Travel Diaries and Journals

Sunday July 18th very pleasant. Kate, Nathaniel and I attended our church in the morning. Mr Whiting preached. The singing was anything but musical - I hope I shall never hear worse. Attended Sunday school in the afternoon, came home before it closed and with Kate and Naty? attended Mrs Tucker's funeral at the Baptist church. We arrived in season but the church was crowded and it was with difficulty that we could obtain a seat in the gallery. Mr Rhees? preached. After the sermon all who wished were invited to come forward and see the corpse. We watched the others going forward [till?] we were [tired?], and then went ourselves. She had not altered much, and was smiling as sweetly as ever. The coffin was ornamented with white flowers. I saw many had tears as they glanced for the last time on the sweet face within. I have since heard that after we left her brothers wept alound, and that Mr Tucker was obliged to be carried into the church, while there he was very pale, but was not seen to shed a tear. - At seventeen Mrs Tucker was deprived of her mother by death, and was left with the care of seven younger brothers, and these with the aid of her father and a housekeeper she brought up in such a manner that they have all turned out very superior men. - No wonder then at their crying in parting with one who had always filled a mother's place, but the tears of a man are dreadful to see, many could not bear the sight and hastily left the church. Ah indeed I can fully [unite?] with [the others?] in crying such?] women are rare, we do not meet them every day. She was always so bright smiling, active cheerful and benevolent that it did one's heart good to see her.