solemn farewell, divers of us never expecting to see each other any more.

In this journey and travel I endeavoured to be, as much as I well could, at such meetings as I had never been at before, and because I was short in this visit to my friends, some were not so well pleased; but my call was most to the American shore, where I thought my service mostly lay, and in order to return I set my face towards London, and expected to meet with my friend and brother in Christ, Isaac Pickerell, in Cheshire, who designed to accompany me towards the south; wherefore I went from Kendal to Lancaster, and was at Penketh on a First-day, being the 16th of the Ninth month, which meeting was large and solid; after this meeting we went to Sutton, where I met with Isaac Pickerell; also with our ancient friend, James Dickinson, and Christopher Wilson, a choice young man, his fellow-labourer. We had meetings at Sutton, New-Town, Chester, and Shrewsbury: James Dickinson was about fourscore years of age, and yet held out in travels to admiration, and was lively in preaching the gospel : he is a worthy elder, of whose company I was joyful. At Shrewsbury we parted, and Isaac and I went to Colebrook, where, on a First-day, we had a solid, good meeting; from thence we went to Stourbridge, and after having a meeting there, we had another at Broomsgrove, and so went on to Worcester, where we had divers large and solemn meetings; we lodged at John Corbyn's, who was

very kind to us, as also were his hopeful children, and in great love and unity we both met and parted. From Worcester we went to Evesham, where we had two meetings, and from thence to Oddington, and had a large evening-meeting; the people, who were mostly of other societies, were very sober, and gave good attention; this was the fourth-day of the week; fifth-day we had a meeting at Charlbury, and a tender time with a friend very weak at Wallingford, who expressed his satisfaction and thankfulness for the visit; his children were very tenderly affected also. The good Lord, the great Physician of value, was with us, and his balsamic grace was at that time shed abroad in our hearts. From Wallingford we went to Reading, where my good companion and fellow traveller Isaac Pickerell dwelt; we were lovingly received by our friends; I staid here and rested several days, and had several satisfactory meetings with Friends, they being a large people, living much in love and good-will; here Samuel Thornton, of Edmonton, my kinsman, and Isaac Brown, my wife's son, came to see me from London. From Reading, Isaac Pickerell accompanied me to Maidenhead, and to Jordans, at both which places we had meetings. The house and burying-ground at Jordans, are kept in the neatest order I ever saw, in which ground lie the bones of divers worthy Friends, Isaac Penington, William Penn, Thomas Ellwood, George Bowles, and their wives, as I remember. This meeting is

often, if not mostly kept in silence, yet several have been convinced there through the grace of God, and the power of the Holy Ghost, which Christ said he would send to the true believers, and that should abide with the church for ever. Here my beloved friend Isaac and I parted in much love, having good desires for each other's welfare. From Jordans I went with my kinsman to my brother's at Edmonton, where I staid and rested a few days from travelling.

Then a concern came upon me to visit Friends meetings in the county of Essex, and I went from my brother's to Hertford, and had several meetings there; and one I had also at Ware, which was very large. After which I went to Hertford again, I having divers relations there; from thence I went to Bishop's-Stortford, where I had a meeting, and so on to Stebbing, where I had a large meeting; and had a meeting at Braintree, Coggeshall, and a large meeting on a First-day at Halstead, and there was abundance of people at Colne, at an evening-meeting we had there, where I met with our worthy friend Joshua Toft, and his fellow-traveller, Joseph Hobson, we rejoicing to see each other. From Colne, I went to Cockfield, which was a very small meeting; from thence I went to Colchester, where I staid several days, and went to several meetings, as at Rockstead and Manningtree, and then back again to Colchester, where, on the First-day, I had a large meeting in the afternoon, and after meeting,

divers of the Friends came to see me, and were for appointing meetings for me to be at, in the ensuing week, and desired to know my mind therein. After a little pause I told them, I found a full stop in my mind from going to any more meetings at present, and that I would wait some days with them in the city [town], till I saw further. While we were sitting togther, a letter came to me from London, that a Friend, Stephen Payton, had set up my name on the Exchange in London, as master of the Barbadoes Packet, which was the vessel bought of me by John Agar, who sold her to the said Stephen Payton, who intended her for Philadelphia, and next morning a messenger was sent for me from London. Thus having such a favourable opportunity of returning home, I embraced it, and went on second-day to Witham, where I again met with Joshua Toft, and Joshua Hobson, at a meeting; from thence we went to Plaistow, where we had a meeting; and then [I] went to Bromley, near Bow, and was at Joseph Ollive's; had a meeting with his people and servants, which were many; several scores of people belonging to his family. I thought it was a good meeting, a Divine hand of love was reached out to the young people, and they were advised to give up their hearts to their Creator in their youthful days; after this meeting I went to London, and prepared for the voyage. When our vessel was loaded, which was chiefly by Israel Pemberton the younger, who

went with us, as did our owner, Stephen Payton, and Isaac Brown, and four of my kinsfolks, whose names are Freeman, with divers other passengers; in the latter end of the Twelfth month, my brother, and his eldest daughter, Rebecca, with her husband, Samuel Thornton, accompanied me to Gravesend, where our parting with them was, as at Edmonton, very solemn and sorrowful, we never expecting to see one another more. From Gravesend we sailed the third of the First month to the Downs, and from thence down the British channel to the sea, and were at sea above nine weeks, which we thought long, having many contrary winds; but, after we came on shore, we understood, that there were divers vessels that were much longer. At sea we had divers meetings, which were some of them to my satisfaction. I came very unwell on board, but, when at sea I mended; for which favour I am truly thankful. We landed all well and in health at Philadelphia, in the Third month, 1736, where we were received with joy by our relations, friends, and acquaintance; it was much more so, because they had heard I was like to die, having, at London, had a sore fit of the asthma or phthisic, three persons sitting up with me for three nights, who, I thought, would see my end: but the time was not yet come that I must die; though indeed death was no terror to me, hoping my change would be much for the better; for then I hoped I should be for ever with Him whom I love better than life.