Mollie Pearce McKibbon – Page 11

Adeline’s War of 1812 Journal: Conclusion Part 2

Sunday, August 20, 1815

Dear Janetta,

At last I am able to hold a quill pen in hand and write down the pain in my heart. It is very hard to bear the loss of my family. Mother’s passing has left us all bereft, but I owe immeasurable gratitude to my dear friend, Regina Randall, who stayed by my side in my illness until I was no longer in danger of dying. The little cabin became a temporary hospital for Mother and I while she nursed us. Sadly, Mother did not survive the swamp fever* but although she refused the medicine powder** Regina expressed the opinion that Mother’s illness was too far advanced for it to have been effective. I believe Robert’s mother is perhaps attempting to salve my feelings.

I have moved back into the main house to assist Evvy. Regina believes I am on the way to complete recovery and no longer pose any danger of passing on my illness to others. Robert has been a great help to Father and Henry, aiding them in bringing in the grain harvest and Arthur has transported it to the nearest grist mill.

I must admit I dreaded going back into the house and seeing the cradles where our two little boys slept their first few months. Robert removed the cradles and stored them in the barn for me, but Evvy insisted the trundle bed stay in case Arthur brought Adam to visit from time to time. I asked Henry to burn my night clothes and the bed linens from my illness. Evvy agreed it might be for the best so I will need to employ my time in sewing new ticking and a new night dress. Evvy set up the old wash tub filled with warm water for me to bathe in the summer kitchen. It felt so good to be clean and she gave me one of Mother’s lawn frocks to wear.

“Arthur and Robert are coming by to visit this afternoon,” she said with a smile. “I am sure you want to appear at your best.” Then she added softly, “They are bringing Adam too. I hope you won’t be upset.”

My eyes filled with tears, but I shook my head. Life must go on and by then my two boys were headed over the Atlantic to their new home in England. I prayed to God they would have a safe voyage and a long, happy life in their new home. Persephone had promised they would be well-loved and cared-for and in a letter, Captain Houghton had promised he would look out for them and write often of their progress. They are young enough not to remember me as they grow and that is for the best.

I was setting the table for tea when the Randall wagon arrived. Evvy went out to greet Robert and Arthur and I heard her cry of happy surprise, but simply thought Regina might have come too.

Robert entered the house with Adam in his arms. At least, I was certain it was Adam until I heard a familiar voice calling, “Mama, mama…” I turned in utter shock to see my darling Charlie with his arms out to me. I ran to him and hugged him in Robert’s arms. Robert smiled from ear to ear as he placed my sweet little boy in my arms.

“I don’t understand,” I sobbed, “did something happen to the ship? Did Persephone change her mind? Where is Andrew?”

Arthur entered behind Robert and bid me sit down so he could explain.

“The ship is on its way to England and Andrew and Adam are on it. Persephone only knows she has two little boys with her just as you promised. Charlie was crying for you as soon as we left the house. Andrew and Adam were happily asleep. When we arrived in Prescott, William and I took the two sleeping boys while Robert tried to soothe Charlie. Persephone made the assumption that Adam and Andrew were the twins and I …” Arthur cleared his throat and continued… “well, it occurred to me that this was the solution to my concerns about the O’Meara’s getting hold of Adam, and you would still have one of your sons here with you. I hope you will forgive me, Adeline.”

Robert looked sternly at Arthur. “I was non-plussed.” he said, “and I wanted to go to Persephone and Captain Houghton with Charlie, but William, Arthur and I talked it over and we decided that perhaps it was for the best. You have lost so much, Addy, and have been so ill, I couldn’t bear the thought that you would be completely bereft. So we brought Charlie back to our home and waited until today, until we knew you were fully recovered before bringing him back to you.”

My head was reeling with the implications of what Arthur had done. Adam would be raised thinking that he was Brigadier General Houghton’s grandson and Andrew’s twin. And Andrew, would he be lost without his twin? Would he mourn him or would he grow up thinking Adam was his brother too? Charlie had been denied his birthright, and yet, Charlie was here with me and close to his father. I wrestled with my conscience for many days and then realized that no purpose would come of trying to right the wrong. I would bring up Charlie as best I could and provide him with the piece of property my parents had given me and Charles. If he worked hard, Charlie could establish himself in this new country and his father would be proud to call him his son. The only real cloud on our horizon is Jacob Bourke.

