The journal of Robert Walker, 1773–1775

1 On the 25^th day of the 5^th month 1773 I left my dear Wife and Children in order to visit the churches in America. I took Coach at Leeds for London my Wife’s brothers William & Joseph Hopkins accompanying me, we got into London the 27^th it having been a very wet season; I lodged at my kind Friends Joseph Row’s where I staid the yearly meeting, which being over, and no Vessel going soon, I went down to the yearly meetings at Colchester, Woodbridge, and Norwich, where I had some service for truth, my kind friend Joseph Row accompanying me all the way, and we returning directly for London where I staid some time longer, the ship not being ready to sail I staid until the 17^th of 7^th month, when I went down to Gravesend accompanied by my kind friend Joseph Row, his Wife & Sister, here many friends were come from London there being several of us intending for America as Sarah and Deborah Morris, Elizabeth Robinson, from Wensleydale, Mary Leaver from Nottingham, & Morris Birkbeck from Settle, being going to America with us Sarah Morris having been on a religious visit to the land Deborah Morris having accom 2panied her aunt thro’ her journey. We lodged that night at an inn at Gravesend, the morning following being the 18^th we had a meeting there being many friends, and in the afternoon being 2^nd day of the week we got our remaining necessaries on board having before got most of them in London, and in the evening went on board taking our solemn leave, one of another, we lodged on board that night and set sail about the first hour in the morning, and got down that day to Deal and there Daniel Mildred and his son and nephew Daniel Roberts came on board to take their leave of us, went to Deal that evening, and the next morning the wind being very weak we got slowly on and being 4^th day we had a meeting on board, our friends Richard Low from Dover his wife and Richard Baker came on board in the afternoon bringing us some Cherries and some few things with them, they staid a little time with us, after taking their leave of us they returned in the same boat, being about six miles and having been a calm day. In the night the wind spring up and we got on the morning following being 5^th day of the week & 22^nd of the month the wind calm we got very slowly on, in the night we got on a little way. 6^th day calm weather still continuing we made very little progress, yet my mind was mercifully preserved in steadiness for which favour the great Lord of all is worthy of high praise, who is God of sea & land blessed for ever. 7^th day morning calm weather still 3 continued but about noon the wind sprang up, but on our head and we were obliged to lay close to the wind and sojourn a little — First day morning calm weather and the tide coming against us they cast anchor and we held our meeting on deck amongst the sailors and passengers in the forenoon, and about the second hour weigh’d Anchor, the wind being fresh and standing pretty much west we got pretty well on, casting anchor again at the return of the tide. About two in the morning they weigh’d anchor again, being calm, but in a short time the wind sprang up almost west, which by tacking about we got on as much as I could expect and about the 9^th hour we cast Anchor again being a little west of Torbay, having thus far been mercifully preserved by the great God of heaven and earth, sea and dry land, who is worthy to be served, honour’d and obey’d, by all, bless’d for ever more, I felt of his divine favour this morning for which my soul blesses his great and holy name. In the night the wind spring up strong, and the sea ran high, we were most of us sea-sick, and the wind still continued west we had a rough sea and I remained much in the Cabin and often in bed, yet thro’ divine favour was preserved calm in my spirit and bow’d before the high God, who is worthy for ever. The sea continued thus to run high for several days, I got 4 better yet was but poorly. On 7^th day morning we were favour’d with a more calm sea than for some days before and our course seem’d to be towards our desir’d port which is a great favour from the great Lord of heaven and earth. Our first day in the forenoon the sea being calm I found my mind drawn to hold our meeting on deck, where we were favour’d with the loving presence of our God which was to me of great strength for which my soul blesses his great name. In the afternoon we held our meeting in the Cabin which was a time of favour, again the Lords life giving presence crowning our meeting and owning us in our watery travail over the mighty ocean which is more than all things here below. In the evening the wind blew more fresh standing north, our course being westward we got bravely on, for which all within me bows before the God of Heaven. Second day morning we got on well, but in the afternoon the wind fail’d and in the night calm, which continued on 3^rd day so that we lay by until afternoon when the wind sprang up a little and as night came on mended and grew strong & in the night was very rough, but abated a little in the morning, being 4^th day of the week and our meeting day, for we endeavoured to keep our meeting both first and week days. 5^th day the wind stood west and we were obliged to keep our way pretty much southward and in the 5 night tack’d about and stood north, this ways makes but little progress yet this is the way which the seafaring men are often tried with, but thro’ the mercy of God my mind was still preserved calm, being inwardly comforted with feeling the light of the Lords countenance strengthening me in my travail on the great Ocean. Sixth day morning it was pretty calm and we had a meeting in our cabin to our mutual comfort. 7^th day morning the sea was very rough and the wind stood west and our ship had a very great motion which had a great effect on me, and it continued on first day so that we were obliged to hold our meetings in the Cabin, and not on Deck, as we had done on the first day before. Second day we had but little wind and I grew better in health, the wind continuing much against us so that we could not get fast on but the mercies of God endure for everyones minds being preserved still and quiet thro’ his mercy. On third day morning the wind continuing south west they were obliged to keep as much as possible to the west. 4^th day morning the wind continued pretty much against us and the sea run very high which made our vessel have a great motion and I was not very well, we held our meeting as usual in the Cabin where we were favour’d with the ownings of our great Lords lifegiving presence which helped my drooping spirit (for both body and mind were oppressed) for which my heart blesses the great name of our God.

The sea still continued very rough and the ship’s motion strong, 6 on the fifth day morning the sea was more calm and the wind continuing pretty much as it had been for most part since we left land. 6^th day the wind still continued pretty much against us, we held our meeting in the cabin which often help’d us in our watery travel. 7^th day it was more calm which often helped me for my constitution was not very strong and I could not eat as well as many, but I was helped on. First day 15^th of 8^th month the wind being fresh we held our meeting in the Cabin and as we sat my mind was drawn to go upon deck among the seamen when I found the great love of God towards his workmanship, which seems to me to be handed forth the world thro’ it was to me a healing day for I had been under great exercise both in body and mind, yet thro’ mercy I was preserved from looking back. On 2^nd day the wind was very boisterous and the sea run so high that we could carry but little sail. 3^rd day more still, and at night the wind came north and we got on our right way all the night; but on 4^th day was pretty much west and we went almost north, and held our meeting in the cabin, in the night the wind was very fresh and continued on 5^th day morning; and on 6^th day held our meeting as usual in the cabin, when we were often favour’d together on 7^th day the wind was fair but very weak, yet what we got was the right way, and in the night we had a very fine breeze and fair for us until about six on first day morning when it came south 7 west and continued a few hours, and then stood for us again: being fresh we held our meeting in the cabin, and in the afternoon we sat down in our cabin again, where my mind was drawn toward the poor Sailors and I went upon deck and had an opportunity with them, the Lord’s tender regard is towards his workmanship the world thro’, his hand is not shorten’d nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear but he is waiting to be gracious even to the rebellious, to gather them under the wing of his protecting word I cannot bud admire his wonderful care may I be helped still to hold on in that way which is well pleasing in his sight and be enabled to magnify his great name by an humble walking & following him in the way of his leadings, for he is God blessed for ever more. On second day morning we were favoured with a fair wind tho’ weak, yet we kept getting on and this morning spoke with a vessel going to London; we got well on until night when the wind sprang up very high and continued very strong all the night, and on 3^rd day morning very hard, so that we could carry little or no sail being against us, so we lost ground, but it abated in the night following. 4^th day morning the wind favour’d us again, but several of us were sick and we held our meeting in the afternoon, we got on pretty well until about the 3^rd hour on 5^th day morning, when a hard gale came in against our head so that we were obliged to carry very little 8 sail towards night we got on pretty well, and in the morning very early the ship had such motion that it put out our lights and tumbled over many things in our Cabin, but on 6^th day it grew more calm and still and in the forenoon with all the sails we could make we got but little on our way, we held our meeting as usual having two week day meetings generally every week: on the 7^th nothing but what was common. On 1^st day morning the wind was very rough and we saw two vessels fishing for Whales, our Captain spoke with one of them and whilst I was looking at them I saw a great number of fishes the sailors caught a many. We held our meeting in the cabin it being very rough yet it was a favour’d time, in the afternoon the wind continuing we held our meeting in the cabin again, where my spirit was favoured with the melting love of God altho’ I had little to say in the meeting yet I could not but say in my heart he brought me to his banquetting house and his banner over me was Love, indeed it was to me a heart melting time for this favour was very great as it often has been in my watery travel, being a stay to my mind for which I desire I may walk worthy and glorify his great name who is worthy for ever. Second day we had calmer weather and got on our way and on 3^rd day 9 morning continued, we spoke with a master of a vessel from New York bound to Madeira, who told us they had been 78 days out, in the night we got but very little, on 4^th day morning being 1^st of the 9^th month was very calm yet in a little time we had a fine breeze, but it was almost on our head so that we were obliged to go much to the north, we held our meeting as usual in the cabin which was a favourable time truth being our support the Lord is yet good and his mercy endureth for ever. 5^th day nothing but as usual and we kept getting on but too much north. 6^th day we held our meeting and the wind still continued the same way but was rather better on 7^th day in the forenoon: after this way the seafaring men are often tried I think the greatest thing they ought to be concern’d for is to seek for the government of the spirit of God for there is nothing but this, that can subject the will of poor mortals, and seamen are very great strangers to the advantage received thereby. On 1^st day morning my mind was almost like the troubled sea tossed as with tempests for it hath been my lot in my pilgrimage at times to meet with inward trials of my faith, which this morning was my case having and inward enemy who would if possible lay waste, God’s work in the children of men some 10 times by discrouragement, and at other times by endeavouring to draw the mind back again which this morning was hard to me for my Wife came very near unto me, our meeting time being near come they wanted to know my mind in respect to having it on deck but I was so very low that I could not say any thing about it but told them I would have them do as they saw best, but we could not have it this day upon deck, so we sat down in the cabin where I had sat very little before my mind was favour’d with the spring of the glorious gospel of truth, which moved with life within me towards my fellow travellers, and I went up to desire as many as could to come down where we were favoured with his heavenly presence whereby the truth was declar’d with authority, so that I received virtue from him who healed my sorrowful spirit indeed it was a very good meeting for the many mercies we receive from him may they humble my heart so that I may walk worthy thereof, for I can truly say he is the Physician of value yet, and ever will be, to those, who seek him with their whole heart. In the afternoon we held our meeting in the cabin, where I sat until the meeting was near breaking up and then I had something to say in regard to the worship of God, which must be in spirit and in 11 truth, it would be well for every one to consider who must prepare for this great and solemn duty our meeting ended well for they were favourable times as we were often favoured together in our watery travels, for which may honour be given to the Lord our God who is worthy to be served, honoured and obeyed, by all now and for ever. 2^nd day we had nothing in particular. 