when the distant shores we reach May power attend the word we preach In southern Islands Churches raise To shout our dear Immanuel's praise! April 6 attended the Funeral this afternoon, your Par walked with aunt. Philemon with me — Robbins and Susey — than the Le Baron familys — and Goodwins as relations, a large number of people shewed respect to the family by attending. ''His hatred and his love is lost, His envy bury'd in the dust. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 233 I hope this speaking, this loud voice, may he improved by us all. so to live, as we shall wish we had, when we come to dye. Bobbins was here the morning after George dyed — He said to me aunt, don't you think George dyed a good man at last. I answer 'd, I believe the word of God is true, that says, the wicked shall not live out half their days. I feel consious of speaking, where any have lived so profane, and impious — least it should incourage others to go on in bad courses, hoping all will be well at last. 13. Betsey Avrey and Ele r Holmes married last even- ing. I intended to tell you the text Par preached from the Sabbath after Georges death, ' ' Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come." We ware wak'd last night by a knocking at the front door, I thought it was somebody that wanted Par, and I knew he could not go out — and thought I would not get up. But I found they would not go away — I went to the window, said who is their; I who is I? was answered, your son, will you open the door Mar, dear child yes, and soon let in Sam 1 & Peter, felt sorry that I had made them stand so long in the Cold, don't intend to do so again, to any body. It was wrong. [The end of this letter is missing.] 185 Dr. and Mrs. Chandler Bobbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Sabbath Ev g . Plym . Jan y 7 th , 179— x My dear Children — I tho 't it might be f ome recreation of mind, & afford a little satisfaction, in my prefent very weak & low State, to write a line to you. Tho' I can bear no fatigue at all, of mind or body. I had pleas d myself with the hope, that my disorders were removing, a few weeks ago — but, very imprudently, I exerted myself too much, by far, in my weak State, about w* app d a necefsary businefs, & 1 As January 7th was Sunday in 1798, we conclude that to be the date of this letter. 234 A FAMILY HISTORY caught, thereby, a severe Cold, which bro 't on my Cough, to a greater degree, I think, than I ever had it before — a constant irritation at the upper part of y e Windpipe, caufes an almost perpetual violent, spasmodic Cough — & it has now, fo weakened me, I am scarcely able to go about. In other respects, I am free from many former Compl ts — no pains, except when I cough hard — in my Side & fometimes Shoulder — for y e moment — & when done coughing y e pain is gone — The Doct rs still insist, I have no kind of fever — nor any hectical compl ts — But this Cough if continued, I think must wear me out, espe- cially as I have had it fo long. How the Lord will be pleafed to deal with me, I can't tell — My great, my chief & indeed, my only defire is to be prepared for & more entirely refign d to his will, in Life, health, sicknefs or Death — & next to myself, that my dear, dear Children may not put off y e f ol m Concern of their Souls & prepara- tion for Death, for any worldly Concern — but for their Salvation Sake seek y e Lord early, & make it fure, with- out Deception, that they are born again, & have a happy interest in the dear Redeemer — Then — All — All is well for Eternity. We long to hear from you, & cannot account for this long Silence — Not a line Dear Dau r from you f ince that dated last of Aug 81 — received y e latter end of Sep 1 " — & but one from Benj a — that with Prince's money, dated Oct. 30. I & your Mother have written you much oftener, viz in Oct, Nov r & Dec r We look d ftrong for one last Nights mail — but in vain. While we do live, pray let us hear from one another as oft as we can — as tis all y e way we can converf e. I am in y e Ufe of all Means that are tho't best for my Disorder — But fuccefs wholly depends on y e sov n Will of a righteous & holy God, who can do me no wrong. Your Brothers Sam & Peter, now at home, tis Vaca- tion, Sam 1 keeps a School the winter at Carver. We trust Chandl r & Jenny & theirs are well — have not heard from y m lately. I cant write a long letter — it fatigues me, must clofe by afsuring you, that in all Circumftances, we are Y r affect 1 Parents Chand 1- & J. Robbins. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 235 N. B. Our love to y r dear Parents. We have had no Meet 8 today, by reason of y e snow storm & my weaknefs. Your Par, really had a very ill turn But I hope by the time this reaches you he will be better — I think tis not unlikly, have you received the packett sent by Gen 1 Wads- worth — I had a letter from my dear Brother last even- ing — I want to hear about the dear Children — Pen knife * and all. 186 Dr. Chandlee Robbins to Rev. Tristram Gilman, North Yarmouth, Me. Plym June 13 th 98 Rev d & D r Br° My good Neighbor M r Washburn, gives me an Opport y just to fend you & your dear family our love, & affection- ate Remembrance, & to inform you I am in better health than I was last winter & fall, the rest of us, well as ufual, thro ' y e unmerited goodnef s of our God. I had letters lately from Ohio. They are well, but my Daughter regrets much, the Abfence of her Mother Gil- man, who is gone from them, to accompany her husband your Brother, on a long Tour, of 7 hundred Miles, as he is on the Circuit, performing the bufinefs of a Judge 2 — goes to Upper Canada Line — then to near y e Mifsifip- pie — to be gone fhe fays 6 months — Your Brother being fo f lender in Conftit", M rs Gilman couldn't Venture him alone, & concluded to go with him. Have only time to fay M rs R joins in Love to all yours. Remember us to D r Mitchell & all our Plym fr ds . Tell M r Th. Robbins his Br° James was marry. 2 days ago. Y r Ch r Robbins i A pet name for Benj. Ives Gilman, Jr. 2 Joseph Gilman 's commission as judge of the North-West Territory- was signed by George Washington and Timothy Pickering, November 7, 1796. The court sat at Point Vincent, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Marietta and the judges and lawyers rode through the woods on horseback. 236 A FAMILY HISTORY 187 Dr. Chandler Bobbins to Rev. Tristram Gilman, North Yarmouth, Me. Plym June 23 d 1798. Rev d & dear Sir I wrote you a line, not long since, & sent by my Neigh- bor & friend, Cap 1 John Washburn — which inform 'd you of our Welfare, & some things relative to our kindred & friends at the Ohio. Since that, I have recieved another, from Benj a , dated the last of May giving us the pleasing intelligence, of Hannah's being fafely deliver 'd of an- other Son, 3 days before he wrote it, & she was then very well. Child's Name, Robert Hale. 1 Their Mother Gil- man had providentially & happily arrived home, a day or two before — left her Husband well, fome 100 miles be- low — who was to finifh his Circuit-Court-bufinefs, & return in about 6 or 8 weeks, I think he said. Thus, my dear Sir, God is extending his Mercy to us & our Chil- dren. And as they increaf e, we must decreafe — that is, as they are rifing on the Stage, after us, so we are pafs- ing off & giving place for others to follow after, & fupply our places on the Stage of Life. God grant that ours may do more for God, & ferve him & their Generation better than we have done — & may we, while we remain, double our Diligence, & redeem the time — filling up, with fome Ufefulnefs the few remaining days that may be allotted us here — & hereafter see the Salvation of God & rejoice in the Good of his chofen forever. The foregoing Tho'ts, remind me of the Situation of another of my Children — a Son, who has, the last week return 'd from College, to go no more; but to take his degree at Commencement — His mind appears imprefs d with the Thot of now entering into y e wide world — & in what — where & how to employ himfelf — He has always been remarkably steady, f ober & studious — & maintain* 1 a good Char r while in College — & I am f enfible has been the Subject of many ferious Imprefsions — but does not view himself as a Converted perfon — wifhes to be a Preacher, if he was qualified &c. At prefent, thinks it i Robert Hale Gilman was born May 25, 1798. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 237 best, to take a School for a while, where he may, at leifure hours, purine Studies in Divinity — Have you, a School in your place, that he could have, for a Year or half a Year, or more? I sho d like to have him under your Preaching & Fatherly Patronage, and Direction in Read- ing &c And fho a he get a School there, or in your Vicin- ity — it seems to us, we sho d certainly be induced, (hav- ing another, at Hallowel too) to make another Visit to you & them. I wish Sir, you wou d enquire a little, on this Subject — & write me a Line upon it soon, that I may re- cieve it at, or before Commencem* w° is 18 th July. Send p r post if no speedier opp y . My wife joins in aff 1 Love to all yours, w th Y r [torn] d & Br° Chandler Robbins. 188 The following notes were written when Samuel Prince Robbins left home, after graduating from Harvard in 1798, and began to teach school in Connecticut. He then made his uncle, Rev. Ammi R. Robbins' home in Nor- folk his headquarters. In Rev. Thomas Robbins' Diary, Vol. I, p. 67, a note is made of Samuel's arrival, "Oct. 17, 1798. . . Towards night my parents, brother A. and wife, with my cousin S. P. Robbins, arrived safely from Plymouth." This visit to Plymouth was the last meeting of the two brothers, as Dr. Chandler Robbins died in July of the following year. Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Sarah Robbins, Norfolk, Conn. Aunt Robbins 's love to her dear neice, and would be much obliged to her to finish this shirt for her cousin Samuel Prince, her aunt will return the favour in the spring, when she hopes for the pleasure of seeing her at Plymouth. With interest till paid as witness my hand Jane Robbins. attest Jane P. Goodwin My Dear Cousin, I recommend to your Sisterly Affec- 238 A FAMILY HISTORY tion my Darling Brother Sam 11 P. — if you will Pay every needful attention to him, you will confer a great obliga- tion on your affectionate Cousin Jane P. Goodwin. P. S. Peter Gilman joins in his Sister's request. — 189 The following letter was begun six weeks before Dr. Bobbins' death and must have lain by for some time. Dr. Bobbins' last letter seems to have been received by Mrs. Gilman before this one. They are all placed in the order when they were written, not when they were posted. Mrs. Chandler Bobbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plymouth May 13, 1799. My dear Children, You say, that my writing once a month will not supply the place of a long epiftle — because you live at too great a distance & want to hear me talk — another reason, you love to hear particulars — well I will gratify you my dear, Hannah, and tho ' I wrote you last evening I will give you the particulars of our journey. D rs in Boston, and here, thought nothing would be so conducive to your Pars health as riding, and change of air. I was of a different mind, I was confident he never could bare the fatigue's of so long a journey, you may judge my feelings, when I had reason to anticipate his being sick on the road; I, could not tell where — I exprefs my fears only to your aunt, she said, sister, you are low in spirits, if you in- courage him, he will go, and I have not a doubt will be better evry mile. I told I would not say one word to him but I could not help telling her my fears. I prepared for the journey apparently with as much chearfullnefs as ever. But my heart was heavy as lead. We sot out Monday April 29 — about noon, stop't at Jacksons rested about an hour — got to M r Barkers in good season, Par thought he felt better sat up all the evening. Next day not so well, about noon rode 9 miles to Deans, He was very poorly lay down an hour or 2, than rode on to Taunton, where your Par wrote a litter IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 239 home, That he felt better than he expected, and thought he should be able by very slow movements to reach the end of his journey. (We left at home Samuel and Peter who expected to go to Boston by water — Sam 1 to take the stage to Connecticut — Peter to Cambridge, M rs Thomas and Anna to take care of the house, and dear Philemon, we were advised to shut up the house — D r Thacher and Deacon Spooner said they would be glad to have Phile- mon, and would pay every attention to him — it was very kind, but I thought he would injoy himfelf best at home with anna, and keep on in his own regular track. As aunt was going with us, I could not bare the thought of turning him out.) But to go on with our ride, while we stop'd to write home, aunt drove by carelefsly, thought we had gone on, This circumstance worred, and aggitated your Par, He expected they would take a wrong road, and it happen 'd to be our horse and Chaise to add to the trouble, and we ware left with a dull horse, and a hard going Chaise, the forepart of the day it was very pleas- ant, about noon, the wind got south east, and look'd like rain soon. After riding 8 miles we saw the Chaise at a Tavern — aunt came out, and took a very good school- ing — I was glad to have that over before we went into the house. I took out my store baskett, and we refreshed our- felves, we rode one mile, when the main spring of our Chaise broke — just that minute, aunt found out she had left her cloke at the house where she last stop 't, ! dear, what shall we do, our Chaise must be mended — aunt must send back for her clock — I feel as if I was in- senfible to every thing that takes place, if I can but keep your Par calm, but his disorders are neirvous to a very great degree, and it is not pofsable. "We went into a house, got a man to repair our Chaife. But poor aunts carelefsnefs could not be pafs'd over, Par told her she had done him more hurt by her inattention than his ride would do good. Par said he must give up for the night, he could go no further. He lay down very poorly indeed, it look'd very dreary, only half a glafsed window in the room where the bed was, the people ware kind, said they ware willing to do all the could, but they ware very poor, 240 A FAMILY HISTORY after lie had taken some laudnuin, and rested, I proposed his riding 4 miles, where was a good house, Willmoths, as I was afraid it would not be safe for him to sleep, their as there was evry prospect of rain, he said he felt better — the Chaise was mended and aunt got her cloke, we rode the 4 miles, got supper went to bed, But Par had a very ill night, the next day it rained till noon than was good weather. We went on to Providence, put up at M rs Marttins she, good creature was all attention but Par grew worse had a very ill night I got him some- thing to take and lift him to take a little rest — after Breakfast I went up to see if he was asleep. He said he had been thinking that he must give up the thoughts of going any further, thought best for him to stay and rest a day, or 2, and let M rs Thomson & Robbins proceed. He said he was sorry as he supposed it would be a disapoint- ment to me, I told him it was far otherwise I fear 'd when he talk'd of the journey it would be too much for him in his present weak state, home was the best place for him, and me, and he could take short rides as he could bare. my dear Hannah, your Par fails very fast — The Lord appear for his help. We took leave of your aunt, Thurs- day morning, and staid at M rs Marttins till Sabbath day, your Par did not set up an hour at a time while we ware there — and sometimes, I fear 'd he never would get home again, he is not able to drefs, or undrefs himfelf, was lifted into the Chaise by 2 men, when we came away, But we ware very anxious to get home, (we had wrote at Providence that we had determin'd to return,) Thro the good hand of God, we got to M r Barkers Monday night, it was fryday before Par was able to set up long eno to ride one mile. From the account I have given you of the journey, you rejoice with me that we are at our own home, a mercy I can never be thankfull eno for. Anna is gone home, and 1 have got Susy, I must have somebody that is steady, we have not a great deal to do, and let who will be here I must do all that your Par wants done for him, what a favour it is, that I enjoy so good health, tis the greatest temporal blefsing; a circumstance took place while we ware at Providence that I thought a little remarkable, sometime last winter I took up a Phil* paper and read IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 241 an advertisement by a D r Cadett member of a medical society in Salamanca in Spain who had great succef s in Confumptions — Neirvous Complaints. I read it to Par, said what if we should go to Phil a in the spring and see this D r get cured and than keep on to the Ohio, A Lady was visiting at M rs Marttins, when we got their, who upon hearing of your Pars Complaints, said, she wish'd he would send for D r Cadett, who had not only relieved many — but, had cured one, or 2, who she, was herfelf acquainted with, after the D r had giving them over to dye. M rs Marttin urged his being sent for Par said, he would send, and conveirse with him, he did, and found him a man of midical knowledge — and very much of a Gentleman. He said he had not a doubt he could help him — but he must not take opiates, it would not do with his medicans. on the whole he prepared him things to take. He began, but soon found, he sunk fast, as he had so long been in the habit of taken laudanum, sent for the D r , who gave him leave to take a little, when he found he could not do without it. a little poison, said he, will not kill you, but take as small a dof e as pofsable. I must own, I had had sanguine expectations, that your Par would be benefited by his percriptions. Several circumstances, concured to raife my expectations, We had plan'd a journey to Connecticutt, but could go no further and were obliged to stop their, We are often led in a way we know not, it is the subject of our daily prayers that some means may be blefs'd, and who knows but this is the means, that are to prove effecatious. 0! my dear Hannah, I am too anxious, I often think of the story, your aunt Starr 1 told me of, that a minister of her ac- quaintance who had 2 daughters who dyed in childbed — the last was married, and in circumstances, as she drew near her time he observed his wife very dull — as he paf s thro the room where she was sitting, He said, do my dear let God go before, and do you follow after, it struck her mind into submifsion to the divine will, her daughter was put to bed well soon after. That one sentence is eno to silence evry thought that rifes up in rebelion. Just about sunsett last evening Peter came home I was 1 Sarah, sister of Dr. Chandler Robbins, married Rev. Peter Starr. 242 A FAMILY HISTORY supprized to see him he had heard his father was at the point of death, and got leave to come home — poor Child, said he was afraid to see any body when he got to the wharf least they should tell him his par was not living, He says he can see Par is alter 'd very much, but he is so much better than he fear'd that his mind is greatly relived. ! my dear Children, I see a worm at the root of my earthly happinefs, 0! to be prepared for evry event, I long all my dear Children should know just the situation your Par is in, that they may not be supprized should they hear of his decease but I can't write to them as I wish, because your Par sees all my letters, another rea- son D r Thacher, nor any body els thinks him so danger- ous as I, if he is not releived soon, I think he will live but a little while. He can't bare to have me look dull, if I do, he notices it, says do my dear be chearfull — if you knew how much good it did me, you would never be other- wife. May 12. I have written to Chandler, Jenny and you I could not be easy any longer, your Dear Par fails as fast as ever I saw anybody, when I had done Chandlers let- ter, he ask'd me to let him see it, I gave it to him, without hesetation, he read, was affected, but said you have done perfectly right, I am glad to have my dear Children know the truth, yet how suprizing it is, when he rides out, people will tell him, they are not discouraged about him, they don't doubt, they shall see him in the pulpit soon, I wish and pray it may be so. ! my dear Children, I wish I could even hope it might be so. — June 16. Your dear Father very low, it appears to me sometime that he will droop away in his Chair or Couch, when D r Thacher came in this morning I knew by his look's what he thought — he ask'd me into the other room, said D r Robbins is sinking fast. I think it best to let you know his situation. I told him I was sinsible of it. ! my dear Children, I never felt such a day before. I thought I knew how Elisha felt when the Sons of the prophets told him his master would be taken from him. He knew it, but could not bare they should tell of it. He IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 243 chose to be by himfelf, and have his own reflections. I have not time to write, I can't leave yonr dear Par. — 1 I see this paper lay in the drawer today thought I would send you a Coppy of a letter Peter had from Rev d M r Chaddock — he is Preceptor of an Accademy at Mid- dlebro'. Peter told me, he should get leave of the gov- ernment of Colledge, to keep a school 2 months in the winter, it would be a help to me. I advised him to write to M r C k as he often gets an afsistant, I thought I had rather have him under his Care than to be principal anywhere — Peter wrote him and received this answer. Dear Peter, I have the pleasure to acknowledge the recept of your polite request of July 23 — But my young friend permitt me to sympathyze with you upon the death of your late Rev d Father and the confequent affliction and deftrefs brought upon your family. O! your dear Mother my heart bleeds for her, and her fatherlefs Children — the wound is deep but not incureable — He who has wounded can heal. The Lord gave and has taken away and let your heart blefs his holy name — you have no cause to drop a tear for your father he has left the greatest eve- dince that he is gone to the bosom of his God and Savour and this must be a great Consolation to you, that your lofs is his unspeakable gain, and could you hear the sound of his Celestial voice you would hear him say, Peter, my son, weep not for me but for yourfelf, remem- ber, your Creator while young — walk in my steps where- in I followed Christ — and you shall by & by come to your father in these blifsfull regions where alHs praise — consider my son, how often I have prayed with and for you how often I have admonished you, of the importance of religion. 0! my Son, let not all my counsels my prayers be lost upon you — could you hear him speak this no doubt it would affect you. But consider my dear young friend, that tho he is dead this is his language. I must commend you to God, and to his grace, he has i There is a break of some time here. The next letter from Dt. Bobbins was written just before the last date. Dr. Bobbins died June 30, 1799, and this letter was not mailed for several weeks. 244 A FAMILY HISTORY stilled hinifelf the father of the fatherlefs and the widow's God. You request me to receive you into my school for the term of 2 months next winter. I shall ever feel myfelf bound by ties of the most disintrested friendship to ren- der you all the afsistance in my power But at present I am unable to determin what number I shall have next winter, therefore cannot give you a positive answer I think it probable I shall need your afsistance I expect to be at your house Sept 15 by the divine leave than I will confer with your mother on the subject. I am your sincere Friend Calvin Chaddock. 190 Dr. Chandler Robbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plim June 9 th , 1799. My very dear Children, for fuch I feel you all to be, efpe- cially, when Events or Circumftances take place which remind us of y e Necefsity of a speedy Seperation from all Earthly fr ds & Enjoyments — which feems at prefent to be y e Cafe. Our family, of Gods Goodnef s & Patience, are well as ufual, excep ts myself. But I can fay but very little, as to any real Amendments in that. I continue in a State of strange inexprefsible weaknefs. I have been tak s every thing prescrib d , as likely to be beneficial, but a holy God fees beft to deny, as yet, his Blefsing to y e Means. I continue to be free from all Pains; none in my Side — Shoulder — Lungs — breast — Head or any w r elfe. No fever, as the Doct rs fay, nor Symt ms of Confumpt". And yet emaciated to y e moft afton g degree — Noth s but Skin & Bones, as we fay. I cant continue long — fo. The Lord God of Power & Grace, prepare me for his holy, fovereign right 8 Will in every Event! my dear, dear Children, dont banifh Death & Eternal Realities from your Minds — I pray you be reconciled to God — & fecure your beft y r Everl s In- tereft before it is too late. I am too weak to write more. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 245 I wanted & your Mar too, I sho d write to you by this next Mail, going off tomorrow — So must commend you to the Blefsing of God, in time & Eternity — I leave fo much Room, y l I believe Mar will make an Appendix, as I commonly do to hers — & she 11 make fuch other remarks & obfervations as will be entertain 5 & ufefull for you — We often hear from our other Children, Let us hear from you often. Love to all. Your most affec 1 Father Ch r Robbins. We had a letter from Chandler last evening. He tells us, he received one from you, you say you want to know the truth of your dear fathers indisposicion. I have a great opinion of D r Thacher's judgment. He calls your Pars Disorders, a general debility and so do other D rs . I must say, I think he will live but a little while, unlefs he can find relief. D r Thacher says he hopes he will get to his old station soon. ! my Dear Children, I want to have my will swallow 'd up in the will of God, to say from my heart "it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good." I wish your Par had strength to write to our dear Isaac, hope he will — do send this letter to him — my fears that your Par would never recover have been great 3 months paft, but I was afraid to exprefs them so fully to my Children, because he always read what I wro te — and is subject to great depref sion of spirits, and watches evry look — and word from me — last week I wrote to Chandler — and Jenny — just what I have to you now, he ask'd to see the letter. I handed it to him he say'd tis all right, don't deceive yourfelf — nor the Children, I wish you to send this to Isaac, I will write him soon but all my attention is taken up with your Par, he sleeps up Stairs in the Chamber you was confined in, I in the Kitchen Chamber, he gets down evry day, and lays on the Couch, rides evry day when the weather is good. Aunt got home last Fryday, is here for the present, I have begun to gratify you in the old way as I can get time, farewell dear Children the Lord prepare you for every event. 