I slept but about two hours, for my anxiety about my Wife kept me uneasy. She was exceedingly exhausted by her labour and in a critical state all night. The Dr. remained with her all night and left only in the morning. She was however somewhat better on his return at ten o’clock. My mother had passed an agitated night but was on the whole as well as I could reasonably expect. On the whole, I felt as if I had great occasion to be grateful to God for dealing thus tenderly with me in a day of so much trial. Another relation is imposed upon me, my utmost wishes have been gratified.1 May it impress me with a further sense of my own unworthiness, and with a resolution still farther to exert myself in a becoming and proper manner, that I may be a real father to my children.

Rode to Quincy as well to notify the family of these occurrences, as to get Mrs. Kirk to come in with me for the purpose of aiding in the care of the invalids, especially my mother. The family seemed pleased. Returned home by one o’clock and found my people doing well.

Afternoon, I went out to attend a Meeting of the Boylston Market Directors. Little or no business beyond declaring a Dividend. At last after the lapse of eighteen months, we make out to pay a sum of two dollars on the share. I hope hereafter we may do better.

Returned home and passed the evening in my study working upon my article, which now again makes progress. Feeling much fatigued, I was glad to retire to my little room to rest.