3^rd day we kept our course a little to the south. 4^th day we held our meeting as usual the weather was very pleasant. 5^th day we remain’d pretty much as usual. 6^th day we held our meeting. 7^th day the wind continued, and on first day we held our meeting in the cabin which was to me not so lively as we had been for I was under suffering in my own mind, having been deeply dipped in to poverty which is not pleasant but profitable to shew us what we are. in the afternoon we held our meeting in the cabin, but I had nothing to offer in either of them, the wind sprang up towards night and was very rough and continued so till second day, the sea rose like mountains but in the afternoon it was not so rough but the wind continued for us. On 3^rd day we kept on our course but were farther from land than we were, yet the wind favour’d us. 4^th day morning 12 the wind was strong and the sea very rough, when on a sudden the top mast broke for want of care in the boy that was at the helm, and we espied land and were much nearer it than we expected, the sea still continuing very rough, so that we could not hold our meeting and were obliged to stand off all night. On 5^th day morning we held our meeting which was a time of favour, the Lord owning us in an eminent manner so that I may say it was a watering day to my sorrowful heart. I was favor’d to declare the truth with heavenly authority and our meeting ended with supplication and praise to the God of all our mercies who with his son our Lord & Saviour is worthy of high praises for ever. In the afternoon a Pilot came on board and I landed at Chester the 18^th of 9^th month and 7^th day of the week, and staid there the next day and after meeting went to Philadelphia and was at their meeting there that evening, which was very large and I lodged at Joshua Fisher’s. On second day was at at [sic] their meeting of Ministers & Elders which is held every second day. On 3^rd day was at their monthly meeting at Bank. 4^th day was at their meeting at Pine Street. 5^th day I went over to Haddonfield to the quarterly meeting for the Jerseys, their meeting for ministers and elders was on 5^th day, and the quarterly meeting 13 for business was on 6^th day it was a very large meeting and I was enabled to discharge what I believed was my duty and return’d to Philadelphia with my kind friend Joshua Fisher who had accompanied me there, I was low when I return’d but pretty well in health. 7^th day the yearly meeting for Ministers & Elders began which was very large. On 1^st day I was at Pine Street in the morning where I had some service and in the afternoon at Bank where I felt the ownings of that ancient helper of his poor children, whereby I was helped to declare the truth as it is an enlightner of the sons and daughters of men. In the evening it was market Street meeting where I was silent. On second day was at the meeting of Ministers and Elders, that afternoon came on their meeting of business, which continued until 5^th day in the evening, with the meeting of worship, which I attended at Marketstreet & Pinestreet, and Market Street on 5^th day forenoon. Our parting meeting for ministers & elders was on 6^th day morning, when we were favour’d together as we had been often during this yearly meeting which {10 mo 3^rd} was very large. On first day I went to Derby and return’d to Philadelphia with my kind friend Samuel Fisher, being about 7 miles and was at their evening meeting. On 2^nd day I was at the meeting of ministers & elders, on 3^rd at the meeting at Bank, 4^th at Pinestreet where 14 was a marriage, and on 5^th day afternoon set forward on my journey to Goshen and lodged that night at W^m Lower’s being 16 miles from Philadelphia. 6^th day morning went to Goshen, being 8 miles farther and was at their monthly meeting, it was a very low time, and that night went home with Thomas Goodwin to his house where in the evening we had a satisfactory time together. On 7^th day Tho^s. Goodwin, along with Sam^l. Fisher who was with me went to Tho^s. Lightfoots, and I was at the meeting at Uwchland on first day and went back with my kind friends Thomas & Susanna Lightfoot. 2^nd day morning we went to East Caln 10 miles, where we were favour’d together, I being enabled to declare the truth to the People and it was a satisfactory meeting: we went home with Thomas Fisher and lodged there that night, being the 11^th of 10^th month. On 3^rd day I went to west Caln being 7 miles, and had a meeting there and after meeting went home with Andrew Moor, being 8 miles and had a meeting at Sadsbury, on 4^th day, and went home with a friend on our way towards Lampeter, being 13 miles where truth was over all and the meeting ended well, I hope to the honour of the great master of the whole family, yet many are at set down at ease in this land, being favour’d with many good things for it abounds in plenty and outward care is now their lot, and like Israel of old when many 15 of them had, eat to the full forgot that God who had redeemed them. From Lampeter we went home with Isaac Whitelock to Lancaster, being 6 miles and lodged there that night, I had a meeting there next day which was a very low time. The morning following we got out for York being 22 miles, and cross’d the river Susquehanna and lodged at W^m Matthews’s of York Town. On the day following being 1^st day had a meeting at York, and after meeting went about 7 miles on our way and lodged at a friends house, in the morning went to Newberry being about 7 miles it was a very low time, the meeting silent. Went that night about 10 miles, and lodged at William Penroses, the next day was at Warrington Meeting which was hard but ended well: went on our way towards Huntingdon about 7 miles, and lodged at a friends house on the way, and the next day had a meeting at Huntingdon and went home with Isaac Everet being about 3 miles. Next day rode about 8 miles to [Monaleen?] and had a very poor meeting there, being 9 miles, friends are not in a thriving condition there, this world hath got great hold of them plenty of the good things of the earth, and outward care, if not minded is a great hindrance to many & blindeth that eye that would see the uncertainty of our stay here. I went home with a friend and next morn16 ing went to Pipe cree, being 30 miles, and lodged there that night, next day being 7^th had a satisfactory meeting there, truth being over all, and that afternoon went to Bush Creek 14 miles, being there on first day 24^th of 10^th month, after meeting I went to [Monoquisey?], being 10 miles and lodged at Richard Richardson’s that night. Had a meeting there next day, and after meeting we went to Joseph James’s being 16 miles; the day following had a meeting at fairfax, and after meeting went on our way 8 miles towards South York, and next day accompanied by many Friends went to the meeting 10 miles off and after meeting return’d with our friend Jacob Jenny and lodged at his house that night. Wen to Goose Creek next day, and had a meeting in their new meeting house which was very heavy, but ended well, yet upon considering after meeting and the night following I was not easy in looking back, it is a great favour when we have been favour’d to look over our work after such a season, and consider if we have been carried too far. I have never found any thing so safe as to get down to the gate from whence all true intelligence comes, and here is the school of true experience where all things ought to be rectifed and lopp’d off by the secret reproofs of the Father of all our mercies, my desire is that he may purge out all that is of the creature which is not pure in his sight. I went home with William Janney and staid 17 with him that night: next morning, I went to the Gap meeting which was very low, but ended pretty well, and the afternoon went on towards Middlecreek, and lodged on the way at a little house. Next morning we went about 15 miles to a friends house, where we staid dinner, and after went about a mile, and lodged there that night. Next day being first day, and the last in the 10^th month had {10^mo 31} a pretty good meeting there and after dinner went to Hopewell being about 12 miles, we lodged at the widow Jolliffs and were at the monthly meeting at Hopewell, which was large and truth over all, for which my spirit blesses the god of my life. I lodged that night at the same place, and next morning went to Backcreek meeting, being 10 miles, had a meeting there, which was a poor time, and after meeting rode to John Lupton’s 8 miles, and lodged there that night, next morning went to a meeting at Fawcett, about 9 miles, which was satisfactory tho’ things are out of order, yet the great helper was near, and after meeting rode to near crooked run about 12 miles, and lodged at Robert Haines’s that night, and was at the meeting there next day, where the great helper of his poor children was pleased to open with authority, to declare the mysteries of his kingdom to the exaltation of his own name, who is God over all blessed for ever. I lodged that night at Andrew [Mcoy’s?] and the day following 18 being 6^th day, and having been a very wet night, the waters were out, we staid till 7^th day and in the morning set out for Smith Creek, being near 40 miles; we got well on and lodged at a friends house about 5 miles from the meeting. Next day being first, had a meeting and returned about 3 miles, where I lodged that night, and next morning set out on our way towards John Douglass’s being 70 miles, having the Blue Mountains to cross, we rode about 5 miles over them in the dark, and at the foot of the mountain came to what is called an ordinary, we go to lodgings, {in Virginia} and after we were gone to bed, some more company coming in the landlord came with them into the room where we lay, and were exceeding noisy he being drunk, I think he was the most disturbing man I ever met with in all my travels; I got very little sleep that night. Next morning we set forwards, being 20 miles from John Douglass’s, to whose house we got well on, except wet when we arrived there, but found ourselves much more comfortable than at the inn. We had a meeting next day pretty much to satisfaction, and afterwards went to Camp Creek and lodged that night at Charles Moreman’s, and had a meeting there next day, which was a pretty favourable time. After meeting went on our way about 3 miles, and lodged at a friends house towards York creek where I had a meeting next day, the great helper was near and truth over all for which favour my soul 19 blesses the God of Heaven & Earth, who is worthy to be served honoured & obeyed by the children of men. In the evening I had a satisfactory time with a number of people that came in, and next day went to Thomas Pleasant’s and had a meeting at Genits, where I was enabled to declare the truth as it is in Jesus our Lord. The people of Virginia are much out of oder. On the second day of the week we rested to shoe our horses, and get our linen washed. On third day had a meeting at [Fine?] Creek to satisfaction, and went about 43 miles to Amelia, had a meeting there in the evening. Next morning set out for West River about 15 miles, and lodged at Joel Walls’s where we were kindly received, tho’ not in profession with us, yet pretty much convinced of the truth, they had a desire for me to have a meeting with them but time would not permit on account of my wishing to be at the monthly meeting at South River, which was on 7^th day and my guide having to go from home early next morning, we got to near the meeting that night and was there the next day being the smallest monthly meeting I ever was at; I was silent that day and also the next day being first. On second day my kind friend Samuel Fisher and I parted, he returning homeward having accompanied me so far and had been 20 very affectionate to me; I hope he will not loose the reward of peace; our parting was very solemn.

I went on my way towards Banisters, being 62 miles and lodged about 22 miles on my way, having two friends of South River with me; on 3^rd day we got there after dark the way being very indifferent, and had a meeting next day pretty much to satisfaction.

After meeting went to Kirby and had a meeting there the next morning, with a few shatter’d people, for they are all out of order in this part of the country. After meeting we set out for New Garden being upwards of 60 miles, and lodged at a plantation, on our way and arrived there the next day, and was at the monthly meeting the day following, where I had some service and staid there also on first day, the meeting was large, & ended well, after meeting went to the widow Hunts’ and lodged there that night, where my mind was humbled in remembrance of dear William Hunt, whose worth was precious to me. I had something to drop that evening which if taken heed unto will be of service to some who were there, I believe the Lord is at work in some of them, here many friends came to see me. On second day I had a meeting at Deep River, where truth was exalted over all 21 and the Lords name proclaimed. The day following I had a meeting at Muddy Creek where I was silent, and return’d about 13 miles to James Mendenall’s, and on 4^th day 12^th month 1^st had a meeting at Springfield where truth was over all, and a settlement in it recommended to the people, indeed it was a very favour’d opportunity the Lord our God is worthy of all praises and Glory for ever. After meeting we went on our way about 3 miles to dine.