246 A FAMILY HISTORY 191 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plym Sept: 1799. My dear Child, Last Saturdays mail I received a letter from you, Au- gust 8 th , I wish to give you my dear Hannah, that consola- tion your afflicted circomstances calls for, you have in- deed, lost a tender Parent, the temporal, and spiritual interests of all his dear Children lay near his heart, and he commended them all to God with his latest breath. This severe stroke, must awake evry power of the soul to contemplate the perfections of God. his ways are in- fcrutable — But perfect, such indeed was his age, that we were ready to believe had it been the will of heaven he might still, for years to come been greatly usefull, But Gods time is the best, such events as these, are among those mystries of providence, which are above human investigation. The name of the Lord is a strong tower where [torn] may run, and be safe. When I fix my eyes upon [torn] I am enveloped with clouds, and darknefs But when I raife them above I see Righteous- nef s and judgment the habitation of his throne, why than should flesh and heart fail under Gods correcting hand when we may make him our father and friend forever May this be my portion ; and the portion of all my dear Children. If God is our Father, we need not fear to fol- low where he leads, tho it be in the way of sore bereve- ments, they will be fatherly chastisement, callculated to promote our best intrest and his own glory. You say you are willing to be afflicted, because your dear Father is happy. Yes my dear Child, I have not a doubt, He and numbers of his Church, who went before, are now worshiping, in sinlef s perfection where ' ' they shall go no more out" If we are indeed followers of those who thro faith and patience are inheriting the promises, it will not be long before we shall, thro boundlefs mercy in Christ Jesus be admited, to join all the nations of the redeemed, where the mystries of providence and and grace shall be unfolded, to our unspeakable joy forever and ever. The last time your dear Father preach 'd was April 7, IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 247 text Colofsians 3 chap 14 verse, and above all these things &c. He wrote in his almanack, preach 'd all day thro extreem weakness of body, but great freedom, it was indeed a very affecting time I never expected he would preach again. As his Subject was upon love or Charity in the afternoon, he spoke of the Harmony that had sub- sisted between him and this people near 40 years. ! it was too affecting. Many felt as the Galatians did, when Paul bore them record, that if it had been pofsable, they would have plucked out their own eyes, and given them to him. But none can redeem a Brother or give to God a ransom. I have often thought of a beautyfull pafsage in D r Newtons works, speaking of the death of his neice, who he had adopted as a Child. He says, But what can the most efficacious mediciens, or the best physicians avail to prolong life, when the hour approaches, in which the prayer of the great intercefsor must be accom- plished. "Father I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am to behold my glory. You ask who ware the Bareres, Rev d M r Holand — Rev a M r Shaw (Mashfeild) Rev d M r Everett — Rev 41 M r Niles — Rev d M r Sangar — Rev d M r John Read. Rev d M r Le Baron walk'd with me, Philemon & Peter, aunt and Rob- bins. The Lothrop LeBaron, and Goodwin families as mourners, when I send the funeral Sermon, I will send you an arrangment that was drawn by a Commit of the Parish for the funeral procefsion. tis said there was the greatest number of People that ware ever collected in this town on any occafion before, and a perfect sohnem silence. (M r Barker was absent, gone to Connecticut ) 7 ministers besides Bareres, walk'd in the procefsion, evry mark of respect was shown by the people — never was a minister who lived more in the affections of his people than your dear Father. ! my dear Children, when I followed the dear remains into the meeting house it was the "high water mark of my sorrow." allmost insupportable, where in the course of allmost 38 years we had gone together, I never went before — or after him to meeting — after meeting was done the dear remains, pafs'd the house never more to enter, went round Colt Hill, — up Coll Watsons Street as 248 A FAMILY HISTORY far as Capt. Mathews to turn. I desire to offer a tribute of Praise to God who supported me thro such a scene of Sorrow. When I got home, I went into my Chamber, Philemon followed me, said Mar, I love you, don't go away, tears comes in my eyes — I will be a good boy — and do evry thing you bid me. dear Child, was giving me all the consolation in his power. He appear 'd to be very much struck when his father dyed, did not sing as usual but went on taken care of the horse and cow, very silent. A few days before your dear father died, He said I want you should get well Par to preach. Par said may be I shall die — what will you do — you won't have no father. He answer 'd, well if you die, you will go to heaven, and when I die, I shall see you there. — Your Par was very anxious to see Chandler; he had wrote when the Court was over at Hallowell he would come, evry time the Door open'd he would say, is that my dear Chandler, the Court held a fortnight. He did not get here till Saturday of the same week he dyed, my first intervew with him was almost too much for me, I was very near fainting. He staid a week asisting me in painfull but necefsary buis- nefs. He said he would write M r Gilman, I shall send him a Coppy of the Will when M r Read goes on to Con- grefs. [It was] made some years ago I never saw it till after his death. He told me he had made me steward, for his dear Children. I know, "it is required of stew- ards that they be found faithfull." He also told me I should have many debts to pay that I knew nothing about, that I should be put to difficulty to support Peter at Col- ledge but after that He hop'd I might live comfortable. It was a subject I could not talk with him upon — it was too affecting — The Bareres preach for the benefit of the family, and a number of the afsociation, in consideration, that I have 2 sons whose Education is not compleated kindly offered to supply the pulpit to the first Sabbath in October, upon which the Parish had a meeting voted to continue the Sallery for my benefit to that time, after which they will provide a Candidate, after the Bareres, M r LeBaron — M r Cobb — M r Gurney — M r Barker — M r Chaddock — M r W m Read — M r Androfs and I expect Uncle Cary 1 Sabbath in Oct: — Surely goodnefs and IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 249 mercy follow me. — I can't do as I used to when writing to you take another Sheet, my love to your dear Par- ents — and my dear son Benj. I love to have him take your pen and say a word to me. I shall do as your dear father used to write once a month as long as I have my health — Love to the dear Children from your affection- ate mother Jane Bobbins. Ask me any questions you wish. I have had a letter from Isaac, he talks of coming this fall, I dare not make dependance on any thing. Jenny expects to be confin'd soon I believe, I have not heard from her since her fathers death. Mifs Molly Cobb dyed a few weeks ago of a Cancer. My dear son Sam 1 Prince went to Hallowell to see his brother. He came home very unexpectedly July 19. I had lain down — Susy wak'd me said in her soft way don't be surprized — you have another dear Child come home — He was so much overcome that I was obliged to supprefs my own feelings to comfort him — He has been a great Comfort to me in my lonesome state, he expects soon to return to Connecticutt. A list of the bearers and other ministers who preached for the benefit of the family, enclosed in a letter. Wednesday July 3 M r Sanger Philipians 1 th Chap 21. ' ' For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ' ' Sabbath July 7. M r Everett. 1 th Epistle of Peter 4 Chap 18. "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, Where shall the ungodly and sinner apear." Sabbath July 14 M r Shaw A M. Job : 14 Chap 1 verse. ' ' Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble." P M. Sermon printed. Sabbath July 21 M r Howland. John 14 Chap 19 ver, A M. "because I live, ye shall live also." P M. He- brews 11 Chap 16 "But now they desire a better Coun- trey that is as heavenly : wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God : for he hath prepared for them a City. ' ' Sabbath July 28 M r Sangar A M Luke 24 Chap : 24 and to the 33 vers. P M. " Many are the afflictions ' ' &c. 250 A FAMILY HISTORY Sabbath August 4 M r Read 2 Timothy 4 Chap 6. 7 & 8 verfes. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my Course, I have kept the faith. Hence- forth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousnefs, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day : and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing and kingdom. Sabbath August 11 M r Niles A M Acts 20 Chap 36, 37 & 38 "And When he had thus spoken he kneeled down and prayed with them all. and they all wept sore, and fell on Pauls neck and kifsed him sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. After the Bareres the af sociation agree 'd to supply the Pulpit for my benefit, till the Second Sabbath in October. Sabbath August 18, M r Cobb 145 pf aim "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. Sabbath August 25 M r LeBaron epistle of John 2 vers "Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." Sabbath Sept. 1 th M r Gurney James 5 Chap 11 vers. "Behold we count them happy which endure." Sabbath Sep 1 8 M r Barker Luke 22 Chap 46. "and he said unto them why sleep ye? Arise and pray lest ye enter into temptation." A M. P M. " The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. ' ' Ex- celent — like your dear Father Hannah. September 15 M r Chadock Colofsians 1 Chap 28 ver "Whom we preach, warning evry man, and teaching evry man, that we may present evry man perfect in Christ Jesus." Sabbath Sep 1 22 M r Andros disapointed me no Public worship, dull day indeed, aunt Cary and Tommy here on a visit. Sabbath 29 M r W m Read Isaiah 5 Chap 4 ver "What could have been done more to my Vineyard that I have not dont in it? Wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes." Sabbath Oct : 1 M r Wetherton. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 251 192 The following quaint inscription, apparently proposed for Dr. Bobbins' tombstone, was with Mrs. Bobbins' let- ters to her daughter : This Stone Erected by the first Parish in Plymouth as a tribute of respect to the memory of The Rev* Chandler Robbins D.D. Who was ordained Pastor of the first Church in this Town Jan ry 30 1760 and entered his ever- lasting rest Sabbath day June 30 1799 aged 61 No more shall ruptured lungs or vifced blood Threaten thy life, immortall as thy God Rest thou dear Clay till the last rifing morn Than spring to life and put thy glories on The labours of his mortall life End in a large reward A month later Rev. Thomas Robbins and his sister, Sarah, visited in Plymouth. He writes : ' ' Oct. 25, 1799. Dined at Aunt Thompson's. She having failed through misfortune has again begun in trade and has fair pros- pects. This town is in a very great tumult respecting a minister. " "27. Heard Mr. Kendall preach. I think it will be a great misfortune to this town to have him for their minister." "28. Saturday evening my cousin Chandler Robbins came here from the eastward on a short visit. This town is in a ferment on account of a billet which was yesterday [i. e. Sunday] pinned on the cushion, and addressed to the minister. At evening it appeared to be from my cousin P. G. Robbins." Peter G. Robbins was about eighteen years old. Rev. James Kendall became the pastor of Dr. Robbins 's old church and during his ministry of fifty-one years the church passed over to Unitarianism. 252 A FAMILY HISTORY 193 Mrs. Chandler Bobbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman and Rev. Isaac Robbins, Marietta, Ohio. Plymouth Dec 19 1799. My very dear Children, Your last letter makes me anxious to hear from you again, I don't know whether it is a month since I wrote last, as I keep no account, but I know you wish to hear from me, I take my pen to tell you I have been unwell since I wrote you last, a slow fever lofs of appitite &c tho D r Thacher thinks I shall get better and that I don't ail eno to medician much. I am ready to think that my health is declining. I feel pritty much the same com- plaint that your dear Father did. 0! that I, and my dear children may be prepared for the whole will of a holy God, who has a right to dispose of us, as shall be most for his glory. I suppose by this time Isaac is got home, I say home, as his atachment is so great there that he says, he could not be willing to stay here. He behaved very prudently while he was here. He was very much urged by our good people to preach, but he declined it. said he never in- tended to, only among his own connections, the Meth- odist — and then he should not think himf elf at liberty to refuse, he preach 'd at the Methodist Church in Boston & at Lynn, and to good acceptance. It is remarkable that Jenny, and he, should join the Methodist, But the reason was the same, their was no other preaching at the eastward, and Jenny told me, that she had reason to be- lieve that they were blefsed as a means to open her eyes to see, she was a lost sinner, and the blefsed spirit of God, she had reason to think enlighten 'd her mind in the sav- ing knoledge of Christ as the way, the truth and the life. Your dear father said, no matter who the instrument is, send by whom thou wilt send. He said he wished all his dear Children, may experience the same truths that he had evry reason to hope she had. the last letter she wrote before her father dyed affected him very much she says, she knew, she had been disobedent to her Par- ents ; unkind to her Brothers & Sister and begs their for- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 253 givenefs. what greater evidence of the spirit of a Chris- tian than humility. I believe their are many bad men, and prehaps immoral, who attempt to teach, on the other hand I believe their are some pious people of that denom- ination. I can't alow myfelf to feel any degree of preju- dice against them. When I wrote you last, I told you that the Church had given a call to a M r Kendle, he has accepted, and is to be ordain 'd the first of Jan ry . the disaffected to him, talk of building a new meeting house, they cannot be easy under such preaching, at present we are in a divided, mellancholly situation, those among us who ware most friendly to each other are now, opposed in that, where they ought to be most agreed. For my own part, I say but little to either party. But think we have reason to lenient. "How is the gold become dim! the most fine gold changed, the son's of Zion compairable to fine sil- ver how are they esteemed &c &c. Sabbath Dec 22 I have been reading your Fathers Sermon preach 'd 7 years ago this day, I soppose you have got it. ! how totaly different is the preaching we have now. He has finish 'd his testemony, and is thro grace, receiving his reward, I have not a doubt. I had a letter from you last evening my dear Child, I feel for you, in your ill state of health, under your cir- cumstances, incourage yourfelf in God. hope in his mercy, for body and Soul. I desire to commend you to God, who knows your evry want, and is able to save, when I set alone and think of my dear absent Children, it a consolation to me that they are all in his sight, he can do for them all they want. I am not able to go out, have a slow, intermitting fever, lost my flesh, Susy lives with me and is very attentive — Anna is here too, and Philemon dear Child, is all my fam- ily. I am pestered to get a pen that will make a stroke, you are a good reader, or I would try to coppy this my love to your Parents — dear Benjamin and all the chil- dren from your affectionate mother Jane Bobbins Aunt 1 says tis because I am low in spirits that I am i Mrs. Thompson died January 6, 1800, a few weeks after this was written. 254 A FAMILY HISTORY unwell — that is not the cause when I am well, I am not low spirited. I intended to say something of Peters Sit- uation but Isaac can tell you all about him. 194 Mrs. Chandler Bobbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plymouth May 7 th 1800 My very dear Children, I with pleasure received a letter from you my dear Son Benjamin, giving me the pleasing intelegence that my dear Hannah was thro the great mercy of God put to bed well — after great and severe distrefs and imminant peril, dear Child, I think of you with great anxiety when I know you are in circumstances, you have suffered so much in time past. But the Lord who heareth the cryes of his creatures in distrefs, and who is often seen in the momnt of danger, has appeared again for your deliver- ance. Blef s the Lord ! my Soul, and all that is within me blefs his holy name, you called upon him, in your trouble he answered, may you be enabled to glorify him, by devoting yourself, and Children, to God thro Jesus Christ — as is our reasonable service, can it be, that you have 6 children, 1 may the God of your Father, be your God and their God forever, it is a great Charge, to have the care of the education of Children, to train them up in the way they should go. I pray you may have grace to behave in a right manner and that they may be blefsings in the world, as to myself I desire to be hum- bled before God that I have been so neglectfull in my duty to my Children — indeed in evry relation of life, as a Child — Wife — Parent — neighbour, and to implore forgivenefs thro the merrits of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has made an atonement for Sin. I thank you my dear Children, for your affectionate concern for my health and happinefs, my complaints are very singular, the greatest distrefs is a heat at my stom- i Elizabeth Hale Gilman was born April 3, 1800. From the end of the letter it ia evident that Mrs. Robbins expected that the baby would be named after its mother. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 255 ach, some times in my back, lof s of appetite, no relish for one thing more than another, my flesh all gone, a very confused feeling in my head, that sometimes I hardly know where I am, nor can attend to anything ever so triffling, at such times Company, is very burdensome to have D r Thacher think my complaints are nervous, I don't know but he is right in his judgment, I have not had any other D r I have as much confidence in him, and more than any I know of. I desire to put my whole trust in the Great Physician, who knows all my pains of body, and Soul and is able to save to the uttermost. I hope in the mercy of God, that I may be restored to health — and be made a blefsing to my dear Children, and have patience, to bare the chastisements of the holy and right- ious disposer of all events. You speak often of my leaving Plymouth, I am not able, at present to ride far, I do ride evry pleasant day, perhaps the air is beneficial, the exercise sets me all in a flutter. I hope I shall recover that. I believe it to be my duty to be resigned to the will of God and remain where I am for the present. I expect Chandler in a day, or 2, on a visit, hope I may have occafion to rejoyce in the goodnef s of God. I think it is likely Jenny is confined by this time, tho I have not heard, M r Goodwin, is not very fond of writing himfelf, She wrote me, that she had been very much troubled, with a numbnef s in her right arm, that was very alarming, could not hold her neadle, or pin, Dear Child, I hope when she gets to bed, it will be better. She finds eno' to do in her family, tho she is as to her mind in per- fect peace, she writes beautifull letters, grows in the divine life, and seems preparing for the life of glory. Have you received a letter I sent on by Dear Isaac — I have had a letter from him since his return, he tells me, that he was out on a Mifsion, tho he says he goes thr hardships, he doth not repent his undertaking, he is will- ing to take up the Crofs, and hopes to ''endure as seeing him who is invifible". I hope for a letter from your own dear hand soon, and the mercy God has begun, may be made perfect. Mr. Gill, lays at the point of death with the dropsy. 256 A FAMILY HISTORY He has been in very poor health 2 years past, after the court broke up this spring he went to Princeton, on his journey home he caught such a cold as laid him up. He keeps his bed and is given over by the D r . Peter went to Boston to get money from him to pay the expence of his sicknefs, 1 and to take up his connections at Cambridge, but he could do neither it has given me great uneasinef s. I hope when my Dear Son Chandler comes, something will be done about it, I wrote to M r Gill repeatedly on the subject but he did nothing about it. it hurts me that my dear Children should be sufferers, if I had been able to have gone to Boston myself, it would have been done, D rs Nurfes — board — watchers &c amount to 100 dol- lars — this expence would be nothing, as it was the hand of the Lord, compared with the [torn] is at home out of imploy, what he will do in the future I know not. I hope some way will open. ! I wish to cast this care, and every other burden, on the Lord who has in infinite condefenfion, allowed and invited us to do it. I need not tell you that my head was confused, this letter is an evidence of the truth. My love to your Father & Mother and all the dear Children, not forget- ting little Hannah. May we thro rich mercy be prepared for, and at last meet in a world of perfect love (should we never see each other in this) prays your — affectionate mother Jane Robbins 195 Mrs. Chandler Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Plymouth June 27 1800 My dear dear Hannah, I last evening received a letter from your own hand. ! what renewed cause have we to live a life of devotednefs to our great preserver. May he who has again appeared for you in your destrefs and granted you so great a mercy, perfect his goodnefs to your body and soul, tis true I have not been able to write so often as I should have done had I health but the last letter I had from M r Gilman i Referring to Dr. Robbins 's illness. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 257 the day you was put to bed, I answered derectly. I hope my dear Child, you will soon recover your Sight ; look to Jesus, for temporal and spiritual sight, as to myself I feel as the warm weather comes on, declining fast. I know that with God, all things are pofsable, he can bring up from the borders of the grave, in his hands our life, and souls are, he can deliver and if we put our trust in him, he can give us better blef sings than life or all things that can be desired, what is life, tis but a vapour that appeareth but for a moment, and then vanisheth away. I want a heart resigned in all things to his will and to be prepared for every event of his holly Providence. ! that my dear Children may have submifsion to God and when father and mother forsake them, may the Lord take them into the armes of his covenant love and mercy. I am sorry Isaac has not written to you, he intended it, when he went away told me he should write you a long letter and I sent a part of a Journal I had begun, which I thought you would be glad to see also a sermon preach by M r Shaw on your dear father's death, if you had received it, you would have mentioned it. I am at a lof s to account for Isaac neglect. I can't think it is done with desire — I have only one short letter from him since he went away. You mention M r Gill sickness, no doubt you have heard of his death by this time, as to his great estate, tis said all his property is so imbarased that he will hardly have eno to pay his debts, all I have, that I depended upon for support, is in a very precarious situation I feel sorry for my Children, but desire to leave that and everything else of a temporal nature, you say I must keep up my spirits, I know I am too much depressed, and tis my earnift prayer to be delivered from it. may that God, who heareth for his own name sake, deliver me from all my fears, and of his infinite mercy make me meet to be- come a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. Plymo July 18 1800. I begun to write some time my dear Hannah, but have not been able to finish this letter, this morning your dear Brother Chandler, who has been here a fortnight past, with his wife brought me a letter from you, I long 258 A FAMILY HISTORY for strength to write largly, which used to be the great- est pleasure to me. Chandler — Jane & Peter are at home and [The letter breaks off here. Chandler Bobbins added a few lines, and it seems to have been sent in an unfin- ished state after the next two.] This Letter my dear Hannah, was the last that our dear Mother ever wrote — I find a number of scraps which she wrote, chiefly relating the Exercises of her mind during the past Winter — She has been uniformly in a State of Despondency and Agony of mind but it is con- soling that her Prospects brightened towards the close of Life — and that she died calmly [torn] left us last Mon [torn] and I am forry to fay — it has made no Im- prefsion on him but for a moment — He has no Solidity of Judgment — and God knows how he is to make his way in the world — All my Hopes are from this Voyage — I am hourly expecting to see you — but if you do not come before I leave this I f hall be distref sed for you — I mean if you are on the way — Brother Sam left this last Week for Stockbridge. he will be approbated this M° and will I hope be in a condition to fupport himself. I have a painful Scene to witnef s tomorrow — the public sale of our Furniture — Jenny has received some articles as I have also done and as the distance to you is so great [torn] Id not [torn] 196 Chandler Robbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman and Rev. Isaac Robbins, Marietta, Ohio. Plymouth 12 July 1800. My very dear Brothers & Sister It is with inexprefsible pain that I inform you of the very low state of our dear Mother's health — I wrote you last, immediately on receiving a Line from D r Thacher in which he fpoke favorably of her, fince which, and as the hot weather has advanced, She has failed very fast, and I came from home with Harriot that fhe might have the Consolation of feeing us in her folitary and afflicted Situation. I reached this, last Week, and Harriot this — IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 259 Mama was much overcome on feeing us, and I afsure you we were no lefs fo, on observing the furpriz 8 Change fince we last Taw her. She is amazingly emaciated — you could not know her — is fo weak that fhe can fcarce walk acrofs the Room — and is, I am very fensible, near the End of her Afflictions. — and May that Almighty Be- ing in whose hands, and at whose disposal is every Event, prepare her, and us for the Scene which is not far distant before us — I have fent for Sister Jenney, as I cannot think of returning home, and leaving Mama in her pres- ent Situation, alone. Shall wait untill fhe fhall come my Sister that it was pofsible for you to come too and afsist to fmooth the Bed of Death. I have asked D r Thacher how long we may expect her to continue and he gives but feeble Encouragement on account of the Dog- Days but thinks if she can furvive thro' them there will yet be a chance, but I think it a duty, which I fhould ex- pect from you in such an instance, to give you her true Situation, that your Minds may be prepared for whatever Event, it may be the Will of God to cause — Since the Death of our dear Father, She has met many Afflictions and Tryals, which, with that, have caused her Mind to fink under their Prefsure. She does not fuffer much pain — and fleeps tolerably well, but is gradually wasting away. Brother Sam is here, he will leave this for Lee in the County of Berkshire where he is pursuing his Studies, the next, or the Week after — Peter is here, & has no Prospects of any Businefs — I wish twas in my power to afsist or take him with me but it is not. Phile- mon I must in duty take care of, but I am distrefs'd on Peter's account — If it is pofsible my Sister for you, or My Brothers to come, I know you will not fail, as tis pof- sible you may be here yet to fee and embrace the best of Mothers once more — and in either Alternative, I wish your Afsistance, and to know your wishes respecting the Disposition of Affairs here. — Harriot joins me in best Love to yourselves and little ones — remember us affectionately to your good Parents and believe me to be Your affectionate Brother Chandler. 260 A FAMILY HISTORY 197 Chandler Bobbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman and Rev. Isaac Robbins, Marietta, Ohio. Plymouth 13 Sep 1 1800. The Lord gave and he hath taken away — & may we my dear Brothers and Sister, blefs his holy name. Yes- terday at half after Four in the Afternoon our dear Mother entered into her everlasting Rest. I had by my two last Letters from this place, prepared you to receive the melancholly Intelligence which I now communicate, but it will be with you as with us, tho ' the Event was ex- pected and in the Seasons of her great distrefs in the latter part of her Illnefs was prayed for by us yet the Reality is fcarcely fupportable. May that Being who has declared himself a Father to the Fatherlefs and the Orphan's God, fupport you my dear Brothers and Sister, and all of us under the Severity of his Chastisements. Our dear Mother continued much longer with us than we expected — She fuffered but little Pain during her Illnefs, but complained of a distrefsing Heat, down from her Neck throughout her Back, at times, but in the last three or four days of her Life She had Paroxisms of Distrefs through her whole frame which were violent in- deed fo that She could lay but a few minutes in any pos- ture, and We were continually removing her — but I do not know that She was ever distrefs 'd for Breath. Her Mind was in a gloomy desponding frame untill the last fortnight of her Life, when her prospects of Futurity brightened and She rejoiced in her Hope. She died calm and ferene. I was kneeling at her Bedfide and holding her hand when fhe expired. She died without a Struggle or motion of a Muscle — a few Minutes before She expired I told her She was leaving us, and would very foon be forever free from her Pains and Distrefses — (this was the last that was faid to her). She replied "I hope so — God Almighty be praised," and fell asleep. I do not feel disposed to mention the subject of the Property left by our dear Parents, but as the distance is so great between us and Communications are so necef- sarily lengthy in their Conveyance I will mention, that IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 261 as I have been so long here, and have given up my Bus- inefs for the Summer, at a great sacrifice, I wish to fettle as much of the businefs of the Estate as pofsible, before I return home, that I may not be compelled to be here a long time in future. I propose to dispose of the Furni- ture except fuch Articles as any of the Children may wish for, before I leave this. Jenney will felect fuch things as She thinks you may choose and they Shall be reserved — [torn] has exprefsed a Wish, on Paper, that her Cloaths be equally divided between her two Daughters except a Paste Necklace and her gold Sleeve- buttons which she has given to Harriot, also that the Plate may be divided equally between her fix Children, & in lieu of Philemons part wishes that he may have his Bedsted, Bed, Pillow, 2 P Strong Sheets Pillow Cases Blankets & Coverlid — my Dear Brothers & Sister I long to fee you and unite our Tears with your's on this melancholly occasion — As Isaac informed that he fhould foon go on another Circuit & did not fay where to, I do not write him, do it yourselves instantly, and tell him the cause of my not writing — We are your truly affectionate and afflicted Chand. Jenney Harriot Sam P & Peter G.— Our dear Mother has left an unfinished Letter for you. I fhall take care of it for you — & copy fome of her other papers for you. Write to me at Hallowell. 198 Mrs. Francis LeB. Goodwin to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gil- man, Marietta, Ohio. Frankfort March 15 th 1801. 1 My Dear & only Sifter It is a fortnight this day since I receiv'd your dear Let- ter — I should have written you sooner after the receipt of yours if I had had Leasure. But my Girl who lived with me was call'd home, & I have had no help at all, for near a fortnight, & my dear Babe has been & still is, very unwell, we are much concern 'd about him. it is nearly four weeks since we difcovered a swelling in his groin, i Mrs. Goodwin died July 20, 1801. 262 A FAMILY HISTORY thought he was going to have a sore — but the swell g increases, & has no appearence of Maturating, it is nearly the size of a large Hen's Egg & Purple, we are fearful it will prove to be a Burst, 1 it is quite painful at times — but he is a little Patient Lamb. Hannah you ask if I can realize that our dear Parents are forever gone. I suppose I can better realize it than you can. Before I went to Plymouth I thought I could never Bury my dear Father & Aunt — felt as if, — when I went to Plymouth, I must see Dear Pa 'a standing at the Closet Just before Bed-time with the Silver cup & Viol of Anodyne in one hand, the Candle in the other, with his Cap, & Gown on — & in Imagination — could hear him say, — my dear dont you think I had better take an anodyne to night? I slept none last night — waiting & longing for Mar to encourage it. As he did when I was last there — in his life time — But my dear sifter when I got there & saw my dear Mother on a dying Bed I had scarcely room in my mind to think of my dear Father & Aunt — It was wholly taken up with that one dear object of my affection. — You wish to know what sustenance our Dear Mar had. When I got there she had allmost intirely lost her apetite — she told me she did retain a little relish for Coffee — for two or three mornings She drank a cup of Coffee, & eat a small peice of Cracker, after that — she could take nothing but Barley-water from a cup full, to a few Tea- spoons full — for better than a week before she died I used to feed her with a few Teaspoonsfull, once in two or three hours — she could not take more than half a Tea- spoonfull in her mouth at once, & it was with great diffi- culty that she could swallow it, she died the twelvth of Sep 4 about four o clock in the afternoon on Fryday. I went to feed her in the morn — & it allmost strangled her. she whisper 'd & told me she could not take it — said her swallow was gone — & I could not perswade her to take any more while she lived. — there was no one in the room when she died but Chandler & Wife, Sam Prince, Peter, Susy, & myself. — I ask'd her — a few hour's before she expired if we should send for M r Ken- 1 Burse — a boil. