William Rotch, Sr. letter to Thomas Rotch, New Bedford 11th mo 8th 1802

               
B-163-38
                                New Bedford 11th mo 8th 1802
Dear Son
		Thy truly acceptable lines of the 14th ult with
Dear Charity addition to Mary came safe to hand. Thy care
& sympathy towards us is gratefull; when I reflect on the mind of
engagements that falls to our lot, we have some consolation in consi-
-dering that it is not at this day in pursuing & accumulating the things
of this world, but it seems sometimes as though it was high time, (as
Martha once mentioned in publick) for some to shut up shop, for surely
it seems much our case, as time is so far advanced that there can be but
few more grains of Sand to run; retirement is necessary, yet we are glad to 
have our friends mind us, to be deprived of that would rob us of one of the
greatest enjoyments in this life, as to externals therefore I hope we shall
press through the world of incumbances that surround us, & if we can
reorder all the trials gain an admittance into that undisturbed rest where
peace forever reigns, it matters little what our sufferings are in this life.
	Our beloved friend Martha with her husband left us yesterday
afternoon, lodg d at J Austins last night, and this morning early went off
for Providence, we set them on with our horses & little Carriage for that
place, when they propose keeping the Carriage & hiring horses from place
to place until they reach New York etc, as they will make yr
house in their way, Martha no doubt will open her prospects to you
we sincerely with thou & Dr. Charity could be here as W. Fishers marriage
it need not detain you long if inconvenient to stay, as they propose consummating
it I believe on the 25 Int & going very soon for Philada, cannot you come
our family s very small & we are really desirous to see you, from that flow of