Illustration of "Elm Place, late residence of Hon. S. A. Law" from the Map of Delaware County New York by Jay Gould, 1856

Of Gods goodness and mercy I am permitted to hail another year; and, in its unfolding scenes may the path of duty be my path.
Have, to day been busy with divers cares-over my papers & writings, in part; part with business Co. –collecting of Wm. Judson; - divided pork with Wright; adjusted A/C with J. Rowe &c.

My health comfortable: how much more so than a 12 mo. ago.

And my family all well save & excepting my eldest son. He, alas, far away in quest of health-I fear, in vain: Yet hoping and praying he may be spared and restored-can only commit him to Gods holy care and keeping. Is for the present at St. Mary’s in Georgia. [Editorial note: William suffered from tuberculosis]

Thsd Jan. 17.

Day, mostly in office posting land Collections. Calls of Divers on business interrupting: Jno Munson; Jonah Todd: and - Eve - Co of A. Paine - about his land debts:-

My health so so - hardly so well - yet able to keep to business and desire to be thankful.

Weather - very mild & warm - to day: since the thaw, another sort of weather, - a softer and milder air.

Saturday Jan. 26.

In office at land Accts - all day: but few callers in. My health so so: not hardly as well as usual. Urinary Obstruction Rather increasing upon me.

Weather: a Powerful Rain set in, perhaps about Midnight, last night & continued till near night to day. Has been a very Rainy day - a great Rain but Rather a cold Rain: a Southerly storm, but just at eve, a whirl Round & a thick, dark, cold fog & anon [straightaway], Squalls of Snow atop of floods of water a whistling N. Wester.

Sunday Jan. 27.

Overtaken with a poor turn & had a Restless night up & down with aches and distress - obstruction &c.
To day kept house & fasted - tasted nothing - not so much as a drop of water, till about 9 this eve, - when took a cup of tea & a small bit of toast.

Read part the Day in last Yr Tract Report - p.m. wrote to Wm and Saml & Eve to Stephen.
Weather - a very Tempest of Snow Squalls & driving snow - and scarce a mortal out: a.m. No meeting and believe none, afternoon.

Monday Jan 28.

In office, mostly Accts Land Colns: part - writing Samuel a further 2 letter: Recvd - after mine to Wm Saml & Stephen - gone - a letter from Saml - and Do from Stephen.

Hindd by calls of many: awhile with the mails.
My health tollerable.

Weather: still another Snow - squally, snow driving day & cold, very: at sunrise, 8 below 0! - and all day, tempestuous.

Sunday Feb. 3.

Into meeting a.m. & p.m. Mr. W. preached: P.M. Discourse, in Course Text: “The heavens declare thy glory &c.” Evidences of the being, power, wisdom & goodness of God derivable from his works.

My hlth but poorish yet not sick & thankful as trust, that am so comfortable as am. After meeting, onto my bed, awhile and, evening, felt better.

Weather: cold - not tediously so - morn, clear, but hazed over - & snow - showers - Eve, clear again and pleasant winter Eve. not into of. this Evening: now 10 oCl. and Retire.

Friday 22d Feb.

107 years - to day - since the birth of Washington!

Forenoon - in office at accounts: p.m. - Rode to West Meredith and attended the Funeral of Elder Simeon P. Griswold - 55 years of age - who died of a sudden - with Pleuracy: - sick, as said - but 6 days!
A great funeral - the meeting house full of people. Sermon by Mr. Hartshorne - from Paul’s triumphant exultation, in view of his approaching Death:- “ I have fought a good fight,”- &c: a solemn affecting & truly impressive discourse. May God bless it & the solemn providence to me - & the many assembled on the solemn occasion.

Retd - and Resumed the business in my office - where wrote - till hard on to midnight: My health so so.
Weather - a warm - pleasant - thawy day - and just as eve - set in to Rain.
 

Saturday Mar. 16.

Self - morn - called up to wait on Co. J. Tabor in - after - in Office - all day: divers in & out. Lewis Olmsted with curious message from Jared: but less Co - than most days - and bent down, mostly - all day & till well on to 11 o’Clock - poring over land Accounts: - much exhausted - and must Retire:

Word, to night, that Street Dutton’s Wife - died this morn. My health so so:
Jona sick & taking Physic: - not confined, wholly.

Weather - cloudy S. Wind - thawing slowly: Eve, shower of soft snow.

Frid. Mar. 29.

