September 1831

Thursday September 1, 1831 The first day of autumn now begins, the most fit and solemn emblem of death when all our earthly hopes are falling like leaves from the fading trees. But although autumn is sorrowful[l] in some respects, in others it is a joyful time. The husbandman will soon collect his rich harvest into his barns, rejoicing in the God of nature who has thus blest him with abundance.

Friday September 2, 1831 My diary is hardly worth keeping now but I hope it will be more interesting 6 months hence. If nothing happens to the contrary, we hope to be in N.Y. State next spring. Father cannot live here, he is so plagued and har[r]assed [by] dis-satisfied creditors.

Saturday September 3, 1831 I have been reading the travels of John Russell through Germany in 1820, 1821 and 1831 I think it is a well written and interesting book of the manners and customs of Germans. No books amuse me more [than] the travels of distinguished men through the "Old Countries" with their remarks and opinions.

Sunday September 4, 1831 I dread to have the end of the week come here when we cannot begin the next with worship to God.

Monday September 5, 1831 O Dear what a dull monotonous day. I commit much sin which I otherwise should not if we had meetings.

Tuesday September 6, 1831 We have gathered our oats but find them very poor. They are so everywhere this year. The weather has been too wet, I suppose.

Wednesday September 7, 1831 Started early this morning for N[ewbury] port with a load of oats. I was some cold in the morning but afterwards I had a very comfortable day to ride. Crops down along, I think, look as well if not better than up country. Corn is extr[a]y, potatoes not so good. Apples none. There is nothing remarkable in the general aspect of the country, but had as well and good farms &c. interspersed all the way between here and N' Port. I drove at the rate of four miles an hour and went by the way of Nottingham, Exeter and Hampton Falls. The Newburyport bridge over the Merrimack was the greatest curiosity that I saw while gone. It is supported by chains and has three stone peers, I think. It is a beautiful bridge and adds very much to N-Port both in beauty and convenience. The road from Exeter to N'port is remarkably smooth and level.

Newburyport Thursday September 8, 1831 Sold my oats this morning for 1 1/3 cts. pr lb and my butter averaged about 9 cts a lb. This afternoon I went down to Plumb [Plum] Island in the rain. It is a long, barren island running about nine miles parralel with the coast, beginning on the south side of the mouth of Merrimack river. The island is composed of banks of sand and varies in width from one half to one mile. In a bright, clear day the sand banks present a novel sight at the distance of a few miles. I was told the island was fast washing away from the force of the waves and that in time it would be completely gone. The only vegitation that is seen is the bush called the Plumb Island plumb bush, bearing a species of plumb like our large red cherries and ripe about the last of August. The sand plumb is ripe much sooner. It is a singular fact that these are found only on this island, the most barren place imaginable. The sand is so lo[o]se that it is with great difficulty that one can make his way along half-leg deep. Returned to town tired.

Friday September 9, 1831 Started for home at nine o'clock and arrived at home about ten in the evening after a wearisome day's ride. I think this jaunt will close my speculation.

Saturday September 10, 1831 Farmers now begin to gather their corn. which is as good as it is plenty this year.

Sunday September 11, 1831 How glad I shall be if my life is spared till I can get where God is worshipped weekly, if not oftener! Poor Chichester, what will become of thee if a reformation does not take place! It may be more tolerable for Sodom and Gommorrah in the day [of] Judgement. I can sometimes almost fly away I wish so much to go, but it is best to wait patiently the will of God in all things. I think it doubtful whether a minister will be hired this year, the town grows poor so fast.

Monday September 12, 1831 Samuel and George Plummers were up today to see Father on business. I think they are fine business men.

Tuesday September 13, 1831 Gathering apples today. We shall have nearly fifty bushel. Father has today given up being a miller and Messers Plummers have made Chase miller. Father and I are going to Gilmantown to muster tomorrow.

Wednesday September 14, 1831 A description of review cannot be very [interesting?] to anyone in these States where they are so well known. The day was a very good one but [the] regiment was small and rather ordinary. The number of lookers-on was uncommonly small and well behaved. I think I never attended a review where everything was carried with so much decency and order.

Thursday September 15, 1831 Rainy. Went to Epsom to see Capt. Lord, who wasnt at home, then came up to Nathl. Leaveys and paid $4.00, the balance due him [on] account.

Friday September 16, 1831 Father is settling and getting things in readiness to be off Monday morning for New York where he intends to get work and then to send for us to follow.

Saturday September 17, 1831 Crane came over and settled with Father today. His and Fathers accts. were equal, but Father is owing on the auction bill seventy-one dollars and Richamar about one hundred dollars in notes. Crane is going to bring a horse from Pittsfield tomorrow night if he can for Father and carry home the waggonand hand cart.