Grateful to God, but still anxious,

Adeline

*Malaria

**Quinine (this drug was used to treat malaria until a derivative was produced in the 20th century)

Adeline’s War of 1812 Journal: Conclusion (part One)

medicine bottles

An entry from Evvy Price’s journal:

Sunday, August 6, 1815

Our lives have been so much fraught with fear and anxiety these last few weeks I hardly know quite where to begin. Adeline has been truly at death’s door during this time. Her condition has gone back and forth between raging fever and shivering cold. William rode to Fort Wellington to fetch the army doctor, but he was unable to come, being quite busy treating an outbreak of dysentery. However, he suggested that Mrs. Randall was quite capable of treating Adeline with blood-letting and lots of heat. Mrs. Randall was horrified with this suggestion. We were quite at loss as to what to do until Arthur overheard us discussing Adeline’s condition.

“This sounds much like the swamp fever* that many of our troops suffered from in Louisiana.” he said. “ The army doctor there issued us all a package of powder** to add to our grog. Indians extract it from the bark of a tropical tree and it seemed to work.” He arose immediately and rode back to the Randall homestead to search it out.

Mother was not certain. Mrs. Randall replied she felt barbaric practices such as blood-;letting would only weaken Adeline further and adding more heat to the already hot cabin would not lower the fever. She said the Indians had more sensible treatments for many illnesses than the most modern practices of English-trained doctors.

Arthur and Robert rode back to the farm together. Robert was very anxious and had to be restrained from going to Adeline’s bedside. Arthur pressed the package of powder into his mother’s hands and urged her to add it to Adelaide’s broth. He assured her that he had seen these symptoms leading up to the Battle of New Orleans and urged her to waste no time in treating the disease.

We had been anxiously watching Charlie and Andrew, as well as little Adam, for possible signs of the same illness, but they seemed content to play and sleep together, only calling for comfort at meals. We were very relieved to satisfy their thirst with cups of boiled and cooled milk, to which, happily Charlie ‘s now accustomed and Adam, of necessity has taken. Arthur loves his little lad, but he finds it difficult to look after him now because he is so much more active. He often expresses his frustration of leaving most of the care of Adam to his mother and father, but he has no confidence in allowing his father-in-law to take it on. He clearly intends Mr. O’Meara no more contact with his grandson.

“My darling Kathleen was the best of them, that’s certain,” he told us one day. “I want Adam to make her proud. I don’t trust the lot of them. Her own family treated her like some maid, aye, worse than a maid by times.”

Oh my, I am that weary. I will finish this account tomorrow. Just now I will stop in and see how things are with Mother before I go to bed. She’s been feeing poorly herself, though I expect it’s just the heat.

Evvy

Sunday, August 14, 1815,

We buried Mother in the orchard yesterday beside Victoria. Now they are together in heaven. Mother come down with the same fever Adeline has been fighting, but she refused to take any of the powder Arthur brought, and even the same powder Captain Everett Houghton left for us for fear that the babes might become ill or Adeline suffer a relapse. We tried to put it into her broth, but she refused any, even in her delirium. Father is broken-hearted.

Evvy

*now known as malaria

** Quinine was used to treat malaria until a chemical derivative was developed in the 20th century.

A Wedding Hymn

On This Their Wedding Day

Lord, a blessing now we pray

On the wedding pair today.

All their hopes and dreams combine

As their hands and hearts entwine.

**********

Chorus:

Lord God, we praise You.

Lord God, we praise You

On this their wedding day.

************

God of Love, we ask You now

Sanctify their wedding vow.

May they always seek your grace;

Give your Word an honoured place.

***************

May their love be strong and true,

Trusting all their cares to You.

Bless them ever, Lord, we pray;

As they serve You day by day.

Strengthening Family Ties

(first published in The Winchester Press “Shepherd Talk”)

Family-Picnic-Silhouette

It’s almost my little sister’s birthday. Of course, neither of us is little now. We’re all grown up with our own families, but sometimes I like to think of her as she was when we were growing up together.

I had straight brown hair and was horribly shy. My sister had blonde curls, two dimples and a bubbly disposition. Naturally, I was jealous of this fair-haired interloper, but as the years passed she grew on me. Now we live over 200 miles from each other and I don’t see here as often as I’d like.

