University of Virginia Library

Sept'r 10.

I doe find myself truly comfortable at this place.
My two cousins, Polly and Thankful, are both young,
unmarried Women, verie kind and pleasant, and, since
my Newbury friends left, I have been learning of them
manie things pertaining to Housekeeping, albeit I am
still but a poor Scholar. Uncle is Marshall of the
Province, which takes him much from home, and Aunt,
who is a sicklie Woman, keeps much in her Chamber,
soe that the affairs of the Household and of the Plantation
doe mainlie rest upon the young Women. If ever
I get back to Hilton Grange again, I shall have tales to
tell of my baking and brewing, of my Pumpkin Pies,
and Bread made of the Flour of the Indian corn; yea,
more, of gathering of the wild Fruit in the Woods, and
Cranberries in the Meadows, milking the Cowes, and
looking after the Piggs and barn-yard Fowles. Then,
too, we have had manie pleasant little Journies by

Water and on horseback, young Mr. Jordan, of Spurwink,
who hath asked Polly in Marriage, going with us.
A right comelie youth he is, but a great Churchman,
as might be expected, his Father being the Minister of
the Black Point People, and verie bitter towards the
Massachusetts, and its Clergy and Government. My
Uncle, who meddles little with Church matters, thinks
him a hopeful young Man, and not an ill Suitor for his
Daughter. He hath been in England for his learning,
and is accounted a Scholar, but, although intended for
the Church service, he inclineth more to the Life of a
Planter, and taketh the charge of his Father's Plantation
at Spurwink. Polly is not beautiful and graceful
like Rebecca Rawson, but she hath freshness of Youth
and Health, and a certain good-heartedness of Look
and Voice, and a sweetness of Temper which doe
commend her in the Eyes of all. Thankful is older
by some years, and if not as cheerful and merrie as
her Sister, it needs not be marvelled at, since one
whom she loved was killed in the Narragansett countrie
two Years ago. Oh, these bloodie Warres! There
be few in these Eastern Provinces who have not been
called to mourn the loss of some neare and deare
friend, soe that of a truth, the land mourns.