I had Morris Birkbeck now accompanying me towards the South, and back to Philadelphia, we went that night about 10 miles towards Polecat, and had a meeting there next day, it was a low time indeed, and after meeting went on our way towards Cane Creek, intending for the monthly meeting there next day, which was pretty large and a very hard time; I staid there the day following being first day and 5^th of 12^th month, where I was helped to discharge what was brought before me with authority to the rousing of the lukewarm, for many there are in this part of the world who are set down at ease content with a name. I went home with a friend about 7 miles being for spring meeting the next day, where the great helper of his people was near and truth over all. After meeting we went home with a Friend 22 who had come to meet us from Rocky River about 13 miles, had meeting there the next day, which was a very low time, and after meeting went about 17 miles to near Holy Spring, where we had a meeting next day, truth was over all and declared with authority to the honour of the great God and Father of all our mercies, unto whom be all praises & glory with his beloved son, both now and for evermore; we return’d to dine where we lodged and after dinner rode about 23 miles to Cornelius Tyson’s, had a meeting there the next day pretty much to satisfaction, the day following we set out for Pede being upwards of 70 miles, and lodged at a plantation on the road, and got there on l7th day night, and on 1^st day 12^th month 12^th had a meeting there, which was very hard, many of them are in a very staggering condition true religion is in a very low state here, having in a great measure lost the seasoning virtue of truth, and running after uncertainties. The day after we set out for Pinetree being 80 miles, and that night being accompanied by two young men, we made a fire and lay in the woods, and next day after dark I got to the Widow Wiley’s at Pinetree, being thankful that I was preserved in health. Next day being 4^th had a meeting there, 23 where I had hard work for some time, but truth got over all and the meeting ended well, for which my heart is humbly thankful to the God of my life. At this place the members are most of them as it is with the members of the outward body, when out of joint which I think if they are not helped by the great Physician of Value, they will cease to be a people at this place. From Pinetree I went to Bush river, being upwards of 80 miles, and in our way we made a fire in the woods, and laid by it in the night, in the morning my mind was thankful for the great mercies I received from the great lord of heaven & earth who makes hard things easy, and bitter things sweet.

The day following after dark we arrived at Bush river, having rode a long way, thus the lords favours are very great to me enabling me to bear travelling well. The day following being first day we had a meeting there, which was hard in the forepart but ended well. Second day morning we set out for Georgia, being 90 miles and upwards, and lodged the first night at an Inn, and the night following at the Ferry which crosses Savanna river. I lay that night by the fire, but got very little rest, and the day following got to Francis Jones’s in Georgia, & had a 24 meeting there the next day, where truth was over all, the mercies of our God are very great. This meeting is now settled, and I am afraid will not be of great advantage except divers of the members come to be more united to the unchangeable truth than they are at present. I cannot but remark that it was the greatest cross to my natural will to come to this place, than to any I have been at in my journey being far from any settlement, but I was thankful, the Lord is worthy to be followed wheresoe’er he leads his poor servants, yea worthy for evermore. We left Rightsborough on the day following and got 20 miles that night, where we lodged and next morning we set forwards on our journey and got as we thought 50 miles that day, being a stormy season and two young mwn with us, we called to get lodgings and provisions for ourselves & horses but having no stable or any thing for them, we were under the necessity of gathering in the field the dry husks of Indian corn that were left; the night was cold and very wet. Next day being first day and being in the woods we could have no meeting, which humbled my heart very much I not having missed a meeting for 20 years if in health but we were forced to go on in that poor condition, our horses being scarcely fit to travel we 25 got to an Inn, where we procured some provender for them, and went on expecting to get more in going 18 miles further but when we arrived we were much disappointed as we could get nothing, and they were now scarcely able to get forward, however we turn’d them to graze a little and then got on, and rode a few miles further, when we came at a house where we had hard pleading to get something and it was 18 miles to any other house, however at length we got admittance and were favour’d with plenty both for man and horse. In the morning we went on again, tho’ slow for our horses had suffere’d very much and our journey long, however by short stages we got to Charlestown, the first day of the first month {1784}, and the day following being first day had two meetings there, I was not well on which account I appointed a meeting on 4^th day, there are very few and being much of the way made it hard work. I had a meeting also on 6^th day where I was helped to deal in the truth with authority and I hope to the honour of the Lords great names. {Charlestown} We rested here this week as ourselves & horses were in great need. I was very kindly entertain’d by my kind friend John James had two meetings on first day, my spirit being much refresh’d with the lifegiving presence of the Lord our God who is worthy of all honour and glory for ever more. On second day the wind being high we could not cross the ferry. On third day the morning was calm we got over, tho’ with difficulty Morris Birkbeck’s horse being lame he got very slowly on, having nearly 200 miles to go, the first day’s journey was about 26 20 miles on our way, and the night following got to the ferry near George Town, and the morning following cross’d the ferry being 3 miles over. We lodged that night at a planters house who entertain’d us kindly. The day after got to the boundary house where we with difficulty obtain’d lodgings, two of our horses being lame, the next morning we got very slowly on and were under the necessity of taking up our lodgings at a poor Cabin but got plenty for our horses, having John James & a kind neighbour of his for our guides, we were obliged to travel on first day which was a great cross to me we got this night to Wilmington, where we found some in profession with us, and had a meeting with them on 2^nd day, which was a very favourable opportunity truth being over all, the Lord is God worthy for ever to be followed by the children of men. On 3^rd day morning we set forward towards Falling Creek, and that night lodged at a tavern about 34 miles on our way, the day following got to Dupling Court House, and the day after we nearly reached Tho^s Coxes, where we had a meeting on the 6^th day of the week, truth being over all, we lodged that night at Richard Coxes, and the day following being 7^th day got to Contentney and had a satisfactory meeting there on first day, 28^th of first month. The day following got 36 miles to Henry Horne’s where my mind was much oppress’d with the fulness of the man’s discourse, The day following had a meeting there amongst a few shatterd professors which ended pretty well, after meeting we went on our way for Rich Square, being 44 miles, we lodged about 18 miles on our way at a plantation, and the next 27 day reach’d Tho^s Knoy’s near Rich Square, at which place we had a satisfactory meeting the day following. that night we proceeded a little on our way and lodged at a Friends house. In the morning we set out for Pinewood being upwards of 50 miles, and in our way lodged at a friends house, the day following being 7^th day we reach’d Tho^s Newby’s at Pinewood, and had a meeting there the next day, where truth was over all, the Lords mercy still remains over his poor depending Children, my spirit bows before him for he is worthy for ever more. On 3^rd day being the 1^st of 2^nd month, had a meeting at Old neck and on 4^th day attended the Monthly Meeting at Wells, which was very large and truth over all, after meeting there was a marriage which I think should be discouraged by friends everwhere, after which we went on our way about 11 miles that night, the next morning about 7 miles to Simons Creek and had meeting there, the Lords presence was with us and his truth declared with authority in order to rouse up the lukewarm careless professors of truth, who are as stumbling blocks in the way of others, we went that night home with Aaron Morris to near New Biggin Creek, and the next day had a satisfactory meeting there, the Lords lifegiving presence being our crown, the Lords favour is great bowing in spirit to worship at his footstool who is worthy for evermore. That night we went to Trueblood and had a meeting the next day, which was satisfactory truth being over all, after meet^g we rode to Little River being about 16 miles, and had a meeting there the next day, where I was silent, for the Lord is God and would fain settle with the children of men upon the right foundation & for this end disappoints 28 those whose expectations are outward, we came that night to Tho^s Newby’s being about 15 miles, & set out next morning for Virginia, being about 40 miles, and got to the Widow Porters that night, the next day we had a meeting at Summerton, where heavenly help was near & truth declared with authority to the exalting of the true worship of God in spirit & in truth, above the invention of men, my spirit bows before the God of heaven & earth who will plead with the children of men for their ingratitude in turning a deaf ear to his gentle pleadings with them in the secret of their hearts. After meeting we rode to near the Branch, and the day following had a satisfactory meeting there, truth being over all, that night we rode 18 miles, intending to reach Surry meeting the next day, where we met with Eliz^th Robinson, we were much pleas’d to see each other in a strange Land. After meeting we went to a friends house about 3 miles off, where we lodged, and the next day went for the quarterly meet^g of Blackwater, which begun the day following being 7^th day of the week & 12^th of 2^nd month, this was a favourable opportunity truth being over all, the service of the meeting for worship falling chiefly to my lot the authority of truth flow’d like a stream the Lord alone is worthy of all honour & glory who is God over all, blessed for ever. The meeting for business was in the afternoon, but it was a low time for in this part of the world things are very much out of order. Next morning was the meeting of Ministers & Elders a poor time it was, after that was a meeting for worship which was a hard 29 time also, so that there was but little said by way of public testimony for the dependance of the people is too much upon instruments which must be disappointed. The next morning Eliz^th Robinson set forwards toward the south, & we to Black Creek, being 18 miles, we had a meeting there that day, where the great helper was near, and many truths open’d by him, after meeting we went to a friends house & din’d, where I had something to drop which if taken heed unto will be of service to them, we went that night about 16 miles on our way, being for a meeting there the next day, which was satisfactory. After meeting we rode about 18 miles being for Burley meet^g the next