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 263 dall — she said No — she was afraid she could not attend to his Prayer, & it would be sinfull. After we really Perceiv'd she was dying — we did not love to send for him, least it should worry her. — she was perfectly sensible (as I wrote you before) & rejoiced at the approach of Death — M r Kendall came in soon after she died — & Pray'd with us. We should have burried her on the Sabbath — but M r K 11 was under obliga- tion to be absent. She was buried on Monday — The Mourners only met at our house — (those who were in- vited to walk as Mourners) walk'd in Procefsion to the Meeting-house, the Precious Corpse sat down in the Broad Alley — the Mourners in the Pews each side of the Pulpit. A very large Collection of People beside. — first they sang the Funeral thought — then M r Kendall made a very long & excellent Prayer, then M r K read that Hymn of M r Whitefields composing — "Ah Lovely Appearance of Death" — which was sung with great solemnity. If you have not the Hymn, I will write it out & send you, with some alterations, which my Brothers & I thought Proper to make, we had a number of coppies written & sent to the Singers. Then we proceeded from the Meeting-house down round M r Withrells corner along the main street as far as Coll Warrens, on one side of the Street, & came back on the other, & up the Hill where we depofited the last remains of our Valuable Parent — beside the Grave of our Dear Father. And their immortal Parts I trust, are rejoicing together, & Singing the Song of Redeeming Love. — God grant my Dear Sister that you & I, & all that are dear to us may be so happy as to join them — when call'd to quit this Claye Tabernacle. — The Sabbath Following, we all went to meeting, in the forenoon M r Briggs Preach 'd, (Debby Sampsons Husband) & in the afternoon M r Ken- dall preach" 1 the funerall Sermon, which you have. — The next Fryday I left Plymo' in the Stage to Boston, & from there home by water, but two clays Pafsage. Ac- cording to your desire, I have been very Particular — Perhaps too much so for the eye of a Critic — but your good Husband will have the goodnefs to look over with an eye of Candor — & consider I am writing to my second 264 A FAMILY HISTORY self, in one sense. You ask my oppinion of M r Kendall — I think there cant be a more agreable man, he is of an excellent clifposition, affectionate, Tender, Delicate & a man of exquisite Sensibility, he appear 'd more like a tender, Child to our dear Mar, than like a common ac- quaintance. & like an affectionate Brother to all our fam- ily. — you could not but Love him. But he does not Please some of our Dear Pa 'as good old Stanch friends — I believe he is rather too Liberall in his Sentiments, they seem to be divided, I suppose you knew they had built a new Meeting-house — & there are a number that do not go to hear him Preach. I really believe he is a good man — they dont consider that he has not Pa 'as years, nor experience. It is a Pitty that there should be such Disunion [betwjeen the Lords Children for I believe there are sin [cere Christ] ians on both sides. I had a Letter from Samuel not long since, he was well & Preaching at Blandford Hampshire County — talks of Visiting us in the Spring — or summer. my dear Sis- ter — if I could only have one more interview with you, I feel as if I should not want any greater gratification in this Life. Shall I never have that happinef s ! my heart Longs for it. Dear Philemon is well, & Perfectly Contented & happy says Sifter write to sifter Hannah & give her love to me. Poor Peter we cant expect to hear from yet, hope he'll be Protected & Preserved, & kept from Vice, remember me with respect to your good Parents, kind love to dear Husband, & Children, tell my dear little namesake she must write me a letter, or aHeast a Post- script to her Mars. — Francis often Laughs at Ch. Rob- bins about his Cousin Penknife as he used to call him. I must leave a little room — Perhaps my Husband when he comes home, will write a line or two — Do my dear Sifter write often — & ask any & every question you wish to — & I'll endeavor to answer them Punctually — Your very affectionate Sifter Jane P. Goodwin. Husband not at home or would write you a line, this must go to the Office. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 265 199 Rev. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins to Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio, My dear Friends, Being troubled with y e Rheumatism seated in my right hand I can scarce move my fingers, hence must write very small & it will be hardly legible — but having so direct an Opp° I can't let it slip — M rs Guiteau has given us pleas- ing information from you — your Welfare your profper- ity and ufefulnefs — When I contemplate the variegated scenes y l take place in this changing world this is my con- folation — y l y e Lord Jehovah reigns — Infinite Wisdom governs — And all is right, & will be right — where is my D r B r — dear sister Jenny — dear Jenny 2nd! alas gone from y s world of sin & sorrow — & we hope thro Grace in happier, far happier Climes. We would not then wifh them back to beat on y e boisterous Ocean of this tumultuous world. Let us believe, love, worship & serve y e same God & Savior which we trust they did & prepare to join y m in a better world. how remark- ably is my dear Bro s Family scattered — may y e fervent Prayers of their pious parents be heard & anfwered for their dear child" that y° may all be followers of Christ & prepare to dwell with them in Glory. I received a Letter lately from Chandler, to whom I wrote a few weeks before — He has bro't dear Philemon 1 since Jenny's Death, to Plymouth & placed him with y* good M rs Diman to take care of — happy I believe for y e poor child — God in His kind Providence I trust will take care of that dear youth who is unable to care for him- self — perhaps he may spend some of his Life with you or Sam P. should be in a capacity for it — Poor Peter G. is not yet returned — & is probably, if alive, now on the boisterous Deep or in distant Climes — may y e God of his Fath r be his shield. Cousin Sam P. 2 is preaching at Becket about 30 miles distant from us. He is well efteemed & I trust will make i Philemon lived to be fifty years old. 2 This refers to Mrs. Gilman 's brother Samuel P. Robbins. 266 A FAMILY HISTORY a good & ufeful minifter of Chrift, perhaps he will settle where he now is or somewhere in these parts. As to Plym you had information, I conclude, that y a have another minifter settled in Bro s Pulpit — but I fear not of y* same Spirit & principles. A Seperation has taken place — anoth r Houfe built & y a are preparing to settle another Minifter. May y a . succeed & be built up in y e Doctrines principles & Experimental Religion of their forefathers in y l ancient Ch\ As to my Family thro Gods Goodnefs we are yet spared & in comfortable Health & peace — Ammi is settled near us on a good Farm, Natty full of Bufinefs as deputy Sheriff but ex- pects to marry soon & live in Town. Thomas is yet a Candidate & tho urged to settle in the miniftry — feels loth to be so confined on ace* of health. Sally is with us & a great Comfort to her Mother. She went with her Cousin Sam P. in y e summer paft to Bofton, Plym Rochefter &c very agreable tour. James is in his last year in College & perhaps will persue the studdy of Divin- ity. The other two sons at home. Dear Friends, I grow old, having already exceeded y e bounds of my D r B r0 . But while I live, I truft, I shall love & pray for the Dear Family y l descended from him — Sifter Starr alfo grows old & rather infirm — but is a sweet Chriftian & follower of Jefus. She and myself, you will recollect, are all y l remains of my Father's Family — May 'you, my D r Friends, live many Days, be ufeful, be virtuous, be true followers of Jefus — & may you faithfully educate y r dear Child" & have comfort concerning them. [torn] political aff rs — y e app n dark — tumults & Divi- sions prevail — & we know not [torn] But y e God of Zion reigns — & ble ssd are all y a y l love him & [torn] in y e ark of Safety — We all join in cordial affection. Accept [torn] of love from y r affectionate uncle Ammi R Robbins 200 Rev. Samuel P. Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Marietta, Ohio. Becket Jan. 3, 1802. (Sab. eve.) My dear and only Sister, One year has elapsed since I last wrote you. Did I IN LETTEES AND DOCUMENTS 267 write to you as much as I thought of you, I was going to fay, our estates would not pay the postage. But that would be exaggerating. It feems as if I must fee you before another year is at an end. The pains of absence are great, both with respect to you and the rest of the family; — especially in my present fituation — cast,_ as it were, into the open world, without any parental guide, and void of parental instruction. But in the midst of this melancholy train of thought, I cannot fay that I am destitute of comfort, either from temporal or fpiritual sources. It would be wicked to fay it. The presence of God can make the darkest time light. There is nothing that tends to chear & elevate the finking fpirits, and raise one up above the frowns or flatteries of this empty world, more than this. No wonder then that the true Christian speaks of it so highly. Give him this and he will ask no more. "For here is fulnefs of joy." All other comforts are unf atisf ying ; and ever will be. If then this be so infinitely valuable, is it not of importance that we know whether we are in pofsefsion of it? — If we are not, we are in a poor fituation indeed. Justly then, may we be compared in f acred writ to "the troubled fea when it cannot rest." And if we die fo we are afsured of "hav- ing no rest day nor night" forever. These are concerns therefore, worthy of attention. We have been called, it feems once more to taste of the cup of forrow. I believe we have this to console us, that fhe was prepared for the important change. In- deed, fhe prayed that her departure might be hastened. that we might be followers of fuch, who, through faith and patience, have gone to inherit the promises ! — A letter lately from Chandler informs that Uncle Prince 1 has likewise quitted this clayey tabernacle. Thus, my dear fister, are our friends leaving us, while we are left to mourn their lofs ; and to improve the folemn calls. Soon we fhall follow them, and leave this world behind us ; with all its airy vanities. Hence the folly of laying up for ourselves treasures on the earth. If we have not i This was probably Samuel Prince of Boston, a brother of Mrs. Chandler Eobbins. 268 A FAMILY HISTORY our treasure in heaven — i.e. if our hearts are not there, we are of all creatures the most miserable. Feeling fomewhat weary, having preached longer than usual today, must break off for tonight. — (Good night, my dear lister!) Jan. 4. Chandler has doubtlefs written to you about his disposal of Philemon. Dear boy, I feel for him. He shall never fuffer, if I can help it. May God be his pro- tector, & the portion of each one of us! The fhip, in which Peter went, has returned; and I feel anxious to hear from him. Chandler writes that you contemplate a visit this way in the f pring, with If aac ; which I am re- joiced to hear. I really wish if confistent, that it might be so arranged, as that you could be here (or in these parts) by the time that I fhall set out for Hallowell — which will be, probably, by the latter end of April, or beginning of May. Do write me about it. It feems as if I could not wait another year before I fee f ome of my col- laterals. There is a peculiar kind of pleasure to be had in an interview with near relatives ; of which, it is hardly presumable, that the God of nature ever designed, that we should be utterly deprived. You would doubtlefs like to hear respecting my fituation. I went to Ply- mouth, in the fummer, — returned into these parts, after a visit of three weeks: — have been here, now, ever since the middle of September; fhall tarry probably longer. There feems to be fome attention to religion here. that God would crown my labors with fuccefs; and his will be the glory! I preached yesterday a new-year's discourse (from Luke 13.7) They feemed to be all atten- tion ; and f olemn as eternity. I want to hear from If aac how he fucceeds &c. Shall write to him at Baltimore, agreeably to his request, in Chandler 's letter. Our Con- necticutt friends are well. I am but about 30 miles from them. "Well, my dear fister, I must conclude. May God be with you & yours forever, is the sincere desire of your affectionate brother, Sam 1 P. Bobbins. N. B. Don't fail to write by the next post — let what will hinder. Your last letter was dated the anniversary of your marriage. If your next is dated then I shall be content. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 269 Direct to Stockbridge ; & Stockbridge postoffice — which is 12 miles from this ; — to the care of Rev. M r Hyde. Jan. [torn] 802 I put this in the office hav s had no opp ty fince the last Date. 201 Mrs. Oilman's seventh child, Chandler Robbins, was born September 6, 1802. After Mrs. Chaandler Robbins' death, letters between the brothers and sister became infrequent, although they never lost touch with each other. Before we enter upon the series of Benj. Ives Gilman's business letters run- ning through ten years, we meet new family connec- tions, the Lippincotts and Swifts, who belong to a part of our country which has not yet been represented by these letters. The following letter is from Patty Swift, a school- teacher at Stamford, Conn., to her brother, Isaac, who lived at the family home in Cornwall, about fifty miles distant. They were the children of Dr. Isaac Swift and his wife, Patience Case, who both came from Kent, an- other town in Litchfield County, Conn. Dr. Swift was a surgeon in the Revolution from 1775-1778, and resigned after the winter at Valley Forge. His children were Adoniram, who married Lodemia Peck ; Abiah, who mar- ried Jesse C. Crissey and lived at Lumberland, N. Y. ; Patience (Patty), who married Rev. Thomas Lippincott and became the mother of Abia Swift Lippincott ; Lura, who married Dexter ; and Isaac, who moved to Ra- venna, Ohio, in 1815 and married there Eliza Thompson, of Pittsfield, Mass. Two letters from Patty Swift to her brother Isaac and a paper silhouette are the only relics that her de- scendants possess of her ; her death came in the earliest days of the settlement of Illinois, — her grave at Shiloh was unmarked and her memory faded away. 270 A FAMILY HISTORY From Patty Swift to Isaac Swift, Cornwall, Conn. Dearest Brother Stamford August 15 th 1804 I have written to you by a private conveyance but know not as you have received the letter. I am very anxious to hear from you and my other friends, but have been deprived of that happinefs entirely — I have not heard a syllable frorom any of you although I have expected it dayly. I wish very much to know what you are doing and what your calculations are. My school closes exactly seven weeks from this then I go up the river on a visit, but have not concluded whether to return or not; when I hear from my friends I shall conclude if we both take schools for the winter I should be much gratified in hav- ing you near me — You might take the school in Pionas no doubt where I taught, and I think it would suit you very well and you would be likely to please as they have been unfortunate lately in obtaining good teachers, you will therefore have the better chance — perhaps I shall conclude before I finish this letter whether I am to stay or not that you may know, and if I have an opportunity to enquire about the school I shall and inform you Good night my dear brother it is time to retire ; may a merciful Providence protect us through the night! — Friday the 9 th — I have received a letter from sister Crifsy this week. I expect her here on a visit soon, oh how glad I shall be to meet her again indeed there is nothing in life worth living for unlefs it is the society of friends and relatives. I have lately been deprived of that favor as it respects relatives but hope not always to be, still how- ever I have many blefsings for which I ought to be very thankful — this is the twefth day of the month — Last evening I received a visit from S Davenport who in- formed me that he and a M r S l John from New- York ex- pected to go to Sharon on a visit soon. I have been wait- ing some time that I might conclude where to spend the winter, writing now and then a line as opportunity pre- sented, but have not yet determined, perhaps I shall write the next by the mail, but I must hear from you first, I am very anxious to hear from you put your letter in the Post Office immdately if no other opportunity presents or I IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 271 shall not receive it before my school closes, as it closes the 21 st of next month. I shall expect sister C. in about a fortnight I hope she will not come till about time for my school to be out, and then bear me company up the river her family were sick with the measles therefore I think it very uncertain at what time she comes. I think it very strange that you have not written this sumere I have been here all alone as it were and had not even the privileg of hearing from any of my friends — till within a week; what have you been doing you have not been at school all this time. I think it is longer than you calculate to attend school. I expected you would have written a number of times whilst at school but I pre- sume you found enough to attend to, though it would have been an advantage to you to have written letters often. I wish brother Adoniram or Lodema would write I should receive and answer with the greatest pleasure. I want to hear about ther little children I expect they will all grow out of my knowledge : give my love to them and to Aunt and to all enquiring friends, I should like very [much] to hear from my N Haven friends, write me all you know about them and others — I Hope My Dear brother you will never become unsteady and a rover, but attend to something that will be of use to you in future life with afsiduity do not forget the ad- monitions of your mother, do not forget to prepare for a future state, death must come and what is a short life to a never ending Eternity if you do not cultivate a love for virtue and religion here you cannot be happy here- after. I must close but with reluctance, do remember my things at home and diaper and blanket at Elsworth. do not let them be lost. I intend to cary them to Lum- berland if ever I have an opportunity. Yours affection- ately Patty Swift — 202 The Bethlehem Female Seminary of Bethlehem, Pa., kept by Sisters of the Moravian Church, was a girls' school of some note at this date. Undoubtedly Mrs. Joseph Gilman's warm friendship for Rev. John Heck- 272 A FAMILY HISTORY welder, a Moravian missionary among the Indians of Ohio, was the controlling factor in their choice of this school for two, at least, of their daughters and their granddaughter, Jane Woodbridge. Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Peter G. Bobbins, Andover, Mass. Marietta October 29 th 1804 You accuse me of neglect, my dear Brother in not writ- ing to you, and forget that I wrote last, immediately on the receipt of your last letter, I wrote you particularly of myself and family, so long a space of time has elapsed since that time that you have forgot it. — or the letter has miscarried. I am however induced to believe the latter, since this new form of Government, there is no dependance or confidence to be placed in Post-mas- ter's, or any Men that are now in Office, it is my serious Opinion that we are all going down down as fast as pof- sible. — and unlefs the kind interposing hand of Prov- idence avert the stroke, I see nothing (in respect to our Political affairs,) but blood-shed, and ruin. — but enough of Politicks for me. you say my dear Brother, you fre- quently hear from Sammy, but dont say what town he is in. I wish you would let me know in your next, as I want to write him. you exprefs my dear, some in- clination to hear particularly of my family. I have seven Children the oldest, Jane Bobbins 14, has been at Bethlehem school 2 years, her Papa expects to go in a few weeks over the Mountains and take her from their to a school in Philadelphia, N York or Providence, to fin- ish her Education. Joseph is a great Boy — goes to a good school here with his other Brothers & Sisters, his Papa intends to put him to a Merchant in Philadelphia. Ben Ives is a fine scholer — has a retentive Memory, lerns very fast — and his Papa intends to send him over the mountains for his Education. Bebeeca is an uncommon steady Child — delights in lerning — is very ingenious — and discovers a remarkable taste for drawing, you would be supprized to see the landscapes, flowers &c of her own ingenuity. Bobert is a fine Child — looks more like our Dear Papa, than any child he ever had. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 273 is remarkably fond of his book — when from school, he is always reading and his delight is in reading religous books — is always asking questions respecting religion, another world &c that would astonish you. dear child — O that he and all of them might grow in grace and belong to the family of Christs flock. Eliza is a very sprightly child — fond of play — but ambitious to lern. Chandler Bobbins is his Mama's baby and a blue hen's chicken, my worthy and beloved Husband is well and unites with me in tenderest love to yourself, as to myself — if you recollect Aunt Cary's looks you will have some Idea of mine, tho I am much more fleshy than ever she was or our dear Mama, you may Judge by this our Country is a very healthy one. in this town there are five Physicians — whether they get enough by their practice to pay for Medicine is uncertain, if you want to make money and can keep yourself in health the falls of Ohio 4 hundred miles down the river from here is the best place I know of — but my dear Peter you must come and see the country — perhaps you would not like it — if I did not know the great ex- pence of a Journey here I should urge it upon you very much, no circumstance would add so much to my hap- pinefs as to see you or any of my dear Brothers here, our dear Brother Isaac is in partnership with my best friend. — gone into trade — settled in Alexandria — mar- ried a fine Woman of 26 who belonged to the Methodist Church 10 years before marriage and has now pre- sented him a fine Daughter who they call Jane Prince, after reminding you my dear Peter of the pious instruc- tions and advice of the best of Parents which I pray Heaven will ever make a serious & lasting imprefsion on your mind and wishing you every happinefs here and hereafter I conclude your Affectionate Sister Hannah Gilman PS in your next — direct to M r BIG merchant Marietta State of Ohio 274 A FAMILY HISTORY 203 Rev. Animi Ruhamah Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gil- man, Marietta, Ohio. Norfolk Nov r 1 st 1805. My D r Niece At length, we muft part with Dear Sam P. who sets off this morning for Marietta. May the God of our Fathers be his God & Guide — protect & put him on the way — bring him safe to you — And make him a Comfort to you & you to him — and a great Bleffing to the Ch h & people there & in thofe Regions where the Caufe of the dear Re- deemer so much requires, plain-faithful Minifters — I wrote largely a fortnight paft to both Comittees of Ch h & Society there refpecting his Ordination &c. hope there will be a refpectable Council & that the Solemnities may be so performed as to do honor to Religion & be for the peace & Satisfaction of the people there. — Your Brother is near & dear to me next to my own Sons. He has a good Heart and is indeed a good preacher & very usefull in Christian Conference. But with respect to worldly matters will need Advice & Counfel, which you & M r Gil- man & near Friends must give as Occafion requires — My hope & prayer is that he may do worthily & be a great Bleffing to you & your Children in that Country. — I have written to M r Badger & Tommy 1 — hope you will see them there & enjoy mutual Satisfaction. D r Hannah, may you inherit the Religion and piety of your D r Par- ents — & above all things Seek first the Kingdom of God. Our affectionate Reg ds to your dear Hufband loye to your tender Babes. That you may still see good Days, but efpecially obtain thro grace a glorious Inheritance be- yond this World, is the real defire & prayer of y r old but affectionate Uncle Ammi R : Robbins. 204 In an earlier letter Joseph Gilman mentions the pre- vailing land speculations of the western settlers. His 1 His son, Kev. Thomas Robbins, the diarist, who rode five hundred miles to be present at the ordination of his cousin, Rev. Samuel P. Robbins, at Marietta, January 8, 1806. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 275 son, Benj. Ives Gilman, seems to have been inoculated with this fever and when business conditions were not good, he was so much extended that he was at times dis- tressed for ready money. He was a merchant in Mari- etta, dealt in furs, was the first ship-builder on the Ohio and owned a rope-walk. The next letter was undoubtedly sent to Washington, D. C, as Congress had moved to the north wing of the Capitol in 1800. Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman. Marietta Dec r 20th 1805. Dear Sir/ Your favour of the 5th ins 1 has been duly rec d . If M r Martin will pay you $4000 for the Section on the Muskin- gum, payable in one & two years, I should advise a com- pliance with the offer. M r Seth Adams (formerly of Bos- ton) wishes to purchase the same Land & will give one Dollar P r acre, payable in three, four & five years. From the tenor of your Letter, I presume this offer will not be accepted. The Emigration to the State of Ohio, for the last six months, has exceeded all expectations ; of course Lands are more enquired for. Your Section on the Muskingum, from its Situation, will certainly ensure a sale in a short time, on good terms ; & had the Locators (Wells & Armstrong) done you justice, your property here would have been of double the value that it now is. I have not had an oppertunity of making a satisfactory Sale of a single acre of the section on Whetstone, & only a part of that on Licking — For the Sales made I am to receive payment in September next — I now have a fair prospect of selling both Sections in the course of the next fix or eight months ; & the moment I receive a payment, I will remit you the amount — until then I must beg your indulgence, as it would be very injurious to me at the present time to draw from my Stock in Trade. — I now have a Brig, ready for Launching (designed for a remit- tance to New York) — If a War with Spain takes place, I shall be at a great lofs, what to do with her. — Perhaps the Government may wish to purchase. — She is 65 feet 276 A FAMILY HISTORY Keel, 22 Beam & 11 feet Hold. — Has ports for fourteen Guns & may carry sixteen — It is expected that she will be a very fast Sailer. — Her Bottom is of best White Oak, Futtocks Locust, & top timbers of red Cedar. — plank from 30 to 55 feet in length. — The Master workman is an experienced and faithful builder, & I will venture to say that the Vefsell is equal in every respect, to any one of her size in the United States, the want of Copper only excepted. — Her Hull is completely finished & the sails & rigging nearly done ; and may be ready to descend the River within three weeks. — Will you permit me, Sir, to ask the favour of you, to speak to the Secretary of the Navy on this subject — should a Vefsell of this size be wanted, I can procure the most satisfactory Certificates, of the uncommon goodnefs of the work & materials — Gen 1 Carbury (who superintends the Gun Boats on the Ohio) has been on board and can give a description if required. — The Gun Boats will not be ready to descend the Ohio until April, & two that are building in this Town cannot be ready until the last of May. It therefore may be of efsential service to have an armed Vefsel at New Orleans, at an early period. Guns & other Warlike Stores, can be fent from Washington City, to this place (in Waggons) in 25 Days. If the Government should have occasion to build more Vefsells on this River, I should be very glad to engage two, the ensuing season. — I have the best Workman in the Country engaged, & will undertake to build better Gun Boats than any yet built on the Ohio. — If I could obtain a contract for two, I could appropriate the price of one to the Debt due for the Land. I have the pleasure to inform you that my worthy par- ents enjoy good health. Shall we never have the pleasure of seeing you, Sir, at Marietta? You will recollect that we are only eight days journey from Washington City. I am Sir very respectfully your obliged humble Servant, Benj a Ives Gilman. N. B. I have taken the liberty of enclosing a Letter for Gov. Bowen, in order to ensure a fafe conveyance. Will you please to place it in the Post Office, without frank- ing — His fon (formerly Judge Bowen of Georgia) is now IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 277 in this Town, in a most melancholly situation being de- prived of his reason, & is in confinement. Between this letter and the next, Judge Joseph Gilman died at Marietta, May 14, 1806, aged sixty-eight. He was buried there, but many years after his grandson, Win- throp S. Gilman, brought his body to New York and had it interred in the Gilman plot in Greenwood Cemetery. Mrs. Ben j. Ives Gilman 's fifth son, Arthur, named for Gen. Arthur St. Clair, was born June 28, 1806. 205 Ben j. