Justin Hitchcock's Remarks and Observations

70

This year I had a son born whom we called
Henry. He was born on the 6^th day of November 1783
he was baptized the next sabbath by Mr Newton
of Greenfield 1784. A man nead to live his
life twice over in order to get experience respecting
what is the wisest course to pursue And after all it
is more posseble he will play the fool

I was now in debt for the land on which I lived
And for the Old Shop. I had bought yet I very
wisely hired a piece of Meadow land this year
for which I gave my note about twenty three
dollars Before this time my brother Merrick moved
his family to Greenfield with him came my sister
Lucy And soon after the widow of my brother
Charles moved their also with her children she
married to Ephraian Hastings by whom she had a
son Their life were very uncomfortable whilst they
lived together. And at length they finally parted
for good and all

Our publick affairs wore a
very gloomy aspect money was scarce taxes called
for often. And people getting into debt at the
stores And a spirit of insubordination began to