day, where the extendings of divine help was handed forth to the honour of the God & Father of all our mercies, who is worthy to be bowed before, now and for ever; it is much to be lamented that the children of men are so much set down in a lukewarm state forgetting the uncertainty of their stay in this changable world where nothing is certain but Death, however the Lord will be clear of all their blood and it will fall heavy upon the heads of the transgressors of his royal law written in their hearts. After meeting we went a little on our way and din’d, and in the afternoon went to Petersburg 18 miles, to Edward Stablers where I rested the day following, having travell’d hard to get there, & on 6^th day had a meeting at Gravel Run, which was a hard time, I din’d at Robert Langley’s, and in the evening return’d with Edward Stabler, and his wife, to their house, on first day had a meeting at Blunford, a very large, and I hope to the honour of the great Lord & Master of the whole world. The day following I had a meeting at Curels where I was favour’d with the renew30 ing of inward strength, to discharge my duty to the people, I hope to the exaltation of the Lords truth; on 3^rd day I had a meeting at Wine Oak, where truth was over all and the Lords name exalted, above the Hills. The day following had a meeting at White Oak Swamp which was hard for sometime, but at the conclusion truth was over all, that night I went home with Joshua Storrs, about 18 miles, to Piecenook, the next day had a a [sic] meeting there, which was very satisfactory truth being in dominion. I stay’d that night with my countryman Joshua Storrs, the day after we went to Cedar Creek where the Quarterly Meeting began next day, which was hard in the forepart, but in the Lords time, his presence being near many truths of the Gospel we declar’d with authority to the stirring up of the lukewarm professors, and if taken heed undo will be of service. The day following being the first day of the week, had the meeting for Ministers & Elders, which was low for sometime, yet favour’d towards the conclusion to discharge, what I believ’d to be my duty, tho’ very close, after that the meeting for worship came on, where hard work fell to my lot, yet was favourd to get thro’, which calls for humility from me who hath no help but the Lord, and who is worthy to be bowed before. That night we went with Patrick Slenry who was very kind to us, and we lodg’d there that night. Next morning we went to Caroline about 14 miles & had a meeting there, where the renewing of strength was wit31 nessed to the rousing up of the careless professors, for I think in this part of Virginia Friends are the most out of order that I ever met with, the rulers most of them not rightly dipp’d into that service. we went on our way that night about 10 miles towards Stafford, and got there next day, being the 1^st day of the 3^rd month, & the day following had a meeting at Stafford, where truth was over all & a right beginning recommended, we set out the next morning for the cliffs of Maryland & lodged at an Ordinary where we were hardly used, paying very dear for our Horses viz 6^d each Horse, for Stable room, & 2^d a piece for a handful of Blades next morning we set out for Benedict, being 30 miles, & when we got there could not get over the Ferry it being very rough, we stay’d there that night, next morning se set out for Marlbro’ up the river, being a very stormy day, & got over the water to Mordecai Smiths’, being in a very wet condition & were very kindly entertain’d. The day following being the first day of the week went about 6 miles to the meeting at Caring Creek being a wet morning, & none come to the meeting, but the few who came from near where we lodged, yet the meeting was satisfactory. That night went about 10 miles to Philip Thomas’s lodg’d there next day, had a meeting at West River which was very hard, for I think true religion is as low in this part of the world as ever I met with in all my travels, care & liberty without watchfulness bringeth spiritual Death, after Meet^g went to the Sidow Plumers near Putaxent where we 32 had a suffering meeting, next day went home with Gerrard Hopkins towards Indian Spring, where we had a meeting next day which was hard but somewhat more to satisfaction than the former meeting yet hard for the good seed of the kingdom seems to be choaked in the greatest part the fat of the Land stupifies the children of men & many neither see nor feel the need they have for a Saviour to save them from sin & keep them alive unto God & so spend their time in forgetfulness of their duty unto their maker altho they make a profession of worshiping him, but earth & spirit are quite different the one performs Cain’s worship & the other Abel’s or spiritual worship which I desire may be solidly considered by all mankind after meeting we went towards Sandy Spring & had a meeting there next day which was a suffering time & I had nothing to say after meeting we went on our way towards Elkridge being near 20 miles had a meeting there the day following where truth was in dominion over all which heal’d my drooping spirit for it had been a very suffering season to me since I enter’d Maryland for they are most of them out of order & the few that are alive are almost slain by them if it be consistant with the Lords will I desire they may be awaken’d unto a sense of their own condition. From Eldridge we went to Baltimore & had a meeting at Patapsco on 1^st day being the 13^th of 3^rd month which was a very favourable opportunity all the glory is due unto the Lord our God for all his mercies are wonderful From Patasco we went after meeting to Gun33powder & had a meeting there next day that night we went about 6 miles on our way towards Littlefalls where we had a meeting next day which was hard for sometime but ended very well. after meeting we went to a Friends house to dine & then went home with Isaac Webster near Bush river, where we had a satisfactory meeting the day following, being owned by the unchangable truth, after meeting we went home with W^m Cox & lodged there that night, next morning we went to Deer Creek and had a meeting there to satisfaction, after which we went to a Friends house & staid there until the next morning & cross’d the Susquehannah, being for little Brittain meeting which was hard for sometime but ended well. The day following being the 7^th day of the week had a meeting at West Nottingham, where truth [&] hope was over the meeting in authority to the humbling of my mind, after meeting we went to East Nottingham & lodged at our worthy Friends John Churchman’s & my mind was calm, was at their meeting at East Nottingham on first day, & I left them easy altho I had no public testimony to drop amongst them, we staid there the day following being a wet day which was very much to our satisfaction; on 3^rd day morning we set out for Philadelphia & got to Chester that night The day following arrived at Philadelphia & were kindly entertaind at my old quarters Joshua Fisher’s & was at the general spring meeting, where I had some service On the 1^st day of the 4^th month set out for the general meet^g at Wilmington, in company with John Churchman 34 lodged at Chester day the following we got to Wilmington the meeting for Ministers & Elders beginning that afternoon, which was a low time, the day after being 1^st day of the week we had 2 hard Meetings, little was said, for there seems to me to be a need for famine, outward expectation & ease brings famine & if not reliev’d Death which seemeth to be the case here, we had 2 meetings on second day which were hard but solid. The morning following we set out for Christiana Bridge, had a meeting there which ended pretty well, after meeting we went to near Sassafrass river, where we had a meeting next day, Mary Leaver & many other Friends being with me. Next day we had a meeting at Cecil pretty much to satisfaction; that night we proceeded towards Chester [River?] intending for the Quarterly & General meeting. 7^th day was their Quarterly meeting where we were favour’d with strength & truth over all, the day following being general meeting was a great number of people & truth over all, that night I went on my way towards Little creek & Mary Leaver intending for Queen Ann’s County, 2^nd day we got to Little Creek had a satisfactory meeting there on third day. After meeting we rode about 6 miles, towards Motherkill, & had a meeting there next day, we afterwards went towards Three Runs where we had a satisfactory meeting next day, truth being over all. We went about 16 miles that night being for Conrade Spring meeting where I had a meeting next day to satisfaction, being enabled to 35 declare the truth with authority, the Lord is good unto his poor Children & worthy of all honour & glory, for it is his due & nothing unto the children of men. the day after being 7^th day we cross’d the Forest to Anashey Creek, being near 50 miles, here I met with Mary Leaver & had a satisfactory meeting next day 1^st of the week and she went back with our guides, & we towards Choptank having with me Liba Ferris of Wilmington, & had a meeting at Choptank on 2^nd day, which was a hard time, we went on our way about 10 miles that night, had a satisfactory meeting at Thirdhaven the day following, & went about 3 miles. Next morning we went about 15 miles to Bayside, & had a satisfactory meeting, & return’d 23 miles, that night lodg’d at Joseph Berris, had a meeting next day at Suckaho, where truth was over all, the Lord our God is worthy of all the honour & praise for it is his due, from this we went to that which is call’d Forest, had a meeting there the day after, which was hard yet I hope ended pretty well. That night rode as far as the head of Chester & lodged at a mill belonging to Thomas Gilpin of Philadelphia & from thence, next morning to near Duckcreek to their monthly meeting, being 7^th of the week & the general meeting coming on next day. I had travell’d hard to get there. On first day came on the general meeting which was large & own’d by truth that went forth with authority in the morning. the afternoon was more hard the day following we had our parting meeting, after which we rode 35 miles to Wilmington & had a satisfactory meeting, tho’ hard work yet the great helper was near for whose favours my spirit bows before the most high for he is a God near at hand. From Wilming36ton I went to Concord & had a very hard meeting there next day. The day following had a meeting at Chichester where a renewal of help was witness’d, the day after being 6^th day of the week had a meeting at Providence, & after meeting went with Thomas Fisher to Philadelphia, where I was kindly entertain’d with a hearty welcome at my kind friend Joshua Fisher’s, I staid there several days & pass’d thro a suffering season I was at many meetings silent. I proposed to leave Philadelphia on first day morning the 8^th of 5^th month but was not fully determin’d, as I was not recover’d from an Indisposition which had attended me some days, I attended several meetings as they came in course, the week following having got a little better, and finding myself easy to leave the city, I set out on 1^st day morning being accompanied by many friends, went to Bayberry and had a very heavy meeting there, I went that night to Bristol, & the day following had a satisfactory meeting, we went that night to Trentown having Joseph Potts of Philadelphia with me, he had a meeting there the next day, and a favour’d meeting it was truth being over all, after meeting we went to Stony brook & had a meeting there the next day, and after meeting went to Plainford where we had one the day following, there two meetings were hard and that night we went to Rawway, and had a satisfactory meeting there next day.

