ENPages
New Bedford Mass
about town with Jos. Swan, and also spent some time with Henrietta.
Wednesday Octr 5.1859 Variously & pleasantly employed. tho my last day in New Bedford for a long time. Henrietta & myself exchanged mineatures, and also, our engagement promises. She is all I ever hoped to secure in one to love, and now it shall be my aim, labor to do her good. Spent evening pleasantly but sadly with her.
Thursday Octr 6. Left New Bedford for Plym & arrived in the evening. Willie Kempton sails today on a whaling voyage. He has been rather a bad boy in some respects but I hope as he grows older & has seen more of the true aims of life, he may leave all the ways which have caused sorrow to his friends.
Plymouth Mass
Friday Oct 7, 1859 Today I am at home making preparations to join Ship Garnet. Capn John Branford. I love to be at home, but it is not one of the gifts which is long at a time given to me. Perhaps I enjoy social intercourse all the more because I am so often deprived of it. Mother & sisters & especially the little Freddie take my time & thoughts.
Saturday Oct 8. Stormy & uncomfortable. Recd letter today from Capt B. to be in Boston on Monday next to join ship. It is sooner than I expected. In evny rode over to Roxbury with Bro. George to see Captn B. Spent night at Bro David's and returned had a pleasant hour with him. I have for two years been little with any of our family.
Plymouth Mass.
Sunday Octr 9. 1859
I returned early this morn to Plymo. and at home preparing somewhat to leave tomorrow. Recd letter from James L. Morse, with an offer from Capt F. Crocker to go 2nd Officer of Steamship "Montgomery" from New York to Savannah. Am obliged to decline - on account of previous engagements. In eve I wrote J.L.M. Henrietta Chas HS. Kempton & others.
Boston Mass. Monday Oct 10. Came to Boston in the early train. and put my things on board the "Garnet" at Grand Junction wharf. Shall not go to work before tomorrow. Dined took tea & spent night with Geo S. Perry
Tuesday Oct 11 Joined ship and began work She is a fine new ship of about 900 tons and bound to Savannah to load for
Boston Mass.
Liverpool. I like the appearance of ship & officers. and have no doubt I shall get on nicely. Wrote Henrietta & Mother
Wednesday Oct 12 1859 Fine cool weather, Are busily engaged ballasting ship & getting ready for sea. Recd letters from Daniel, Hory, and my first from Henrietta. One week tonight I spent with her. and then I felt that I had one to whom my love could be extended in all its fervor. I feel that I shall ever bless the hour when we thus told our mutual love. Recd my ring from Daniel. expense $300. Spent night on board.
Thursday Oct 13 Strong breezes from N.W. At work on board. Crew not come yet tho we are about ready to sail. In eve wrote Laura & Henrietta.
Boston towards Savannah Ga Ship Garnet. Capt Jno Bradford.
Friday Oct. 14. 1859 At 10 AM Got underway from Grand Junction Wharf. E. Boston and proceeded to sea with strong breezes from the westward. Set topsails & Main T. Gal Sails & courses. At 4 PM. handed Top Gal Sail & double reefed Topsails. Strong breezes. Once more at sea and little as I like the sailors life it seems as tho now I must call it my business and strive in all ways to excel.
Saturday Oct 15. More moderate in AM. In afternoon blows heavy. Close reefed Topsails & main course. 1 day out
Sunday Oct 16 Fine weather this & quite moderate. made all sail to For Top Sheet sail. In night wind hauled ahead
