Ebenezer Parkman • 28 januari 1736

• Ebenezer Parkman (1703-1782) was dominee in het Amerikaanse Westborough in Massachusetts. Hij hield een groot deel van zijn leven een dagboek bij.

1736 January 28 (Wednesday). I can’t but be of Opinion that my Wife’s Fever has regular Intermissions, for now it comes on again, and with considerable Force, but relying upon the Doctor’s Judgment I sent to him for Drugs and sent her Water [urine]; but did not Send for him to come up, tho’ I repented Afterwards that I did not; for her Fever increased extreamly as the Day got up. I Sent by Brother Hicks, whose Daughter Ruth lies also very ill yet. Capt. Forbush very neighbourly and kind, and his wife here p.m. The Doctor Sends word that he can’t but hope the worst is over, but it was far other wise — indeed whilst she Saw the Light of the Day, She Said it helped her to bear up under her Distresses; but O when the Dark of Night Should come — how terrible it would be! In Truth, She had reason to fear it, for her Fever increased yet more and more upon her. Jotham Maynard came to assist me — and to go for Mrs. Forbush (Mr. Jonathan’s wife). No sooner did the Evening come on, but my Dear spouse grew worse and I ran down to Mrs. (Hephzibah) Maynard — though it was stormy — she came up with me and Mrs. Forb. was come — my wife very low indeed! Said she to me, My Dear, You Are bereaved! About 9 o’Clock we applyed a Young Fowl to her Feet — but about 1/2 after Ten were obliged to take it off — and Death seemed after a while to be making advances. She could not Swallow, but Spurted out whatever was given her. I asked her whether She was wholly free from those Terrors she had on Saturday Night? She answered not wholly free from them but She various ways expressed her Hopes — For upon my Saying that I trusted She was rejoicing in Hope of the Glory of God; She Replyed, she hoped So. And when Brother Hicks came to see her (about midnight) and her Mouth was ever now and then in a Sort of Convulsive Shaking and quivering, she said to him, I am in the Jaws of Death. I asked her whether she said the Joys of Death? She told me she hoped so likewise. At one Time, after great Stillness, she very solemnly said, Dust thou art — At another Time upon giving her Some Drops and Water to lay her parching Thirst, and my wishing that she might Drink of the River of the Water of Life; She answered presently, I long to be at it — She grew a little better again Sometime after midnight took her Medicines, Cordial etc. etc. Swallowed ‘em, and fell into a pleasant Nap, in which she slept for a Considerable Time. But when she awaked again her Fever rose exceedingly, insomuch as she burnt inexpressibly. (I had asked her whether she could give her Testimony to the Truth of the Christian Religion and to the Expediency and usefullness of waiting upon Ordinances. Her answer was, that we could do no better. And as I was at another time looking upon her in her dying Distresses and Saying “who would not be moved by this to improve Every Day and Every Hour” — She answered Every Moment. At another Time I asked her to pray for me and the Children with this dying Breath. She replyed I do — God be Mercifull to you, and to them, and to you all. Several Times She said earnestly — Come, Lord Jesus, Come quickly; Why So long a coming? Some of the last Things I heard her Say I think were — My Dear! — My Dear Lucy!)

1736 January 29 (Thursday). When the Fever came upon her so violently (as abovesaid) her Breath grew extreamly and extraordinary quick, and her heart beat wonderfully — at length one Breath (through extream quickness) was confounded into another, and that brought on her dying agonys; which were very bitter and dreadfull — in these she lay till about Six in the Morning; and then she departed! Even the wife of my Covenant — the wife of my Bosom, — the wife of my youth, and the Desire of my Eyes, was taken away by the stroke of Death! Mrs. Forbush and Mrs. Maynard layd her out. P.M. Capt. Eager here. Lieut. Holloway and Mr. Francis Whipple went to Cambridge and Boston. I Sent Letters to Lancaster, Sudbury, Shrewsbury, Hopkinton, and Southborough. Mr. Prentice of Grafton came in at Evening. A most Melancholly House of Mourning!