Braintree, 8 September.
Since you left me I have passed through great distress both of body and
mind, and whether greater is to be my portion, Heaven only knows.
You may remember Isaac was unwell when you went from home. His disorder
increased, till a violent dysentery was the consequence of his
complaints. There was no resting-place in the house, for his terrible
groans. He continued in this state near a week, when his disorder
abated, and we have now hopes of his recovery. Two days after he was
sick, I was seized with the same disorder in a violent manner. Had I
known you were at Watertown, I should have sent Bracket for you. I
suffered greatly between my inclination to have you return and my fear
of sending lest you should be a partaker of the common calamity. After
three days an abatement of my disease relieved me from anxiety. The next
person in the same week was Susy; her we carried home,--hope she will
not be very bad. Our little Tommy was the next, and he lies very ill
now. There is no abatement at present of his disorder. I hope he is not
dangerous. Yesterday Patty was seized, and took a puke. Our house is a
hospital in every part; and what with my own weakness and distress of
mind for my family, I have been unhappy enough.
And such is the distress of the neighborhood, that I can scarcely find a
well person to assist in looking after the sick. Mrs. Randall has one
child that is not expected to live out the night. Mrs. Belcher has
another; Joseph Bracket, another; Deacon Adams has lost one, but is on
the recovery himself, and so are the rest of his family. Mr. Wibird lies
bad; Major Miller is dangerous, and Mr. Gay is not expected to live.
So sickly and so mortal a time the oldest man does not remember. I am
anxious for you. Pray let me hear from you soon. I thought you would
have left me a letter at Watertown, as you stayed so long there. I was
disappointed that you did not. As to politics, I know nothing about
them. The distresses of my own family are so great that I have not
thought of them. I have written as much as I am able to, being very
weak. I hope to add a more pleasing account ere I close.
Sunday, 10 September.
'Tis now two days since I wrote. As to my own health, I mend but very
slowly; have been fearful of a return of my disorder to-day, but feel
rather better now; hope it is only owing to my having been fatigued
with looking after Tommy, as he is unwilling any one but mamma should do
for him; and, if he was, I could not find anybody that is worth having,
but what is taken up already for the sick. Tommy, I hope, is mending.
His fever has abated; but were you to look in upon him, you would not
know him. From a hearty, hale, corn-fed boy, he has become pale, lean,
and wan. Isaac is getting better, but very slowly. Patty is very bad,
her situation very dangerous. Mr. R. and one of his children are taken
with the disorder. I shall write every day if I am able.
Pray let me hear from you often. Heaven preserve both your life and
health, and all my suffering will be but small. By the first safe
conveyance be kind enough to send me one ounce of Turkey rhubarb, the
root, and to procure me one quarter of a pound of nutmegs, for which
here I have to give 2_s._ 8_d._ lawful; one ounce of cloves, two of
cinnamon. I should be glad of one ounce of Indian root. So much sickness
has occasioned a scarcity of medicine.
Destroy this. Such a doleful tale it contains can give no pleasure to
any one. Our other children are well, and send duty to papa. Bracket has
been complaining, but has got better. The small-pox in the natural way
was not more mortal than this distemper has proved in this and many
neighboring towns. Eighteen have been buried since you left us, in Mr.
Weld's parish. Four, three, and two funerals in a day, for many days.
Hitherto our family has been greatly favored. Heaven still preserve us.
'Tis a melancholy time with us. I hope you will not think me in the
dismals; but public and private judgments ought to be noticed by every
one.