I know we had arguments when we were younger, but nothing that left any scars. Once we had a tug of war over a doll and pulled off one of its arms. Another time, I thought she was a bit too eager to take over my room while I was getting ready to leave for college. Otherwise, we got along fairly well. She was my maid-of -honour at my wedding and I was her’s.

We both doted on our baby brother. He’s no baby anymore, but we still think he is kind of wonderful. Naturally, we tease him. We tell him he was the apple of our parents’ eyes and spoiled rotten, which he was. When we all get together, we have a noisy reunion, which usually includes a boisterous board game or two. We have had our arguments and hurt feelings, but we’re family. We make -up and when we’re in need of comfort or moral support we know where to turn.

We were blessed with generous, loving parents. We are all trying to emulate their example with our own families. Our parents were not paragons of virtue. They had their flaws, but they loved us unconditionally and we knew it. This was our inheritance, the best of family ties and we’re trying to pass it on to the next generation.

Sadly, not every family has this legacy. Some families are left with an inheritance of emotional pain or even indifference. Some family trees are tangled and snarled with ongoing quarrels, severed relationships and secret shame. Often these family ties are more like anchors that inhibit personal growth. Sometimes they are like open wounds that fester.

I think that it is comforting to note that the family stories in the Bible are not about perfect parents or perfect children. Instead, they are stories about real people; people who made mistakes and needed forgiveness as we all do. Even with loving parents like those in the story Jesus told of the Prodigal Son, we can mess up and have to set things straight. Having a good family relationship takes effort and time, as well as the willingness to say, “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Jesus made it very clear that we must love one another in his commandment to his disciples. Anger, abuse, and disdain are certainly not loving attitudes. Jesus went on further to say, “If , when you are bringing your gift to the altar, you suddenly remember that your brother has a grievance against you, leave your gift where it is before the altar. First go and make your peace with your brother, and only then come back and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23, 24)

Peace has been on our minds since Remembrance Day and peace should begin among family members. This includes our Christian family membership as well. We will not always agree with what our brothers and sisters in Christ believe, say or do, but we should remember to treat each other with love not anger, kindness not abuse, and respect not disdain.

None of the things we do in worship will mean anything to God as long as we harbour such hard feelings against one another. We are made by God in His image, adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ and con-inheritors with Jesus of the Kingdom, because of God’s love for us. Therefore each of us is responsible for truly loving one another.

Another Bracelet

Here is another pearl cuff that I made yesterday as a gift. I like the combination of the white and gold glass “pearls” and the satin covered button is nice, but the next time I think just a plain ivory coloured button would be better.

Fright Night

Fright Night

T’was the latest night in October

When my head was filled with dread

And the house was silent as a tomb,

As the wind round the chimney sped.

Branches scratched on the window pane

As the wind moaned and cried.

I shrank back into the shadows

To shelter from the horrors outside.

I thought my hour had truly come

As the clock ticked loudly on

But when I cracked open the window blinds

The ghouls and ghosts seemed gone.

Until somewhere through the smothering fog

The advancing shapes of two undead

Heard the unearthly howl of a dog.

“We’re back, we’re back”,

Was their ominous shout

As they made their way through the withering cold.

I knew there’d be no keeping them out,

No door would ever hold.

I waited with thundering pulse

As they trod over the sill

Dragging their plunder into my house

To gorge on whatever they willed.

Then the house was silent again

When their appetites were fed,

And I sighed with relief and gratitude

As I tucked those two little ghouls in bed.

Autumn Slips Away

Autumn Slips Away

Richly adorned elms wave farewell,

shedding their brilliant tears on the dying grass

as great grey galleon clouds

in majestic convoy

sail silently overhead,

undeterred by the warning shouts of sentinel crows.

His Mighty Hands

I was looking through a book of songs I have written when I came across this I hymn I wrote to the music “Londonderry Aire” when one of our sons was part of a team building a full size rocket “The Canadian Arrow”.

His Mighty Hands

********

Beyond the earth, stars shine within the universe

While other worlds revolve around their suns.

Our eyes look up to God’s amazing canopy

And our hearts praise the wondrous work He’s done.