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman. Marietta Nov r 28th 1807. Dear Sir I wrote to You in Feb y last by M r Brown since which I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you. — I then repeated the information of my having made a contract with Daniel Stilwell to sell your Section on the Muskin- gum for Four thousand Dollars with Interest payable in Phila d the 2 d day of May next (at the office of Mefs rs McEuen Hale & Davison) M r Stillwell paid $300 in hand, which will be forfeited if he does not make the other pay- ment at the time specefied. Being confined to my chamber at this time by a Rheu- matic complaint, I am incapable of writing more than feven or eight minutes at one time ; I must therefore omit the subject of the Debt due from me for a few days, when I hope to be rid of this troublesome complaint. I remain Sir very respectfully Your ob l Serv* Benj a Ives Gilman. 206 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman, Phila- delphia. 1 Marietta Jan. 6th. 1808. Dear Sir, — By the last mail, I had the pleasure of receiving your i MS. loaned by Daniel Gilman, Exeter, N. H. 278 A FAMILY HISTORY esteemed favour of — ult & a Duplicate of a letter dated — th of Oct., the original of which has not been received. The delicate and very kind manner in which you mention the Debt due from me for land, has imprefsed me with the livliest sentiments of gratitude. The heavy lofs which I sustained last spring, by the wanton destruction of a ship on the falls of the Ohio, has so far deranged my affairs, as to render it impofsible for me to make the pay- ments intended & which I so ardently wish. Of the sec- tion on Whetstone I have never been able to sell an acre until last month, when I disposed of a part am to about $3500 for which I rec d Bonds on Interest secured by a mortgage. The locaters Wells & Armstrong were grofs deceivers & had a very incompetent knowledge of the land. Indeed I am not without suspicions that they would have chosen better lands for you if they had rec d their premium out of each Section. I thank you, Sir, for mentioning my son Benjamin, for whose welfare we have much solicitude. When he left home I had no idea of his going so far eastward as Exeter: otherwise I should have given him letters to the friends of our fam- ily. We labour under great disadvantages in this Coun- try on account of Schools; & in consequence of this, & some other unpleasant circumstances (always to be found in new Settlements) I have entertained serious thoughts of a removal to the Atlantic States. During the life of my dear & respected Father I felt perfectly satisfied with our situation, because I found him enjoying unusual health & happiness. During the 16 years that he re- sided in this Country, scarce a cloud obscured his happi- ness. The climate was very favourable for his peculiar constitution, & there was not anything to interrupt that literary leisure to which he was so strongly attached. Our family have not only lost a most affectionate & ten- der parent, but have to lament the lofs of him, who was their unerring guide, in all questions relative to Science, Morals or Belle-lettres. Since his death everthing wears a different aspect, & not having any personal or local attachments, I should quit the place without regret. The principal obstacle in the way of a removal is the heavy debt I owe you, sir, for land. It is my intention to de- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 279 vote the present year to settling all my mercantile affairs so that I may be ready to remove whenever other cir- cumstances will permit. If I should sell my property here I could take with me from 30 to 40,000 Dol s . If a sale could not be effected, I could rent my pofsefsions in this Town & vicinity for $1000 P an m . Excuse me Sir for going so far into detail of my private affairs. The debt I owe you is so large that I thought it proper to make you perfectly acquainted with my situation. My excellent Mother enjoys good health & with M rs Gilman joins me in presenting our regards. I am, Sir, very re- spectfully Your ob l humb e Serv 1 Benj. Ives Gilman N. B. I have taken the liberty of enclosing a letter for Isaac Robbins of Alex a which contains halves of some Bank Notes. Several letters having lately miscarried, occasions my taking this freedom. 207 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman 's youngest child, Winthrop Sargent Gilman, was born March 28, 1808. Their eldest child, Jane, had married at the age of seventeen, Novem- ber 10, 1807, Dudley Woodbridge, son of Hon. Dudley and Lucy (Backus) "Woodbridge, of Norwich, Conn., and Marietta. She died in Marietta, September 18, 1808, at the birth of her daughter, Jane. Mr. Gilman seems to have taken his son-in-law into partnership for a while. These business letters are particularly interesting to illustrate the difficulties of doing business at this time and the irregularities of the mail. We note the duplicate and even triplicate letters that are sent by different methods; the lack of facilities for transferring money from one place to another ; the unreliability of the aver- age man they met in business life, and the hopelessness of trying to collect debts owing to many state laws which protected the debtor. Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Lexing- ton, Ky. 280 A FAMILY HISTORY Marietta Dec r 22 d 1808 — My Dear Sir The Western mail arrived last evening, but to my very great disappointment, no Letter for me, from Lexing- ton. — I mentioned the subject of a loan to the Directors Yes- terday, and found them all willing to accede to your pro- posals. Should you find that you can purchase Tobacco with our Bank Bills, on as good terms as by Drafts on M r Lewis, the Directors I think will be glad to purchase, even at 90 days fight. — From the appearance of the weather, I think the River will be high enough for launching on Saturday next. — Judge H is very dilatory about the Cordage. For obvious reasons I do not wish to prefs him, at this time. I feel very confident that he will not have your Hemp manufactored in time for the Schooner, unlefs additional hands are employed — Should you conclude not to return, before you descend the River, I wish you would write to him. — I shall depend on hearing from You, immediately after your arrival at Lexington, in the meantime may Heaven protect you. — Your faithful friend & ob l serv* Benj Ives Gilman N B. Dear little Jane is as usual, perfectly well. — If you can pofsibly make it convenient, I hope we shall fee you again before you descend the Mif sif sippi. — 208 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Lex- ington, Ky. Marietta Dec r 27th 1808 — My Dear Sir — I wrote to you the 21 st ins 1 pr post, but presume it is yet in the Office, as the Mail was not transmitted to Chilli- cothe last week. — I am yet without answers from M r T Hart & M r Jordan. — The Mail came in on Saturday last, from the Eastward; no intelligence of any consequence. — The Embargo & non-intercourse system, appears to be the only plan, as yet adopted by the Administration. m % £ & ^i 1 „ Eh > V 3 <■ ' l ; .'-' '.< "■ M fc . Y ', H't • Mh 1 ■ -» s. CO ,. i v* -— ' — £ * v '* — ; X. ■ ' <^ \ ' "X\' r- . )} [h ■ rj 1— ' 72 W 02 P o IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 281 We have had a very sudden & destructive flood since you left us. — The River rose 18 inches higher than ever known before. — The water was above the key-hole of your Store Door, and up to the Windows in your House. Through the exertions of Thomas Peirce & M r Stone, your goods have been kept free from any material dam- age. — Our houses were furrounded & both Cellars filld with water. 1 — fifteen inches more would have covered the whole of this point. — The damage to fences, bridges, &c &c is very great — The Schooner floated off the Stocks on Saturday Evening, and is safely moored. — All busi- nefs has been and still is suspended, as the water is still so deep in almost all the Streets, as to admit the pafsage of large Boats. — Dear little Jane appears to grow every hour, and is perfectly well. You must have had a tedious jaunt to Chillicothe. — Benj ' Ives Gilman Jan y 7 th 1809 12y 2 M r Dudley Woodbridge J r Lexington Kentucky Mail. Single Sheet. M r Prentif s is requested to place this in Chilicothe Post Office — 209 Hon. Dudley Woodbridge to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Lexington, Ky., with letters from Joseph S. Lewis & Co. Duplicate Phil* 27 th Dec r 1808 Copy M r Dudley Woodbridge J r D r Sir, Your fav r of 14 Ins* is before us, and we are glad to see you were so soon to Set out for Kentucky to purchase the Tobacco as we think the price must under present circum- stances be very low & we think will well afford us to lay out of our money for a Year at the end of which time we have no doubt our Trade will be resumed if not sooner & Tobacco does not depreciate by keeping great care should 1 Mr. Gilman built a house next his own for his father, and his widowed mother was probably living in it at this time. 282 A FAMILY HISTORY be taken to keep it dry, in going clown the river & if it should get wet it should be opened at New Orleans & the wet seperated from the dry. — It is not our intention to send our vefsel round until our navigation opens in February by which time we shall certainly know wheather the purchase is made & we shall be glad to have frequent advice from you on the subject. We thank you for your intention of giving us letters to houses in Kentucky after your arrival their — You will of course be charged with Interest upon our advances for you — Hemp still holds at about $300 and nothing but an uncommon supply of country hemp can lower it, for none can come from abroad we hold our Rufsia hemp at 400 D s & by the last accounts from England^ it was at $530 — Insurance can be done here down the river with- out difficulty and we think there would in case of lofs be more facility in a Settlement here we therefore Should prefer making the insurance in this City please there- fore after the Shipment to let us know from whence it is made in what kind of boats & the State of the river all which will have an influence on the premium — In our last we ordered the investment of the $1500 (the am 1 of Mr Blennerhaf setts draft) in Tobacco on our Seperate ac- count which we confirm and our Brothers & ourselves wishing to have a Cargo of Tobacco purchased for a Ship we propose To send To New Orleans for it and to let her lay until the Embargo is removed we request you will (after the purchase of the 200 Hh ds on our Joint Ace*) purchase as much in addition to what you buy with the $1500 as will make up 300 Hh ds say in all 500 Hh ds . Your drafts will of course meet due honor & we hope you will succeed in selling them at a long Sight, you will have the same discreation as to the price &c as already given you for the purchase on our Joint account — Our object in this additional order has in some measure been created by the circumstance of your being So long in Kentucky which will enable you before the River rises to compleat the Whole purchase & also the confidence we have in you & our desire that the emolument should be thrown into your hands. The Kentucky tobacco is principally wanted for the Spanish Market & the fol s description of the qual- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 283 ity that will suit best will be of service to you in the pur- chase, it should be of a fine bright Color large leaf & open well & be of such a temper as to contract a good deal of Water in the preperation & fabrick of it into Segars — We have written to M r Blenh 1 about the draft for $2000 & have no doubt he will consent to the acceptance at 6 Months when we have his ans r we shall communicate it very truly we are your friends Joseph S Lewis & Co — Copy. Phi a Feb y 2 d 1809 Copy Dudley Woodbridge J r Dear Sir Your fav r of the 12 th of Jan 3 ' from Marietta & Copy of that of the 2 Jan y from Kentucky only reached us yesterday the orig- inal has not got to hand nor that of 31 st Dec r with the Let- ter of introduction to Mefs Hart Barker & Hart which we shall be glad to receive — We wrote you on the 27 Dec r directed to Lexington & fearing that it may have miscarried we enclose a Copy you will see it contains an Order for 250 Hh ds Tobacco in addition to what you have already — purchased — The Ship we propose to send to New Orleans will not be ready for 2 or 3 weeks & as some accident may prevent her geting there we think you had better put the Tobacco in charge of Mefs rs Amory & Cal- lendar our friends at New Orleans which will prevent the necefsity of your personal attendance at that place so much to your disadvantage as you State in your Letter if our Captain should be there in time we shall direct him to attend to the businefs which will save a Commifsion perhaps some person whom you can depend on may be going down who will at a small charge attend to it the greatest difficulty is that if our vef sel should not be there some Competant person ought to attend to the businefs of shipping the Tobacco here — We are well satisfied with the terms on which you have purchased the Tobacco & hope it will be of the best quality — The proportion of Yarns in your Schooner Cargo we think is rather too large in times of brisk businefs they do very well but now the rope makers prefer buying hemp to keep their boys & people employed the price of White Yarns is always reg- ulated by that of Tared Cordage here which at present is 10 @ 20 d rs p r C 1 & if any sales are made we expect 370 284 A FAMILY HISTORY 390 Dol s could be had for your Yarns — Kentucky Hemp will bring 290 @ 300 D s p r Ton — Lead is worth 8y 2 @ 9 D s p r 112 lb & the freight from N. Orleans is little or^nothing as vefsels carrying Cotton want it for ballast. We should recommend your putting it into your Schooner in preference to taking it on freight. — Salt Petre _ is worth from 25 @ 40 Cents according to quality on which so much depends, the Kentucky will generally average 25 @ 30 Cents. We should have no objection to Join you in purchase of fifteen or Twenty tons but it will not be convenient to us to furnish all the Funds at this Time as we are loaded with a great quantity of goods which can- not be disposed of. We will accept your Bills for one half at as long sight as you can pais them, and you can draw for 2 / 3 ds of your Share on its arrival here — On en- quiry we find their is no danger of Hemp taking Fire unlefs very dirty & badly cured & stowed in large Bales — Insurance against Fire on the Schooner cannot be done here as our Offices except one do not take risques out of the State & that one declines it — At present Insurance from Louisville to Phi a can probably be affected at Nine pr Cent & from New Orleans only 4 @ 5 pr Cent — A change in our political Situation would increase the lat- ter premium — the order for Sails & Sheeves & pins shall be immediately attended to, we shall send in this Letter if pofsible an estimate of the Am 1 of the Sails, which we trust you are aware will cost a very heavy sum owing To the high price of Sail Duck, you may be afsured of our strict attention to buy on the best terms — Cap 1 Boyle being still disengaged we have engaged him to proceed immediately to Louisville to take charge of the Schooner at Forty five Dollars p r Month to commence on his arrival their & forty five Dol s to be allowed for his expences from here to Louisville — By next post we shall communicate the estimate of the Cost of the Sails & also inform you wheather we will take a concern in the Schooner & her Cargo & upon what terms we are your Friends Joseph S. Lewis & C° — P.S. It will be necefsary in making the Sails to be informed of the Depth each Mast will be buried in the Hold — the distance from the Foremast To the Stern and between the foremast & Mainmast, please IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 285 also to mention the length of the Schooner on Deck As above Jos. S. Lewis & C° Copy Copy. Phi a Feb y 7 th 1809. M r Dudley Woodbridge J r D r S r Since writing ours of 2 Ins 1 we have rec d your fav r of 18 Jan y as well as that of 31 Dec r & 2 d Jan y with a Copy of your agreement for the Tobacco we hope our Letter of 27 Dec r which we sent to Lexington will reach you in time to enable you to contract for 250 Hh ds more at the same favourable rate, we trust however it can be had at a price not exceeding four Dollars P r hundred delivered at New Orleans which you will understand to be our lim- its — Our last stated to you the rate at which Insurance can be affected & if we Shortly receive your Orders or those of M r Gilman we do not doubt getting the Schooner & her Cargo written at the terms then quoated. — The Canvas being at very high prices we have only ordered as many Sails as cannot be dispensed with & which Cap 1 Boyle thinks will be enough Viz A Main Sail Foresail Foretopsail Jib & flying Jib which will require 14 pieces Ruf sia Duck @ 40 d s 560 5 pieces Ravens Duck 24 120 Making, Twine &c about 90—770 D s the small articles of Sheves & Pins will Cost $15.00 Cap 1 Boyle leaves here tomorrow morning. We charge you Ninety Dollars advanced him on Ace* — We have a favorable opinion of this Adventure by the Belle, & have no objections to take One third concern in vefsell & cargo provided it will suit you To take pay 1 in Bills at 90 & 120 days date from the time She leaves New Orleans & that you pay us a Commifsion of 2y 2 p r C* as usual on making the Sales of Vefsel & Cargo Say on your part We are your Friends Jos. S. Lewis & C° — Copy Marietta 27 th Feb y 1809 ' D r Child The foregoing are Copys of Three Letters from M r Lewis which M r Gilman desired me to Copy & send down by Water if Opp y presented he would Send by post a Copy — when this will reach you is uncertain as there are few or no Boats pafsing — We have heard nothing fur- ther respecting the Embargo, it is say d it is to be taken 286 A FAMILY HISTORY off the 4 th of March but they talk of Letters of Marque, reprisals &c — I fear if taken off Trade will be so Shackled, that the repeal of the Embargo Law will an- swer no Salutary purpose — Our Family are well, noth- ing new of importance has Transpired Since you left hej-e — w m has returned from the Afsembly — accom- panied with your Uncle Elij h & Thomas Backus. D. Woodbridge 210 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Lexing- ton, Ky., with letters from Judge Meigs and J. S. Lewis &Co. Copy of a Letter from Judge Meigs dated Feby 8th "Dear Sir Upon the rec 1 of yours I immediately applied to Secre- tary Smith, who discovered every desire to accommodate You, but upon enquiry found that his navy Agent in Ken- tucky had purchased the requisite quantity. I am sorry that it was not in my power to serve you in the mode you wished. I shall at all times be disposed to do so, & you may freely write me on any subject interesting to your- self & for the accomplishment of which I can any way afsist you. The greatest contrariety of opinion prevails in the Congrefs, arising from a sincere desire to preserve the peace of the Union — and yet differing in the mode. No fystem has yet been adopted, but I think that the Em- bargo will be raised on the 4th of March next & a non- intercourse with Great Britain & France be fubstituted. I think you will be able early in the spring to take your Hemp to the Atlantic States & obtain a greater price than you could get from the Secretary of the Navy — If any Act of the Government shall be of any importance (in my opinion) to your commercial operations I will write you." — Copy of a Letter from Joseph S Lewis & C° dated Phila d 2 d Feby 1809 — [Duplicate of the letter of Feb. 2 d above omitted] IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 287 Marietta March 3 d 1809 My Dear Sir The Letters of which the foregoing are copies came to hand last week & I expected to have found an oppertunity to have forwarded a Letter by Water, but have been dis- appointed. We have now two mails due, which are ex- pected this evening. The offer for % of the Vefsel & Cargo, made by M r Lewis, is too favourable to him & cannot, on my part be acceded to. I shall endeavour to purchase all the Hemp I pofsibly can (on our joint ac- count) to forward by land to Phila d , in order that the objection to the large quantity of yarns, may in some measure be obviated. I think ten tons may be pur- chased. I shall not write to M r Lewis on the subject of Insurance until, I see or hear from you. Cap 1 Boyle is doubtlefs with the Schooner before this, as he pafs'd here the 16th ult. I have not heard of the Schooner since she pafs'd Gallipolis — If Lead can be had at Louisville at 5 dol s I think we had best purchase 10 or 15 Tons. M r E Backus (who is now here with his fon) says that Lead could be purchased at Genevieve in January at 3 5 %oo — Of our political affairs we still remain in doubt — It is however pretty well ascertained that the present Con- grefs will not adopt any measure more hostile than Non- Intercourse with the Belligerents. It is my present in- tention to leave home in time to be at Lexington the first day of April — Within the last fifteen days severe colds have been very prevalent in Town & many persons very sick. Our dear little Jane has been severely affected, & for two days I was not without serious apprehensions for her safety — She is now nearly recovered. Winthrop, Chandler & Arthur were all taken very violently, but now conva- lescent. My Dear Mother is very unwell, with the same disorder, and I consider her situation as extremely crit- ical. Should she not grow better it will be impofsible for me to leave home. I trust however, that thro' favour of divine Providence, a Life so necefsary to my happi- nefs, will yet be spared. Should it appear that my Son Joseph cannot be of any 288 A FAMILY HISTORY Service in descending the River: and if he discover an inclination to return from the Falls, I will thank you to furnish him with Funds to purchase a Horse. Your friends are all well — William has return 'd from Chillicothe 1 apparently much disgusted with his Brother Legislators. — With esteem, I remain always your fincere friend Benj Ives Gilman 211 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Lexing- ton, Ky. Marietta March 10th 1809 My Dear Sir I wrote to You the 26th ul l & enclosed Mr Gallatins Letter, also the 3 d ins 1 with copies of two Letters from Joseph S Lewis & C° & one from Judge Meigs: — both were forwarded pr Post. — On Wednesday last I rec d Your favours, dated at Limestone 18th uP and Lexington 20th ul\ — This day M r Whitney arrived and handed me Yours of the 1 st ins 1 The Letter you mention, dated 26th ul l has not been received. — I am of the opinion that it will be best for us to send our Yarns & Hemp over Land & purchase a Cargo of Tobacco. — The reason, in favour of this alteration of our plan, which has the greatest weight on my mind, is the delay in the Transportation of the Hemp & Yarns from Lexington. — According to your description of the roads, I fear the Cargo could not be forwarded to Louisville in any reasonable time. — If the Schooner should be delayed in the Mifsifsippi, for the Season, it would be attended with most ruinous conse- quences. — I presume a Cargo of Tobacco could be procured with- out much delay, & that we should not meet with difficulty in obtaining funds. — The Hemp & Yarns will bear the transportation by Land, and leave a decent profit. — I give my opinion free- ly and at the same time afsure you that I shall be per- i The capital of Ohio at this time. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 289 fectly satisfied with your determination, whether it coin- cides with mine or not. I have the pleasure to af sure you that dear little Jane is perfectly recovered from her indisposition. — My Mother is a little better. It will not cause any alteration in the determination of the Directors of the Bank (as relates to our Loan) if all the Paper comes back in one wee k.— I am confident they will adhere to the bargain, altho' they may be much disappointed in the circulation of their paper. — I shall write to Gen 1 Findlay by this days Mail, & re- quest an answer directed to me in Lexington. — Should such a letter arrive at the Post Office, You will please to open it. — From the conversation I had with him last Summer I had every reason to suppose that he would take our Notes. — I am apprehensive that I shall not reach Lexington until the 8th or 10th of Ap 1 — From Mr Harts known lib- erality, I presume he would not take any advantage of the delay. — If the Hemp & Yarns are sent over-land to Phila d I suppose we should have to pay J. S. L & C° 2y 2 pr C* Commif sion.— In that case, I should be glad to stipulate that the property should not be sold, without our consent, & that we should have liberty to draw on him at 90/ds for 7 3 ds the am whenever the Yarns left Pittsburgh. — For reasons that I will give you when we meet, I think I shall not take the money out of the Bank until the first day of April. — Our last letters from Washington are under date of 24 ur My friend Col° T wrote me on that day as fol- lows "Even to this day it cannot be determined whether the Embargo is to be repealed or not. — My belief is that the Bill will be so fetter 'd with other provisions that we shall not be able to vote for it, which probably is the wish of the Majority — I think the War party cannot carry their scheme into effect at any rate." — We are anxiously looking for a mail which is due this evening — I wrote you a hasty line this day, & forwarded it to Zanesville — I shall write again tomorrow, if the mail comes in this Evening. Your faithful friend Benj Ives Gilman N B. Your friends are all well — 290 A FAMILY HISTORY 212 Benj. Ives Oilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Lexing- ton, Ky. Marietta March 11 1809 — Dear Sir Mr. Whitney arrived yesterday & handed me Your Let- ter dated the 1 st ins 1 — By the last Western mail your other favours,— dated Limestone 18th ul' & Lexington 21 st ul l came to hand.— I feel great anxiety at the pros- pect of so long a delay of the Schooner at the falls, as will be required from the very bad state of the roads. — Would it not be best to purchase Tobacco, if to be had, at Louis- ville, and fill up the Vef sel ; and let our Yarns & Hemp pafs over-land to Philadelphia? Pofsibly You can pur- chase the Tobacco of M r Hart, to make payment in May ; by which time we could command the necefsary funds. — A delay in the Mifsifsippi for a season, with a Cargo of Hemp & Yarns, would be attended with ruinous conse- quences. — M r Cromwell did not come through this Town. It is probable that he exchanged his notes at M r Van- hornes Office. I wrote you a line the 26th ul l enclosing M r Gallatins Letter. The 3 d ins* I forwarded pr Post a Copy of a Letter from Judge Meigs & of two from Jos. S. Lewis & C° — Yesterday I wrote pr. Mail & also for- warded a line to Springfield, to be forwarded to you from that Post Office.— The Post came in last evening from the Eastward, but without any mail.— Non-Intercourse with France and England and a repeal of the Embargo is expected. — Dear little Jane has recovered from her cold. My Mother is better, but not without some alarming symptoms. — For reasons that will be given when we meet, I probably shall not take out our money until the first day of April.— I wrote to Gen 1 Findlay this day & requested him to say whether he did not give me reason to suppose he would take our paper — His answer will be directed to me at Lexington, should you find it in the Post Office, You will please to open it and make such use of it as you think proper. — This letter is to be forwarded by a Boat to Limestone, and as it is very uncertain whether it will ever reach you, IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 291 I shall only add my best wishes for your health & Hap- piness — Benj Ives Gilman 213 Benj, Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Lexing- ton, Ky. Marietta March 17th 1809 My Dear Sir/ The Post Rider came in this day with two mails & among other Letters received, one was from M r Lewis a Copy of which is enclosed.— I have deemed the contents of this Letter of so much importance, as to forward the Copy by an Exprefs, who I hope will be with you on tues- day next, before noon.— Your favours of the 26 th ul l 3 d & 8th ins 1 all came to hand on Wednesday last— If you have not disposed of the Contract for Hemp & Yarns be- fore this arrives ; You will no doubt think it best to hold to that bargain, and my vote would be in favour of send- ing the whole overland, with all pofsible dispatch — Should you have disposed of my half of the Schooner I wish you to purchase, if pofsible, Hemp, Yarns or To- bacco as you may think will answer best. — I am under some apprehensions that you cannot purchase on the same Credit which I suppose you have given M r Hart, if the Schooner is sold.— Notwithstanding you mention that it will be unnecefsary to forward any money until I hear from you again : I believe I shall take out my portion of the money in Bank, (which is made payable to M r Hart) and start for Kentucky the first of April, in the hope of making more than the Interest. In a Letter this day rec d I am requested to purchase "from one hundred to two hundred hogsheads of good Tobacco" provided it can be obtained for a price not exceeding three Dollars & fifty Cents, delivered in good order at New Orleans — In the event of a purchase I am authorized to draw on Tallmadge, Smith & C° Merchants New York.— Bills at Sixty to One hundred & twenty days fight.