SARAH JENCKES SHAW JOURNAL - 1 OF 5 - Margaret Olson The inside covers of this journal contain newspaper clippings pasted onto the pages. The journal starts at both ends of the book, was reversed to enter the names of the pupils, apparently so that they could be added as time went on, but on 1 Jan 1850 Sarah wrote that she had abandoned that listing. Inside cover (earlier) a printed inscription and eulogy? Perhaps from a funeral? THIS SIMPLE STONE IS REARED BY PARENTAL AFFECTION TO THE MEMORY OF MRS. HARRIOT F. CHACE WIFE OF MAJOR JOHN B. CHACE, AND DAUGHTER OF MR. ALEXANDER JONES, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 14TH OF OCTOBER, 1823, IN THE 33D YEAR OF HER AGE On the next page, DIED - In Northampton on Sunday, October 6th, Miss Sarah Thurber Benson, daughter of the late George Benson, Esq., of Brooklyn, Ct, in the 51st year of her age. And a long column with a poem by Whittier. Ms. Benson was "constitutionally feeble, several years suffering the pains of martyrdom from and incurable disease..." A poem, The Withered Leaf On the 15th inst., by Rev. S.W.Field, Dr. Henry I. Bishop of Worcester, Mass. To Charlotte Williams, fifth and youngest daughter of the late Prof. Oliver Shaw. Clipping with one-sentence "sayings" Next page: Longfellow poem Clipping about Boston Common fountain On the poet Pope. 2 Kings xix 35 Monday, December 25th 1843 .... Jan-y 1, Monday, 1844 Monday 8th Wed-y 10th "Dear child Jane, so completely now - woman me for this day that I have wept for joy - that she has become the joyful mother of a Living child on the first Sabbath of the New Year - both herself and child doing well .... March 16 /44 This has been a week of uncommon interest as all our sisters have been with us on a friendly visit - on Saturday last our sister Williams arrived from Taunton ... our sister Baylies and Godfrey came. This day was sister W. 62 years old. ... Wed. is husband's birthday, 65 years this day. June 15 This is the sad anniversary of my mother's dying day ... "Thursday at 6 o'clock a.m. she was struck with death. died just at 1 p.m. had her reason every moment. talked with us all - that is all that were present - husband and brother Charles - my son Charls, Jane, Abby and Charlotte. She requested to hear the letters read again that came most providentially the very evening before, so remarkable were they both - Sarah's was so prophetick - she says perhaps my dear Grandmother's just now passing the Sweellings of Jordan, if so I know the kind arms of Jesus will be her stay and staff he will go with her over this dark valley - it was so blessed to her - when I had ceased reading she leaned her dying head to me and said I will leave a parting kiss for both the dear children - to Oliver she gave her last message so clearly - made the arrangement for her last resting place and then said tis all well - requested prayers to be offerd at different times - I said did you hear she girlishly replied every word .. Just before 12 she asked my Brother to Lay her head a little lower and soon she plainly told us her sight began to go but said I know all your voices. My husband said Mother tell us how death seems to you as you have your reason so well - she spoke immediately [Anoit fail, Anoit fail] round my heart. My Brother Charles, poor fellow, how he lingers along in life lovely and sorrowful, his mother's loss can never be made up - the evening of my dear mother's departure twas most heartrending to hear Brother exclaim Oh my home is gone no spot on earth I can call home after these last remains are removed - during her dying moments she repeated distinctly an appropriate verse from Walter Hymns. On Saturday at 3 p.m. 17 June we saw her lowered down into her dark and dusty room, oh how bitter was the moment when all closed forever over these Last Sad Relicks. I had scarcely if ever seen a person Buried and I never can describe the feeling when I heard the sound of the clods of earth upon that narrow house - twas indeed a death knell. Is it indeed seven years since these scenes passed away - how rapidly we drift down the stream of time, how silently the years depart." [ed. note: Abigail Jencks was buried in Swan Point Cemetery, Union NY ] --- 1850 Long time ago was this book commenced and its first design was to insert the names of all my husband's many pupils who become one in our family circle, but they proved altogether too numerous and fluctuating to take note of and so that was given up. Now that I have closed the old year of /49, I will still now and then leave a little of life's passing scenes on these now blank leaves ~ that perchance some of my children may like to recall when I am far removed from them. There are two or three Books of old dates that are among my things about [the] house - and to me they are now and then a kind [of] way mark in the retrospective of life's concerns. There are materials and incidents enough of each day to make a journal and I marvel that all young Ladies do not spend a little time in this way as for me since my heavy bereavement my thoughts, and sadness, would not or are not hardly worth while to pen at all. How truly I can say with Rockridge Oh though great God, whose pearcing eye Distinctly marks each deep retreat. On these sequestered hours draw nigh And let me here thy presence meet, Through all the windings of my heart My search lets heavenly wisdom guide, And still its radiant beams impart, Till all be known and purified. Jan-y 1, 1850. A day of low spirits, and sadness, of all things to make me sad a year since this day what desolation come upon this house -. When he who had always gladned it by his presence lay on the Low couch of Death - yet, I could see the precious remains and watch the "quiet Keeper here. Have had calls all day for every benevolent particle of charity in my heart - first came all the news carriers of the different papers - then a poor woman found a good hot breakfast and kind old Millen a Bedquilt and comforter with a nice pair of shoes I had saved for her along - [Irish? Nancy?] her baby very ill poor woman out up rice &c with a warm dinner aqll very thankful and glad.. Recv'd letter from sister Godfrey how these sisters do now appear to me since the departure of their only Brother, wrote to poor dear Charles and also to Miss Shepard of N Bedford. Weather very cold and mostly clear - Sarah with me had a good oyster supper brot in for us - Hanun, Charlotte and I - gone to concert - Abby in Syracuse Read some and wept some more - o that this year I might consecrate all my powers my life my all to God - to Heaven. Anon well says, O, let the soul its slumbers break, Arouse its senses, and awake To see how soon Life, like its glories, glides away And the stern footsteps of decay Come stealing on.