Chapter 7

Solomon, the youngest son of my father, was born and brought up, married, and still lives in the town of Gilsum, and although sixty-four years old, he has never traveled farther than Boston, where his business leads him twice a year to purchase goods.

He has gathered to himself in that rocky region fields, flocks, and herds, which multiply and increase upon the mountains. He has been known these twenty years as Captain Solomon Mack of Gilsum; but as he lives to speak for himself, and as I have to do chiefly with the dead, and not the living, I shall leave him, hoping that, as he has lived peaceably with all men, so he may die happily.

I have now given a brief account of all my father’s family, save myself; and what I have written has been done with the view of discharging an obligation which I considered resting upon me inasmuch as they have all passed off this stage of action except myself and youngest brother. And seldom do I meet with an individual with whom I was even acquainted in my early years, and I am constrained to exclaim-”The friends of my youth! where are they?” The tomb replies, “Here are they!” But, through my instrumentality,

Safely truth to urge her claims, presumes

On names now found alone on books and tombs.