— If you can purchase this quantity of M r Hart, within the limits, with- out interfering with your other engagements, I should be well pleased & will give you the Commif sion, which would 292 A FAMILY HISTORY be allowed to me for transacting the businef s. — I am not to be interested in any manner whatever in this purchase. If you have fold one half of the Schooner, perhaps it may not be necefsary for you to go down the River, more particularly as M r Hart has a house in New Orleans, — I hope Joseph will consent to return from Louisville, as he cannot be of much benefit on Board. At all events, I would have him return, if you conclude not to go down in the Belle. — The uncertainty of the conveyance pr mail, mentioned in your Letters, has occasioned my sending this by Exprefs, & I hope you will approve of the meas- ure. — You will herewith receive a file of the National Intelligencer, cont s the latest information from Washing- ton City — In a Letter from Col Tallmadge he mentions that Flour had risen & Cotton & Tobacco would undoubt- edly experience an advance, in consequence of the repeal of the Embargo — I am truly sorry that you should find yourself in an unpleasant situation in consequence of Gen 1 Findlays having refused our Notes. — I wrote to the G-eneral (as mentioned in my last) and hope you are be- fore this time in pofsefsion of his answer. — A more pos- itive agreement could not be made than I supposed I had made with him, & the only difficulty he started, was ob- viated by a fpecial resolution of the President & Direc- tors — I have no expectation that any arrangement can be made with the Chillicothe Bank until they find, by experience, that it will be for their interest to take our paper. — In consequence of a constant fuccefsion of rains, no hemp has been broken out in this quarter. I fear that it will rise — Holden offer d a person in Your Store 6*4 dol s P Cwt — In the management of our present Busi- nefs, I hope you will be guided foley by your Own judg- ment, & fo far as I am concerned, You may rest afsured that I shall be perfectly satisfied with the result. — Dear little Jane has perfectly recovered from her in- disposition & is not alter 'd in any way excepting by the lofs of flesh. — My good mother is much better. — Your friends are all well. — I wrote three Letters last week, one forwarded by the Mail, one by a Boat & the other was fent to Zanesville — IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 293 I shall write again tomorrow, by M r Seth W Nye, who will descend the River in a Keel Boat. Your faithful friend Benj a Ives Gilman N B. It may be unnecefsary for me to say that I would join you in any new purchase of Hemp or Yarns, to an amount not exceeding ten thousand Dollars, provided we could pay in the paper of this Bank — 214 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Frank- fort, Ky. Friday 17 Mar 1809 10 OClock P M — My D r Sir I wrote to you this morning & sent Robert with the Letter to the Post Office — & the Post Rider has this moment crofsed the River of course I suppose the line fent by Rob 4 is not in the Mail — On Wednesday last I rec d your favours of the 26th uT 3 d & 8 ins 1 — Tomorrow I shall write by S. W. Nye who descends the River in a Keel Boat — Little Jane is perfectly well & my Dear Mother much better — The post is waiting for this scrawl — Yours &c B. I. Gilman Athens March 21ft 21 Forwarded 8 Lexington — Apr 3 29 Kentucky M r Dudley Woodbridge Jun r Lexington Frankfort Kentucky Mail 215 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. Copy Phila d 4 March 1809 D r Sir Since our last dated 7th ul l we have none of your 294 A FAMILY HISTORY favours. As it may be agreeable to you to know the state of our market for Hemp & Cordage we write this Letter. American Hemp has been purchased eagerly at 350 @ 375 d s & Rufsia has been sold in New York at 475 d s — here 500 d s pr Ton is asked.— Cordage is at 25 d 3 pr Cw* — & we expect your yarns will produce 23 @ 24 d 3 which will afford a handsome profit. — Tobacco Ken- tucky, will command 6 to 7 d s and by the time our parcel arrives here, we expect will command 7y 2 & perhaps 8d s — The articles for your Schooner are all ready and will go by the first oppertunity, to the care of our friends Mefs rs Amory Callender & C° — Your friends J. S. L. & C° Marietta 18 March 1809 — D r Sir, I have forwarded a Copy, fimilar to the above, by a special Mefsenger Sam 1 M c Clintock, to Lexington — An- other will this day be lent to Limestone, by S. W. Nye, & this is fent under cover to Joseph. — Referring to my Let- ter by M c Clintock, I remain yours &c Benj n Ives Gilman 216 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. Marietta March 18 th 1809 My Dear Sir I wrote to you yesterday, & dispatch 'd an Exprefs, who will be with you (I trust) on tuesday next — I have en- counter 'd this expense, in consequence of the information in your favour of the 26th uP, that it would not answer to trust to the mail in conveying any information of import- ance. — I hope the intelligence will enable you to save, at least as much as the expense of conveying it. — As it is pofsible that my mefsenger (Sam 1 M c Clintock) may not reach you, I again Copy the Letter rec d yesterday from J. S. L. & C° dated the 4th ins* — [Duplicate letter omitted.] This will be forwarded by S. W. Nye who will be re- quested to place it in the Post Office at Maysville — Benjamin Ives Gilman IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 295 217 Joseph Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Lexington, Ky. Louisville March 20 th 1809.— Dear Sir. The roads are so extremely bad, that there is now but very little tobacco brought in. The road to the lower landing is in such a condition that it is impof sible to per- swade any of them to deliver their tobacco at that ware- house. When I came up on f riday last, there were two men in town who had one hogshead of tobacco each, for sale ; one of which had just been inspected, the other was to be in, the next day. The man whose tobacco had had just been inspected ; offered it to me at 13/6 but would not remove it down to M r Berthoud's ware-house. The other person offered to take, when his waggon came in, both hogsheads down, if I would give him 15/.— for his tobacco. The gentleman who superintends M r Prathers businefs, told me that if they would deduct 1.25 — from the amount of the two hogsheads, for which sum I could get them taken down, he thought I had better take them. I accordingly made them that offer, but they refused to make any de- duction, and left Town, on Saturday morning. On sun- day evening the waggoner came in with the other hogs- head; he stoped at M r Gwathmey's and I made him the same offer which he then refused. On monday morning I went up to the ware-house ; after the tobacco had been inspected, and he found that I would not take it upon any other terms, and he found that I would not take it upon any other terms, he agreed to let me have the two hogs- heads at 13/ p r Cw l neet, and deduct 1.25 for the carriage to the lower landing. I accordingly took them, and de- posited the notes with M r Prather. If I was right in so doing, you will please to inform me by return of mail ; so that if I find it impof sible to get any delivered at the lower-landing; I may purchase some more in the same manner. In haste, Your's affectionately Joseph Gilman. 296 A FAMILY HISTORY 218 Joseph Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Louisville, Ky. Louisville April 6 th 1809 Dear Sir. As the water is now upon the rise ; Cap 1 Boyle intends leaveing Shipping-Port, early to-morrow morning — . He has engaged a pilot to go down with us, to the mouth of the Ohio. — But expects you to get a person to pilot us down the Mifsifsippi. — He, also, made out a memoran- dum, of the articles that would he wanting for the Schooner ; all of which I have procured except, four bar- rells of pork — (he says it will take one barrel! to last us to New-Orleans; so that if you think it best, the other three barrells can be bought there.) — 5 gallons of mo- lafses — an d 30 lbs of butter. — He has since mentioned, that there will be 2 gallons of liquor, wanting for the cabin, [sic]. The butter, M r Donaldson, (M r Gwathmey's bar-keeper.) told me, he would have by the time that you could get here. There is also, one dozen of Chick- ings wanting to make out our compliment; which M r Donaldson was to furnish. I have settled all the bills against the Schooner; except M r Prathers — . On the 28 th of last month Cap 1 Boyle & the two seamen had a sever quarrel; they then wished to see you, to get their immediate discharge ; but, have not since, said any thing about it. — Enclosed, you have a manifest; which was given me by the inspector of tobacco. — Cap' Boyle informs me, that he is to give his pilot $25. You will be good enough to forward the enclosed letter, to my Father. I shall be very much obliged to you, if you would take the trouble to call at the post-office, and take out any papers, or letters, that may be there for me. In haste Yours affectionately Joseph Gilman. 219 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman. Marietta Dec r 6th 1809. Dear Sir Your favours of the 10th & 12th of September have IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 297 been duly received & I intended that this answer should have met you at Washington, but have delayed it a few days in order to receive information from a distant part of the State, respecting the land of Jn° Coates. — of the section that he owned only five hundred acres remain, the other part having been sold for taxes. — I have directed a person at Zanesville to purchase, provided it is offered for sale for taxes this year. — I have also been informed that a writ of attachment has been ifsued & this land taken. By the attachment Law of this State, all Creditors, who present their claims within one year, are entitled to a dividend in proportion to the amount of their claims. — I have made diligent enquiry for the person of John Coates but cannot hear any thing of him, & presume he has taken fome other course. — On the subject of the land, which ought to have been paid for long since, I wish it was in my power to give you more agreeable intelligence. — You have heretofore been informed, Sir, of the sale I made of a part of the land, amounting to three thousand dollars, the whole of which was to have been paid to me before this time, but not one cent have I received. — the purchaser built a Saw & Grist mill & had a good prospect, when an unusual flood came & swept away the whole of the Dam. The improve- ments that have been made on the land are said to amount to more than $2500. — The debt is secured to me by a mortgage. — By the provisions of a Law pafsed during the continuance of the Embargo, property cannot be fold in this State, unlefs it will bring a portion of its ap- praised value; of course debts of any magnitude cannot be collected during the continuance of the Law. — I am perfectly willing to renew the Notes & if you will fend on a Blank it shall be executed & returned. — It will occa- sion my paying compound interest, but of this I have no right to complain. — On the notes which I have received in payment for all Land sold I can only obtain simple in- terest, as the mortgages are predicated on the notes, & if the latter should be altered, the former would be of no avail. I am fully sensible, Sir, of the very great indulgence you have shewn me, & it is a severe mortification to me, to be under the necefsity of asking further favour. Be- 298 A FAMILY HISTORY lieving it to be impracticable to sell the whole, without a heavy lofs, for prompt pay, & being very desirous that you should be made perfectly safe, induces me to make the following proposal. I will deposit the notes which I receive in payment, in the hands of David Putnam Esq r , Cashier of the Bank in this Town, (& who is a collecting attorney, of the strictest integrity) as your property or as a collateral security. Whenever the money is collected it shall be deposited in Bank for you, or remitted agree- ably to your directions. — The notes would be secured by mortgages on the land, & my endorsement would be al- ways binding on me. I hope this proposal, Sir, will meet with your approbation; at the same time I am free to confess, that I shall not have any cause to murmur, if you demand an immediate facrifice of my property to pay the debt. It affords me great pleasure to learn that my dear fon Benjamin acquitted himself in such a manner as to ac- quire your approbation, at the late examination. Most devoutly do I wish that my situation would permit my other children to share in the benefits of the Exeter Acad- emy. — Circumstances, however, over which I had not any controul, compelled me to seek an establishment in this Country, & it would be a weaknefs now to repine at des- tiny. M r Stillwell, who contracted with me for the section of your Land on Muskingum, has made very valuable im- provements on the Land. — At the time the contract was made, I told him that you considered money worth eight p r cent interest, which was an inducement to sell. I there- fore think it would be reasonable to demand interest, at that rate, for the delay. — I certainly should not have made the contract with him, if I had not supposed that he would have paid the money in Phila a at the time ap- pointed. He af sured me that he had fold his property in Bucks County & that the money would certainly be ready before the time agreed upon. — From the unexpected & rapid growth of Zanesville, the Land is much more valu- able than was expected. With sentiments of respect & esteem, I remain Sir your obliged hum b serv 1 Benj a Ives Gilman. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 299 220 Benj. Ives Gilman to Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. Marietta Dec r 29th 1809 — D r Sir Your favour of the 12th ins* came to hand, by the last mail from Chillicothe. — The information respecting the Steam Engine, convinces me that it would eventually answer well here ; but at present it would take too much Capital. — On Wednesday next I shall have the businefs done at Bank, & on this day week will forward the money or a draft. — I apprehend that I did not exprefs myself clearly, in the hasty note, written at the moment of your departure. It certainly could not be my wish to have the businefs con- tinued, if at any time it should appear unprofitable: & most afsuredly I could never wish for a continuance, under any circumstances whatever, if it required a sacri- fice on your part, of interest or personal convenience. — For the first year, I presume little could be made, but after that I think you would find the establishment both pleasant & profitable. M rs Gilman has just returned from a visit to dear little Jane, 1 whom she found very well & more interesting than ever. — I remain always your faithful friend & ob l serv* Benj Ives Gilman 221 Ben-j. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman. Marietta May 18th 1810. Dear Sir, As Congrefs has adjourned & I have not rec d any ad- vice from you relative to Jn° Coates Note (in answer to a Letter I wrote to you the 3 d of April : I am apprehensive that my Letter was lost. — It is necefsary that the orig- inal Note should be forwarded without delay, as I shall 1 Mr. Dudley Woodbridge married (2) Maria Morgan. The marriage may have taken place before this date, as Jane was apparently no longer living with her grandparents. 300 A FAMILY HISTORY have to send it 120 miles after its arrival at this place. — The prospect of recovering, is small; as the Land has been sold for taxes ; & probably a Law fuit must be en- countered, before the Creditors of Coates, will be able to obtain pof sef sion. I remain very respectfully, your obliged & ob l serv* Benj a Ives Gilman. 222 Mrs. Gilman left three of her children in New England in 1810-11: Rebecca, whom she placed in a Portland, Me., boarding-school and who made her uncle Chandler Bobbins' home her headquarters; Benjamin Ives, Jr., at Brown University, and Joseph at Harvard. Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Dr. and Mrs. Peter G. Rob- bins, Lynn, Mass. Marietta January 15 th 1811 My Dear Brother and Sister. It was my intention to have written to you immediately on my arrival here, but we have had a constant succef sion of rains which has produced such a rise of water, as render" 1 it impofsible for the post-rider to perform his office. — The waters have now fallen and I hasten to re- lieve the anxiety you may feel on my account. I cannot agree with you, my dears that its best not to take a formal leave. I have felt, since I left you, as if I had done wrong, in not kif sing your cheek, and sheding a tear over you. the scene is distrefsing I acknowledge, but after we are seperated, we feel a melancholy pleasure in the re- flection, which pleasure we are deprived of, if we hide from each other. I pafs' d a few days with our good uncle at Norfolk — who has not of late, enjoy d very good health, consequently looks more like Pa 'a than ever — I told him your deter- mination to visit him — he exclamed dear child is it pof- sible that I shall see him, before I die? — now, my dear Brother — I beg if it be pofsible — that you will not dis- appoint his expectations, depend on it — 'twill be a con- stant source of satisfaction to you, all your life. — I can IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 301 speak from experience, — I left him, and his worthy fam- ily, on Monday 22 October, at 2 o clock P. M. and through the goodnefs of God, arrived in safety, at my beloved home, on the 9 th of Nov r . — We were favour 4 with excel- lent roads — and fine weather, till 8 th Nov r — when our fall rains commenced. — I rode 2 days in the rain, and was wet through. — but was so anxious to see home, that I could not stop. (0 God! my dear Hannah, how frail is human happinefs! how uncertain our dearest joys!) 1 however — I did not take cold — and never enjoy ' d better health for which blefsing I hope ever to pofsefs a thank- ful heart. — It was very dark and rainy, when I arrived, and no one saw me, till I enter ' d the parlour, and took hold of Eliza, the whole family were instantly alarmed, and the domes- ticks tumble" 1 in, one over the other, with the strongest exprefsions of Joy and affection. — When I reflect on my flight to N E it appears like a pleasing dreem. — I often when alone, find myself laughing at some happy scenes, past with you. — particularly our Journey to Hallowell. the bridge Abba, shall you ever forget it? I dare not tell my husband of that I have related some circumstances of our delightful Journey, and he has clapt his hands to- gether and exclaimed — Hannah — if I had known it, I should have been distracted. I never shall trust you from me again. but really Sister, my Journey to N E — affords me a con- stant source of satisfaction. — and now — dearest of sis- ter's — when shall we see each other again. Alafs — if you do not come into this country, I fear we shall be sep- erated many — many years. — how is your sweet little Chandler — I long to kifs him again — how is your dear mother, "boid an girls com d out to play" — is sounding in my ears now. present my most affectionate regards to her, and your amiable sisters — whom I think of, very often, also cousin Nancy — and my good friend Curtin. tell her I often think of the good supper we made so hap- pily together, from her bounty — write soon, my dear, and tell me, if the clouds are blown over — and you are any more reconciled to the inhabitants of Lynn — if you i Note in another hand. 302 A FAMILY HISTORY should move from thence — let me know. — I received a very good Letter from Rebecca — a few days since, she was well — and appears very fond of Harriott, and pleased with her situation. — she inclosed Harriotts pro- file — and will send her uncles in her next letter. — which I am much pleased to hear. — as I have yours, and Peter's — which I value very much. — Brother Samuel is very well — his wife, has improved astonishingly. — she makes him an excellent wife. — and appears fond of him. she has lately made a profefsion of religion — and is esteem" 1 — I hope my dear Brother, you will ne[ver go] to Boston, while Joseph is there, without calling on him, and when with him, do observe if his cloaths are decent, and if not, charge him to purchase things necefsary and comfortable. — his Pa 'a has remitted money to him — since I came home — and he will have no excuse. — I have one favour to ask of you sister — which I beg you to re- flect upon. When brother Chandler comes to see us, (which he afsured me he should) — I entreat you — if your husband cannot come — to accompany him. take a pleasant season of the year — from Boston to Alexandria by water — the cost is triffling — then from there here by land, if you will let me know when you will be there — I will meet you at Isaac's, think of it, and tell me your minds. All send love — particularly my beloved, who is prepared to love you. H Gilman. 223 Benj. Ives Gilman to Benj. Clark Gilman, 1 Exeter, N.H. Marietta March 11 th 1811.— My Dear Sir/ I now transmit T. & W. Gilmans note of hand, which would have been sent sooner, but for an error made in endorsing the Letter received from you — When the Note came to hand, I saw no prospect of obtaining payment, and carefully folded it in the Letter, which by mistake I marked as from Thomas Gilman. — Afterwards I 1 Benj. Clark Gilman was a grandson of Col. John Gilman and married a daughter of Josiah Gilman. I Mrs. Joseph Gilman (Rebecca Ives) Prom a portrait owned by her great grandson, Theodore Gilman, of Yonkers, N. Y. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 303 searched my files many times for your Letter, but in vain : and at last concluded to examine each Letter seperately ; when the error was detected. — I have to exprel's my re- gret for this accidental delay of the Note, and hope that Thomas may now be in a situation to make payment, without inconvenience. — From the bearer, M r Joshua James, I have had the pleasure of receiving a detailed account of my Exeter friends & relatives; who will ever be held dear in my Memory. — When my dear M rs Gilman left home last July, I had not the least expectation of her returning until the ensu- ing spring. — It was my intention to have met her in New England in the month of February & remained there until the last of April. — Her anxiety to see the young children she left behind, has deprived me of the pleasure of visit- ing my native Town, at this time : & I know not when I can again make it convenient to leave home. — In a Mafsa- chusetts Register recently received, I noticed with pleas- ure your connexion with the Boston Aqueduct Society. — I sincerely hope you will find the businefs both profitable & pleasant. — My excellent Mother enjoys better health than is usual for a person of her years. 1 — My family is about as large as yours, but I am far from enjoying the same blefsing that you do, in having good Schools at hand, for the edu- cation of children. — We live here in a fine climate, in a land of great plenty, but most shamefully destitute of Schools. — I am at all times anxious to hear of the welfare of my Cousins, and if you can find time occasionally to write, You will greatly oblige, Dear Sir, Your affectionate friend & very humble Servant Benj a Ives Gilman i Mrs. Gilman was sixty-five years old. 304 A FAMILY HISTORY 224 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Oilman, Philadel- phia, Pa. Providence x 17th Nov 1813. Dear Sir/ It was my intention to have waited on You, previ- ously to my leaving home, to converse on the subject of the debt which I have so long owed you : but some unex- pected businefs prevented me. — You probably, Sir, were much surprised to hear of my removal from the State of Ohio, before the discharge of the debt so long due: had I supposed that my remaining there would have accel- erated the payment, I certainly should not have left that Country. One principal object in the removal was to lib- erate myself, & I feel confident that it will be much f ooner effected than if I had remained. In addition to the bonds I hold for Land sold, will be all my property in Ohio, which is now offer 'd for sale; & from both sources I am sanguine in the opinion that I shall foon be able to draw funds sufficient to discharge the last cent I owe. In con- sequence of the lofs of about $22,000 in active property, I have found myself much embarrafsed for Years past, but I have always had the consolation of knowing that my property, in any event, would more than discharge my debts. My real estate at a moderate valuation, to- gether with Bonds &c will pay my debts & leave me from 30 to 40 thousand dollars. Being so largely indebted to You, Sir, I feel it a duty to explain & give a detail of my circumstances & prospects : & I hope my motive will be a fufficient apology for troubling You with my personal concerns. Principally thro' the instrumentallity of my worthy relative M r Ives, 1 I have agreed to enter into Commifsion businefs in this City, with M r Otis Ammidon formerly of Providence. The first object will be to sell, on Commifsion, the Cotton fabrics, of New England. We have the afsurance of support, from almost all the per- sons concerned in the Cotton businefs in Rhode Island, & i This letter, though written in Providence, was handed to Hon. Nicholas Gilman in Philadelphia. 2 His cousin, Thomas P. Ives, of Providence, who married Hope Brown. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 305 the house of Brown & Ives will give all their businefs & influence to our establishment. Indeed their kindnefs has exceeded my warmest expectations, for they have offer 'd to make advances, at all times, to the am of $25,000: provided the manufacturers should have occa- sion for money, on their consignments. My knowledge of M r Ammidon arises principally from the information of M r Ives, who represents him as a man of strict integ- rity & a complete merchant. M r A. has been Cashier of the Providence Bank & left it on account of its being too sedantary an employment. From this businefs I hope to derive a sum equal to the support of my family : & should it fall short I can draw some afsistance from the State of Ohio. With these prospects, I look forward to a day when I can have the pleasure of taking up my Bond & thanking You for Your kind indulgence. Very respectfully Your Ob e hum b Serv* Benj a Ives Gilman. Phila d Nov 24 N B. I intended to have forwarded this from Provi- dence p r post, but finding that I should not be detained there so long as was expected, concluded to bring it on. 225 Benj. Ives Gilman to Hon. Nicholas Gilman, Washing- ton City. Marietta 14th April 1814 Dear Sir/ I did not discover, until after the closing of the Mail the 10th ins 1 , that I had only cover 'd three Notes of $50 ea . — I n ow enclose the others & hope the whole will ar- rive in safety. — I remain, fir, very respectfully Your ob 1 Serv 1 Benj a Ives Gilman 1814 May 12 th Rec d Three Bills 2 at 50 100 1 100 $200 306 A FAMILY HISTORY 226 Benj. Ives Gilman to Nathaniel Oilman, Exeter, N. H. 1 Phila d 11th May 1814. My dear Sir. I returned a few days since from the State of Ohio, and cannot deny myself the melancholly satisfaction of condoling with you, for the lofs of your excellent brother. On my way home, I took up a newspaper at Lancaster & the first paragraph that met my eye, was the notice of your brothers death. 2 This mournful intelligence was so unexpected, so totally unlook'd for, that I could not, & cannot yet, scarcely realize the lofs. You have doubtlefs had a detailed account of his illnef s from Capt. Odlin ; I shall, neverthelefs, communicate all that has been men- tioned to me respecting this distrefsing events, believing that you will derive a melancholy satisfaction, even from a repetition of the account of events that occur 'd in the last days of one so highly valued, so deserving of esteem. On Friday the 22 d inst. the day that your brother re- turned to this City, he called at our house, & my good Mother & M rs Gilman say that he never appeared in bet- ter health & spirits. On Monday he repeated the call & appeared quite as well as on his first visit. On that day or the next, he dined with M r Newbold. In the evening following he was indisposed & in the course of the night had a violent ague fit, attended with most excruciating pains in the side. Doc. Chapman was called in the morn- ing & ordered a copious bleeding & administered some pills. The Doctor spoke of the disease as a common cojd, which would easily give way to medicine. My family were not informed of his illnefs until after his removal to Capt. Odlins on Thursday. My Mother instantly called & found him quite ill and much distrefsed for breath. i MS. loaned by Daniel Gilman, Exeter, N. H. Nathaniel Gilman and his brothers, Hon. Nicholas Gilman and Governor John Taylor Gilman, were grandsons of the "Uncle Danii" of whom Joseph Gilman wrote in his early letters. As Nathaniel married Abigail Odlin and his sister Eliz- abeth Gilman married (1) Dudley Odlin, we suppose that the Capt. Odlin at whose house in Philadelphia Hon. Nicholas Gilman died, was a connec- tion and possibly his nephew. 2 Hon. Nicholas Gilman died May 2, 1814. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 307 He observed that the pain in his side had been most ex- cruciating the night that he was seized, & added that he thought it occasioned by a cold caught on board the steamboat. On friday, Saturday & Sunday the disorder appeared fluctuating & sometimes favourable symptoms intervened. A free prespiration was kept up, during the whole time. On Monday the pain ceased & he had (in the morning) a few moments conversation with Doc. Logan respecting an Armistice. He said he felt better excepting great weakness & observed that he did not know what the consequences would be, if he should not be relieved from such unusual distrefsing debility. At this time wine & brandy were copiously administered, but without the least effect. It was mentioned that perhaps he would breathe with more ease, if raised a little higher in bed, he afsented & while Capt. Odlin was sustaining him in this position, without a groan he expired. During his illness he was not a moment deranged; & his mind appeared active, unclouded & perfectly serene, thro' the whole progrefs of the disease. He exhibited all that firmness of character, and delicate propriety of conduct in sicknef s, for which he was so remarkable when in health. M rs and Capt. Odlin were as afsiduous as pof- sible, & no attentions were omitted which promised ben- efit, or that could smooth the descent to the grave. The funeral was conducted with that propriety which could be wished, and with all those respectful attentions, grat- ifying to to the friends of the deceased. The disorder is now pronounced a violent Typhus Fever. It would have been highly gratifying to me, if I could have been present to have tendered my services in the sick chamber, and I very much regret that I had not re- turned a few days sooner, in order that I might, at least had the mournful satisfaction of following the remains, of one whom I so highly respected, to the Silent tomb. My good Mother & M rs Gilman join me in presenting most respectful Compliments of Condolence to Gov. Gilman 's & your family, sir, & in wishes that you may all find con- solation from Him, who alone, can pour the balm of con- solation into the breasts of the afflicted. I am sir, very respectfully your ob. & humble Serv* Benj. Ives Gilman 308 A FAMILY HISTORY 227 H. W. Noble x to Mrs. Ben j. Ives Gilman, Philadelphia, Pa. Marietta 29 th Jan y 1815 Respected Madam I write this, to put you in mind of an old acquaintance of yours in this country, who thinks a great deal of you and one that so highly respects, and values you that he is fearful that the bustle of the City and the succefsion of new objects will cause you to forget him — I consider my- self, at present as an exile from all that is really pleasur- able in life, and that Marietta is to be viewed in the same light, contrasted with Philadelphia, or Boston, as Siberia or Kamskatca, but I expect when the Hartford conven- tion has settled the affairs of the Nation to be recalled — In the meantime I have nothing to do, but to hope for better times " Exiles they say subsist on Hope ' ' Delusive hope ! that pants for distant good ' ' To Good that mocks approach But I must go soon, if at all, for I find I am growing old at a great rate, and must if my remove is procrastinated, share the fate of good old Mofes, who • ' ' Prom fair x Pisgahs height ' ' The Land of Canaan eyed " Surveyed the region with delight "He saw — came down — and dyed You see what a wonderful taste for poetry I have — In- deed Dear Madam. I very much long to see you, and all the dear family There is every thing to put me in mind of you, and every thing to cause regret Still, I love my friends so dearly, that I cannot but rejoice in any circum- stance that favors their happinefs The place affords nothing new at present. I generally go once a week to visit your particular friend Mifs B and that is on Sunday evenings, when I have my roast- meat clothes on — and we never fail of talking good i A member of Mr. Gilman 's household in Marietta, and tutor to the children. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 309 things of you and the family — Please to speak of me in the kindest terms to the amiable M r Gilman Love to Robert, tell him he "owes me one" Compliments to my pretty friend Mifs Eliza If I have not written to her, yet I still think of her with all pofsible friendship and esteem — Love to the little Boys — and for yourself, please to accept every thing that the purest friendship and respect can dictate from Madam Your obedient humble servant H W Noble Madam Gilman will please to peruse the enclosed, and if she finds nothing in it objectionable, she will deliver it otherwise retain it — M rs Rebecca Gilman Philadelphia 1 Allegany. 228 Patty Swift was visiting her sister, Mrs. Jesse Crissey, in Lumberland when these verses were ad- dressed to her by the young Quaker she afterwards mar- ried, Thomas Lippincott, who was employed at the time by Patty's uncle, Jesse Crissey. Mr. Lippincott was born in Salem, N. J. He left an interesting picture of the town in "My Native Village," a story of his early life. His ancestry was purely Quaker and emigrated to this country on account of religious persecution. Thomas Lippincott to Patty Swift. A Prayer for the Lord's Pardoning Mercy and purifying Grace. Oh/, Lord : my heart is prone to sin ; Take it, Great God ! and wash it clean ; Let Jesus purge it with His Blood Until the Lord pronounce it good. Oh ! let me in Repentance pray That Thou wilt take my Sins away; 310 A FAMILY HISTORY Let me in meek Submif sion kneel And humbly ask to do Thy will. 'Though I have wandered from Thy laws Through all the sins false pleasures cause, Yet may I ask that Thou 'It forgive And let me deep repenting, live f Oh! let not Satan's tempting wiles Seduce me from Thy gracious smiles. But keep my heart secured from harms Encircled round by Jesus' arms. Thus let me live in Jesus' love 'Till Time 's clogged wheels shall cease to move Oh ! then my Soul shall soar away To Realms of Everlasting Day. My Dear Friend — ! beg leave to dedicate this first poetical production of my serious thoughts, to you who I conceive have been in- strumental in awakening my Soul from the deep lethargy in which she slumbered, thus adding to the many obliga- tions which I am under, the most important favor which can be conferred. May He who sees you do good in private reward you openly, according to the rich treasures of His Grace. And may you while continuing in this life, pofsefs His Love abundantly and in that to come Eternal Happinefs. Your obliged and sincere friend Tho s Lippincott Ten Mile River Nov. 11th 1815. Miss Martha Swift 229 Benj. Ives Gilman to his wife, at Philadelphia, Pa. Marietta 14th Feb y . 1816. I wrote to you, my dear Wife, last evening & having just heard of a private conveyance, I cannot let it pass unimproved. My evenings are generally passed alone, in my chamber, where I have a good warm fire. Writing IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 311 to you is the principal amusement. My letters are not all forwarded; for so sure as one is kept on hand half a day, I begin to think it too gay or too serious & throw it in the fire. Sometimes I can beguile the tedious mo- ments by closing my eyes, mounting my feet upon the chimney-piece immagining myself at my own fireside. It is then I fancy my little boys are in the room with me : that I hear Winthrop exulting at having the list & Arthur archly demanding a larger slice of bread & butter. The delusion is fleeting as pleasant & I waken from my day- dreams to a full sense of the bitterness of my exile. Per- haps you will say, why do you not return 1 Prompted by the warmth of my feelings I sometimes pettishly say I will be off, I will no longer protract this absence from all I hold dear, for sordid drofs. Then comes Prudence whispering in my ear. — There is a debt to be secured. A farm to be sold. Notes to be collected. Fur contracts to be executed. The Dame also admonishes me, by say- ing that businef s is dull at Philad* : there are more per- sons in the Store than can be employed: Expenses are heavy : Rents must be punctually paid School bills dis- charged &c &c &c I then conclude that it is best for me to remain here, so long as I can be useful to our Firm. — From present appearances I may yet be detained here fix weeks. — Tomorrow I go to Zanesville & expect to be absent about ten days. — I contemplate descending the Ohio (after my return from Zanesville) as far as Sandy River & if I hear of Cartwright my voyage may be con- tinued to Cincinnati. Yesterday I visited your Brother. 1 Mrs Robbins suffers severely, with her broken breast. By the last mail I rec d the third letter from Col Sargent. He is more pressing than ever to have me visit Natchez 2 & says "indeed I am sure you will come" — Before I can finish our business here, it will be too late for me to think of seeing New Orleans this season. The Washington Benevolent Society are to have a festive meeting the 22 a . My Journey to Zanesville furnishes a decent apology for my not joining in the amusements of the day : & were I to i Rev. Samuel P. Robbins. 2 Col. Sargent was at this time governor of Mississippi and was living at his home, ' ' Gloster Place, ' ' in Natchez. 312 A FAMILY HISTORY be present, it would be a joylefs day to me for I should be thinking of those who are far away. — Captain Greene has not yet arrived. — I anticipate the pleasure of a Letter from you & a second Sheet of Re- beccas interesting Journal: & therefore am quite impa- tient at the Captains delay. I have had one visit from Fulcher & I hope it will not be repeated. He entertained me with Nozle Town anecdotes for three long hours, & I should not have escaped then, had not the Dinner hour arrived. Judge Cutler is very friendly & clever. M rs Cutler presents her regards. She has only five children. I believe that you have not had an account of the pro- grefs of my businefs, in any former Letter. I have sold, the Little Schooner built by M r Whitney : the Galor Farm on Duck Creek ; 300 acres of Land at Ludlows Ripple : 100 acres at Old Town Creek: a Brick Store (formerly occupied by John Leavens) at Springfield: some house Lots & out Lots in Marietta & a house Lot opposite the great Esq r Sharps on Point Harmar. This day I have rented my favorite Farm to a very respectable Tenant, from New England. Now is not all this very interesting information. I dare say you never heard of the Galor Farm &c &c before & I am sure You never wish to see or hear of them again. This Letter will probably be favour 'd by a Mr May- bury, a very worthy young man who resides at Parkers- burgh. — His Sister is married to H. L. Prentifs. She is as much respected, as her husband is disliked : & I could hardly say more in her favour. With respect to Your sending out one of our Sons to relieve me, as suggested in my last : I hardly know what to say. I do not like to have either of them take the haz- ard of crof sing the mountains in the Stage : & it will be too expensive to buy a Horse at Philad a — Do, however, as may be thought best. Ask M r . A 1 to come & see you & hold a family consultation. Present my best re- spects to M rs Hodgdon. — Tell the Colonel, that I think he ought to send some one out, to look up his Miami Land. Farms within 20 or 30 miles of Cincinnati, & unimproved 1 Mr. Ammidon, Mr. Gilman 's partner. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 313 Lands have risen astonishingly. — Tell my dear children to Love & respect their Grandma 'a: to be dutiful to You; & kind to each other & may our Heavenly Father protect & suffer us all to meet again in this World & prepare us for a more blessed ftate. Such is the prayer of your affectionate husband. Benj a Ives Oilman. 230 Rev. Samuel P. Robbins to Mrs. Benj. Ives Oilman, Philadelphia, Pa. Marietta, March 31, 1816. Sab. ev s My dear Sister, You have doubtless ere this, heard of your dear hus- band's illness. It is the prevailing winter fever. It is a little more than a fortnight since he was taken. But, for the greater part of the past week, he has been confined to his bed ; and is now. And I shall view myself as act- ing an unfriendly part, not to tell you that he is extreme- ly low. Still, God is able to raise, from the borders of the grave. And this has been my fervent prayer (with respect to him) this evening. But, whatever may be His holy will, that he, & you, and I, and all connected, may be prepared for it! I have been over repeatedly, the past week, to see him. (For, he is at his own mansion- house ; sick in the same chamber that I was.) Yesterday I was over, in the afternoon, and was glad to find him so much better at times, than the day before. He talked very pleasantly with me : — and, in the course of conver- sation, remarked, "My heart is overflowing with grati- tude to the Almighty for the more favourable prospect of my recovery;" immediately upon uttering which, he put the sheet over his face, and shed a flood of tears. He acknowledged further that "if God was pleased to take him away he should not have a word to say." — I made some remarks, and left him — mentioning to him that I should be over again, this evening, or in the morning. But, this evening (about an hour since) M r Henderson called, and informed me of what I mentioned to you on the other page, that he is very low ; so low, that the Doc- tors (Reignier & Cotton) thought it adviseable for his 314 A FAMILY HISTORY friends not to come in to see him. Reignier stays with him to-night. I have, once & again, offered my services, to watch, &c. but my dear brother told me, it was unnec- essary ; he had assistance enough. I never saw a man so afraid of making trouble. M r Henderson told me that he was taken worse soon after I left there, yesterday; — that his friends called to see him, and that he said to them, ' ' Gentlemen, you see here what you must all come to ; and be assured that there is no other Foundation on which it will do to build a hope of future happiness, but the Rock of ages. ' ' I do sincerely hope to find him better, in the morning. But, I am almost afraid to hear. may you & I be pre- pared for whatever may be the will of a holy God, re- specting him; realizing that though His judgments are a great deep, & his ways unsearchable, yet, they are all just & right; — and, that it becomes us to "be still." Robert is well. My family also ; and send an affectionate remembrance. 0, how I wish, at times, (if it were the will of Providence) that you were here! I am inclined to think that M r Gilman 's anxiety of mind to see his fam- ily has been but the more injurious to his health. Monday morning, 7 o' clock. April 1. M r Gilman rested pretty quietly; but is yet extremely feeble. 1 oclock, P. M. I have just come from there. Very low, takes but little notice of anything. Doctor Cotton told me some expressions he uttered on Saturday evening, when in great distress, & thought to be near the close of life. One was, ' ' I am a great sinner, have nothing to plead, but the prayer of the publican, 'God be merciful to me a sin- ner'!" which, he repeated three or four times. He spoke very calmly about his burial, & very particularly — "wishing to be laid in his father's tomb, and that the man who made it, might be sent for to open it." He said, he "wished to be laid as nigh his father as just to leave room between them for the remains of his dear mother, in case she & the family should return to this country which he thought 'twas likely they would do." He gave some very good advice to Robert. Told him, "he should leave him & the rest some property; but that he must "not set his heart upon it, but lay up for himself IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 315 treasure in heaven." He then gave some particular directions about his worldly interest, and seemed to re- gret that he had not made over to Ma'am, 1 in writing, some property that belonged to her, but which he held in his own name, and which would as it now stood, fall to his family, after his decease." and gave express direc- tions respecting it. While M r Woodbridge was present I think & M r Ward & others, he reminded them of "the insufficiency of any earthly inheritance to make [torn] 0, 1 can't but hope, if he should recover, that this sick- ness will be a mean of saving good to his soul, and thro' his instrumentality, to the souls of his dear f am [torn] Tuesday April 2. M r Gilman is much better. I was surpri[torn] the alteration in him. His fever seems to have left him. I have every [reason] to think, it was the same kind of fever with that which has pre [vailed] in the winter, in many places, & which has been so mor- tal; and, of which, [torn] around us have lately died: — (Major Stanley of Duck Creek, for one; and Mr Brie [torn] in-law, who used to live at Belpre.) It is called by many the spotted fever, [torn] week ago, M r Gilman 's feet were spotted; so that he had to have re- course [to stim]ulants to keep the blood in proper cir- culation. (Brother Frank Goodwin, I suppose, you [torn] Thursday. April 4 th . I have not yet been over to see M r . G. this morning. (It is now 7 o'clock) But from what I hear, he is in a state of convalescency ; and, I hope, will be restored to you in God's own time, once more. But, it is the general opinion that it will not be prudent for him to set out on his journey even if he is able, under 3 or 4 weeks. Yesterday, P. M. he appeared quite smart; compared with two or three days since. D r Cotton men- tioned to me the other day another expression of M r Gil- man's in his apparently dying moments; — a verse from Watts which he repeated, I believe more than once: — "Could I but climb where Moses stood," &c (the whole verse) — We 'are fixing to make a visit today, down to our i His mother. 316 A FAMILY HISTORY Mother 's. I shall drop this in the office on my way — at Point Harmar. We are well as usual. Do write. Your affectionate brother Samuel P. Bobbins. A very interesting letter from my dear brother Sam 1 relating to my beloved husband. H. G. 231 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Rev. Isaac Bobbins, Alex- andria, D. C. Philadelphia April 17th 1816 M r Amidon has written repeatedly to you, my dear Brother, since the sickness of the best of husband's, as I know your anxiety to hear further from him must be great, I will transcribe a letter from our dear brother Sammy, which we received in course. [A copy of the previous letter follows.] since this letter of brother Sammy's, my dear brother, we have rec d 2 from Robert, mentioning that his dear Pa 'a is recovering as fast as his physicians can expect — considering he has been so very low. — rejoice with us, my brother, and blefs the Lord for all that he has done, the first intelegence we had, was in a letter from our son Robert who went on providentially, to relieve his Pa 'a, that he might return to his family. — but Gods ways, are not our's. Robert had arrived about ten days, when his dear father was seized with this dreadful fever. — Our distref s, was great beyond discription, and we could only hear from him twice a week, but blefsed be God, the throne of grace, was accefsable. that was all my con- solation, we, as a distrefsed family, put up publick prayers, and private, our dear christian friends here, were constantly with us, praying for us, and mixing their tears with ours, never shall I forget their kindnefs. I have reason to believe their prayers were heard, and that God in his unbounded mercy, has spared his life, and will grant us the favour to see his face once more. — and my dear brother — have we not good reason to believe that the blefsed spirit whose office it is to convert a soul — has IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 317 changed his heart. 1 Pray for us my dear, and for him.— that he may be deliver* from the fear of man that bring- eth a snare — and come out from the world and be sep- erate — and own Jesus before the world.— I acknowledge that we do not deserve such a mercy — but God is able I know to do all that he needs for Jesus sake — and I trust l ie will.— Our family are thro divine goodnefs well, and beg to Join me in affectionate remembrance to you all — remember me particularly to my dear sister — and tell her to rejoice with us. — our dear brother Philemon, I was told by Frank Le Baron, has faint turns — and they think he will probably die in one of them. Bro Frank Goodwin is dead. 2 — your dear friend M r Haskins has been very sick & is still very feeble.— I wish my dear, you would write soon to your ever affectionate sister Hannah 232 My dear Wife, Marietta 9th May 1816. Your precious Letter of the 29th ul l has been received. I rejoice always to hear of the continued health of those who are more dear to me than life : & humbly trust that our Heavenly Father will permit us again to meet & to thank him for all his blef sings. We are so anxious to see you here, that I have consented to have Robert mention, in his two last Letters to have you come on with Col Stone. On more reflection I do not feel much pleased with the project. Unlefs You have a strong desire to visit with Your Brother, I would not have you undertake the long & tedious Journey. A variety of reasons will present themselves to your mind against the measure, & some of them may be decisive. Perhaps you have not yet secured a House. This is all important. I desired Rob- ert in his last to say that I had very little choice as to Streets. If pofsible obtain one with sufficient room & a good Yard. It is also desirable not to be compel 'd to move, at the end of the Year. i His son, Winthkop Sargent GilIman, in later years spoke of Mr. GrL 'man as a sincere christian, but the type of religion which was presented to him was not of the kind to make a strong appeal to his reserved nature. 2 Dr. Francis LeBaron Goodwin, Mrs. Gilman 's brother-in-law. 318 A FAMILY HISTORY The Disorder which has confined me since the cef sation of the Fever, has been painful as you can pofsibly im- magine. This day there has been an intermit' sion of pain & I natter myself that the worst is over. My principal reliance, as to medicine, is on sulphur & Cream of Tartar. A surgical operation has been performed, but has not afforded much relief. If you should come out with Col Stone, pray be very careful of your health. Our Dear Son Robert has been as kind & attentive to me, as a person pofsibly could be : & I sometimes should have despaired, had he not been here. Tell Chandler & my dear little Boys that your account of their progrefs at School gives me much pleasure. I have received an excellent Letter from my worthy Friend M r Ammidon. Please to tell him that I am yet too feeble to write an answer. My dear son Benjamin must be very much con- fined & have a tedious time of it. When Robert returns I hope he will be in some measure relieved. It is quite healthy in this Town & has been so ever since my arrival : but very sickly in many parts of the Country. My pen & ink are so very bad that I fear you will not be able to de- cypher this Letter. Remember me most dutifully to my dear Mother & affectionately to my beloved Children. That Heaven may protect you all, is the constant prayer of your Affectionate Husband Benj a Ives Gilman Dear Mother May 9 th 1816. My last letter I mentioned with Pa 'as consent your journey out to this Country, & altho' what Pa 'a has said in this letter is rather against your coming, I think you certainly ought to come, not on account of his sicknefs for he is now by the blefsing of the Almighty considered almost well, & if he hears you are not coming he will have a much greater anxiety about his family & will I have no doubt set out too soon for home — but if you should come he will be relieved from great anxiety & of course, will stay for you to make a visit & which will enable him to get entirely well before he goes. & your being with him he will go much more leisurely home when once started than he otherwise would. In haste yrs etc Robert. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 319 233 About 1816, Arthur and Winthrop S. Gilman, little boys of ten and eight respectively, were sent to Mr. Pen- nell's farm near Philadelphia, where the butter for the family was made. These letters, in very childish hand- writings, were carefully preserved by their mother. Arthur Gilman to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Philadel- phia, Pa. Friday afternoon My dear Mother We arrived here about 5 o'clock on Wednesday in good health, after a pretty good jolting in the market cart. It is a handso[me] brick house surrounded with trees and on [torn] of a hill, Our break [fast we] have at 6 o'clock dinner at 12, & supper at 6. I cannot write much as I have just finish 'd eating. Preserves, ham, apples, custard pudding &c, &c When you answer this I want you to tell me about the fever as they have a report here of its being very sickly in Philadelphia. Give my love to all the family in which Winthrop joins— Your affection- ate son AG : PS burn this Excuse it as I was in a great hurry & a very bad pen AG H Gilman No The first letter my dear little No 106 Arch S l boy ever wrote HG Philada Highly prized by his mother 234 Winthrop S. Gilman to Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman, Phil- adelphia, Pa. The first letter my dear little boy ever wrote. Highly priz' d by his mother HG. August 11. My dear Mother I received your letter of the 9 Stating the arrival of Joseph which Pleased Me very much. You wished me 320 A FAMILY HISTORY to tell yow how we enjoyed ourselves that is of course very well. Arthur begins to get a little tired having nothing to do. last Sunday we did not go to church but stayed in our room reading. We have not seen M r D. as he has not been to see Mr Pennell. We received the shirts and handkercheifs. I wish that you would send by M r Pennell my black Pantaloons and coat Saturday for I expect to go to church, give my love to Joseph, and family to M rs Sargent and her family I remain your Affectionate Son W S Gilman 235 Thomas Lippincott became a Presbyterian under the influence of his wife but this document shows the Quaker trend of thought. An agreement between Thos Lippincott and Patty Swift on their wedding day. Considering that all our actions ought to tend to the Glory of God, that the union which we propose entering this day into is a state peculiarly important, that it is the bounden duty of every one, particularly (but not exclu- sively) those who have taken upon them the name of the Blessed Jesus, to walk humbly and with circumspection, and that our frail nature is too apt to require more man- ifest (although not stronger) ties to bind us in the per- formance of our duty : As also that we may have a con- stant remembrance before us; We do hereby in humble reliance on the Divine support for which we ardently pray, engage to ourselves and each other, that we will to the best of our abilities, with the afsistance of God, ob- serve and perform the following mutual covenant. First — We will enter into the married state with, as far as pofsible pure and proper motives, and a deter- mination to live to and for each other in the bonds of pure love, cemented, enlarged and sanctified by the hope we have in Christ our Redeemer ! 2. We will as much as in us lies, avoid all jealousies, bickerings or acrimonious feelings toward each other, using gentle admonition rather than abrupt reproof, and cherishing harmony and affection. 3. We will never IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 321 (when in a proper situation for the performance of it) omit the daily worship of God in our family, not ever lie down at night without having jointly or separately put up our petition to the God of our Salvation, that He will enable us to avoid every thing that may tend to weaken our love to Jesus, or to each other. 4. Industry and frugality are ever necefsary: But in an uncommon manner indispensible with us. We will therefore encourage each other in the performance of our several avocations, and be content although our house may not be splemdid, nor our board superabundant. "Better is a little with righteousnefs, than great rev- enues without right," Prov. 16th. 8 5 We will endeavour to banish noise or unseemly mirth from our dwelling — while the cheering sound of God's praises shall enliven our hours of leisure. 6 Our lips shall constantly have the guard of discretion set over them; Especially we will avoid conversing of our neighbours faults or follies, lest while viewing their sins we forget our own. 7 Should it please God to give us children, we will in all things endeavour to rear them in His fear, never suffering parental affection to prevent the performance of our duty — at the same time studiously avoiding sudden paf- sion and untimely severity: But most particularly re- member that "Example is better than precept." 8. While we cherish love to each other, we will not suffer our hearts to grow cold to the social duties of life, "using hospitality without grudging" and performing the vari- ous offices of social intercourse with cheerfulnefs and alacrity. 9 Although we will not entirely withdraw from the world, yet will we particularly encourage acquaintance with the followers of the Lamb, that we may, as much as the corruption of our hearts will admit "the communion of saints", realize it to our souls comfort, 10. We will endeavour to put unbounded confidence in Providence; being afsured that "He doth all things well".— And in this confidence we do this day dedicate our- selves, our time, services, faculties and powers, to Him, 322 A FAMILY HISTORY the All-wise disposer of events, sincerely praying that His blefsing may rest upon our union of love, and that after He shall have carried us through the varying scenes of this life( in which we humbly pray that we may be com- pletely resigned to His will) We may be again united in that World of love where God Himself fills every soul with fullnefs of love, joy, gratitude and delight. — Lumberland. August 15th 1816 — Tho s Lippincott Patty Swift 236 Ben j. Ives Oilman's second daughter, Rebecca, was married on November 3, 1817, at her father's home in Philadelphia, to John S. Miller, a planter of Lebanon, Miss. When they went to the south, they visited Gov- ernor and Mrs. Sargent at Gloster Place, a fine old house in Natchez, for several months before going to their own plantation. Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Mrs. Kingsley, Nashville, Tenn. Copy of a letter written to M rs Kingsley — A thousand thanks are due my dear M rs Kingsley for your agreeable and excellent letter. When we parted you was so kind as to say you would write us on your arrival at Nashville — and I have long been expecting the pleasure of a line and I af sure you as your health was extremely delicate, had my fears that you had left this world of sin and sorrow, to be forever with the lord. $ But how were they dissipated on the receipt of your friend- ly letter. As I perused it, my heart reciprocated in all your sorrows, and in all your Joys. — When I found what the Lord had done for your best of friends I exclaim* aloud "what shall I render to the Lord, for all his mercies." Surely "this is the Lords doings and mar- velous in our eyes." I have often thought my dear friend — and have I not found by experience that Afflictions though they may seem severe — Yet do they not bring us near to God. Let us praise him for what he has done for your husband — and plead with him for the IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 323 salvation of others. I was ready to say when perusing your letter, hast thou but one blefsing? Blefs mine — even my husband — my father. I know that his hand is not shortned that it cannot save — neither is his ear heavy that it cannot hear. I know that he can brake in pieces the stoutest heart. His mercies are Infinite. Blefsed be his name, for a throne of grace. what a prevaledge that we are allow* 5 , worthless as we are to come to his footstool — spread our wants before him, and in faith plead for mercies for our husband's & children and hope for a blefsing. I desire to be grateful to a holy God, that he has, I humbly trust, given me a heart to give myself — my husband — my children — and all I have — to him, to be disposed of as he see's best — and to lie in his hands, as clay in the hands of the Potter. If he, in his infinite wisdom see's fit to withhold the blef sings I want — may I feel that humble submifsion becoming a child of God — rejoice that he has the disposal of me & mine — and say not my will — but thine be done. It gave me pain to hear that M r Blackburn had left Nashville, because I think him a faithful servant of Christ's — and I know also, that he was a favourite preacher of yours. How misterious are the ways of Providence. Religion my friend is at present in a low state with us. Pro- fefsors are cold — and vice abounds. There is however, a praying few who meet in various parts of the city, and say with Jacob — we will not let thee go — except thou blefs us. May the Lord hear their prayers, and gra- ciously send us a revival from his presence. You kindly ask for my family — M r Gilman has gone into the west- ern country. Since I had the pleasure of seeing you — our dear daughter Rebecca has married — and is settled at Natchez. I took the liberty to show your letter to M rs Ralston, & M rs Latimer. We mix d our tears together, and I trust can unite our praises with you, to our great Redeemer. — I am sorry to say M rs Ralston is in poor health. She smiled upon me and said, I am going — & if I can only get a house built for the poor widows — no matter how soon. She has a complication of disorders and is often confined to her chamber. — Such characters, dear M r " Kingsley — we want to retain. 