April 1831

Chichester Monday April 13, 1830 The weather quite pleasant. Mary and I went over to Epsom to visit our uncles and aunts there, found them pretty well except Aunt Davis and she is getting better. There is nothing which I so much dislike as visiting. I like to see my friends and converse with them for a short time while we have something to say, but when I have to go a day or two and when time wears heavily 'tis extremely irksome. I see no use in this eternally visiting and gadding when a visit to a friend is but a show, a favor, a custom to make him think we still love and remember him. At heart perhaps we care as little about him as a stranger. Let a person visit when he pleases and not be dragged to it. Friendship is but little more than a name nowadays and where a mans interest does not prompt him, he seldom goes.

Thursday April 14, 1830 Pleasant spring weather. Came home [from] visit today. Farmers begin to plough, but it is too wet. I am now troubled very much with a melancholy low feeling. My spirits rise and set with the sun. Palpatation does not trouble me much.

Friday April 15, 1830 I stay in the house and do not much of anything now. 'Tis hard but I have nothing to do. My Diary must be very thin at present, only filled with sentimental [?].

Saturday April 16, 1831 The Pine Ground looks very desolate, there being no store nor tavern. All business almost has stopped but the store will be shortly filled. Livel[y]ness and activity seem to be a neccessary part of a man's enjoyment.

Sunday April 17, 1831 It rained yesterday and today, which has raised the river very much. No meeting today so I staid at home and read "Whitefield's Memoirs," interesting. A very long day without meeting.

Monday April 18, 1831 Went to see Doct. Hill this morning. He bled me and advised me to exercise constantly but lightly, to frequent merry company, to keep up good spirit, and not to be depressed. I then went over to Grandfather's. Folks are all well "as common." Feel somewhat weak.

Tuesday April 19, 1831 Moderate sunshiny weather. Reading Bonaparte's life. He was a man of wonders certainly. A great general, statesman, and very ambitious. He was the cause of the death of thousands but he fell covered with glory. His name will be sounded to times remotest ages.

Wednesday April 20, 1831 (I have nothing very particular to write nowadays so I must scratch together what I can.) Grandfather has been telling of his service in the Revolutionary War. When the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, he was at home in Rye but soon after he enlisted into the war. He was stationed at Fort Ticonderoga when it was given up to the British by Genl. Schuyler, which army retreated to S. Keenesboro in batteaux where they left them and retreated from thence to Fort Ann and to Fort Edward, pursued by the enemy with whom they had some smart skirmishes. On the retreat he was one of a small party who fought with two battalions of the enemy and repulsed them. He was under the command of Col. Long of this State. From Fort Edward he marched on towards Albany to join the main army under Gates. He left the army on a furlough by reason of sickness two days before Burgoyne surrendered. The next time he went on the expedition which was set on foot to drive the British from Newport, R. I. but failed after much expense. He then went many voyages privateering and was taken three times. At one time he and eight others at Savannah arose and took the guard on board his prison ship and escaped in the boat although the harbor was full of British ships of war. At Charlestown he saw and had considerable conversation with Genls. Lafayette and Lincoln concerning their escape from the prison ship. Genl Llncoln gave them some supper etc. He has had many hair-breadth escapes but still never was wounded. Although somewhat worn down by the infirmities of age he possessed that same patriotic fire which inspired him to take his gun and fight the battles of his country; and now when he relates the story of his early life his "dim eye brightens" and his old heart grows warm. Now he would fight again if an enemy should but set foot on his own native land. How could our liberties be endangered while we had such determined spirits to guard them? His father was in the same war and fought with Stark at Bennington when such a splendid victory was gained over the enemy.

Thursday April 21, 1831 Weather quite cool. Did nothing worthy of note. Father and Mother came here from Hopkinton tonight. The roads are very much injured by the late rain. A battle has been fought between the Russians and Poles in which the latter were victorious.

Friday April 22, 1831 Pleasant day. Went home this forenoon. Father had a load of goods from Hopkinton.

Saturday April 23, 1831 Fine weather. I went to Doct. Hill's to get some medicine which he has prepared for me. He is a very pleasant young man.

Sunday April 24, 1831 I went to meeting this forenoon but found it so cold without a great coat that I came home. Mr. Peabody preached. He appears not to be a very spirited or gifted preacher but rather formal and dull. I dislike very much to hear a preacher read his sermon when he is at a loss to find it out. Did'nt like him very well.

Monday April 25, 1831 I have nothing to do so I have nothing to write. The news from Poland which we have daily almost is very encouraging on the part of the Poles. A number of battles have been fought in which they were conqurors. Their patriotic conduct cannot fail of meeting the approbation of every friend of humanity. Their abuses have been at least ten times greater than those of the U. S.

Tuesday April 26, 1831 Mary is going to Hopkinton to school this summer and I am going to Summersworth to work if I am well enough. I have been warned to train this spring.

Wednesday April 27, 1831 I sent 12 dollars to Mr. Shepard for my board last Monday in a letter. This has been a very wet spring. Dull work staying at doing nothing, I mean to go off soon and do something.

Thursday April 28, 1831 I have to do anything I can to "kill time." I take first this, then that, expecting every day to go to [Somersworth?] I have been turning some bobbins for Mary Ann and some gim[b]let handles.

Friday April 29, 1831 I feel very much tired when I stir about all day. My stomach and back are both very weak and take but little exertions to make them very painful.

Saturday April 30, 1831 Saw Collins today on his way to New Hampton. He is going to Waterville next Fall. This is the last day of another month, one of the short portions of which the whole life of man is composed.