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parcels of about six hundred and forty acres each, even as some of the first purchasers, before many others came in to interfere with them; which appeared as a marvellous affair to themselves and others.

The following notes are taken from the memorandums of a Friend who visited those new settlements in the 10th month, 1802.

"Crossing the Ohio river, we rode about twelve miles to Plymouth. The next day, being first of the week, we attended Friends' meeting there, at which about fifty persons were assembled under a degree of solemnity. At this meeting we met with our valued friend Borden Stanton, one of those lately removed to this new country, under an apprehension of duty, from North Carolina. His residence is at a place called Concord, a few miles distant; where we attended the preparative meeting on the 13th, at which were about thirty grown persons. A number of sensible, valuable Friends belong here, towards whom near sympathy and unity were felt. Hence we went home with our friend Joseph Dew to Short Creek, and next day were at preparative meeting there. About sixty Friends attended, besides some children; and it was a satisfactory season.

16th. We attended Concord monthly meeting, which had been established by Redstone Quarterly meeting about ten months before, being the first monthly meeting held on the west side of Ohio river. About forty-five of each sex attended; and it was a uniting and satisfactory opportunity. Our friend Joseph Dew was favoured in a brief, lively testimony on the baneful effects of covetousness, as destructive to the prevalence of pure religion.

On first-day we were again at Concord, where they have a comfortable meeting-house, newly erected.It was nearly filled with Friends and neighbours, and Truth was measurably in dominion.

After visiting a number of families, we turned homewards, riding along a crooked path much of the way towards the river, about seven miles, and crossed the Ohio at Zane's island to Wheeling in Virginia."

In a letter from Borden Stanton, dated the 5th of the 11th month, 1803,' he says, "I am now on my way to pay a religious visit to Friends and others in some of the southern states. As to the situation of Friends in this land (Ohio) they are still increasing very fast. There is a monthly meeting established at Bull Creek, by the name of Middleton, and another at the Miami's, by the name of Miami monthly meeting; also several meetings indulged within the limits of Concord monthly meeting, some of which are about to be established. Our numbers have so much increased, that we have unitedly agreed to divide Concord monthly meeting, and referred the subject to Redstone Quarterly meeting; and I have no doubt the division will take place in its season."

AN ACCOUNT

Of the last sickness and death of ISAAC SHARPLESS, son of Benjamin Sharpless of Middletown, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, with some of his last expressions. By his sister Rebekah Sharpless.

My dear brother Isaac was taken sick the 8th of the 1st month, 1780, which proved to be the small

pox; but for several days we were in hopes he would have it favourably, although much afflicted with a sore throat and watery humour in his mouth, which disturbed his rest so that he slept but little. On the 14th of the month and sixth of the week, when I went into his room, he was sitting up in his chair, with a pen and paper in his hand, and said, "Well, sister, I want to make my will; for I am as fully convinced in my mind that I shall die of the small-pox, as I am that I have it." I replied, why dost thou think so? He answered, "Not because I feel much amiss, except my throat, but so it seems to me."The same morning he expressed something of this view to his wife; saying, "I have thought so from the first, and am now convinced of it; but do not feel much dissatisfied about it, only on thy account.". She being troubled, he drew his chair towards her, and desired she might not grieve: several times expressing to her, that he felt as though there was a pure stream within him.

He continued very cheerful for several days; bearing his affliction with becoming patience and resignation: and most of his friends and neighbours who came to see him, thought he had the disorder favourably. But about the turn, his fever increasing, the swelling fell and his breathing became more and more difficult. He was then willing the doctor should be sent for, hoping thereby to obtain some relief, but expressed his entire resignation. This was on seventh day, the 22d; and the night following, he desired all might be still and quiet; saying he felt pretty easy. He often remembered his dear wife; and all his expressions were seasoned with love, calling us his dear sisters. Some time after, he complained

of a great load and oppression about his heart, signifying if it could not be removed, he could not live; and soon after he said, "I am so spent,-I must go." I asked him if he was willing: after a short pause, he said he believed it would be his gain; with some more words that were not well understood. He then repeated the text, "Steward, give up thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward." After awhile he called his dear wife to him, and kissing her, said, "My dear, I believe I must go and leave thee." She asked him if he thought he was prepared to go: after a pause, he said, "I have nothing to boast of: if I am, it is through the mercy of God. I have a secret hope it is so." Then, after a short time, he added, "I have faith, yea, a living faith that there is a place prepared for me in the mansion of rest." Then said, "My dear, pray for me in these trying moments."

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Calling for his mother, and affectionately kissing her, he said, "Farewell, dear mother. I believe thou must part with thy son, for my strength is nearly spent." On her asking if he was willing to go, he said, "I feel a degree of faith, of living faith that will preserve me from all the fiery darts of the wicked one.' He then desired her to be as a mother to his dear wife and little son. He next called for his father, and on taking leave of him, said, "I have lived with thee many years, and have endeavoured to do the best I could: therefore do remember my dear wife and little son: be kind to her, and take care of her as one of thy own children, until she is otherwise provided for." He then exhorted him so to spend the remainder of his time as to end well at last; saying, "There is a place prepared for the righteous,

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where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest."

He manifested much care and concern for his wife, charging her father and mother, as he took leave of them, to be kind to her and not grieve her. On taking an affectionate leave of his two sisters, Hannah and Amy, he gave a like charge concerning his wife, particularly to the latter. His brother Aaron coming to see him, he bid him farewell, saying, "I desire thee to redeem thy time, that it may be well with thee in the end." He called for Cesar, a negro man who was hired with us, and kindly bid him farewell, giving him a charge to take care and not love strong drink too well; saying, "I am afraid it will injure thee yet."

After requesting his brother Joshua to remember his dear wife, and giving him some directions about settling his accounts, he seemed much spent, and inquired what time it was: being told that it was about the ninth, hour, he said he thought he should not go before twelve; and adding a few words in prayer, some of which were not understood, he desired the Lord would grant him admittance into his favour to praise his name; saying, "Amen-amen." He then lay as though he was expiring; but after some hard struggles he seemed to revive a little, and calling for me, kissed me and bid me farewell, calling me his dear sister (as he had often done.) He asked us if we had ever seen any body so far gone, and yet recover: and on being asked whether he desired it, he answered, "Only because it would be so hard for you. to part with me." He afterwards appeared as though he had something more to say, and on being queried. with he said, "No; I believe I have said all." On be

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