324 A FAMILY HISTORY My Mother & family unite with me in kind remembrance to yourself & M r Kingsley. Tell your beloved husband to go on in the strength of Jehovah, and he will hereafter obtain a crown of immortal glory. And if we are never more to see each other in this life may we be prepared to spend an eternity together in that world where there is no sin, where nothing impure can enter, and where we shall be forever with our blefsed saviour. It would give me great pleasure to hear from you occasionly, accept dear madam the best wishes and prayers for your happi- nefs from your sincere friend H Gilman 237 Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman to Mrs. Joseph Battell, Nor- folk, Conn. 1 Philadelphia 24th Jany 1817 Often my dear cousin since we parted, have I thought of you both and the agreeable interview we had, which now appears like a pleasing dream. I have frequently determined to write even before I received your last let- ter, informing me of the birth of another daughter, and now give me leave to congratulate you on that happy event. — May its precious life be spared, may it be a bless- ing to its parents and an ornament to the Church. — You recollect my dear Cousin that you left us in great trouble, tho not without hope. — About the first of May my beloved husband recovered so slowly and became so depressed in spirits that he consented I should be sent for to nurse and accompany him home, should his life be spared. I accordingly left Philadelphia in company with Coll. Stone, (one of our old neighbors) and arrived there in safety — and found him much better than I ex- pected. — And from the conversation which my fond heart long'd to introduce, had a hope that he had pafsed from death into life. He was not sufficiently recruited to i MS. owned by Mrs. Jane (Coe) Brant, Rolla, Mo. Mrs. Brant is a granddaughter of Mrs. John S. Miller, and a daughter of the little Eliza- beth Miller who was the object of Mrs. Benj. Ives Gilman 's care for so long. Elizabeth married Eev. Henry S. Coe and lived in St. Louis during her later years. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 325 bear the journey, until August, at which time we left Marietta and thro the care of a merciful God we arrived in safety at our own house. — And what an affecting and happy meeting we had. — I was ready to exclaim what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits. Sure- ly goodness and mercy have followed me all my days. — My mind dwelt much on the mercy's of my God, to such a great sinner. — But my dear Cousin how soon we come down from the mount. — Company, family cares and church dissentions, how they divide my wav'ring mind and leave but half for God. — We have indeed had a time of tryal. On our arrival we found the Church in the greatest confusion. All the Elders and all the leading characters in the Church were disaffected towards Mr. Skinner, in consequence of some imprudent expressions in two or three sermons, which led them to think he had alter 'd his sentiments and be- come a Hopkinsian. 1 The alarm spread like fire and nothing was talked of but Hopkinsian HERESY — One or two of the brethren went to him, and he presented his sermons which they examined and found nothing repre- hensible. By this time the Church were divided, one party for Dr. Janeway, the other for Mr. Skinner. Mr. S's friends were so anxious least he should be dismifsed from the Church that they became so prejudiced against Dr. J y they could not bare to hear him speak. On the contrary, the other party were determined Mr. S should leave the Church. It was then thought best for the session to wait on Mr. Skinner and advise him, for the peace of the Church, to give up his pastoral union. — Mr. S asked them if they had any charge to bring against him — to which they reply 'd in the negative. He then said he could not consent to that mode of proceeding — and if they left the Church, they must bring him to tryal. They then call'd a meeting of the congregation — with- out any tryal. — The question was: As we believe it is for the grace of the Church, shall the pastoral relation between the Rev. T. H. Skinner and his Church be i Eev. Samuel Hopkins, a student under Jonathan Edwards, published in 1793 a "System of Doctrines contained in Divine Revelation Explained and Defended." 326 A FAMILY HISTORY disolved. — The other party being the most numerous the vote was carried against him. A meeting was then call'd of the presbytery who advised Mr. Skinner, for the peace of the Church, to leave them. And voted that everything that had passed on both sides should be eraced from the records of the Church and buried in oblivion. — And Mr. S was to have his salary continued until he was settled. He submitted, and was difmifsed. Immediately on his difmifsion, the Pastor of the 3rd Presbiterian Church ask'd a dismifsion from his church on account of ill health, and recommended Mr. Skinner to his people who gave him a call, which he accepted and is now install 'd pastor of that Church. 60 of our communicants have withdrawn and join'd his Church. In all 140. Now my beloved cousin you will naturally ask, which party do you belong to? Neither. As soon as we re- turned I found what a situation the Church was in. Mr. G. said that as we were strangers, he thought it most proper for us to be perfectly neutral. So we have heard the stories and witnefs' d the feelings of both parties and kept them in our own bosoms. The greatest number of our acquaintances were of Mr. S's party. And we have been obliged to hear many bitter and unchristian speeches from some who profess much. And I fear it has had a very serious effect on the mind of the best of friends. He now says — if these people are christians, I shall never be a christian. His anxious, enquiring mind is at rest. The blessed spirit whom I had reason to think was striving with him seems to have left him. But, my cousin, — what a consoling thought — The Lord reigns and can over rule all for his glory and the good of his creatures. His hand is not shortned that it cannot save. Neither is his ear heavy that it cannot hear. Pray for him, my dear, and pray for worthlefs me. — I feel alone. We have a large family of dear children, all eager for the amusements of this world — none but myself to allure them to Jesus. for grace to discharge this great duty. I am ready to say, who is sufficient for these things. — I have felt very much deprest since Mr. S left the Church. You know, my dear cousin, he was my favorite minister. It was my constant prayer that God would heal the IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 327 breaches in the Church and take him not away from us, and for a long time I felt as if I could not give him up. — But as we had taken the neutral ground, Mr. G said he couldn't leave the Church. — So I have lost my favorite, but its all for the best. Perhaps I lean'd too much on my minister and forgot, at times, my Heavenly Father. Doct. J y is an amiable man and pious christian, but to me a dull and lifeless preacher. Do, my dear, accept of my thanks for the excellent sermon. Tis indeed a treat. What a pious man he must be. — I rejoice that he is there. may he prove a blessing to that people, and may the mantle of Elijah rest upon him. When you see my dear cousin Thomas x do insist that he make us a visit, at the sitting of the General Assembly. And tell him to let me know in season, that I may not take any into my family. Tell my dear Aunt 2 there is none living I want to see so much as herself. — Remember me affectionately to Mr. Battell and all my cousins. I suppose cousin Nat'l is with you — I have not seen him but once since August. Brother Sam is well and prosperous. — His congregation is more numerous and more attentive — several additions to the Church and great attention to religion. You see, my dear Sally, I have written as your requested, very particularly. Mr. G, my mother and the girls unite with me in love to you all. Mr G says there has not been a sale of plate since you left us, or he should have attended to your memorandum. I dont know when I felt more gratified than on receiving a letter from Mr. Flint, who I find has made you a visit. he is a precious man. Farewell my dear cousin, that we may again soon meet is the prayer of your Affectionate H G P. S. Your little M r Ely belongs to the Phil a Presbe- tery. Each take their turn to preach instalation ser- mons. It was his turn. He ivas one of M r Skinners greatest oposers. Now he thinks he has been persecuted. 1 Rev. Thomas Robbing, the diarist; Mrs. Battell 's brother. 2 Mrs. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, Mrs. Battell 's mother. 328 A FAMILY HISTORY 238 Joseph Gilman to Chandler R. Gilman, Andover, Mass. 1 [probably 1817] [Dear Chanjdler I well recollect what delight it used to afford me, when at Andover, to have a letter from home. The Post Office, when I was at the Academy, was kept near a mile from the Institution, on the road to Haverhill very near old Professor Pearson's. And I have not forgotten the long walks I used to take down there, and on reaching the office, find I had no letter. I can therefore easily con- ceive your feelings ; and set down to offer you one letter ; which, however poor — still, its from home. I am writ- ting at our Market Street window, — the noisey market at my elbow, and the old shrill cry of "buy any peaches," "hot corn" — "pepper pot right hot", stunning my ears. So, should you attempt a critique upon my letter, you will make due allowance for all these untoward circum- stances. Your letter from Andover of 22 d ultimo, was duly rec d — as also one to Papa of same date. There was one little book in my drawer at Cambridge which I intended to put a veto on your taking — it is a very valu- able little pocket Horace: in red morocco binding — hope you have not taken it to Andover — as I wish for it very much at home, and it would never answer for an Acad- emy, [torn] very much [torn] progress [torn] and will [torn] fears, soon — Papa, you know, left us last Thursday week on his journey through the western coun- try. We hope he is now at Marietta, where he will prob- ably spend the winter, boarding, we trust, with M r Whit- ney. It would gratify him very much indeed, to receive a letter from you, giving an account of your situation — how you like Andover — your Studies &c &c — Make him a long letter, and direct it to "Marietta, Point Harmar Post Office, Ohio" — We received a letter from him at Bedford P a (about half way to Pittsburgh) He expected to be in Pittsburgh on Wednesday last, and at Marietta, i MS. loaned by W. Stewart Gilman, Sioux City, Iowa. William Stewart Gilman is a grandson of Dr. Chandler R. Gilman, being the son of the late Daniel Trimble and Mary (Stewart) Gilman. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 329 in a few days after. We had a letter from Rebecca this morning. All well, and happy. M r Washington Sar- gent left us, on his return to Cambridge, on tuesday of last week. We expect he arrives at Boston this evening. He has an epistle for you from Eliza. In your letter to Papa you mention having written him from Boston, but the letter was never received. In your next letter to me (which must be soon, but not at all interfering with your studies) you must give me a particular account of the minutiae of your situation, studies, progress & c & c &° You know every particular, concerning Andover, the Academy and M r Adams, will be interesting to me. Also give an account of your funds & expenses: you must learn, with all, to become something of a financier, [torn] you [torn] you try [torn] ards? [torn] M rs Blanchard [is one] of the very [best] women in Andover. If you know her, remember me very kindly to her, M r B and family. Do you know M r Samuel Merrill — he is one of the excellent of the earth — if not yet acquainted with him, I can give you a letter of introduction — I intended to have done it when you left us. He was my private in- structor : and is a man I shall always delight to see. Our family are all very well and each send you a great deal of love. All that remains for me to desire, is, that you make the greatest possible exertions to progress rapidly in your studies : and to [learn] your lessons so perfect, that M r Adams will delight [to hear] you recite. Very much indeed, depends on your getting your lessons per- fectly — the first term. You can in no possible way in- gratiate yourself so well with M r Adams as by correct conduct, and giving him (or his assistant, and then it goes right to M r A's ears) elegant recitations, while you are now becoming acquainted with him. I see M r Porter preached the sermon at the opening the new Chapel. I should have delighted to have heard it — it must have been excellent indeed. I suppose you hear M r Porter, M r Stuart and Doct r Woods: Did you ever hear such ad- mirable preaching? I would give a great deal to be by your side every Sunday. Give my best regards to M r Adams. Your affectionate Brother Joseph Oilman [I sup] pose you never thing of going to bed before 330 A FAMILY HISTORY twelve — and light your candle again at 5 in [the] morn- ing. I make it a rule never to quote from memory, and my Virgil is not at hand, or I would give [his] elegant advice about the midnight lamp — Will keep it for an- other letter. 238 Again Thomas Lippincott and his wife come into the correspondence. Their daughter was born July 3, 1817, at Lumberland, Sullivan County, N. Y., and was named Abiah Swift for Mrs. Lippincott 's sister. On the 28th of October of the same year, Mr. and Mrs. Lippincott took their three-months-old baby and started for Pitts- burgh in a one-horse wagon, to meet Mr. Lippincott 's brother Samuel. The best time for setting out on this journey across the mountains was in the early fall, as the roads were drier and provisions and feed cheaper. Rough wagons were specially constructed to carry the belongings of the travelers, some of which were springless and had a rock- er nailed on for the comfort of the mother. Easton, Pa., was on the favorite route westward for New Englanders and, it is said, 511 wagons with 3,066 persons, sometimes accompanied with their cattle, passed through the place in one month of this year, 1817. Mr. Lippincott 's description of the roads sounds mild when compared with those of Margaret Van Horn Dwight, whose Journey from Connecticut to Ohio was taken in 1810. She gives lively pictures of the depth of mud, etc., which she encountered and many were the amusing tales told by travelers about this road. It be- came in time so bad, that when Baltimore took advantage of the situation and constructed a fine, well-kept road to Wheeling, travel was immediately diverted and Phil- adelphia lost her former preeminence as the business center for Western merchants. In Arthur Gilman's let- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 331 ter to his brother Chandler of October 21, 1823, he writes of going over this new road for the first time and of the (then) unusually short time the journey took. The "elegant bridge" at Easton gives us a vision which is not fulfilled by Miss Dwight's description. She says: "The bridge over it (the Delaware) is elegant I think. — It is covered and has 16 windows on each side. ' ' At the time of the Rev. Thomas Lippincott's death, in 1869, a full pencilled diary of this journey was in existence and extracts were then made for an obituary in the Presbytery Reporter of ^llton, 111. The diary has been lost, but we take the substance of it from the Reporter as the detailed descriptions are inter- esting because many of the family had traveled over the same route and, we presume, had had quite as severe ex- periences. The mysterious part of the journey is that the baby survived it, and not only that, but lived to a beautiful old age as the wife and widow of Winthrop S. Gilman, having had unusually good health during most of her eighty-four years. Several names are left blank in this transcription, because they were illegible. The first day the travellers went eight miles; the sec- ond, twenty, and at the end of the third day they were in Sussex County, New Jersey. On October 31, they reached Hope, in Warren County, and Mr. Lippincott begins : Weather unfavorable, threatening a long storm, Coun- try pleasant. Nov. 1. Very dreary morning; cold and unpleasant. An old acquaintance of Mrs. L., Dr. located at Hope, in good and extensive practice. "As iron sharp- eneth iron, so doth a man the countenance of his friend." Nov. 2 Sabbath Morning. Still detained at Hope by the rain, which, however, seems less violent. Propose attempting a start. At this place we were very kindly entertained in the family of a hospitable farmer. Mr. 332 A FAMILY HISTOKY Nov. 2, Arrived at Easton, Penn. Dark when we passed over the elegant bridge, and we were thereby pre- vented from viewing it. 22 miles. Nov. 3d. Arrived five miles west of Allentown, Lehigh County. Miserable entertainment. Sign of three kegs. Initiated into the ancient and no doubt respectable cus- tom of sleeping under the bed. Traveled 23 miles. Nov. 4th. Traveled 23 miles. On the 5th we were at Womelsdorf, having passed through Reading, 13y 2 miles. On the 6th, at 3 P.M., we reached Lebanon, 14 miles, when a heavy rain induced us to put up. Lebanon is the shire- town of Lebanon County with a court house of brick. On the 7th we came to Hummelstown, 16 miles. The roads are so heavy that it is very tedious and fatiguing traveling. On the 8th we reached Harrisburg, 9 miles. Stopped to try to get some of our load taken on. Sur- veyed the public buildings and a bridge over the Susque- hannah. Tarried at Harrisburg until noon of the 10th, when we came on 11 miles. Roads worse and worse. Very dark before could get into harbor. On the 11th we arrived at Stoughstown, 18y 2 miles. Very disobliging people at the tavern. On the 12th arrived at Valley, Stayed at — They were cross and disagreeable. On the 13th we reached Fort Middleton, 14 miles. On the 14th Mr. Web- ster's town, Providence. Bedford County, 15 miles; on the 15th we arrive at Bedford, 16 miles. A chain bridge over the Juniata, one mile from Webster's and a new, elegant stone bridge over the same river, one mile from Bedford. 16th Set out from Bedford at 10 A.M., and arrived at the foot of the mountains at sundown. Ap- plied as I thought to the landlady at T. Burns and was not very politely refused. Proceded up the mountain and about one mile up broke the hinder axle-tree short off. Got out of the wagon and made our way on foot to find a shelter. Applied at the house of a blacksmith, Henry Darr, and was very hospitably, though rudely re- ceived by both man and wife, although they do not keep a licensed tavern, nor have they accommodations for trav- elers. 17th. Took my wagon 3 miles back to have a new axle-tree put in. Very cold storm— sleet and rain. 18th. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 333 Left Henry Darr's at noon to go up the Alleghany. Arrived at , 9 miles. The last three miles were continued sloughs; near miring several times. 19th. Cold, blustering weather. Set out at 9 o'clock A.M. and arrived at Dennison 's at the foot of Laurel Hill, 13 miles. Laurel Hill still before me. 20th. Set out from Denni- son's to go up the dreaded Laurel Hill, about 8 o'clock. After a mile of level road, but very bad traveling, owing to the mud being very deep and frozen just so as to let the horse through, came to the mountain. Ascended by the old road much easier than I had calculated ; but found the hill on the west much worse than the east. We, how- ever, got over safely and proceded on to Youngstown, 20 miles. 21st. Set out after 9 o'clock and after wading through deep mud six miles, came to. the old turnpike, which is much cut by the heavy wagons. Arrived about 7 o'clock at Mr. Loumer's, having passed through Greens- burg and traveled this day 21 miles. 22nd. Set out from Mr. Loumer's at 7l/ 2 o'clock and after a very fatiguing day as a conclusion to our travel by land arrived at Pitts- burg at dark. Disappointment is still our lot. Brother Samuel had started in August or September for St. Louis. We find also that the season is so far advanced as to make it difficult to get a passage to St. Louis. We remained in Pittsburg until Monday, Dec. 1st, 1817, when we set out about dark with Mr. George Haven, wife and family, Miss Willis and a number of others, the whole amounting to twenty-five persons in a flat bottom boat twenty-four or twenty-five feet long. It was a Monon- gahela flat-boat 1 about half the length of those generally used at the time in conveying produce to New Orleans, and like them covered over with a crowning roof which was the deck on which the navigators walked and the covering of a cabin below. i"The flat-bottom boat is a mere raft, with sides and a roof; . . . An immense oar is placed on the roof on each side near the bow (which has given these boats the nickname of 'broad horns') and another at the stern. These are used only to direct the course of the flat, which is al- lowed to float with the current. . ." Letters from the West, 324, by Judge Hall. London. 1828. It is said that about one-quarter of these boats were lost in transit. 334 A FAMILY HISTORY The boat was very much crowded and superlatively uncomfortable by reason not only of the crowd, the freight and the smoke but also of the kind of company we found ourselves in. Drinking sailors, profane young men, and vulgar old men and women. Such is the society we are obliged to mingle with in a space of about ten feet square. We contrived, however, to fix a bed for the female part of our particular company, consisting of Miss Willis, Mrs. Haven and two children and Mrs. L. and child, six persons in one bed. Mr. Haven and myself reserved a berth above for ourselves; but, owing to the danger of running at this low stage of water, without a pilot acquainted with the river, we could get no sleep nor even attempted to turn in this night. After running about ten miles we laid by at the foot of an island. Dec. 2nd. Heavy wind ahead and started pretty early, but on account of the wind, put in awhile. Shore rocky. Put off and by hard pulling contrived to keep moving until night and passed by two boats of about our own dimensions. Met two keel boats 1 ascending the river. The shore of the river thus far is uneven in some places mountainous banks at others flat. Some few log huts scattered along, very rarely a good comfortable house. We are near Beaver. I feel sleepy but am on the full watch on account of the high wind and the smoky chim- ney. Have not slept for forty-two hours. Dec. 3rd. Weather unpromising and disagreeable; high wind ; could not run this day and after toiling with the oars a considerable time put in having run but four miles. Passed Beaver an inconsiderable place. Dec. 4th. Very cold and the river full of ice. The owner of the boat had started when I got up but was already endeavoring to gain a landing which we found extremely difficult. But the danger of running was so great that we must by all means effect it if possible. After pulling against the ice and with the assistance of some people on rafts, which were landed, an opening was made in the ice and we are now snugly moored close to a 1 The keel-boat had ' ' an elegant form ' ' and was propelled by ' ' oars, sails and poles." It could return up the river against the current, al- though sometimes it was pulled "up-stream by the bushes." IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 335 bold shore. But while the ice is rapidly making around us and the channel is full of floating ice the prospect is gloomy. We made today about six miles. 5th. Weather getting colder and ice running still more. Find ourselves likely to remain in this place sometime. Went towards evening to find a place for our females and children and obtained the consent of Mrs. Crail to have them take shelter in her house. 6th. Took the women to Mrs. Crail's and placed them comfortably. Taking them and the bedding, etc, up oc- cupied the whole day. 7th. Sabbath. E'en Sunday shines no Sabbath Day for me. Amidst thoughtless and even profane people the conversation is of a disagreeable unprofitable nature. No time for meditation. "Wo is me, for I dwell in the tents of Kedar." 8th. The weather more moderate and hope begins to brighten. Took a walk to Georgetown, five miles for the purpose of sending a letter to Dr. Swift. Georgetown is situated upon the left bank of the Ohio on a plain considerably elevated above the water but the houses generally look decayed and the place is insignifi- cant. Returned to the boat and found the owner and hands preparing to start on the morrow. 9th. Set out early in the morning: weather pleasant and ice much diminished in quantity. Run 21 miles and landed just below Neaslys cluster of islands on the Vir- ginia side. 10th. Put off again. Pleasant weather, promising rain. Mr. Haven and myself with two others went off from the boat and went to Steubenville Ohio, to get pro- visions. Steubenville is a pretty smart place of consid- erable business. Saw Mr. and Mrs. H formerly of Pittsburg. They sent their regards to brother Samuel. Rode off to the boat again and run 29 miles to within two miles of Charlestown. Landed on the Ohio side. 11th. Passed Charlestown in the morning: so foggy that we could not see the houses distinctly. Passed Wheeling. Nearly opposite Wheeling on the Ohio side is the village of Canton. Wheeling is apparently a smart place. Passed McMahon's Island and fastened just be- low it to the right shore. 336 A FAMILY HISTORY 12th. Rainy morning; started at five o'clock; passed Pultney before day; passed the celebrated mounds or tumuli on Mr. Tonilinson's; Run to Fish Creek, 23 miles; Wind high all the afternoon. 13th. Set afloat about four o 'clock and came to the end of Long Creek 35 miles by 9 P.M.; still raining; river rising; arrived at Marietta at four o'clock on Sunday morning, 25 miles. Marietta is a very pretty place ele- gantly situated but liable to inundations. 14th Sunday. Started after having landed Mr. and Mrs. about sunrise ; but soon after we had started the wind rose and after rocking in the waves and toiling at the oars we were forced to put in having made but four and one half miles. Monday 15th. Wind high; had to work hard all day and run 20 miles to within one fourth mile of Hocking River ; snowy day ; at 9 P.M. put off again ; clear moon- light; went to bed and at one o'clock A.M. called up with Mr. H. and Mr. Baker to take our watch ; by 6 next morn- ing had come to George's Island having run since 9 o'clock the preceding day 30 miles. Tuesday 16th. Continued running this day; weather fine ; some snow squalls however ; by night reached Cam- paign Creek, 39 miles; still running; our watch; pass the Great Kanawha River about 9 o'clock, a beautiful river of Virginia Point Pleasant at its mouth; passed Galli- polis in the night and could only tell by the dim light of a cloud that hid the moon that the situation is very fine on the second bank which runs in a slope from the first. The river takes a bend here and gives the town, which is situated in the curve a semi-lunar form. An island lies a little above it. Wednesday 17th. Passed the village of Guyandotte having run from Campaign Creek 48 miles ; the weather is calm and pleasant for the season and the water is pretty good; so that we run at about the rate of three miles per hour but for the want of islands to serve for milestones we cannot keep a correct reckoning; supposed we had run to Stone's Creek at sundown 27 miles from Guyandotte. It is now one o'clock Thursday morning and we are now about closing our watch having run with- out trouble or fatigue thus far tonight. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 337 Thursday 18th. Snowy morning but damp and prom- ising rain ; calm and good running until toward evening when the wind arose and we were compelled to stop at Graham's Station distant from Stone's Creek 6iy 2 miles, having run from the mouth of the Hocking to this place without stopping the boat ; was passed at two o 'clock this afternoon by the steamboat built by Evans, Stockhouse and Rogers, of Pittsburg. 1 She moved majestically along at a rapid rate. Friday 19th. Started from Graham's Station at 8y 2 o'clock; wind blowing ahead fresh and very cold: passed Manchester about 10 o'clock; prettily situated; arrived at Maysville at 6y 2 P.M. 34 miles; fine moonlight; cold but calm. At 9 o 'clock attempted to put off ; but the wind arose and we were compelled to put in at this town. Saturday 20th. Very high wind and intensely cold. Thermometer 12 degrees below zero ; remained at Mays- ville, a great landing place, and place of great business. Mr. John Armstrong keeps a large store. About 5 p.m. wind fell and we put off ; fine night ; clear moonlight but cold; passed Augusta at 1 o'clock at night; turned in. Sunday 21st. Boat still running and at night arrived at Cincinnati 65 miles. Cincinnati is an elegant town but as it was dark could not see much of it ; saw Mr. Robbins of Connecticut, 2 very polite and agreeable ; put off again at ten o'clock; night calm and moonlight but cold. Monday 22nd. Continued running all night at a good rate; passed a number of towns and streams, many of which we did not see; arrived toward evening at Big Bone Lick Creek, from Cincinnati, 56 miles ; fine evening and we kept on our course smoothly gliding along the placid stream with scarcely a zephyr to ripple the glassy waves. A family living in their boat moored at the mouth of the Big Bone about making a settlement in Ken- tucky. Tuesday 23rd. Passed Madison early in the morning; did not see it; but 55 miles is great running and very i This was possibly the Oliver Evans, which is eleventh on the list of early steamboats running on the Ohio and the sixth built at Pittsburgh. It was only 75 tons. 2 Kev. Samuel P. Bobbins, Mrs. Ben j. Ives Gilman 's brother. 