File 3: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 2, pp. 703-1164, 1825-1867

[MS 727]

Tuesday 1 Feby 1825. Embarked on board the [Salley?] for Sydney the morning pleasant & wind fair to bring us out - but like most fair prospects frequently niped in the bud no sooner had we gotten clear of the [P?] than we fell in with a heavy swell from the [South and?] & Southerly wind which lasted until thursday night from the small-ness of our Vessel & heavy swell we were [? ? landsmen?] very sea sick - on Saturday afternoon we made New Castle -

Sunday 6 Heard the Revd Mr Middleton Preach for [?] on Monday [evening?] set sail and arrived at Sydney on tuesday eveng where I met up [pect?bly?] with Mr Marsden with whom I [am?] up to Parra the next morng & found all [?]  [finds? thru? mercy?] in good health - 

Thursday went up to the Cowpastures to [Bro?] Samuels [?]  on Friday - [Saturday?] [?] [preparing?] for the Sabbath - 

Sunday 13 Preached in the morng in the afternoon at the Factory & heard Mr Wilkinson - Monday Waited on the Governor got my [orders?] for [Salary?] & and went to Sydney [?] the next day [?]

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to Parra thursday went again to Macquarie Grove with the Revd Wilkinson & [?] on Friday - spent [?] saturday at Parramatta on Sunday [?] Recd letters from Port Macquarie & was informed that the Amity was to sail that morng for Port Maqy  Sent to Sydney & found to my great satisfac-tion that she had been prevented recd and to be on [?] at 8 OClock at night - 

Monday 21 Set Sail the Wind being foul we anchored in Watsons Bay set sail on Tuesday eveng & arrived the next day at New Castle - Thursday Friday & Saturday detained at new Castle by foul winds. set sail on Sunday Morng 27th and reached Port Stephens by the eveng on the following day dri-ven back by foul winds & currents to the [?] hills from whence we [bore?] up for New Castle - the Sabbath was truly an uncomfortable day being [?] & no service or religious exercise to cheer the soul [?] how barren are the habitations of the ungodly they know not the pleasures of [real religions?] - they seek not the honor of God thou knowest my soul longeth after the Lord when[shall he come] & appear before

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[God?] I feel anxious to be with my family & my flock but he who holds the seas in the hollow of his hand knows what is best - His gracious will be done - May mine [?] be [lost?] in his. This is I believe my [dearests?] Birthday how I long to see & be with her but my Master knows what is best into his hands do [I?] [m?t] her my [?] myself my servant my all - O for grace to know I do his will - 

Wednesday 2nd Got under weigh in the afternoon with a fair wind but after [?] getting out the winds be-came variable & fell away to a calm so that we expected in the morng to find ourselves drifted to the Southard of New Castle where to our surprise in the Morng a fair wind sprung up & we found ourselves about [6m?] off of Port Stephens. [Landed Friday 4th] The wind continued favourable all the day [?] on Friday Morng  we landed at Port Macquarie where I found all my family well & every thing going on as well as could be expected

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1825

March 29 - Maloney a [respite?] was lodged in the Jail & to save corporial punishment struck one of his fellow prisoners with an axe on the head while at [breakfast?] without the smallest provocation

May 29 - I am this day one & thirty - but alas I look back & my life has passed as a tale that is told - What sort comings what imperfections what sins can I see - How unprofitable have been the best of days - The retrospect overwhelms me with shame & gratitude - To see my unworthiness & God's goodness - how amazing - My God for Christ's sake bless & make me a blessing - I have been preaching upon the duties of Parents give me grace to make a good parent one & above all the [indecipherable] of my Flock

June 9 Thursday This morning about ½ past nine I was [provided?] thro mercy with a little Girl as another [indecipherable] to love obedience & gratitude - -

July 28 Thursday Embarked on board the Elizabeth [indecipherable] set sail on Friday & arrived at Newcastle on Sunday night about 9 or 10 OClock -