All Day in Of: at land Acts & till ½ past 10 at night: less Co in than usual: Very much exhausted-
In much pain & suffering - with my feet, legs & ancles - know not what to make of the ail!

Weather - Very warm -, cloudy & damp & wetting some. - Eve- quite a shower: Snow - in the open - except drifts - mostly off.

Contract with Treadwell completed - by Mrs. Treadwell putting her name - to her Part of it!!!

Sunday Ap. 21.

A.M. - To meeting: Mr. Wright preached: Text: “ Pray without ceasing.” - p.m. - not in.:- last eve took pills, family pills and suspect so much [?], as to induce stupor, a degree of - as oppressed with drowsiness very much - & slept - and - finally, - never operated- till this evening, - since which feel better: - and have written a letter to Wm and Samuel.

Weather - to day, very clear & pleasant, - but pretty cold & last night, froze hard

Wednesday Ap. 24.

This morn - up & out & sold some plank - got letters mailed & off to Wm & Saml - and to C. Dimon: Mail in - & brot long letter from our sick son, William - anxious and much distressed with his, account of his situation! O God, have mercy upon him: and have mercy us! O grant him & us holy submission to whatever thy Dispensations may allot!

My health, Rather more comfortable to day:

Weather, very warm and at Evening a copious thundershower & sharp lightning & heavy thunder!

Sat. May 4.

In my off [office] - from morn - till past midnight - posting and stating land accounts; tired and much exhausted - Calls in of some business Co - Carlisle Olmstead carried by - sick - in a bed made up - in a 1 horse Waggon - moving him - to his Father’s!

My health about par:

Weather - last night, a little snow- off today - but a cold day: Eve - little warmer & calm & cleared off - pleasant.

Saturday May 25.

In my office, at Writing &c: Some business Co - Jac [Jacob] Andre &c - Writing J. C. F. -

By evening, much exhausted & distressed with aching feet & ankles: sense of weakness & a burning sensation - in my lower limbs.  And this ailing, in my feet, ankles &c - whatever it be, - has, long-while, been increasing upon me; and feet and ankles, - especially the Right limb swells, sensibly; - and both, tho easier, mornings, becoming, oft, painful, afore night, to such a degree even, - that am in hard pain, - with sitting long & writing & get ease - only by going onto my bed. What the ail is, - its cause - or way to cure, if cure may be, - know not.

Weather: another day, like unto Yesterday; enchantingly beautiful: lush of vegetation! Latter part last night, a fine shower - with thunder & lightning & to day, cleared away very warm & soft, zephyr breathing perfumes thro luxuriant expansive bloom.

Friday May 31.

This day - mostly delving & in close application to Meredith & Clymer’s land accounts - trying to bring together a condensed & Correct Exhibit of their exact & true state to the present period: a herculean job - at which have labored long & hard!

Divers dodging in & out and hindering - wrote few lines to Wm - also - line to Penfield, Day & Co

Recvd line from Stephen & Jona - one-from William L. Law - who Remains, alas, very feeble. O God - have mercy upon him: O Restore him, if may be: above all, prepare him, or to live - or to die. Mercifully incline him to Repent & believe, and grant, that he may seek & find peace safely, and salvation in the above merits & mediation of Christ Jesus.

Friday June 7.

Mostly in Office: - spell- Dfling[?] Power for Sanderson -

Recvd advice from my son, Wm that concluded to stay at the south - over the season: So, among strangers, in a strange land, - sick & fear - sinking, - is to be left alone! And tho expecting would so conclude, as deeming it duty & therefore best; yet come to the case in hand & to know it must be so, found myself much overcome and agitated. O for heartfelt submission. To thee, O God, I commend and commit him. O sustain and comfort & if consistent Restore him.

Weather - today - cleared off and warm and a beautiful day.
My health so so - but poorish.
 

Mon: June 24.

Day mostly in office, - but all but sick - so unwell - that able to do but little - feeble & feverish & some pain - and - not able to set up all day - : - yet attended to some business callers &c - : and tried to write and post - a little - next to no appetite: This Eve - feel a little better.

Weather, loury - drisly, and a Dark dense - cloudy day - just at eve a shower:
Wet, wet: for a long while wet - so wet that not a chance - to Shear Sheep - and - only began - today - Morn - housed some & have sheared 71 - and tonight - housed them - on account of the Rain: and - now -11 oCl. - Rains smartly. This morn, am told - a Rainbow in the morning!

