Excerpts from the Journal of Sarah Howe, volume 2

soldier Loudly complained of Ingratitude
people at the close of the war concluded good
times, such as never will be on Earth were coming
and had no fear of Contracting Debts Land
and produce were verry high French Fleets
come to Boston for provisions and gave
an Enormous Price they thought such things
would increase but alas it was soon over
Butter was carried to the Stores for about six
cents per lb. Rye was in my Fathers Granary
would not fetch 50 cents per bushel Beef was
sold for Barreling for about 15 or 20 shillings
per 6w^t people that contracted Debts when all
was so high was unwilling to pay and some
unable as Land and produce sold it was
the most hard times I ever yet have seen tho
my Fathers Circumstances were such that it
was no distressing to our Family as we have
since seen but to poor people and the state
in General it was much worse Taxes after
the conclusion of the war were verry high
my Father for a Number of years was taxed
about 100 Dollars per year but it did not distress
him he had town securities to pay his Town
Tax State ones so that the Interest on
them would pay that others could buy for about
half price that which would pay their state
tax but instead of doing it many had their cattle
sold and colectors had an opportunity to make half
by paying up in securities which they might buy
there was a great deal of sueing in this state
people were uneasy they all thought that something
was Necessary to be done that was not done
When all at one a Party without order or
Regularity in the Counties of Worcester and