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Straits near Beaufort, Sept 6th, 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 2nd of September instant, I received your letters of the 12th & 15th of July 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 have been blessed with for a number of years past; this continued without much interruption till last September when I was somewhat indisposed for some days, which was followed by a privation of strength, loss of appetite, and a slight fever. Nevertheless, I 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, although my heart's desire in daily prayer was to depart. During the course of this fever, I never had any pain or other distressing symptom but enjoyed perfect quietness and composure both of body and mind. But while in a state of recovery, I endured much pain and disquiet. Although much weaker and more infirm than I have usually been, I have enjoyed a tolerable degree of health during the summer, but I have had an impression on my mind ever since my recovery that I should not survive more than a 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 God's will may be done.

My grandson John Hellen died last fall. The rest of the family here are, I believe, in good health. I have lived to be so much a stranger to the world that I know but very little of what passes even in the neighborhood where I live, and I 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.

Whenever I have made you a visit, I have always considered that bidding you farewell was the most affecting scene that happened. I have lived to bid a final farewell to the far greatest part of my relations and friends, 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 sooner the tender feelings are excited, I shall conclude this my last epistle by bidding you all an affectionate and final farewell. Farewell, my dear brother, my dear sister & niece - Farewell forever.

I am, &c.

Saml. Leffers