Chorus:

For God is Lord of all that is around us.

His mighty hands have shaped and formed it all,

And we are loved so dearly that He gave his Son,

The willing sacrificial Lamb for one and all.

*******

Stardust and dreams go whirling through the atmosphere;

Rainbows and love are part of God’s design.

There is no limit to His power and artistry;

It all delights and challenges our minds.

*******

Because of God, we have our place upon the earth,

And He alone deserves our trust and awe,

For everyone is part of God’s eternal plan;

To love each other is his sacred law.

Adeline’s War of 1812 Journal: July 1815 Part 2

Saturday, July 15, 1815

Dear Janetta,

Lady Persephone Norris has informed her brother, Captain Houghton, that she intends to sail for England by August 1. She did not feel it necessary to return to Thistledown Farm, but wishes to give me time to make my decision without any undue influence on her part. I appreciate her delicacy of feeling, however it worries me that my children won’t have met her before sailing away in her company.

All this was conveyed to us when Capt. Houghton came to visit Evvy on Friday last. It was obvious the true intention of his visit was to woo my sweet sister. Unfortunately for him, Hector had come earlier and had taken Evvy and Henry to the Randalls in his cart .

Evvy will need to make her preference known shortly or the two men in question may come to blows. Everett stayed for tea with mother only as long as polite society requires and left us quite out of sorts.

We had another visitor today. Mr. O’Meara, Arthur’s father-in-law, drove into our yard in his ramshackle wagon, almost overturning my laundry tub and crashing into our garden fence. Of course, he was not in a clear state of mind. He was drunk and slurring his speech. He practically fell out of his wagon and immediately had to be helped up by Father and William.

“Where’s my grandson?” he demanded.

“Where has my good for nothin’ son-in-law taken him? Why ain’t I seen the lad in weeks?”

In consideration of the poor treatment his daughter Kathleen received at the hands of her father and brothers, I was not shocked to hear that Arthur was limiting the familiarity of his infant son with his O’Meara relatives. Had I not been acquainted with other more amiable people of their fair land, I might have formed a very jaundiced opinion of their kind. Today, Mr. O’Meara was not the best representation of their considerable charms. He wore his shabbiest breeches and his homespun shirt was in filthy tatters. I felt some compassion for his situation, but knew his only sorrow at the passing of his daughter was for the many services she had rendered.

Needless to say, we were not able to answer O’Meara’s questions other than to remind him that Adam was in his father’s care and would come to no harm. This reassurance did not placate him at all.

“I know me rights,” he slurred, “ and I want to see me grandson, afore I quit this place.”

“Now O’Meara, when and where are you planning to go?” asked William. “Surely you won’t abandon your home and property.”

“Weesht,and I’ll do what I like, I will. Me son Darnell will give me a home. There’s nothin’ here for me now, no wife nor daughter to give me comfort. Little Adam should be with his kin, not a gormless, limbless pa.”

“Now O’Meara, you are in your cups and making no sense at all,”said my Father. “Go home and sleep this off. We will tell Arthur you wish to speak to him, but I warn you, he shan’t see you if you are three sheets to the wind.”

William and Father put O’Meara back in his wagon, William took the reins and put them in his hand. O’Meara looked down from the wagon blearily, and said , “Hold yer horses, Price. I ain’t done all I came to do.”

O’ Meara scratched his head and then added, “Liam and Seamus have quit this side, but ye best beware of Jake Bourke.”

I just froze! With that warning he drove his horses out of sight.

Adeline

Adeline’s War of 1812 Journal: July 1815 (part 1)

Adeline’s War of 1812 Journal: July 1815

Sunday, July 2, 1815

Dear Janetta,

I cannot describe how I feel. I am such a maelstrom of anger, horror and terror. It happened that this morning I awoke to the growling of Pirate. I had heard him growling and whining earlier, but I was so weary I just looked over at the babes still asleep, hushed Pirate and fell back asleep. It was a brief time because Pirate refused to be ignored and he kept growling, and barking at the door. I could hear footsteps on the small porch and then, Henry called out, “Down Pirate, hush.”

Then as I stumbled sleepily to the door to open it for Henry, I heard him call out.

“Addie, don’t come out. Promise me you won’t open the door.”

“Henry, what is the matter? Of course, I’ll come out if something is amiss. Do you think I am aninny?”