Saturday July 13.

Forenoon over to map. Orchd to inspect & direct hands & see to Pot. field & Crops, turnip Yard &c. P.M.: With Albion, to John Shavers about a lot of sheep for Albion. Returned and found Franklin Allen - wounded! Ancle hurt by horse - stepping on it!

Eve - down to the Doctor about Fkn [Franklin] -

Weather, to day, pleasant a bare sprinkle of Rain - and a Rainbow - in the morning! And yet - no more Rain, the day.

My health so so: feeblish, yet comfortable - but fatigued and almost beat out.
Now 10 oClock: must go & see to the poor, hurt lad: and then, - to bed.

Thursday July 18.

Into office & to M. & C.’s Land Papers - at which, writing all could - nor quit - till ½ past 10 at night.

But broke off & hind much by Co - some: and by Chh. meeting - p.m. - on the Cottrell discipline Cases - most perplexing & disturbing duties! and - to day - arrived - my Son, Samuel, - from Georgia - where has been, since last fall, - with William, - who is left there, - still ailing & very feeble. O God, preserve; & bless &, if may be, Restore him.

Today, a beautiful, warm day - and no Rain.

My health so so: about and very busy & tired & severely tired with the perplexing concerns of our church and Society. Now ¼ to 11 p.m.

Wednesday Aug. 14.

Morn - wrote Mr. Meylert - care divers business - Mails in -

Recvd letter from Wm - not so well - O God, in mercy, preserve; and, - if consistent with thy holy will, Restore him. Above all, mercifully dispose him to prepare for whatever thy dispensations: to Repent & believe, on the Lord, Jesus Christ, and to find mercy, peace & salvation, in believing; and, of thy grace & mercy, enable him, - and us - to say, thy will be done.

Spent part of this day & evening, till into 15 minutes of midnight, at business and writing - Land accounts &c.

My health about so so. The day - Rather cloudy, tho some sun: Wind N. Easterly, and storm feared.

Wednesday Aug. 21.

Day, perhaps half - about my haying & calling cares: Rest, at Land accounts, - at which, up, - writing, - till 11 o’Clock.

Recvd a letter from William: discouraging, as seems to me: indeed, strongly fear he may soon be dead & gone! O God, have mercy upon him. Mercifully inline[?] him by thy Holy Spirit, to Repent of all his sins & to believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the salvation of his soul. O God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit, have mercy on him: spare & Restore him, if may be: If not, O grant that he may be prepared to go hence; O grant him peace in believing and holy acquiescence in whatever thy dispensations. O pardon, sanctify & save him thro Christ & for his sake: and to the be all the praise & glory - ever & forever. And, O mercifully prepare me, for whatever thy dealings may be. Grant me saving faith. Lord, I believe: help thou my [illegible] . O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Thro Christ & for his sake, pardon, sanctify & save me and mine :& be all the glory thine.
 

In - to Reading meeting - Self - Mrs. Law - Samuel - Albion & Stephen: Saml Read, - a.m. & p.m.  More than usually - full meeting - for Reading meeting, - and all p[?]ous & solemn.

Weather milder & fresh S. Wind - increasing & betokening [foreshow by present signs] Rain.

My health rather more comfortable than days along back.

But, whilst, at present, cheered with the presence & company of 3 of my sons, - how is that cheer checked & blended with gloom, - in that my 4th son, William, - is not here, but, if alive, far away & sick! O God, have mercy on him! have mercy on us all!

Thrsda - Oct. 10 1839

Today, in a sense, a sick day: some pain & feverish, as Yester: Took an emetic; and awhile, under the Distress of the operation of that: after it, feel, as think, some more comfortable. been able, to day, to do no business, to speak of; and, even this evening, pain in my back &c, - not left me.

Weather, still very warm; but a very dark day: Densely cloudy & think foggy, - and - wetting - just wetting, all day, - like moist, thick clouds sweeping & sweeping & pressing on & over the ground. At 5 p.m. dark, as dusk of Eve.

Tuesday Oct. 29.

Rested, past night, Rather better - but my fever, alas, holds fast. And but a poorish day, to day.  Taking Colchicum - and boneset tea: nauseated & feverish.

Wednesday Oct. 30.