The day following set off for New York & ferried over from the point about 14 miles, but were a long 37 time upon the water, it rain’d much accompanied with Thunder when were were at the Warf, here I lodged at our friend’s Henry Haddocks, at the meeting on first day morning I was silent, in the afternoon I had but a hard time. The day following we cross’d the River to Long Island, and on 3^rd day had a meeting at Newton where I met with John Churchman, being on a visit to the Island and some other meetings in New York government, we we [sic] were glad of each others company. The day following being 4^th day, went to the month meeting of Westberry where we had some service & the morning following we went to Flushing & were at the monthly meeting for ministers & elders, which began at 12 oclock & at 3 the Quarterly meeting of ministers & elders began here we met with Susanna Lightfoot, Eliz^th Robinson, Sarah Morr[is], and many other friends being come to attend the yearly meeting, which began the day after being the 7^th of the week & 28^th of 5^th month, and continued until the 3^rd day following, which was an exercising season, yet I believe was of service from this I with many others went towards Westberry being for the meeting there next day, & sone thing happen’d on the road my horse fell, & another horse being near me I had one upon me, that fell, and the other set his foot upon my back, yet for all this danger which was very great, the Lord preserved me from hurt his favours to me are very great, my soul blesses his worthy name whose hand was at this time betwixt danger, we had a meeting at Westberry the day following, where was 2 marriages which was pretty open 5^th day had a meeting at Com38neck which was silent. 6^th day had a meeting at [Matinock?] where truth was over all. 7^th day we had a meeting at Bethpage, which was a hard suffering time, on 1^st day being the 5^th of 6^th month we had a meeting at Sequeataqui, which was satisfactory, after meeting we went on our way about 30 miles towards Rhode Island, Susanna Lightfoot & Eliz^th Robinson being with me, intending for the yearly meeting in Rhode Island, & had a meeting near the Ferry which was satisfactory, being no friends there, the day following we cross’d the ferry being 30 miles over to New London, & had a meeting in the Courthouse very large; from New London we went on our way towards Rhode Island & got there on 5^th day evening, 6^th day morn^g was at the meeting for Ministers & Elders, when I had some service; the meeting for worship begun at 11 oclock which was a very hard time, the meeting for business begun that afternoon, where things were out of order, the meeting continued until 3^rd day evening which was a very suffering time; yet I was thankful that I was there. On 4^th day morning the 15^th of 6^th month we left Newport & went to Portsmouth, & had an open meet^g truth being our helper, & was declar’d with authority. 5^th day went to Tiverton & had a meeting there, which was hard in the beginning, for in this part of New England the professors are very much bondmen to sinsatan [?sic], professing & not professing, and yeet no people I ever heard of cried out more for liberty than they do, truth helped us to clear ourselves with authority the 39 Lord our God is worthy of all the praises for if his fatherly care was not over his poor servants at this time, to bear up their drooping spirits they would soon faint, but he is good & if often nearer than many are aware of. 6^th day we had a meeting at Compton at 10 o’clock, & at 4 in the afternoon, which was a hard time; 7^th day at Newton where the Lord’s favours were extended to the clearing of myself with authority, first day in the forenoon at Loughplain, which was a very hard time, in the afternoon had a meeting at Cushnot at 4; which was very large & the presbyterian minister proferr’d his worship House, but we had not freedom to go there, and held it in the meeting house where close labour fell to my lot & the great helper afforded strength, who alone is worthy of all the hour for it belongeth to him, from all his children now & for ever more. We went that night towards Poniganlet, on 2^nd day were at the monthly meeting there, a suffering time it was indeed to me, altho’ some others were favour’d to get thro’ yet very hard work it was, after this meeting we were for the Yearly Meeting at Nantucket, & went on board a vessel about 8 oclock next morning, but run aground and were oblig’d to go on shore again, & stay till next morning, in the night I was favour’d with the humbling word of truth with many openings, by the light into the great mysteries, that he in his divine wisdom was pleas’d to open plain to my understanding, next morning we set sail before 7 & got on our way being 65 miles, by water, and got to Nantucket betwixt 10 & 11 at night, & lodg’d at W^m [Rounds?]. The day following had a meeting with friends only, 40 which was a very hard time on 6^th day the yearly meeting began which was a very hard time the public service fell that day mostly to Eliz^th Robinson the day following was very hard & little said, first day was very hard and little said in the morning, in the afternoon there fell on E R & S Lightfoot a suffering season. On 2^nd day morning the meeting of ministers & elders began where the public service fell to my lot which was close; after the meeting for worship a very close time inded fell to my lot but if taken heed unto will be of service for things are much out of order in this Island. We left Nantucket on 3^rd day morning being 28^th of 6^th month E Robinson, S Lightfoot, & two men friends being with me reach’d Falmouth that night, & next day my companion John Simpson went with me to Poningset, again intending to take a few this way towards Boston, the day following being the 5^th day of the week & woth of 6^th month, had a meeting which was a hard close time, yet I was enabled to get thro’, after meeting we went about 16 miles, that night and next day had a meeting at Swansey, where truth was over all, the Lord our God is worthy of all honour & glory for it is his due now & for ever; Truth is in a very low state here, this world & the spirit of it are in more esteem than the riches of another world, and the honour of God, this is left for another time, yet there are a few that are concern’d for the good cause of truth and the Lords 41 name may be exhalted. 7^th day I rested and on 1^st day had a meeting at Freetown, where truth was over all, for which favour my spirit bows before the God of my life, many things were open’d by the light, and a revival was made in their remembrance of the suffering of our worthy friends who suffer’d in this part of the world by the cruelty of the high professors. 4^th day of the 7^th month we went to Boston 42 miles, the day after we had a meeting there, the Lords presence was near, and I was led to treat with them as a father, would reason with his children, when the Public Meeting was over it rested on my mind to desire Friends to stay for I had something on my mind, and I was led to treat closely with them, after meeting we went to Lynn and the day following had a meeting there, where truth was in dominion over all, may I ever bow before the Lord God of Heaven and the whole earth for he is worthy for ever and in his own time will overturn the wisdom of the natural man, by which he is thinking to climb up to Heaven, after meeting we went to Salem, and had a meeting there the next day, and a low time it was for in this part of the world truth is very low; New England hath a readier way to mill the Quakers than formerly, by currying well into them, so that they are the greatest part of them leaven’d pretty much like them, content without the cross Next morning we set out early for Newberry being 27 miles, and had a meeting there at four that afternoon, E Robinson & S Lightfoot being now come up to us again, intending for the Quarterly Meeting at Hampton, we went that night to Almsbury, and had a meeting there the morning following, after meeting went to Hampton, the 42 meeting for ministers & elders came on there that afternoon, which was a very poor time, thus having travell’d hard and being much favour’d by the great Lord of Heaven and earth with ability as to bodily strength, more than I could expect hard things outwardly were made easy, the Lord our God is worthy of all praise, for it is his due for ever; first day being the 10^th of 7^th month we had 2 meetings there, both silent with us that were Strangers, 2^nd day morning meeting for ministers & elders at 8, it was a hard low time, then the meeting for business where things are very much out of order, in the afternoon had the parting meeting for worship, which was ahard time, many people not friends were there, & I think have most of them neither religion nor good breeding, for they behave as tho’ they were at a place of diversion, riding in & out of the meeting house yard, thus much for New England: we left Hampton & return’d to Salem that day, after the adjourn’d meeting was over, being about 35 miles, & had a meeting next day, & the day following was at the monthly meeting at Lynn, where things are much out of order, truth is almost lost in this part of the world, it may be truly said now, as one said formerly, what will become of thy great name & that noble cause our worthies were supported by, that stood the bitter storm of sufferings hereaway. From Lynn we went to Boston again, & had a meeting on 6^th day at 3 in the afternoon, pretty open & quiet, next morning we left Boston, Eliz^th Robinson & Susanna Lightfoot, with some 43 other friends for Mendham, & I and my companion for Bolton being 35 miles, the day following 1^st day of the week had a meeting there & after meeting, rode to Leicester about 23 miles, had a meeting there next day, and after meeting went to North Bridge upwards of 20 miles, from North Bridge we went to Mendham & had a meeting, being 4^th day of the week, where truth was over all the Lord our God is worthy of all praise, it is his due & nothing to man, from this we went to Uxbridge had a meeting there being own’d by the great helper, without whose help no true worship can be perform’d; 6^th day was at Smithfield upper meeting house, where truth was over all, & in the authority many truths were declar’d, the day after being 7^th day of the week, had a meeting at the lower meeting house, which was a hard time, yet all for the best, The Lord our God knows what is most suitable for the children of men & worthy of all Honour & glory forever. First day had a meeting at Providence at 10 in the morning, which was a low time, & at 4 in the afternoon at Nichanticole, being 8 miles pretty open. Second day at Greenwich at 10 a hard meeting, for the eyes of the people are outward expecting to be fed with words, & often stop up the spring of gospel ministry, which is to gather unto the teachings of the spirit of truth, & fit for the true worship of God, from Greenwich I went to the to the [sic] monthly meeting at Newport, next day, & here mete with Morris Birkbeck, Susanna Lightfoot, & Eliz^th Robinson again, the day after being 4^th day of the week I had a meeting appointed at South Kingston, at 2 in the afternoon where truth was uppermost, the Lord our God is good, can my soul say & worthy to be follow’d by the Children of men. From South Kingston to the old meeting at the upper house, on 5^th day which 44 was pretty satisfactory, truth being our helper, the day after had a meeting at Richmond, on 7^th day had a meeting at Hopkintown, at all these places I had some service, the Lord is good to his poor Children, that have none but him to depend on, the professors here away are most of them out of the true way to eternal rest, being set down at ease upon the lap of this present world, & have lost sight of the promised land, where time here shall be no more, my secret breathing is to the God of my life that he would rouze them up, that they may remember the end of their creation, & by humility of heart seek the Lord’s face that they mike live. On 1^st day had a meeting at Westerly a favour’d time it was, truth being in authority. On 2^nd day went back to Kingston to the monthly meeting there, having visited all the particular meetings, before, & was thankful I went back, altho I had to ride hard intending for the Quarterly meeting at Purchase being near 118 miles, we got there a little before the meeting for ministers & elders began, which was the 5^th of 8^th month, it was a very hard time; the day following was the Quarterly meeting where I had close service; the discipline is very low here, as well as in New England, they are much mix’d with this world’s spirit, but it seemeth the root of religion is wanting, on 1^st day was a very large meeting after the manner of a yearly meeting, & many other People came and disturb’d the meeting very much, I think they have neither manners nor good breeding int hem, I never expected that this part of America had produc’d such people that glory in their shame, but pride in their 45 covering & indeed friends (so called) are pretty many of them very much like these in spirit, especially the youth who have too much liberty, from thence we came to Peachpond where I had a meeting on third day, the Lord was near to help & thro the arising of truth & the authority thereof I was enabled to discharge what came before me I hope to the honour of the great name of our God, who with his beloved Son is worthy of all the glory forever, his truth is better than precious ointment may I seek after it while I remain in this present world, is the secret prayer of my heart, that thereby I may be enabled to do my days work in the day time, after meeting I went to Oblong & had a meeting there next day, which was hard, yet all for the best something was dropt towards the conclusion of weight, which if taken heed unto will be of service, the day following had a meeting at Ninepartners which was a hard time, next day had a meeting at Swago a hard meeting, after which my Companion John Simpson left me & cross’d over towards Jersey with John Carter, who had come up with Morris Birkbeck, he being on a religious visit towards Pensylvania [sic], Morris went along with me, J S had been with me into New England & a very agreeable companion he was; on 7^th day we went to Amawalk & had a meeting there, which was hard in the forepart but towards the conclusion truth was in dominion, the Lord our God is the strength of his poor Children, and worthy to be follow’d serv’d & obey’d by the children of men. On 2^nd day had a meeting at Shapaquaw very large and a low time, the minds of the children of men are mostly from home, and would live upon the labour of others. 