338 A FAMILY HISTORY pleasant ; arrived within two or three miles of the falls at 4 o'clock next morning and landed. Wednesday 24th. Dropped down to the falls x and after waiting several hours took a pilot and started through; an exceedingly heavy rain and thick fog; the falls were much rougher than I had supposed; got over safe but wet to the skin. In consequence of the roof having leaked the interior of the boat was very wet and the females and children in a disagreeable condition. Con- cluded to stop at New Albany for the night ; went ashore and after informing Mr. N. Scribner who my wife was, received an invitation to put up at his house- i.e. Mr. Haven, myself and our families; hospitably entertained. Our run today was four miles only. Thursday 25th Christmas. Left the hospitable roof of Mr. Scribner after Mrs. L. had visited Mrs. Elizabeth Scribner and her mother and pushed off at 12 o'clock noon. New Albany is pleasantly situated on the right bank of the Ohio in Indiana and in my opinion bids fair to become a place of great business. Enterprise is char- acteristic of the proprietors and many lots have been sold. There are at present 90 families Mr. N. Scribner informed me in the place: some good frame houses a number of log dwellings an elegant brick house and store owned by Mr. Paxson, late of the house of Lloyd, Smith and Paxson of Philadelphia and a steam mill driving two saws and one run of stones, two steamboats on the stocks and three more are to be shortly put up. A ferry having a great deal of business is established here. We ran by ten o'clock P.M. to Otter Creek, 30 miles. Friday 26th. The weather yesterday and today cloudy and threatening rain but warm and not unpleasant for the season. We continued running without intermission excepting a few minutes to get wood and, at about 6 o'clock p.m. passed Flint Island from Otter Creek, 82 miles. Still progressing; water pretty high. i " It is worth a voyage down the Ohio to pass the rapids. They are two miles in length, with a descent of twenty-two feet and a half. . . The current is said to have a velocity of thirteen miles an hour, which is of course increased or diminished by high or low water." Letters from the West, 184, by Judge Hall. London, 1828. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 339 Saturday 27th. The water for the most part today seems sluggish and we move slow. Mr. John Kellogg our Captain killed a wild turkey this morning, for the first and we had an excellent roast for dinner. Our run from 6 o'clock last evening to ten tonight to Yellow Banks is 60 miles. Sunday 28th. Continued running all night and by 5 in the evening stopped at Red Bank Henderson having made 70 miles ; started at 11 at night. Monday 29th. Wet and disagreeable day after a very foggy night. We run to a little below Highland Creek from Red Bank, say 45 miles. Put in on account of the darkness of the night until the moon rises. At this mo- ment 12 o 'clock the wind blows hard against us. Tuesday 30th. Arrived in the forenoon at Shawnee- town to where it was our intention to take the land for St. Louis but am informed that the roads are impassable. We therefore are compelled to wait until the opening spring shall enable us to take the water. Got a room at Mrs. Cox's at the end of the town. Wednesday 31st. Am told that there is a probability of my getting a hack and determined to try. Finished taking out Mr. H. 's things and my own from the boat. January 1st 1818. Thursday. Applied to Dr. Oldham about a school and received encouragement; but in the afternoon he told me that another person was making application. After having waited in expectation of pro- curing a school for a week, I at length received informa- tion that no room can be procured, I am therefore com- pelled to give it up. Dr. Oldham however, whose conduct was very kind directed me to John Caldwell, Esq. Re- ceiver of the Public Monies who immediately employed me to journalize at 3114 cents per page. I average six pages per diem. On Thursday Mr. Haven concludes to start through in consequence of frost and I lost Friday and Saturday in getting ready. Set off on Sunday morn- ing Jan. 18 went two miles got into a slough and then came back again. Monday Jan. 19th. Went back to the office. Friday Feb. 6th. Set out for St. Louis without Mr. Haven, etc, but with a heavy apprehensive heart. Run- ners under the wheels; got a small distance with them 340 A FAMILY HISTORY when one of them split and I was obliged to take them off; the wagon then ran easier; crossed the Saline the second time after dark and got to the town. Good bed, kind treatment; fourteen miles. Saturday 7th. Horse lame this morning from the ice cutting his foot yesterday ; had to stop to have my single- tree mended; detained some time; started at ten o'clock and, after having been let down by the fore wheel coming off three or four times, at length lashed it and thus got to John Brown's ; thirteen miles ; a very open cabin ; staid all night and were kindly treated. Sunday 8th. Got up at four o'clock; breakfasted by candle light for an early start ; had to go back three miles on foot for my tar-pot; started at ten o'clock as usual and arrived early at Mr. McCreery's; 16 miles very kind and attentive. Monday 9th. Started a little after sunrise; at nine o'clock came to a smith's shop and had my wheel fixed after sliding it 23 miles; came to V/ 2 miles beyond Big Muddy; heavy traveling; 17^ miles. Tuesday, 10th. Set out early; had to pass Jackson's at Little Muddy without the privilege of having Mrs. L. and babe go in and warm, on account of the measles and whooping cough that were in the family, consequently they had to ride 22 miles to Mrs. Coxe's where we put up. Wednesday 11th. After having driven through a heavy road all day we applied for lodging at a miserable cabin and were about to stay but found that the whooping cough was here also. No house where we could stay within 7 miles and the sun about setting, road through woods and not very plain. In this dilemma it pleased Providence to send us help. An old man was at this house and guided us to his home, which was on the Tur- key Hill road about a mile out of the way. In his little cabin we found rest, a good bed, placed on a frame com- posed of four forked sticks placed perpendicularly and four sticks longitudinally resting on the forks, boards split served for a sacking bottom. Our table was a trunk, etc, etc. 26 miles today. Thursday 12th. Was put into our road by our kind host and pursued our journey ; about noon entered Kas- kaskia, a very old looking place apparently in a state of IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 341 dilapidation. After baiting the horse, pursued our jour- ney ; arrived at the village of Prairie du Rocher where we put up at the house of Major Le Compte, a French gentle- man very intelligent and polite ; 27 miles. Friday 13th. Set out about sunrise and soon began to climb a steep and rugged hill ; the snow deep and difficult. After dragging on five tedious hours we found a house, the first in 12 miles, where we refreshed our horse and selves. A remarkable subterranean stream from which by means of a chain the family procured excellent water is at this house. Kept on through a heavy storm of snow and sleet alter- nately for 1 mile further and stopped with Judge Lemen, an old settler; snowing very hard; 19 miles. Saturday 14th. Too cold and stormy to travel ; staid with our hospitable old host and hostess, not thinking it best to travel. Sunday 15th. Clear but intensely cold. I went to meeting with Judge Leman and returned to tarry till Monday. Monday 16th. After having been hospitably and gra- tuitously entertained by the worthy Mr. Lemen and his good old companion two days, we again made an essay on our journey; started at ten o'clock and got to the bot- tom region 14 miles. Tuesday 17th. Early as the cold would permit and as soon as the cheering influence of the sun was felt by the inhabitants of this American Bottom we were again trav- eling making our way towards St. Louis. The day was calm and serene the air pure, elastic and bracing. Our hearts bounded with hope and expectation. Long had we been waiting to meet a brother and friend. Many a tedious and weary mile had we trode. Anxiety had per- vaded our bosoms. Dread of difficulty and- danger had hung over us and often did our aching hearts almost re- gret that we had left the dear friends in the rugged and peaceful hills of Lumberland; but now, when we con- fidently looked forward to the enjoyment of meeting those friends for whose sake we had thus traveled 1500 miles and expected in a few short hours to embrace, how different the situation — how elastic our minds — how with an uncommon activity and force did our blood 342 A FAMILY HISTORY spring from the fountains and rush thro the various channels! At length about 10 o'clock the Father of Waters, the noble Mississippi opened on our view — the town of St. Louis appeared only separated from us by the grand stream. In a few minutes we hoped to tread the soil of Missouri Territory. The boat lands, we em- bark, put off and shortly after are on the eastern side of an island which obstructed our view of the western land- ing place. Turning the Island we see on the shore a number of men apparently waiting and hope tells that one among the number is my anxiously waiting brother. Soon it is put beyond a doubt, his face is visible. The boat touches the shore — we meet! O ! how were my feel- ings wrought up at this moment ! Our hands were locked almost in silence, but the emotions of our hearts were visible in our countenances. May He who has brought us through all the dangers of this long journey still protect me not only from personal and temporal dangers but from the rocks of vice or the quicksands of forgetfulness ! May He guide my footsteps according to the dictates of His holy will and bring us all to the enjoyment of Him- self, here and hereafter ! To Him be praise and humble thanksgiving for evermore. Amen. 239 Mrs. Thomas Lippincott to Isaac Swift, Ravenna, Ohio. St Louis April 2 nd 1818 Ever dear brother It is a long time since I have written to you, but my brother I have not forgotten you, nor is my affection at all diminishing can I cease to love you, no! whilst I have a being I shall ever bear you on my heart with sweet but painful remembrance. When last we parted I felt — somehow that it was to be a long separation ; but I could not tell why my feelings were more exquisite than usual for me, and I felt myself wretched for a while, my dear partner did all in his power to comfort me and I soon re- gained my spirits, but how dear are my brothers and sis- ters to me, I find that I can never enjoy myself without their society, Although I am separated from you at pres- IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 343 ent, yet I indulge the idea that we shall meet again, that you will visit me at this place if you have no family per- haps it will suit you to reside here, land is very cheap and good, both in Missouri and Illinois territory two-dollars per acre ; we live in town, but hope to be able to purchase land after a while, this place contains about two thousand five hundred inhabitants half Americans it is a dissipated disagreeable place to me — there is a small society of Presbyterians here but no church erected, the people are mostly Roman Catholics, We have been here only a few weeks, were detained by ice in the river then by badnefs of the roads, our journey was long and tedious, but we were blest with health and supported in a manner beyond my expectations; it is more than five months since we started on our journey but I have not heard from our friends but once although I have written severall times. We have not received any money from you, we wish you to write immediately and let us know whether you have sent it or no we wrote to you upon the subject when we were shut up by ice we expected for the winter — If you have not sent it you need not trouble yourself any fur- ther at present, as we are not in immediate want, M r Lip- pincott is doing very well as to businefs, but I hope we shall do better after a while — do write soon my dear brother for you know not how anxious I am to hear from you — do not indulge the idea that marrying has caused me to forget you (this is the common idea but so long as I can recollect that one fond Mother nursed us both, so long shall I love and long to be where I can enjoy your society. I believe that I am as happy in a companion as most people, and am blest With a dear little daughter, yet my affection for you is undiminished — Let us re- member that this world is not our abiding place, let us seek more strongly an inheritance in the world to come ; let us seek an interest in Christ the Saviour, without which we can never enter into the kingdom of heaven Let us frequently bring to mind the advice of our dear departed Mother, so to live that we may all meet in that world where there is no sin nor sorrow the trials which we are called to pafs through in this life should serve to wean us from the world, we should not be immoderate in our desires for any earthly good for all things beneath 344 A FAMILY HISTORY the sun shall fade and vanish away, but we are permitted to love each other, but not with a selfish love [torn] pure love is what will make the saints happy in heaven [torn] My dear child cries and I cannot write more at present [torn] we are at Samuel Lippincotts but expect to go to house keeping next week Your most affectionate sister Patty Lippincott Isaac Swift Dear Brother — I comply no lefs with my own inclination than the request of my excellent companion, in finishing the letter which she has begun. The idea of a bare pofsibility of your coming to this place excites feelings of a very ex- quisite nature. And I am convinced that could you see this country, and become acquainted with the manner in which money can be made — or rather property ac- quired — you would need no urging to close your businefs in Ohio and come immediately to this country. The soil is perhaps as good as any in the world — You smile — and so did I, on reading what I conceived the extrava- gant accounts of this — often termed "Terrestrial Par- adise" — But really I am convinced that although such were my opinions, yet "the half was not told me". The facility with which the land can be brought into cultiva- tion — the great abundance it yields and the ease in find- ing market — all conduce in a preeminent degree to ren- der this [torn] union peculiarly desirable. In the Illi- nois land, of the best quality is two dollars pr acre — That is the U. S. have their land at that rate — payable in four instalments — One fourth on making the entry — % in 2 years 14 in 3 and the remainder in 4 years — But the pay-ment of the first instalment secures the land for 5 years from the date of purchase. ( In this Territory land can be purchased on nearly or quite as good terms — and the land office will shortly be opened on the same terms as in Ills. And more chances of Speculation. In St Charles a thriving village on the Mif souri — 20 miles from this — I am told there is no Physician — Many other situations might be found where you could get at once into businefs. Even here I have no doubt you could do well. I am engaged with Col. R. Carton a Lawyer late a delegate to Congrefs — I have $50 per month certain IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 345 and the right of choosing to take half the profits of [a] conveyancing & land office if it should be more profitable which is rather more than probable — I wish you would come — I intend urging M r Crifsey with all my power — He could (if his health permitted) — make a fortune in a short time. If I do not get into something better than my present businefs — I shall be very much disappointed — I came without letters and consequently cannot expect to get immediately into the best businefs — Saturday evening 4 th Ap 1 . Since writing the above I have been recommended to the Acting Governor as Notary Public & Justice of the Peace, which together will (if I get them which is considered pretty sure), afford some perquisites — Patty wishes me to ask you where brother Adoniram is? — I should like to have a letter from him — And if he feels inclined to become acquainted with me he has only to write — I shall punctually answer him — Direct to me at St Louis Mifsouri Territory — and tell him to do so. I am anxious to hear whether you sent a letter with or without money — for I fear if you have it has miscarried Pray write immediately. I intend as soon as pofsible to enter land — It is a sure way of re- ceiving a living. Sincerely your affectionate brother Thos. Lippincott Mr. Lippincott did not remain long in St. Louis but moved to a malarial little village named Milton, four miles from what is now Alton, but which was then un- broken prairie and woods. There were two saw-mills, a flour-mill and a distillery and there he opened a store in November, 1818. 240 An old resident of Exeter described a visit to Mrs. Joseph Gilman at Philadelphia in a letter, dated Janu- ary 13, 1852, which Winthrop S. Gilman copied into one of his Common-place Books, without giving any clue to its authorship. The friend wrote : 346 A FAMILY HISTORY "There I saw her for the last time. She was an old lady, bowed by afflictions more than by years, but still retained her lovely expression and beautiful eyes. She told me that she had learned to milk the cow and would sit with her milk pail and looking up to heaven say, 'Are these the stars and moon I used to see in Exeter!' and sob and cry as a child and then wipe her tears and appear before her husband as cheerful as if she had nothing to give her pain. She told me she once came to New Eng- land as far as Providence, but she could not come to Exeter — it was more than she could bear." Mrs. Joseph Gilman 's remark to her old friend seems to refer to her journey taken in October, 1818, which in- cluded a visit to Boston, one to her nephew Thomas Poynton Ives, at Providence, and a few days in New York. Her granddaughter, Eliza, accompanied her and Chandler R. Gilman evidently came down from Andover to meet his grandmother in Providence. Mrs. Gilman was then seventy-three. The occasion of the next letter was the birth of Mrs. Miller's eldest son who only lived a few months. In it we have the first mention of a love affair between Eliza Gilman and William Fitz Winthrop Sargent, the elder of Governor Sargent's two sons. Mr. Gilman did not approve of the match. The younger brother was George Washington Sargent, who spent the last years of his life at his father's old home, Gloster Place, Natchez, and was killed there in the War of the Secession by some marauding soldiers. The Mrs. Murray mentioned was Judith Sargent, sister of the governor, whose husband, the Rev. John Murray, was a Univer- salist minister of Boston. Mrs. Murray died in Natchez in 1820. Mrs. Joseph Gilman to Mrs. John S. Miller, Lebanon, Miss. 1 My dear Rebecca I have this moment received yours, 1 MS. loaned by Mrs. Jane (Coe) Brant, Eolla, Mo. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 347 dated Octo. 7th just as I was in act of writing to the dear Governour Sargent and his excellent lady to express my gratitude for their paternal kindness to you, and likewise thanking them for permitting their son Washington to make us a visit, who is one of the most interesting young persons I have ever seen except his Brother. I was very desirous he should accompany us to Philadel* as I was afraid the journey would be injurious to his health if de- fered until winter. I consulted Mrs. Murray, whose opinion coincided with mine ; we sat out in the stage and after a very pleasant ride in company with your Uncle Chandler and his lady who admired our young friend and paid great attention to him, on our arrival at Prov- idence I introduced him to Mr. Ives and his family with feelings of pride and pleasure, they were all charmed with his fine person and preposesing manners, Mr. Ives was enchanted with him always conversing with him and admiring his intelligence and often saying he was sur- prised at his general information, as to myself I was con- tinualy thinking how much pleasure it would give his dear parents to see and hear him and to observe the atten- tion that was paid him, his elegant and fascinating pow- ers with the ladies must be left for Eliza's pen, as the stuning contents of your letter incapacitates me for any- thing like pleasantry, after spending a couple of weeks in this agreeable society where Mr. Washington and Miss Eliza partook or rather joined in all the amusements of the commencment week, we parted with the inhabitants of this hospitable Mansion with regret and proceeded to N York, Mr. Washington was very much disapointed at not seeing his brother at Providence, he had heard he would certainly be there at commencment, he consoled himself however with the idea of making him a visit on his return. I forgot to mention my enquiring after Mr. William of his Aunt Murry, but she had not heard any- thing from him since his first arrival at Litchfield, we went in a pacquet to N York and landed at the City hotel about 10 o'clock in the morn. Washington walked out but soon returned with his eyes full of tears produced by joy; he had met his dear William and he would soon be in to see us, in a few minutes he came in, he ap- 348 A FAMILY HISTORY peared pleased at seeing us, said he had heard of our be- ing at Providence and had enquired for us, on the arrival of every steamboat. He had heard Washington was with us and had be very anxious to see him, the affectionate interview of the Brothers in our room gave me indiscrib- able pleasure, his visit was short as he had an engage- ment with some gentlemen of the bar at Counsellor Sam- sons, he called in the evening and wished Miss Eliza to accept a ticket for the theatre which she politely declined of course — he appeared the perfect gentleman both in manners and deportment, the next morning he came early to inform us of his having arranged his affairs so as to take a seat with us in the stage as he had an idea of taking his passage from Philadel a , we left N York at 11 o'clock and arrived at Trenton at eight where we passed the night, left there at an early hour and arrived at Philadel a at ten. Washington came directly to our house where he was received with a hearty welcome, Mr. William had engaged to meet some southern gentlemen at Washington Hall as I was informed by Mr. Bancroft, I afterwards urged him to come and stay with us but he declined saying he was fearful of offending his young friend, he however told me it would give him the great- est pleasure if he were not preengaged, he was here daily, dined with us, and visited us in the morning, afternoon and evening, was always correct and agreeable, just the same as when he was here with his parents, and I can truly say that I never saw anything like dissapation in the slightest degree; at the same time I doubt not that he was gay and extravagant with his young companions, it his kind of company that makes him so, on this ac- count I hope he will not tarry at Orleans, but be per- suaded to return here in the Spring and read law with one of our most eminent professional men, if so, I think he would make a shining figure at the bar, [torn] the course I think he may easily be induced to pursue, as he has a great regard and veneration for his father ; always appeared delighted when he heard him spoken of with af- fection and respect ; but he would soon be driven into rebel- lion by such a man as Mr. A 11. How William conduct- ed after he returned to N York, I cannot tell, as I have not IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 349 heard a word to his disadvantage, if he had behaved im- properly I think I should have been made acquainted with it, I received a letter from Washington dated at N York the day his brother sailed for Orleans, he men- tioned W with great tenderness, and on his arrival at Cambridge he wrote me again, informing me of the pleas- ure he experienced on returning to his studies and say- ing he should attend to his exercises with pleasure and afsiduity he is a very fine boy, wants nothing but par- ental advice to make him everything they can wish. I esteem William very highly and was much pleased with his observations and remarks on the journey — he will always be respected for his talents and good sense, not- withstanding he has been caluminated both by enemies and injuditious friends — If William should return here next Spring to pursue his studies nothing shall be want- ing on our part to render his situation pleasant, agree- able, both on his own account and that of his excellent parents, to whom we feel under the greatest obligations — Your father and mother talk of making a visit to your- self and Gov Sargent's family this winter, I most ardently wish we could all be settled near each other, either there or here. Eliza says in order to have the en- joyment complete, we must all be in one large house. I do violence to my own feelings, my dear child, in not filing a sheet on the subject of yourself and darling babe, but the next time Eliza writes I shall add a long post- script — Give much love to Mr. Miller and to every mem- ber of the Gov. family. — I wish you could make it con- venient to return next Spring with your parents, if the health of the Gov. would permit him and Mrs. S, to join your party how delighted we should be — It would be a great advantage to their sons and a comfort to them- selves to be so near them. Please to read this letter to Mrs. Sargent — and accept, my dear Rebecca, the best wishes of your Affectionate Grandmama, R. Gilman Pray write me immediately on receipt of this letter as I shall be anxious in the extreme to learn the determina- tions of our friends. 350 A FAMILY HISTORY 241 Mrs. Joseph Gilman to Chandler R. Gilman, Andover, Mass. 1 Philadelphia Novem b 9 th [1818] By taking pafsage in the packet instead of the steam Boat I lost the oppertunity of conversing with you before your departure for Andover, which was a dif sapointment and grief to me, as I had many things to communicate both in French & english wich I flattere'd myself would have been pleaseing and profitable, the painful sensa- tion I experienced when your stage pafsed the one I was in, and I saw the last wave of your hat is not to be decribed, I hope however my dear Chandler if we are not to meet again in time, we shall be permitted to spend an eternity together where we shall enjoy the society of each other without fear of seperafion. Your dear mother has come to a sudden resolution with regard to her western journey the time fix'd for setting out was next week, but she has just heard M r Lamson is going on wednsday and she is determined to accompany him, the Idea of her leaveing us and for so longe a time too affects me in such a manner that I can scarsly hold my pen, this must ex- cuse the blundering manner in which this is written. I was loath to mifs so good an oppetunity of commencing a correspondence which I should be glad to keep up in your mothers absence, do my dear child communicate your wants to me and depend upon it your requisitions will be chearfully complied with, we are likewise in great trouble about Robert Hale, as we have reason to fear he was in Boston at the time of the late dreadful fire and intended to put up at the Exchange, sympathise with me my dear Chandler and believe me to be your very affectionate, Grandmother R Gilman Burn this as soon as you have read it, that the imbecility of your Gr parent may not be seen by any. Doctor Dor- sey is dangerous [ly] ill of a fever i MS. loaned by W. Stewart Gilman, Sioux City, Iowa. IN LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 351 94.9 A few sheets sewed together contain this short diary of Mrs. Joseph Gilman. Her visit to Providence came be- tween the first and second entry and could not have occu- pied more than a month. So little remains of her writing that we treasure even these disconnected entries. Tuesday October 12th Cousin Bancroft left here for Providence it will be advantagous to him but we feel the loss of his company much 13 laying down our winter Carpets with what pleasure should we do these things if we had any prospect of seeing the dear head of the family soon, have reason to fear from recent accounts that he will be detained months longer if not all winter. 1818 November the 12th Thursday this day my Daugh- ter began her journey for the western country, the house appear 'd desolate after her departure & the gloom was increased at 1 o'clock by hearing of the decease of our valuable citizen Dr John Syng 14 the family are all well, and I have the pleasure to hear that Old Mrs. Ammidon is better hopes are enter- tained of her recovery, but I am very anxious with regard to Robert, not having heard from him since he left provi- dence for Andover. after tiring myself with sewing for the family, I took up the port Folio and was much pleas d by reading D r Johnsons preface to the Evangelical history of Jesus Christ harmonized explained & illustrated, it is not in- cluded in the edition by Murphy which we own, may be found in the P F for Novem r 1818 N° 215. likewise an ex- tract from Schlegel on the character of Christianyty and Wellwood on Jewish and Christian Revelation. 15 Sunday pain in my face obliged to keep house.M r Brown arrived from providence attend 4 divine service at arch C with M r Ammidon & Joseph & Benj a . the remains of our exellent D r Dorsey interred this day. 16 letter from Chandl. 17 Mr Dillingham made us a morn s visit gave Eliz & Jane 1 much good advice little boys well & at school. 1 Jane Robbins, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Howell) Robbins, of Alex- andria, Va. 352 A FAMILY HISTORY 1819 Friday May th 19 Cloudy morn the Sun shown for a few minutes between 7 & 8 o'c, a 1 10 it began to growe darker & increas 'd till 12 when we were obliged to light a candle dined at 1 ock by candle light, between 3 & 4 be- gan to grow lighter the darkest evening I ever saw, like the Egiptan darkness tangable. 11. ock as light as usual in foul weather. Novem b 11th 1819 Mrs Gilman Rece 3 a letter from my dear Son dated Marietta the contents . . . 13 Cousins Robert Ives and Thomas Bancroft with Mr John Brown set out for the western country, R H G ac- companyed them as far as the Buck tavern. Coll" Barber call'd to say he should set out to morrow morn g for Mari- etta spent a very pleasant evening with him, conversing about my dear son and others in that country 15 Our dear little Boys lost their Excellent Master, Mr Foriris 1 who deaced last evening they were much affected and think thier lofs irrepareable. [Evidently written some time later] I have but little Relief from the most painful anxieties. 1 Mr. Ferris. This entry properly comes after the letters of March 2, 1819. ^p V 929 .SEP ^ 1 1953 r-4 i/> o <— < X »— ( > > C\J -J • ^ »— ■» 0^ CM 3l f\J * < v- (J3 u.