A poorer night & this morn more poorly, seemingly; - and fever, some of - but - impd, a little - after up, - awhile: And, forenoon, wrote - to Mr. Sanderson. By E. mail a further letter from St. Mary’s of 17th when, -

William - alive - but, alas! - no better! If yet living, - O that he might be spared: but - above all, prepared, pardoned sanctified & saved, thro Christ our Lord

Friday Nov. 8.

Felt more comfortable, as to my hlth again, to day and about the house & sat up - all but all - Day; and much of it writing - Wrote & got off letters - to Doctor Judson - to Saml & to Stephen.

Morning Mail brot us 3 letters from Dr. J. - of 20 - 29 - & 30 ult. with word, that, our Dear eldest Son, William, - but barely alive! Sorrowful tidings tho but what we had Reason to expect! But adds to us, that he was calm & Resigned to his maker’s will! and that - joyful tiding, amid our sorrow; a solace to us, for which we thank & bless God. For, if he depart, or may have departed, in peace, peace with God, as we humbly pray & hope & trust, our joy, amid our sorrows, our solace, will be full. O God, that it may have been - or be - so! If yet he live, O God, grant it may be so, thro Christ and all the thanksgiving, praise & Glory be thine forever & forevermore: Amen.

Wednesday Nov. 13.

This forenoons Mail arrived and bro’t the solem, tho not unexpected, - tidings, that my eldest Son, William Lyon Law - is no more! Recvd advice Certifying us, that he died, at St. Mary’s, Ga - the 31 ult: and, as we are mercifully assured, died a placid, peaceful death - conscious to the last & calmly Resigned to his Maker’s will; and as we humbly hope & are happy to believe, trusting in his Almighty Savior! Sorrowful & deeply afflicted with loss of a darling Son, we, nevertheless rejoice, that such, to human view, was his departure from this world of sin & sorrow. We thank thee, Heavenly Father, that thou grantest us such solace of our sorrow: And O, sanctify our bereavement - to me - to us all, - to our spiritual & everlasting good: and enable us on & all, father, mother and brothers, to feel & say, - The Lord gave & has taken away, and blessed be his holy name.

After the affecting news Received, passed the day, pretty much, with my Wife & Albion, the only of our family at home! Wrote & forwarded mail, to Samuel & to Stephen, the solemn tidings!

Sunday Dec. 8.

To meeting - very warm - no fire - cloudy & sprinkled al little: towd eve Rain & a Rainy night.

Up very late - writing Dr. Judson - Revd Mr. Baird, Mr. Williams & Mrs. Chapelle - all of St. Mary’s -

My hlth so so - but poorish, yet, of favor, comfortable - even more so than might well expect, - considering am so pressed & so and so continually writing &c - almost day & night - writing, night after night, very late.
 

A very chilly, uncomfortable day: Wind fresh at South and stiffening & overcast, as if for storm: A.M. only a handful in Meeting. P.M. no meeting: all over to the Baptist. Did not, self, go: Writing Dr. Judson.

Mrs. Law sick and fever: yet sat up all day; tho think, ill able.

And, this evening, writing Dr. Judson, till hard to midnight.

Tuesday Dec. 31, 1839!

Drew & engrossed Deed of School-house Site - on the Square: And, Eve, into School Meeting.

My health midling, for me: Mrs. Law, feeble, but better today & a little about: Albion so so.

Weather moderated & storm over - been, since Saturday, till last night, a tempest of wind & snow & snow drifting & drifting: - and Roads, now, almost blocked up - no mail - since last Friday.

And, - the year 1839! - where is it? “With the Years beyond the flood.” The trials, O the trials it has been fraught with. In it, William, my son! My son has exchanged worlds: left this sublunary scene & gone, I humbly trust, to a better & thrice blessed world; to a home & a house - not made with hands, - eternal in the heavens! O God of mercy grant, that the trials I have, the past &, now closing year, been carried thro, may thro thy mercy in Christ Jesus, & by aids of thy Holy Spirit, be sanctified to me, for my spiritual & eternal well being - O Triune God, Father, Son & Spirit: for Christ’s sake, hear & grant my prayer & by the glory thine. And, O bless & have mercy on my Family that survive, my Wife & my three spared Sons.

The Year is just drawing to a close! And this is the last shall date 1839! Farewell, lapsed Year: Thy joys & sorrows are gone by. O may they live, in memory, to quicken me, in preparing for another and better state of being; for happiness & heaven, thro Christ Jesus in whom alone, I desire to trust.

From a private collection. Transcribed by Dr. Frank M. Waterman

All materials on this website are for non-profit, educational use.