46 From Shapaquaw we came to Purchase again, & had a meeting there a very close time it was for it is a low time with the professors as they mostly are set down in a lukewarm state, and would judge for God without the spirit of God, and this way of confusion is come in the day following, being 4^th day of the week had a meeting at Mamaraneck, where the ownings of truth was witness’d, & in authority, the Lords name was declar’d to rouse up the lukewarm professors of the unchangable truth, who are set down at ease, this is much the case in this part of the world my heart is humbly thankful to the God of my life who remaineth to be the strength of his poor servants who have none but him to fly unto, the day following we had a meeting at West Chester a low time it was, in the fore part of the meeting, but favour’d at the conclusion, with the renewing of strength to clear myself to the exhaltation of the Lord’s name, after meeting we went to York, being 20 miles and had a meeting there next day, where the Lord’s power was witness’d to cover & strengthen thereby, to testify of his goodness and that without him no acceptable worship can be perform’d, and that his name is yet a strong tower where safety is to be witness’d for every state and station of men, my spirit bows before him for he is worthy forever; the morning following we set out for Ministers & Elders began at 4 that afternoon, it was a low time as it has often happen’d in many parts where my 47 lot has been cast, and one reason seemeth to me is that the earth has dim’d the sight of many of the members. On the day following had 2 large meetings, in the forenoon I was silent, but in the afternoon was favour’d with the renewing of strength to the clearing of myself, & I hop to the exhaltation of the Lords name & power, the Lord’s favour is very great to me a poor worm, not having any might but what cometh from the great helper of his poor Children. 2^nd day morning there was a meeting for worship, & a suffering time it was to me, most part of it thro’ the forwardness of some, so that they thought of breaking up the meeting before I could have an opportunity to get clear, then the meeting for business began & on 3^rd day had a parting meeting of worship after which we rode 30 miles, & next day had a meeting at Bordentown a hard meeting it was but I was easy at the conclusion, next day at Crosswikes, which was a low time the forepart of the meeting, but ended well, truth being in dominion, the Lord our God is worthy of all honour & grace for it is his due, & nothing to man; next day we had a meeting at Freehold, which ended well, that night we rode to Burlington, & the day after being 7^th of the week the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers & Elders was holden, where I had some service, on 1^st day the 28^th of 8^th month at meeting both forenoon and after, in the first meeting I had close service, but in the later was silent, the Lord is worthy to be follow’d & worship’d now & forever 2^nd day morning was a meeting for worship, & then the meeting of business, which was carried on in an old channel 48 they commit the Queries to a few to draw a general answer, after the meeting is over. The day after was their youths meeting, which was large & own’d by the divine wing of ancient Love, truth being in authority, & the seed visited in a wonderful manner, to the honour & glory of the Lord our God, who is forever blessed & worthy to be reverenc’d by all the children of men, from Burlington we went to the Falls, had a meeting there next day, which was a very low time, the people’s expectation is too much outward, I was silent yet easy, that night went to Middletown, & lodg’d at Joshua Richardson’s, who married cousin Jonas Preston’s daughter, we had a meeting next day, where ancient help was near, & truth in dominion, may I ever bless the great & glorious name of the Lord God of my life, who is forever worthy, after meeting we went home with my kind friend Joseph White, and had a meeting at Macklefield next day, which was a very low time, the day following had a meeting at Wrightstown, where the fresh spring of Life was open’d, & truth rose into dominion, everlasting glory & honour belongeth unto the Lord our God, for he his [sic] worthy thereof after meeting we went home with my cousin Sam^l Eastburn, next morning we went to Plumstead, had a meeting there being 1^st day of the week, which was a favour’d time, truth being over all, after meeting we went home with my cousin John Preston, and the day following was at the monthly meeting at Buckingham where I had ser49 vice both in the meetings for worship & discipline, things are much out of order here, a spirit of lukewarmness & indifference prevails over many of the professors of unchangable truth, for want of being dipt into a right sense of their states, as they stand in the sight of the Lord our God which would humble the hearts of the Children of men, the next day had a meeting at Richland, I hope to satisfaction, being own’d by him who is the strength of his poor servants, a support of his own every where, in their lonesome situations, his mercies remain from Generation to Generation, & forever blessed be his glorius name, we went to Potsgrove & had a meeting there, that afternoon, I hope to satisfaction, being own’d by him who is the strength of his People next morning we went to Exeter, and was at the meeting there, notice having miss’d it was small, & a low time, humble thankfulness attendeth my mind unto the God of my life for his great mercies unto me one of the least of his servants the day after we had a meeting at Morden Creek, which was a very Close time, & the great helper was near without whom no acceptable work can be done That night we went to Reading, & had a meeting there next day, a very low time it was, yet I felt thankful that I was there feeling my mind still which is a great favours [sic] from the great Lord of heaven & earth, who is for ever blessed & worthy to be bowed before, after meeting we went to the Forest and had a meeting there, next day being 1^st day of the week & 11^th of the 9^th month it was a pretty open time, altho’ the true worship is at a very low ebb, yet strength was handed 50 forth, from him who is strength in weakness, and a sure lock unto his people, in our works praise him. 2^nd day we had a meeting at Nantmell, which was own’d by the great Lord of Heaven & Earth, & thro’ renew’d strength, truth was declar’d with authority & many things open’d to I hope the honour of the Lord our God, that night we went to Thomas Lightfoots, & the next day had a meeting at Pikeland, it was a very hard time in the forepart of the meeting, yet ended well, & my mind was truly humbled before the Lord our God, whose condescension is very great to me one of the least of his servants, I had been very low in my mind not having had any Letters from home of a long time, but he who can stay the mind, was near to bear up my drooping spirit, I cannot but in reverence bow before him for he is worthy forever, the day following we had a meeting at Providence in Philadelphia county, which was very hard in the beginning but ended well, the next day had a meeting at Plymouth pretty much to satisfaction, yet very close labour, but renewed help was near which remaineth to be the strength & support of the labourers in the Vineyard, of the Lord our God, who is worthy of all praise & glory for it belongeth unto him, both now & forever more. The day following had a meeting at North Wales, it was a very low time, yet all for the best; from North Wales we went to Horsham had a meeting there, which was a hard time but towards the conclusion truth was in dominion, & it ended well the Lords favours are very great, the day following 51 being 1^st day of the week and the 18^th of 9^th month, had a meeting at Abington a favour’d meeting it was, truth being in authority & many things open’d to the exhaltation of the name of the Lourd our God, who alone is the opener of the misteries of his own kingdom, in the afternoon we had another meeting where I was silent and very easy; on 2^nd day was the Monthly Meeting there which I staid & had close service, after meeting that night went to Philadelphia 11 miles, the day after being 3^rd day of the week as at the Bank Monthly Meeting, where I had close service the day after I was at the Monthly Meeting at Pinestreet, which was a favour’d time, & I was thankful I was there: 5^th day I was at the Meeting at Market street where I had close service, on 6^th day went to the meeting at Haddonfield which was very large, being Quarterly Meeting where I had some service, & return’d that night, 7^th day was the meeting of Ministers & Elders, which was very large. It had fallen very heavy on my mind to pay a visit to the Congress that was come from all the provinces to consult of measures what to do, & I got an opportunity on 2^nd day morning & had to warn them to be careful of measures tending to Blood, & they receiv’d my visit as far as I see kindly. I closely attended the several meetings which held until 7^th day night and was closely exercised with many other friends for the revival of our ancient testimony. On first day morning I was enabled to bear testimony to the true worship of our 52 God, in the afternoon was at the Bank meeting, where I had close service, in the evening I was at the meeting at Market street, which was a low time. 2^nd day I attended the Meeting of ministers & elders where I had some service. 3^rd day at the week day meeting at the Bank a suffering time it was to me, but all for the best. 4^th day at Pine-street a small meeting, & very poor, after meeting we went to Woodbury & had a meeting there the next day, where I had some service & the day after, had a meeting at upper Greenwich, which was hard for some time but ended well, the next day had a meeting at Pilesgrove, and on 1^st day at Salem which was hard at the beginning, but ended well, 2^nd day at Alloways creek which ended well, the Lords [sic] is still good & worthy to be followed, served & obeyed, by the children of men. 3^rd day had a meeting at Greenwich which was a favour’d time, truth being in dominion, the goodness and mercy of our God still remaineth to be the strength of his poor children. I had with me my Cousin Samuel Eastburn a valuable friend & William Cooper, whose company was very acceptable & comfortable to me, in a strange land. 4^th day we rode to Morris river & the next day had a meeting about 8 miles up the river, amongst a people not in profession with us, where I was much favour’d with the ownings of truth to the humbling of my mind before the Lord, whose favours are very great that night we rode to Cape May, being above 20 miles & had a meeting there next day, being 6^th day of the week, that night we got over to Great Egg Harbour, where we had a meeting next day, which ended well, altho I was often very poor, yet the riches of the Lord were handed forth in his own time, which is the 53 best, the Lord is yet mindful to gather the children of men unto himself that he might instruct them how to keep from the pollutions of this wicked world. The day following 1^st day had a meeting at the upper meeting house, pretty much to satisfaction, truth being near & fresh help witness’d, which is the crown of our meetings, that night we cross’d over to Little Egg Harbour, & had a poor meeting there, the next day; that night went 10 miles towards Barongate & had a satisfactory meeting there, the next day, truth being in dominion, the day after had a meeting at Potters, altho’ no friends, a person has built a meeting house of his own and lets who he thinks fit have a meeting there. From thence went near 30 miles that night to Squan, & had a meeting there next day, it was a very good meeting, truth was over all dominion and flow’d like a stream, the Lords favours are very great, and worthy is he of all honour & glory now and for ever. The day after we had a meeting at Squancum, here we met with E Robinson, & her companion who intended going to the yearly meeting at Shrewsbury, the meeting for ministers & elders began the next day, being 7^th of the week where I had some service. The day following was a very large meeting & a low time it was. 2^nd day was the Quarterly Meeting for business and worship, altho’ the meeting for worship was favour’d with the ownings of truth yet the people make a frolick of the meeting time, servants having liberty to attend they use it for a cloak to spend their time in vanity, which is a great shame to any people, I think it is time for friends to be sitrred up to consider a way to alter this. 3^rd day was the parting meeting 54 which was a favour’d time truth being over all to the exaltation of the Lor’s ever worthy name, who is indeed ever worthy of all honour & glory, and I hope in his own time will gather out of the vanities of this deluding world, after meeting we set out for Mendham being 70 miles, & got about 25 miles on our way that night, next day we got there which was hard for Man & Horse, some of the road being very rough, we had a meeting there the next day, and after rode to Great Meadows, being 20 miles, some part of the road being the roughest that ever I saw in my life, the next day we had a meeting there, which was a low time in the morning, we set off for Kingswood being near 40 miles & had a meeting there next day being first day, & 30^th of 10 month it was a favour’d time, truth being the crown of the meeting, in the authority of which many things were open’d, & if taken heed unto will be of service to many, who were then present.

After meeting we rode near 10 miles, and had an evening meeting much to my satisfaction, the Lord is still mindful to gather the children of men, from the barren hills of an [illegible word] progression, to the teachings of his own spirit, which alone can bring the heart into order, and subject the will of man to his will. The day following we set out for Mansfield, being 35 miles and the next day had a meeting there, which was hard for a long time but ended well. We have travell’d hard & been often weary but the Lord’s lifegiving presence is sufficient for all, & maketh hard things easy & bitter things sweet, my spirit bows before him for he is 55 worthy for ever. 4^th day had a meeting at upper Springfield where I had some service & on 5^th day morning at Old Springfield a very hard time, in the afternoon at Rancocas a pretty open time. on 6^th day at Mount Holly which was a very hard time. I lodged at John Comforts who married our worthy friend John Woolman’s daughter and we were nearly united together in true love, they are a tender couple, and the Widow liveth with them, my cousin Samuel Eastburn left me here, having travel’d with me several hundred miles, his company was very agreeable, his life being innocent & instructive. 7^th day had a meeting at Evesham where truth was over all and flowed like a stream, from the living spring of life, the Lord our God is worthy of all honour and praise for his mercy endureth from generation to generation, and his loving kindness is not to be sett forth, by the tongues of men, my heart is humbled in thankfulness to behold his merciful regard and tender compassion to the backsliding and rebellious sons & daughters of men. The day following being 1^st day of the week & 6^th day of the 11^th month, I had a large meeting at Moortown it was hard yet all for the best, after meeting I rode to Philadelphia being 10 miles and got to the evening meeting in company with W^m Cooper of that place who had been with me this journey of about 500 miles The next day I was at their Quarterly Meeting which 56 [was] satisfactory to me feeling sweet peace in my bosom which passeth the understanding of the natural man.

