43

ed. They have proved to me so great a trial, that they afford me an inexhausti-
ble theme. However I will drop it for the present for a pleasanter & more
profitable subject. The clock has just struck 9. I have read the chapter &
prayer to Jim, James & Lindy, all who made their appearance, I will now
prepare for bed, & how thankful I ought to be, that I can lay down my
head in rest & quiet on my pillow, free from suffering, with the pros-
pect of refreshing slumber; so different from the present state of my
sister, who is in pain & anguish, unable to get a moments [ease?], & no
prospect of her suffering being mitigated in this world for one moment.
& my other sister & mother watching by [her?] & suffering perhaps as much
as she does.

Friday night. Febua March 15^th 1844.

A Negro man was hung to day for killing his master M^r Jones. I saw him as
he went from the Jail, he was carried 14 miles from here to where he committed
the deed. Poor creature! I hope he was really penitent; & that a merciful Provi-
dence has had mercy on his soul.

My dear husband has not yet returned from Laurens court. I received a letter
form him Wednesday night, saying he would be at home the latter part of the
week; so I have been looking for him this evening; as it is business that detains
him, I cannot regret his absence. He has lately purchased from M^rs Harrison
a tract of land containing 80 acres; about 2 miles from the village, on the Ander-
son road; for which he gave 420 dollars; & where we will get in future all of
our wood; he has also purchased a house for which he gives 75 dollars; so
now he has a pair of horses, he will soon purchase a waggon, & ere long I dare
say a carriage, he will plant soon, oats &c to support the horses. I am very much
pleased at the late purchases, they will certainly not give me so much trouble &
vexation as some other purchases have. Our household is now a very large one;
including horses, cows, hogs, servants & children. We commenced 3 in family, &
are now 16.