“No Addie. Wait until I fetch Father. Please stay inside until I get back.”

I was puzzled and alarmed, but I agreed not to open the door. Instead I dressed and began to prepare the morning meal of porridge. Henry made it a habit to visit when he arose, bringing us milk from the morning’s milking. Charlie and Andrew are still nursing, though I am training them to drink from a cup as well. Henry often eats his breakfast with us.

Henry and Father returned and spent some time talking quietly, then I heard them wrenching something from the door. Pirate was beside himself with desperation to get out.

Father finally knocked on the door and I let him inside.

“Adeline,” he said gravely, “This cabin is no longer safe for you and the boys. I must insist you move back into the house.”

“But Father,” I implored, “the house is too small for all of us now. What do you mean, the cabin is too dangerous?”

Charlie and Andrew both sat up in their beds, rubbing their sleepy eyes.

“Addie, did you hear anyone outside your door this morning?” asked Henry coming in behind father.

“No, I didn’t…well, I guess Pirate did, because his growling woke me up awhile ago. I was too tired to pay it mind.”

“Addie, someone has killed the boys two kittens and nailed them to the cabin door.”

“What?” I staggered backwards and grabbed the post of the settle near the fire. “Bourke! Bourke did that?”

“Adeline, this man is not rational. You are in grave danger.” said Father.

Isn’t it enough that Bourke kidnapped me, killed my dear Charles,and burned our home? Now he’s driven us out of our new home and threatened our lives. We come through a war across our borders and in our own country and now we are fighting a phantom.

I have made up my mind to accept Brigadier General Houghton’s offer. I will have to send my boys to England so that they will be safe. My heart is breaking.

Terrified,

Adeline

Tuesday, July 4, 1815

Dear Janetta,

Arthur Randall came by with his mother and aunt the day after the kittens were killed. I had just finished washing and hanging the boy’s clothes out to dry. At first, I thought it was Robert and my heart began pounding from mortification after our last conversation. However, as the wagon came closer, I realized it was Arthur. His mother and aunt went into the house to visit my mother and Evvy. Robert had his son, Adam, on his arm and called out to me.

‘Adeline, may we talk?”

I tried not to stare at his empty sleeve as he limped towards me. I put down the basket and we went to sit on the bench near the well, the place where Charles had proposed to me.

“Does your injury cause you much pain?” I asked him.

“Sometimes, not always. Mostly it exasperates me not being able to do what I did before. I’m not much use anymore, Addie. We lost the Battle in New Orleans and I lost my arm.”

“It must be very distressing for you,” I said. “We are so glad that you have returned safely and that the war is over.”

Arthur sat watching Adam playing with some stones. “War doesn’t seem to be over for

you, Addie. I don’t understand why you refused my brother’s proposal. He could offer you and your children the protection you need. “

My cheeks began to burn. “ I didn’t refuse him,” I whispered.

“He says that you did,” insisted Arthur. “Why ever would he think that?”

“I… I don’t know,” I answered “He came to tell me Bourke had escaped and I broke down and cried. It was such a shock. He asked me to marry him almost in the same breath…but…”

“He didn’t wait for your answer, did he?”

I shook my head and Arthur sighed. I picked up Adam and brushed dirt from his tiny fist. He cuddled up to me and began sucking his thumb.

“Do you think you could learn to love him, Adeline?”

I thought of my two sons without a father and remembered Robert’s many kindnesses and considerations.

“I think perhaps I already do care for Robert,” I mumbled into Adam’s curly hair.

“Good,” said Arthur, reaching out for his son.”then you should tell him .”

“He has been avoiding me. I think that he is angry with me and besides, I don’t wish him to marry me out of a sense of duty or pity.” I felt annoyed with my stubbornness but could not bring myself to admit my own doubts. I was very uncomfortable with the entire conversation.

“Adeline, do not let pride stand between you and your safety, not to forget the happiness and comfort of your children. I know for a fact my brother has loved you since the day you first arrived with your parents, ten years ago.”

Arthur looked down at me with a slight smile. “Believe me, Adeline, duty and pity have nothing to do with Robert’s feelings for you.”

And that, Janetta, is when Arthur left me to join his mother and aunt. So now what should I do? – Adeline

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