Morning pleasant, but it turned out a damp and disagreeable day. I went to the Office and wrote my Journal as usual, but my head did not feel in good order. Saw Mr. Brooks’ man Foster who came to town with Chardon, and announced to me that Mrs. B. expired last night at twelve o’clock. Thus is the melancholy scene closed. I have been for some time expecting it but yet I feel a regret at having lost an indulgent Mother and a kind friend.

I presented my Account of my brother’s Estate this day to the Judge of Probate who accepted it and thus closed that affair. This was all the business I did, and as I was going home to see my Wife, I met Chardon who gave me a little thing to do which puzzled me a little. 170It was to get a plate for the Coffin. I never had been called to perform a similar Office but after going around to ascertain some distance, I found the proper person and gave the necessary directions.1 Knowledge of this kind is useful in practical life for it may often help a friend. I know but little of it. I then ordered Mourning and afterwards went home. The constant friends of Abby, Miss Julia Gorham and Miss Carter were with her during the morning. I found her something better than I expected. We dined alone, and I passed the afternoon in trying to finish the Inventory of George’s Affairs to deliver to my father. But I could not quite succeed. This last part is a tedious business.

After tea, I read aloud to my Wife a part of Clarissa Harlowe and finished the 7th of 8 volumes. It is a little long but still quite interesting. My Nerves and stomach were however so much out of order that I did not enjoy it. The excitement has been considerable and painful. After Abby retired, I tried to write a little Notice of her Mother, as my small tribute for the affection which she expressed for me on her dying day, but my head was in such pain that I am fearful I did not do justice to my subject. I retired in much suffering.