Loyalist Women in New Brunswick, 1783-1827: Letter from Sarah Winslow to Benjamin Marston, 18 October 1783, [n.p.]

I am very sure, will receive
Pleasure from hearing, his Uncle Winslow and Family are once
more so Bless^d as to be together, my Father , Mother , Sister , & myself
safely arrived at Halifax the fourteenth of september, – our voyage
was a tedious one — we set sail with every flattering appearance
but in a few hours after, the \wind/ came contrary, and continued so the
whole of the way which render^d it a disagreeable fifteen days
from the evening after we left New York, untill the day we landed
at this place, not one hour good weather had we, very sea sick
and extremely frighten^d were we all, except my Father, who good
Man was neither sick nor afraid of any thing, then that he
should not get victuals enough to eat, which was rather an un
necessary concern for no other of the party had any inclination
to partake of his delicacies {damaged: {illegible phrase} }
favor^d with one of the best ship in the Garison of New York,
and the kindest most obligeing man in the world for a comman
der was our support — greatly are we indebted to our friend the
Commissary General, for giveing of us, thousand advantages that
know other family has had, his friendly attention continue^d to
the last, He hurried us away, thinking it was the season to
avoid storms — gave us an exelent Vessell, without one passanger
but
Those we chose ourselves, which where only M^r Blowers & family,
we embark^d in a most beautifull morning, friend Watson came of
a little way with us, for the pleasure of a sail, return^d delighted
with our prospect — but contrary to his wishes and opinion when
he left us instead of haveing no {unclear: storm} we had a sort of one
all the passage — the Ladys had anticipate^d every horror, but
confess my heart was so deeply wounded at parting with a num
ber of tenderly beloved friends that I thought not of the distress
of a voyage, numerous where the friends that we left, but with
thankfullness I mention, that we find some, where ever we go, –
I have now my cousin the gratifycation of seeing my Fathers'
mind more compos^d then for some time past, – before we left
our delightfull retreat at the Bowery, His mind was greatly
perplext to know what to do, we where sweetly situated there
about two miles out of the City — our very valuable Friend
Doctor Bayley with many others where extremely anxious for our
remaining there the winter my Brother was equaly desirous for
our going to England, and repeatedly advise^d my Father too,
what was best to be done the good man could not tel, finaly
determin^d to come to this place, we where a little disconsertd
at not finding Edward here, but his friends came immediately
on board, and upon being inform^d He had hire^d a small House
for an office, we immediately took possession of it — we was
for some time depriv^d of the happiness of haveing him with us,
but
Enjoy^d the real pleasure of finding him universally esteem^d &
belove^d, a large number of his friends gave every proof of their
attachment to him, by the vast attention paid my Father and
the family, every hour did some friendly one call to offer
there service, and seem^d vieing with each other, who should
do the most for us, – Col^o Small endeavor^d to prevail with us
to accept of part of his House, kindly assure^d us we should
be as entirely detach^d from his family as we chose to be,
to do justice to his benevolence and attention and that of
many others is beyond my pen — my Brothers return, has
made us happy, in addition to the inexpressable happiness his
Company ever affords, we enjoy that of seeing him rejoyceing
that we are at Nova Scotia, and a stil further gratifycation
we have, – letters from New York yesterday inform us, that all our
friends, even our belove^d Bayley, acknowledges that it was
best we came away from there, and that they are glad we
are at Halifax, – greatly my good Cousin could I enlarge
upon the subject that has brought us all to this uncultivated
country, but as it can answer no good purpose I endeavour
to be silent — but must to you so far say, that I do think
after every thing els has been done, thats horrid — that any
part of the only {unclear: elysium} the suffering ones have, should
be call^d by the name of Shel^be, is rather too bad, strange
that
Strange that after such a variety of disagreeables, a matter of
so little importance should disturb, perhaps you will say, it is only
minds weak as your cousin that is affected by it, it may be so,
but confess I have not only been offended but hurt by it more
particulary, as you honour the place, by being an inhabbitant —

The longer I write the more I wish to say to you, but it being
now very late at night, must leave the rest for another time &
only mention that my Brother, since his tour with the General
has had the misfortune to have the gout in his right arm, it
is now better, but stil so painfull that he only writes what no
one can do for him — He desires me to give his most affectionate
love to you, and to assure you that whenever any thing impor
tant occurs he will if he has but one hand communicate it to
you, — that the present report is, General Fox is to be Governor
of Nova Scotia but wether it is to be depended upon is not yet
none, should so fortunate an event take place, – it will be a very
happy circumstance for many of his friends, – if it does not
my Brother is undetermin^d wether he shall go to England or rema
in here this winter — by Governor Whentworth & Faning he
receiv^d number of letters, his friends not only urge, but entreet
his going home, say it would be of vast advantage to him,
Lord Percy is particularly desirous for him to be there, should
he Conclu^d upon crossing the atlantic, how my cousin shall we ever
surport being again seperated from him — if we are call to it
great & severe will be the tryal of his Father Mother & Sisters —
good night my dear Cousin — should it be convenient for you to take a
trip to Halifax this winter — seeing you will afford sincere pleasure to your friends