Cold and clear. To Quincy. Evening at home. Mr. Brooks.

After devoting an hour to business, I went to Quincy accompanied by my Wife, meeting my father on the road to town. Found the family much as usual but doubting about their departure. This made me anxious, believing as I did both that they ought to go soon and could go soon without inconvenience. Accordingly I made an effort at persuasion which proved to be successful and tomorrow was fixed for the day. My father returned to dinner, after which I transacted business with the Bank and then returned to town. Our ride was very cold. I hope it is the last of the season. Mr. Brooks spent an hour with us in the evening.

Weather moderating. To Quincy. Return with the family. Evening at home.

I was much engaged in preparing funds for my father, and securing tickets for the family to New York. This over I went to Quincy and found the preparations actively going on for a general departure. My mother seemed better than I expected to see her.

After an early dinner they got into the Stage and I accompanied them leaving my horse for the Winter. We arrived at the Railroad depot so much earlier than necessary that I walked to my house and brought down the boys John and Charles to see the family off. At last they went and I returned feeling as if a load had been removed from my mind.

Evening spent at home beginning to take some rest from the incessant movement and exertion which has been going on for a week together, following another of great mental distress.

Fine day. Thanksgiving. Service as usual. Evening at Mrs. Frothingham’s.

I arose this morning with a sense of relief which I have not had for some time. The State of my father’s family had filled me for some time back with a set of gloomy apprehensions which their very indefiniteness tended to make more painful. Quincy and the old house are rather gloomy places for the winter season and I feared they might be confined there by sickness even after little Fanny’s decease. Thank 335heaven, they have at least started for other scenes and although these may contribute but little to amuse or to cheer them, they yet place them upon an active theatre where some diversion may chance to be favorable. I now hope to hear of their safe arrival. In mere weather they must have been highly favored.

Attended divine service and heard Dr. Frothingham preach from Psalms 107. 8.15 &ca. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men.” A good discourse but I was rather inattentive.

Walk round the South Cove home. Mr. Brooks dined with us, and I felt grateful to the divine being for his continued care and protection of us through the past year. Evening to Mrs. Frothingham’s where we had a game of whist among the children and a little supper afterwards.