Straits near Beaufort Sept. 6^th 1818

Dear Brother, Sister & Niece,

With weak nerves, dim eyes & a trembling hand I undertake this joint and last address to you my ever dear relatives and friends.

On the 2^nd Sept instant I received your letters of the 12^th & 15 of Sept last which I read with usual satisfaction. I return my grateful acknowledgments for this and all other favors of every kind which you have from time to time conferred upon me.

In a former letter I believe I informed you of the uncommon degree of health I had been blessed with for a number of years past. This continued without much interruption till Sept. last when I was somewhat indisposed for some days which was followed by a privation of strength & loss of appetite & a slight fever. I nevertheless walked about the house for a week when my fever & weakness confined me to my bed and progressively increased until I verily thought myself dying and took my leave of my friends who were present, nevertheless it pleased God to continue me longer in this world altho` my hearts desire & daily prayer was to depart. During the course of this fever I never had any pain or other distressing symptoms but enjoyed perfect quietness & composure both of body and mind but while in a state of recovery I endured much pain and disquiet, but altho` much weaker and infirm than I have usually been I have enjoyed a tolerable degree of health during the summer, but have had an impression on my mind ever since my recovery that I should not survive more than 1 year, if so much. This impression still continues and as I feel nearly the same symptoms with which my sickness commenced last year I have reason to think that my pilgrimage on earth is nearly at an end. I am still reconciled to my fate and sincerely pray that Gods will may be done.

My grandson John Hellen died last fall, the rest of my family here are I believe in health. I have lived to be so much a stranger to the world that I know but very little of what passes even the neighborhood where I live and am so hard of hearing that I do not understand a word of what is said in the key of common discourse even in the house where I reside.

When ever I have made you a visit I have always considered that biding you farewell was the most affecting scene that happened. I have lived to bid a final farewell to the greatest part of my relations and friend and I think I am the oldest person living of all our family connections. Why my life is spun out so far beyond my wishes I cannot conceive but I cheerfully submit to the wise disposer of events knowing that I must shortly bid a final adieu to the world and all that inhabit it and how much so ever the tender feelings are exited I shall conclude this my last Epistle by biding you all an affectionate and final farewell, Farewell my Dear Brother. My Sister & Niece.....Farewell forever. I am