THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH.
Walked through the market though not market day, a large supply of everything, the butchers in clean shirts and some with smart collars; vegetables of every form and colour, at least ten cart loads of melons six to twenty four inches long. Called upon Mrs. Hughes once Miss Robson, talked about Mrs. Kay, Jeffery Smith, Alice Mason and Esther Scholes, then to the book sale confined to the trade; told young Frank Taylor he would soon make his fortune and then come and spend it in England. On mentioning my ignorance about quills, F. T. said it was a mysterious business and booksellers were often deceived; the same with sealing wax till it was tried. F. T. desired me to send C. D. over and he would show him 10,000 different insects every year. Called again upon the Haslams and found myself invited to spend the evening at Mr. Vaughan's. Walked through the rooms, sat in Dr. Franklin's chair and also that of Columbus. Invited to breakfast with Mr. V., asked whether tea or coffee; returned, and spent the evening with the Haslams. Called again at Mr. Hulme's but Mr. H. had not returned from N.Y. Urged very much to write on my arrival. Mrs. H. desires me to say at the Dean's foundry, that her son was comfortably settled upon 400 acres of land in Canada; and had children.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH.
Called upon J. Scholfield on my way to Mr. Vaughan's; found Mr. V. busy writing, spent upwards of an hour most delightfully with Mr. V. and his old acquaintance Mr. De Pontean. I said to the old gentleman they seemed to know each other, he replied, "We have been 50 years trying to find out each other." Walked to see Dr. Franklin's grave; by means of a chair I scrambled up the wall and read as follows:
| Benjamin and | } | Franklin. |
| Deborah |
Found a blind school to be a favourite object with Mr. V., presented ten dollars. Found Mr. Scholfield at the hotel with several pamphlets. He and his son-in-law Patten, and young Moss accompanied me to the steamer. Old Mr. V. met me there and also young Hodkinson. Found it necessary to tear myself away from Philadelphia as the longer I stayed the more difficulty in getting away. Left at 10½, got to Trenton about two, rained most of the way. Finding no stage to Laurenceville engaged a dearborn[32] or covered gig for another ¼ dollar. Learned on my way that John was gone from home. Found Mr. and Mrs. Bowker, also a young Rollanson nephew of Mr. J. R. at Philadelphia with W. B. to learn farming. Immediately had coffee, then peaches and melons most of the afternoon, then tea and more fruit. A chat and to bed at half past nine. Slept with young Rollanson.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH.
Got up soon after six; rested pretty well. Set off to Trenton to market, purchased a basket of peaches for 20 cents. Had some conversation with a lusty ironmonger, etc., then purchased a little gingerbread and two pair neck laces ¾ dollars. Drove back another way, part of the road through the forest. Ate some more most delicious melons, set off to Laurenceville Post Office, got the American Farmers' monthly publication; then called upon Mr. Phillips, a very sensible pleasant gentleman; also Mrs. P. from Philadelphia. After dinner sat under the shade of the trees near the house chatting about home, then walked into the cornfields. Some corn ten to twenty feet high, with ears 12 to 16 inches, then through the orchard, many of the Newtown Pippins and others equally large, the ground covered with fine apples. Mr. B. plucking one off the trees biting a piece throwing it to the ground. The quantity, size, and quality truly surprising; more like a dream than a reality. Then went to see some plowing, met with a serpent about two feet long that jumped into some water. Mr. B. got a large stick and at length poked it out, the sting quite visible, it coiled itself up for a spring; he struck it and a whole frog was found in its belly undigested and yet it was in pursuit of another. Mr. and Mrs. Green's son and daughter came to spend the evening with us. Mr. G. an old settler, and a Puritan, said a long grace and then we had another melon feast. Mr. B. gave them about a score of very fine ones; left the "Child's own Book."
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH.
Did not rise until after seven; Mr. B. presented me with tips of Indian arrows for Mr. Baker and C. D. After breakfast Mr. B. and I walked out together, visited the family graveyard 5 or 6 of the old settlers, Brearley buried in 1756, about 50 years of age, and younger branches of the family. Partook of some more melons, truly delicious. Set off to Church, found a nice spacious clean place; a poor respectable audience rigged out as Mr. B. said in their best, the singing chiefly managed by one person in the Walmsley tone; as in all other places not much joined in by the congregation; the prayers simple and unobjectionable, but the sermon very poor, ultra orthodox thing, text 8 Romans, first six verses, Original sin, morality, etc. worse than Pike Presbyterianism, and worse than English Calvinism, Redemption by Christ deferred till next Sunday when the Sacrament will be delivered; notice of two new members having been examined and then admitted. Mr. Axton the minister a man about 30 years old, gives notice of a giving day when all kinds of presents are made. Tea, etc., prepared by the young folks, and the young ladies serve it out; only one service. Engaged to visit at Mr. Clarke's whose daughter is engaged to Jonathan Bowker, she is a pleasing unaffected person. On returning from Chapel I expressed a very great wish to see a humming bird. Mr. B. said they were often about some flowers near the pump; just coming to the house I observed one not much larger than a large bee, going into one of the red flowers resembling the honeysuckle.