B-163-47
New Bedford 11th mo 14th 1808
Dear Son Thomas
I have this day put on board Capn Huckins
5 Barrels of Apples for thy acceptance, (The Freight is paid),
I hope they will reach in safety, but ours decay more rapidly than
I ever knew them, which I fear will be the case with these, tho all sound
when put into the Barrells three days ago. we heard of thy reaching home
by a letter to Wm & by another hand of thy making thy way on 7th day eveng,
and getting to Cranston, & staying Meetg, there, which perhaps was all
right. Asa Russell & John Howland still living, but very little prospect
of either of their recovery, Asa exceedingly low, and deprive'd of his reason at times
to a considerable degree, that I only consider there is a possibility of his recovery
but really no probability, he has had his ups & downs as to the prospect before
him, after being fully resigned to quit this scene of probation, telling me the
world look'd dark & confused, but to look forward all was clear, & he saw nothing
in his way to a happy Eternity - after that his mind became more weak, and
he apprehended he had Gospel service presented to his view, this created a
desire to be raised again, & for a time kept him in an unsettled state, but since
that time he has regained that quiet state of resignation when sensible,wch
I hope will never desrt him, he has twice on 7th day morng & 1t day after noon
discharg'd upwards a considerable ant of blood - fm a gill to 1/2 a pint. Ab Robinson
with Hetty
reach'd his house on 7th day eveng -& proposed staying some time^which is a great
consolation to her greatly afflicted mind, we feel much for her, she is much worn
down, & I fear will be in danger of falling into real indisposition of some
kind. - I hope you have returned fm Qt Mg ere now, do let us hear fm
you soon, with the tidings from that Quarter. I have no letter from