The next day was at the youths meeting which was a favour’d time, it being owned by the great helper of his poor servants, in the afternoon I was at a meeting of men Friends, upon whom a care rests to advise in regard to the affairs of the difficult times which was owned by the great Counsellor, much to the comfort of the faithful my spirit bows before the great Lord of heaven and earth, who hath yet a people concerned for the peaceable principle of truth, on 4^th day was at Pinestreet meeting, in the afternoon wrote a letter to my dear wife; on 5^th day was at Market street and that afternoon set off for Chester County, and had a meeting next day at Springfield which was owned with fresh help, the day after being 7^th day, was at the Quarterly meeting of ministers & elders at Concord, 1^st day at a meeting at Middletown, which ended well and that night return’d to Concord and was at their Quarterly meeting on 2^nd day, where I had close service, the day following at the youths meeting at Chester, & after rode to Wilmington, and was at the monthly meeting there, 57 the next day which was a low time, we staid there that night, and the next morning, went to the monthly meeting of Kenet it was a low time yet I was easy, the day after we had a suffering time at Center, and after meeting we went towards London Grove, intending for the Quarterly meeting there, the next day being the 7^th was held the meeting of ministers & elders, where I had some service I then went to Bradford where I had close service, the Lord being near to help, without whom no work can be done to his honour, who is for ever worthy, I return’d that night to near the Grove, and was at the Quarterly meeting the next day, a hard meeting it was yet thro’ the renewing of help I was enabled to get thro’, I hope to the honour of the great name, of the Lord our God. The next day was the parting meeting which was a good meeting, the adjourned meeting of ministers & elders being held at the close of the meeting for worship, where I had some service, after meeting I dined at a Friends house where my beloved Friend John Churchman, & I parted in much unity of spirit. The next day had a meeting at New Garden, where truth was in dominion, and every spirit bound everlasting praise & glory be given unto the Lord 58 God of my life, who remaineth to be unchangeable and his promises from one generation to another to those that love him, causing them to inherit substance. The next day had a meeting at Hockyson where truth was over all, & exalted. The next day at Birmingham pretty much to satisfaction, then to Newtown and on first day 11^th month 27^th I had a meeting at the Valley, and the next day at Radnor, from thence to Haverford and Merion, where I had a meeting on 4^th day of the week, & last day of the 11^th month, & got that night to Philadelphia, having had my kind friend Thomas Fisher with me for some time. I had pretty much service in most of these meetings, being favoured with the life giving presence of the ancient helper of his poor servants, who is worthy of all honour & glory forever. 1^st day of the 12^th month was at the meeting for sufferings, there being now a time of trials coming on in regard to the orders of Congress, whose resolutions were far from seeking reconciliation with Great Britain, altho’ they were warn’d to be careful of going into measures tending to involve in Bloodshed, yet their measures tended wholly to bring into bondage, being drunk with 59 madness & folly, I had a close exercising time & a concern upon my mind, to visit the families of friends in Pinestreet meeting, which I engaged in, & my Cousin Sam^l Eastburn attended me, for some time, whose company & service was very acceptable to me & others, & thro’ the great favour of the Lord who is worthy to be honoured & obeyed by the children of men I was enabled to discharge what was before me to the comfort of the honest hearted, & the stirring up of the lukewarm & careless professors I attended the meetings in the City as they came in course, where very close plain dealing was the way I was led, in warning the people to beware of the spirit of the prevailing Commotions of the times which many were tinctured with, so that the testimony of truth was in danger of being trampled on, & hard close labour fell to the lot of a few from time to time, in order to prevail to declare to the world in plain terms, that we deny’d all the contrivances & combinations of men, as being out of the wisdom of God, when I had pretty near gone thro Pinestreet M^o. meeting I had a prospect of embarking for England, and acquainted friends at Pinestreet monthly meeting, & some preparation was made but when the ship was ready to sail, a fresh [exer]cise fell very heavy on my spirit so that I could not leave 60 this land, my work not being yet finish’d, & I was glad that I stay’d, some close & heavy labour falling to my lot, & a further visit to the families at the Bank in company with Eliz^th Robinson, Sam^l Noble, & Margery Norton. I stay’d the Quarterly Meeting at Philadelphia which was very large, & left there on 6^th day morning the 19^th of 2 mo. in company with W^m Brown, for the Quarterly Meeting at Concord, which was very large & owned with the renewing of help, to the discharging of what came before me & from Concord, went to the Youths’ Meeting at Providence, on 3^rd day, which was a satisfactory meeting, the Lord’s name remaineth to be a strong tower, where safety ever was, & ever will be, witness’d, by his poor depending children, the Lord God is worthy of all honour & glory now & for ever.

From Providence we went to the monthly meeting at Wilmingston 4^th day, on 5^th was at the mo^y meeting at Center, on 6^th at the monthly meeting at Bradford, where truth was over the meeting these meetings were much out of order, a lukewarm spirit having prevail’d in many of the professors, & many things very disagreeable crept in amongst them, on 7^th day went to 61 [page missing—to be inserted]

62 time of heavenly Love to the tendering of many hearts, especially of the Youth, I can truly say we took our leave one of another in that love which God is the author of. On 4^th day went back to the Mo: Meeting at Falls in Bucks County, where the renewing of strength was witness’d. On 5^th day was at the mo: Meeting at Middleton where heavenly help was near, to support the poor depending children who have none but the Lord to look unto, I then thought to have return’d to Philadelphia and Sam^l Eastburn went home that night, but in the night an exercise came upon my mind to go to Buckingham, & be at their Monthly Meeting on 2^nd day. I called at Wrightstown, there being a meeting appointed for two friends of Chester County: that night I got to my Cousin Sam^l Eastburn’s, who was glad to see me I was at their meeting both on 1^st & 2^nd day where I had exercising & close service, things being much out of order, by a spirit that would divide & scatter. 3^rd day I went to the Monthly meeting at Wrightstown & here my belove’d friend Thomas Fisher met me & the day after being the 8^th of the 3^rd mo: we got to Philadelphia; where I was gladly received by Joshua Fisher & family, having been closely engaged in these Quarterly & monthly meetings, warning them to beware of the 63 confus’d spirit of this world. I was thankful that I had given up to go to all these meetings, and as ability was received had discharg’d myself of a burthen, that had been very heavy; I staid in Philadelphia until the 23^rd of the 3^rd mo, & then went over to Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting, & return’d to Philadelphia, the spring meeting beginning on the 25^th which I had a desire to attend before I left this land to take my leave of them where they gave me a certificate to friends in England: I was at the Monthly Meeting at Pine-street on 4^th day where they certified of the labour I had been engaged in, in visiting the families of friends. No suitable Vessel being going to London at which Port I had a desire to land, & feeling an openness to go down to Wilmington Yearly meeting, my kind friends Phebe & Esther Fisher took me down in their Carriage, & I was glad that I was there, after the meeting was over having an engagement on my mind to go as far as Chester River in Maryland, was at a meeting at Newcastle appointed by Eliz^th Robinson held in the Court house, next day had a meeting at Christian Bridge where truth was in dominion, unto the Lord our God belongeth all the praises now & forever. the day after had a meeting at Sassafrass & that night rode to Chester river, & a mistake being made about the meeting 64 had one appointed that day, being 6^th day of the week which was owned by the helper of his poor servants, I was clear to leave the Yearly Meeting; which fell the week following. that night we went about 15 miles towards Duck Creek, having David Ferres of Wilmington with me & had a meeting there on 1^st day, after meeting went about 12 miles having a meeting appointed next day, rode to Wilmington after meeting, being desirous to get to Philadelphia again, in order if possible to get to England, I now seeming pretty clear of America. I had been led for some time scarcely knowing where to go next, but all was for the best, at Wilmington I met with Morris Birkbeck who was waiting for a passage to England, but the winds being contrary the vessels could not get in, but one was expected every day, & was to go to London again in which we intended to go if we found freedom. I took my leave of Friends of Philadelphia the 29^th of 4^th month 1775 in order to return to my Native Land, that night came down to Chester, there being many friends we had an evening meeting & were favour’d together, the next morning about 6 we went on board the Pilot Boat, to go down to Newcastle, the vessel having gone the night before we took leave of our dear friends that came from Philadelphia being several of us in Company as Mary Leaver,65 Eliz^th Robinson, Morris Birkbeck, Jabez Fisher, Tho^s Pool, George Logan & Bartholomew Webster we got on board near the 11^th hour being a brigg called the Two Friends Peter Brewster Captain, we got down about 3 miles below Reeds Island that night, & there anchor’d, the afternoon being wet & the wind pretty high, near a head, the next morning being the 1^st of 5^th month we set sail, soon, having a fine morning & got well on; this morning feeling my mind covered with the Father’s love & the remembrance of my dear friends at Philadelphia brought near unto me I wrote a few lines to my kind friend Esther Fisher, whose kindness with the whole family had been very great to me, I went the letter by the Pilot Boat, which left us about the 2^nd hour that afternoon, Thomas Cloudsdale returning home. That night we got well on until about 11 when it rain’d & thunder’d with lightening, the the [sic] morning following the wind was pretty fresh & fine we got well on our way toward my native land, which with the many favours I receiv’d calleth for humble thankfulness unto the God of my life, whose presence I feel near at the time, may I never forget him while I live in this world, but be enabled to serve, worship & follow him all my days, the wind continued about south all day & we got pretty well on; the morning following 66 being 4^th day of the week the wind at N. East & almost calm we got but slowly on, continued calm all day and night. Next morning little wind, but what we got was the right way, the wind continued very weak until near night, then sprung up a little & continued all night, we got well on our right way toward our Native Land, the Lord’s mercy is very great, a father he is indeed & worthy to be waited upon, sought unto, & obey’d. O! that the children of men would love him, & seek the welfare one of another, then would oppression & cruelty cease & virtue flow like a stream, the earth a servant & the children of men servants of the living God.

