Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-04
0Nurtester @ailp SPY.
WRITTEN FOR THE WORCESTER SPY
THE DIARY OF MARGARET READE:
AFTERWARDS MRS. LAKE, OF NEW LONDON, IN
HIS MAJ'TY'S COLONY OF CONNECTICUT
EDITED BY MARTHA RUSSELL.


Bay, Nore,nber, l64l-2.-Heaven be praised,
the dismal voyage, with its miserable sickness
and deathly qualms, is over No word of
mine can utter the thankfulness of my heart.
Bare and bleak as was the aspect of this coun-
try, in the old November weather, it was greet
ed with tears OF joy and songs of thanksgiving
by all on shipboard but none had such reason
as |, for, looking in my chds fresh face,
felt truly that, unless the Lord had been my help,
my soul had d,oeA in silence"
Upon landing at Boston, my mind was to
larry with friends there until l could find
some means of journeying, by sea OR land to
the Pequot Country, where my Husband yet
remaineth. But cousin Elizabeth had a man
waiting for me with letter, at the house of
her Husbands Father, the Worshipful Gov
ernor of the Colony, entreatng me, with such
great urgency, to come to her place at Fps
witch, (which she said they had called Ryal-
side in compliment to the old place at home,
to rest awhile, and win some strength for the
wearlsome journey, that, inasmuch as the
WorShlptul Governor did add his voice there
unto, promising to provide escort and safe
passage with some party of troops that the
Magistrates were about to send there, for
further defence, l did yield mine own will and
come hither, where her kindly welcome did
bring tears into mine eyes Truly, she is
comedy Woman TO look on, and holdeth the
rule, in her Husbands absence, with great
dignity. Years have taken nought from her
My Husband was right when he said, that
"trom the sacrifices OF his people God causeth
arich and abundant Harvest to spring" Tru-
Jrp,l9 call bo,.H i
her Husband also, he praiSeh her," She hath
four children :-Fitz John, who now tarrieth
with his grandfather at Boston, Elizabeth,
Wait-Still, and Mary,-the last the same age
as my little Daughter, and much comfort do
we take in seeing them together. Her house
Is comfortable, and the country round is said
to be pleasant to the eve in summer, being
broken into Hills, with many fair groves of
Oaks and Pine. But the npping cold will
hardly let me look out upon 1t without shak-
ing. Elizabeth saith it is for lack of suitable
clothing and she is already busy preparing
comforts for myself and my child. But even
were the Hills and Fields bright with the
Bounty OF the midsummer harvest, they would
have less favor in mine eyes than this goodly
stream that passeth her door, the waters of
which do often follow with mine eyes, think.
ing they may go toward the south, where my
Husband dweleth.
NoU. lott.-To-day we were honored by
visit from the Rev. Nathaniel Ward, the Min
lister to these People, but in former times a
Preacher near London, person of great god
iness much wisdom and a very pleasant wit
and also, of much influence in the Colony
He had many questions to put about affairs
and people at home, particularly about the
trial of the Earle of Stafford, which it did
shame me that | could answer no better; but
Elizabeth did cover my ignorance by means
Of the Letters | brought from her Husband.
Ii Cousin knoweth the state of the Matter be.
tween me and Philip, as | am advised to think
she must, from her Husband, they wisely
holding back nothing from each other she hath
the gift of Discretion and hath RETAINED from
speaking of it to me or any one else. There
fore, this good man did think to honor me with
words OF praise as one who had SO early sacri-
feed the delights of my Husbands Counte.
nance and Society, for the planting of the
Truth in the Wilderness as if | had sent him
forth with Blessing, and not with a Curse
dared not tell the truth, fearing, inasmuch as
Elizabeth held it wise to be silent, that might,
in some way, still farther prejudice my Hus.
band, but oil, the shame of bearing undeserved
Praise 1t burneth like an inward fire
Noc. 2lst. L have made visit Of two DAYS,
to our Cousins, the Epes and the Symonds
They received me kindly and the time would
hardly suffice for their questions about our
friends at Home, at least, for cousin Alice
Epes whose heart still yearneth for the old
Home. Cousin Winthrope saith she will soon
be beyond all earthly yearnings, for, since the
death of her son, the canker Of Grief eatheth
rapidly. God give her rest, at last Milicent
Symonds did please me much. She is near
my own age, and of a right comely Counte-
nance. After dinner she and her Brother did
take me short distance to see an Indian Wig
wan, which was something like a soldiers
tent, but covered with birchen bark in the
place of cloth. There were only two women
in the Hut, one wizened fearsome looking
old Squaw, the other young, well favored
woman, whose eyes and movements did mind
me of Guys Greyhound, Bess. was sur
prised that felt no terror or Sinking, in their
presence, but rather kindness for them when
/ saw with what grave courtesy the younger
one did reply to Millicent's friendly talk
Millicent said the young woman was the wife
of one of the Chiefs of the Agawams, and that
the tribe is already diminished in numbers a
proof she said that Israel shall drive out the
Heather from before him but somehow, nv
mind holdeth kind of pity for these poor saw
age Women and children, and prayeth that
God will yet hold of them in Remembrance
Coming back we passed divers comfortable
houses, and also the Church, or place of
Worship; but the latter truly beareth little
resemblance to the pleasant Churches at Home,
Nailed to the Door, | did note some skins of
wild beasts, which Cousin did tell me were
those of wolves, which do infest the region
round about to the endangering of the Life
and Property of the Settlers. Therefore, the
Government had ordered bounty of certain
sum of money to be paid to every person who
shall kill one and give notice of the same, by
mailing the skin on the church door, as the
most public place. This was as strange a
sight 10 me as even the savage Indians.
Nou. 22d-Baby (she hath no name yet, for
would first give her to her Father, is hoarse
and feverish, and Cousin chides me for my
weak heart; but oh, Heaven, if she should
die now
Nov. 24h.-The Child is well again. 1t was
hut one of the colds which Cousin saith are
common here but not the less doth my heart
oyerrun with thanks to God. Besides, to-day
hath Messenger arrived from Governor
Winthrope, saying that the Fortune will sail
for the. Connecticut Settlements on Monday
week. God willing and if | am still minded
to ioin my Husband, it is my only chance as
land Journey, even with proper escort will
he impossible for me and my child at this
wintry season of the year. He does not hide
that the sea voyage hath its perils also and
Elizabeth urgeth me hard to remain with her
until Spring, when, if her Husband returns,
as his intent is, he will be my escort on the
way. as he hath grants there, and hath some
thought of removing his family to that region.
But cannot tarry. The late illness Of my
Child hath put new terror into my heart, for
the thought of what may be, haunts me con.
tinually. Surely, He who hath brought me
through the former trouble, will not torsake
me now and in Him will trust.
~. 4