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1832 . . . I humbly and earnestly pray to be spared; that I may train them as well as I am able, in the way they should go. Greensborough 8 April 1832 Once more I sit down to my neglected Journal , to note down the birth of our seventh child, and third son, now six weeks old. Whilst ready to shrink from the additional responsibility it imposes, I thank and bless my Creator, who mercifully took me from the midst of danger, and placed me in comparative ease and health, with a child of great promise in my arms. He is unusually large boned and strong, tho’ not so fat as my little ones generally are. The upper part of his face, and his head belong to the Gayle family, the lower to the Haynsworth. His eyes are blue, the pure cerulean, and his temples go back, like his father’s, having the same quiet, bland expression, and I have no doubt, that his likeness will predominate. No name has yet been given him. My earnest wish was to call him John, but I believe it will not be that. Mr. Gayle tells me to name him for my father, and it would be difficult for me to give a reason for hesitating, when my very heart would bestow it. My strength and general health return but slowly. Indeed, I am far from being well, and ought, I feel convinced, take steps to improve it; but it appears, as long as I am not prostrated, I am contented to creep through life, with just enough of ill-­ health to make me feeble in body, and gloomy and anxious in mind. 11 April [1832] Mrs. [Ann] Sanderson was married last night to a Major [Nelson] McKinney, a gentleman of great respectability, residing in Perry county, a widower in good circumstances, three of whose children are married, and two [are] at home. Mrs. Sanderson herself, has three children, two sons, and a daughter, who lives with Mrs. Caskaden, all more than commonly pretty and interesting children. She, of all 206 1832 persons I ever knew, ought to be strong in faith of an over-­ruling Providence. When I became acquainted with her, perhaps five years ago, no one could be in a more destitute , helpless condition. Naturally of a somewhat indolent turn, without employment , without a protector, herself and three children to clothe, feed, educate and provide a shelter for; and added to these, might be named the misfortune of having a wish to visit, dress and act above the station in which she had been placed. At length the persuasions of those who pitied her, and liked the good qualities she really possessed, induced her to take a small school in the country. After that was dismissed she made an engagement with Mrs. Harrison, to teach her family [for] six months. The time would have expired about this month, and none knew to what she would turn after that. In the mean time, Majr. McKinney saw, fancied and addressed her; and now she is doubtless a happy wife, and in possession of all the comforts of home. Surely hope should preponderate in the human heart. My near neighbor, Mrs. Harrison, has quite a display of cake &c. in preparation for her daughter Mary’s wedding, which is to take place on tomorrow evening. The happy man is a Mr. [Samuel M.] Stewart, at present, an assistant Teacher to Mr. James. I think both him and his pupils are to be pitied while the honey-­ moon lasts—long may it be, before its wane!_____ He will have but little patience to search for the “grain of wheat” which will be offered daily by the boys “in a bushel of chaff.” Mrs. Marrast has a daughter five days younger than our boy, and Mrs. Lake a son only two weeks his junior. One is named Virginia the other Joseph. Mrs. Erwin is in her fourth month qualms, so, I believe is Swep, and Anna expects hourly. Dear Nancy has a son a month old, called John Edmund for its two grand-­ fathers. May 16 1832I write again from a sick bed, where I have been confined more than two weeks. The disease, or rather diseases have nearly disappeared, leaving me in a state of great weakness. Nor, unfortunately, have I been the only sufferer—my poor boy, who had just begun to thrive and fatten, has been fed for the last 12 days; and while he...

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