The next morning the wind south & the sea smooth we got finely on, everlasting praises are due unto God, now & forever, may I never forget his loving kindness to me, a poor worm, this day we had a deal of thunder & lightening with rain, & continued until near night, but got well on, in the night the wind shifted & in the morning went East by South, it being almost a head, we got on slowly, we held our meeting on 4^th day & 6^th day in the Cabin, which I think is our duty when we can, to feel after a support from him, who is strength in weakness and hath in store that sure stay and staff we poor mortals stand in need of; this day the 67 wind & sea were very high, the waves broke upon our vessel very much so that we were fain to carry little sail, it continued all night very rough. The next day being first of the week, the sea continued very rough so that we could not hold our meeting, many of our company were sickly, on 2^nd day morning the wind was very weak, so that we got little on, towards noon a fresh breeze came and continued all night, so we got well on our way, which calls for thankfulness unto the Lord our God who rules both sea & land. on 3^rd day morning the wind continued fresh & in our favour, so that we run before it all day & night. 4^th day morning the wind still continued fresh, & as I was thoughtfully considering, my mind was solidly touched with the remembrance of my dear Wife & Children, not having had a letter from them of a long time, but resignation to the will of him who fills heaven & earth, my heart desireth to press after, with desires for his watchful care over them, who alone can & will be a husband to the Widow & father to the fatherless as their desires are turn’d unto him, which is the breathing of my spirit unto the Lord God of my life, for my dear Wife & Children 68 at this time, as well as a many others, for they have often been near unto my life, that they may have a habitation with the Lord forever, & that these light afflictions which are but for a short time, may work for them & a more exceeding weight of glory by joining them unto the Lord by a perpetual covenant never to be broken, the wind continued fair all day, being a little overcast with some rain carried us towards our native land. 5^th day morning fine, & the wind fair for us, we kept our right course, which calleth for humble thankfulness unto the mighty ruler of sea & land, whose name is a strong Tower and ever was, is and will be unto all those who are concern’d to seek after the ever blessed truth as it is in Christ Jesus our Lord, it continued fair until about the 5^th hour this afternoon when it came on rain & alter’d to the North West so we got on slowly most of the night, in the morning it grew more favourable & we got pretty well on again for some time, in the afternoon the wind rose very high & boisterous, so that we could carry but little sail, the sea running high & continued all night, my mind was calm & easy I cannot but acknowledge the Father’s Love to me is very great, thus to stay my mind in 69 time of need, yea, forever blessed be his everlasting name who was Jacob’s stay in his youth, & staff in his old age, may I be enabled to follow him all my days; on 7^th day morning very rough continued all day, and all night very stormy & cold, remained so all day, we held our meeting being 1^st day day, at night the wind was a head of us, & continued so till 2^nd day morning, so that we made little progress, but this is the way of poor seafaring men to meet with rough & contrary winds, so that to beg for patience is very necessary for them; I had been very poorly but was better this morning, which with the many favours I receive from the great father of all our mercies, calls for humble & reverent thankfulness unto the Lord God and the Lamb; the wind continued all day but low & directly a head, so that we went North & one point to the West some part of the day & then made another tack, all that night we went South East by East, which was nearer our right course than the day before, the wind continued all day a head and in the night but little, in the morning very little wind but what we got was the right way: this day being 4^th we held our meeting in the cabin as usual, the wind sprang up, & in the afternoon we got bravely on our right 70 way, it continued all night a fine breeze, on 5^th day morning the wind still continued fair; & we run before it, my heart is humbly thankful unto him who is the everlasting found of all good, his mercies are very great unto the children of men, the wind continued fair all day but very weak, what we got was right. This night as I lay in bed & thoughtfully considering of the state of things in this present world, my heart was affected to think of the states of men professing the Christian name, & the oppression which ariseth from following after the God of this world, how many are endeavouring to gratify a vain mind, so that they lay hold of every thing they can to come at their ends, & the poor industrious all this time in our land, have been the first thing that the people in America have struck at, for it was was [sic] the opinion of the wise men in that part of the world, the way for them to get what they wanted was to stop all their trade, & the poor would rise, & altho’ there is so much pleading for religion, Charity & Love are excluded out of many of their hearts, O that the Lord would be pleas’d to open the eyes of the children of men, & shew them where they are, for 71 I perceive many of them are in the gall of bitterness & of iniquity, the Lord hath done abundance for the children of men, the earth is full of his blessings, but alas! too many are bestowing them upon their lusts, & the name of the Lord is cast behind their backs, professing in words & denying in practice, there is now a generation arose that know not the afflictions of Joseph, & how the Lord was with the settlers when the American land was first settled especially that of Pensylvania [sic] if it be the Lords will to purge away pride & extortion covetousness & blasphemy of the name of the Lord God & the Lamb before whom every knee must bow & every tongue confess, either in money or in judgment. 6^th day morning the wind at south west 7 fresh, we got well on towards our native land, the Lord God hath been a support to my spirit thro’ many trying seasons when the enemy of all good hath been very busy to disturb that settled peace which he envies & cannot give, but the Lords arm is not shorten’d nor his ear heavy that he cannot hear, may mine eye be singly devoted unto the Lord God of heaven & earth, who is worthy forever, the 72 wind fair all day & night. 7^th day a fine breeze continued all day very fair & until about the 2^nd hour in the morning, the wind shifted north. 1^st day morning wind north we got pretty well on, & held our meeting in the Cabin, 2^nd day morning the wind continued north & was so all day, in the night it got more east on 3^rd day morning we went east south west my mind was humbled this morning to feel the loving kindness of a merciful God, that still looketh down upon the workmanship of his hand, may I be enabled to follow him in the way of his leading all my days, to that his glorious truth may be exhalted over all for he is worthy this his beloved son both now & forever more. the wind continued all day against us, & we stood to the north and went so all night, 5^th day morning the wind still was a head continued all day pretty much so it got a little south east & we got more on our right way; in the morning spoke with a Brig from Waterford going to Newfoundland, we were going north east by east, we held our Meeting yesterday as we usually did I believe 73 it is our duty to feel after the renewing of strength to support thro’ the trials of our day which we have to pass for many are the afflictions & trials to be met with in this life, but the Lords name is a precious [blessing & ?] nothing else can heal & support the soul that [illegible] like the pure love of God, may I be enabled to seek after it from one time to another, that thereby I may be enabled to do my days work in the day time; before the night cometh wherein no man can work; I had a time of inward suffering & poverty to pass thro’, but all for the best, that I may be kept humble before the Lord who is worthy to be sought unto, served, worshiped, & obeyed, for he is god blessed forever more. We held our course pretty well all night, 6^th day morning the wind fresh near south, we lay close to the wind & got pretty well on all the day & in the night was very fresh and we kept our course we held our meeting as usual but a little later thro’ thro [sic] the indisposition of Morris Birkbeck. 2^nd day morning the wind still continued pretty much south, so we had got well on for some time, which with the many favours we 74 enjoy calleth for thankfulness. The wind continued all day south so that we kept pretty much on our course in the night it got more easterly so that we could not hold our course but lay as close to the wind as possible, in the morning remain’d pretty much as it had been in the night. 4^th day morning the wind almost east, we steered south for some time, having gone too much north yesterday so that we had got little on our way for the last 24 hours, the wind still continued a head so that we were obliged to continue our course south west by south all day & night, in the morning about 8 oclock they alter’d the course north east so that we beat about getting very little nearer, the wind still a head all day & night, so that we got little on our way, this was our allotment and calls for our humble attention to watch against our own wills, & beg for resignation to the divine will, that we may not offend so gracious a being without whom we are captivated from overcoming the many trials we have to pass thro’ in our pil 75grimage thro’ time. 6^th day morning the wind still a head continued so all day & night so that we went south, 7^th day morning the wind east, so that we got very little on our way & a remembrance of my native land & family came very near to me which brought me very low but being favour’d with strength to beg, I found some little relief, for in a time of distress & want the enemy is never wanting to cast down, even into the very bottom, which was my lot to be tryed at this time, indeed when we have done the will of God, we have need to beg for patience, to wait for him who alone can still the waves within & without & make Jerusalem a quiet habitation, and then our earthly wills will be silent, & he who alone can, will perfect his own praise, who with his beloved son is forever worthy. 1^st day morning the wind still continued a head, so that we kept moving pretty much north & then south, getting very little on our way for the last 5 days, feeling the love of God this morning I cannot but acknowledge his mercies are great in looking down upon me a poor worm, who hath no 76 might nor strength of my own, to preserve either in heights or in depths, all good cometh from the Lord God & the Lamb & glory & honour due now & forever, O that I may be enabled to persevere in the way well pleasing in God’s sight to the end of my days, for I can truly say he is a God of mercy & truth, pity & relief is and ever hath been his paternal regard to the poor in spirit. wnd day morning the wind still continued a head, so that we remained in the same situation; we held our meeting on 1^st day where we were favoured together with the lifegiving presence of our God to the humbling of our hearts before him. The wind shifted about 3 this afternoon, & was almost calm, continued very little all night, yet what we had was the right way. 3^rd day morning the wind fair but low, continued low all day & night, in the morning the sea smooth & the wind weak, yet the little we got was the right way, we held our meeting as usual, which was a time of favour; the wind sprung up & we got pretty well on, about 8 oclock sounded & found ground at 70 fathoms, the wind still 77 continued fair, on 5^th day the wind south west we got pretty well on, & about 12 oclock sounded again & found 60 fathoms, this afternoon we spoke with a Dutch Ship going to St. Sebastian, we kept our course until about 2 on 6^th day morning, the came [sic] east, & then we stood north by west & about 12 oclock came up with land a little above the Lizard, having been 39 days from the Capes of Delaware, we held our meeting as usual, in the afternoon it fell calm & in the night the wind changed to south west 7 in the morning a fresh breeze. Having had a great deal of head winds in our passage. My mind had often been humbled, in our passage over the mighty waters, & thankfulness at times rais’d unto the mighty ruler of the deep who is God over all his works, I have often found the need I have to seek after him for help & to beg for his commanding word when waves beat within, which always have been suffer’d to beat upon those that were desirous to do their days work in the day time, thanksgiving & praise belong unto the Lord God & the lamb forever more; towards 78 night the wind failed & in the night very little wind. 1^st day morning calm & continued the forepart of the day, we held our meeting in the Cabin, & many of the Sailors came down & we had a favoured time together, continued calm all day so that what we got by the flood we lost by the Ebb, in the night very little wind so that we got slowly on. 2^nd day morning, abreast of the Isle of White, a little more breeze than in the forepart of the night, the wind continued very weak most part of the day, in the evening got on a little better until [illegible] oclock, when abreast of Beachy Head & then made a tack & stood off, & we lost with this Ebb, 3^rd day morning a little breeze, but towards night got a head, so that we got very little on, the wind remained a head all night & in the morning, we had made little progress, were were [sic] now near Dungeness, the wind east so that they often tack’d about, this morning several of our company went off in a boat, having 20 miles to go to Dover, were we landed the 15^th of the 6^th 79 month 1775, and arrived in London the 16^th.