Sunday September 18, 1831 Did not attend meeting because there is none within reach. Crane came over tonight but could get no horse to carry Father to Epping so he let us have his and I carryed him over to Uncle Salters about twelve o clock, from thence he will take the stage for Boston. I hated to part with him very much but I hope to see him again in a few months in better circumstances if Providence permits. Got home about two o'clock tired, cold and sleepy. Uncle C. took the waggon and handcart and went home and I to bed.

Monday September 19, 1831 People pretty still about Father today and dont suspect much, I think, but 'twill not long last, there will be a terrible surmising and whispering before long. If he gets one day the start of them, I hope Chichester will not see him this three years again. He has been abominably injured by this town although he has done more for it than any other man in town, but he will be abused by them no more if his health is good. This awfulness is at an end here and he must make new aquaintances in a strange land.

September 20, 1831 My health is now a little better, I think. The pains in my sides are mostly removed and a general debility seems to be my greatest sickness. My gratitude ought to be drawn out to God that it is as good as it is, while thousands by day and by night are called to "people the nations of the dead." I never shall receive my deserts for sin in this world, and by the Grace of God and the Blood of Christ I hope not to in another. It must be a terrible thing to fall into the hands of an offended God. He has told us that his long forbearance will not always be exercised towards the children of men.

Wednesday September 21, 1831 The devastation of a hurricane or the raging of a tempest is in no wise to be compared to the ruinous effects of private slander. I have seen it destroy the peace of whole neighbourhoods and raze the character of the most amiable to a level with the vilest sinner. Where there is no peace, it is neccessarily implied that there must be war although it may be only a "war of words." In what differs the "war of conquest" and the "war of words" as to calamities? The former, 'tis true, kills the body, the most unimportant part of a man, while the latter kills the character, and tarnishes the high-sounding fame of its devoted victims. I had as l[ie]f not be as to be a by-word and a hissing in society. But in this differs the war of conquest and the war of words: thatmans character which stands the test of slander and detraction grows brighter.

Thursday September 22, 1831 George Moore was taken very sick last Sunday night, and since then his life has been d[e]spaired of from day to day. Poor man, he is going as fast as an incurable disease will carry him. He has been considerable concerned for himself since he was taken sick, and 'tis to be hoped he will accept of the terms proffered [in?] mercy. How little did he think this would be his situation a few months ago.

Friday September 23, 1831 I am very impatient for the time to come when we shall follow Father to some place of abode where we shall have "none to molest us and make us afraid."

Saturday September 24, 1831 Mr. Moore still continues very sick, expecting every day to be his last. How solemn must be his situation now on the verge of the grave and just launching into a boundless eternity with all its dreadful realities.

Sunday September 25, 1831 It is not a small thing to die and few can meet it with composure. The Christian alone has joys in view of death unspeakable, joys substantial, and a well-grounded [hope?] which can never be removed. Who would not be a in?

Monday September 26, 1831 Cold weather is fast creeping on, frosts are more frequent and cold and rugged winter will soon set in. It is a time of general decay and all nature seems to be returning to her mother earth. It is a time too of general joy for the rich supply of agricultural productions which a bountiful Providence has heaped upon the husbandman.

Tuesday September 27, 1831 Crane and I went to Concord and Loudon on some business. Esq. Patten has Whittles papers. Heard at the same time of the melancholy death of Col. Robert Ambrose in Boston by being thrown from his carriage. It creates quite a sensation in C[hichester].

Wednesday September 28, 1831 Pride and Poverty together make terrible work.

Thursday September 29, 1831 This morning at four o'clock Mr. Moore died, without a struggle or groan. Before his death he seemed calm and resigned to the will of God, willing either to live or die. He warned all not to do as he had done in life to neglect his Bible, meetings and religion but to attend to all these while in health. I think we have reason to believe that he exchanged this world for a better. He is to be buried tomorrow. Capt. Edmunds called his company out here this afternoon. I got a certificate of Dr. Abbot last week for one year.

Friday September 30, 1831 Mr. Moore was buried this afternoon. A considerable number of persons assembled and attentively listened to discourse by Elder Dyer. "'Tis better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of boasting for the right[e]ous will lay it to heart." While the humble preparations are making to bury the poor man, how good it is to contemplate his virtues while living. No splendid equipages, no g[au]dy trappings, nor regal pomp are seen as at the funeral obsequies of the great and noble of the earth. He is consigned to the earth by his lamenting friends, there to lay "alike unknowing and unknown," till called at the last Great Day to recive his reward.