MEMOIR

OF

MISS LUCY RICHARDS.

CHAPTER I.

BIRTH AND EARLY HISTORY.

I was born in Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., October 3, 1792. My father was born in Watertown, and my mother in Middlebury, Connecticut. They resided in the former place about a year and a half after their marriage, when they removed to Oblong, and continued there not far from three years. From thence they removed to Schodack, and, after residing there about the same length of time, to the place of my birth.

When they removed to this place they had had two sons, Orris and John, and one daughter. The daughter died in infancy, and the eldest son when about four years old. I have heard my mother say, that, when he was sick and lying upon her lap, he wished to go to his father, who was then asleep: but she desired him to lie still a short time, telling him he should then go: he raised his little arms, clasped them around her neck, gave her a kiss, and

then expired! My parents have since had six daughters, of whom I was the eldest, and two sons. Two of the daughters died in infancy.

I have often heard my father remark, that he was awakened to a sense of his lost state the last day of March, 1789, under the preaching of the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson; and that, in the April following he found peace to his soul. But as there was no Methodist society in the neighbourhood, he gave his name to Mr. Garrettson. My mother was awakened and converted a year or two afterward, under the preaching of the Rev. Benjamin Abbot; so that, in the early part of their lives, they devoted themselves, their family, and their substance, to the work and service of the Lord: and their house has ever since been open to receive the heralds of the cross.

The first thing I can remember of a religious nature is, that when I was three or four years old a Methodist preacher came to my father's: my mother told me he was going to pray, that I must kneel down, lay my head in the little chair, keep still, and hear what he said. I did so, and got much praise for it; and this probably is the reason of my remembering it so distinctly. After this I was much pleased when the preachers came, as they used to talk to me, and tell me many such things as my little mind was capable of comprehending; making it their uniform practice to shake hands with me when they went away. However, one came who said nothing to me, and when he left did not offer

to shake hands with me, at which I was much grieved, and began to weep. My mother observed it, and, after ascertaining the cause, took me by the hand, led me out to the preacher, who was about mounting his horse, and told him what I had said. Accordingly he shook hands with me, and said I must be a good girl. I then went into the house satisfied. I was early taught to say the Lord's Prayer, the Methodist Catechism, and several hymns, which I repeated with great delight. When in my seventh year my father sold his farm, and bought another within half a mile of a schoolhouse, where there was a small society of Methodists. Here my father was a class leader; and well do I remember his teaching what is now called a Sunday school; for my mind was often so seriously impressed when in it, that I could not refrain from weeping. In one instance, so general was the feeling, it was thought best to go into the house of Mr. W., and hold a prayer meeting, where we cried aloud for mercy. The feeling was, however, of short duration, and produced no lasting effect. About this time my father received license as a local preacher, and as he was obliged to be frequently absent from home on the sabbath, and as no one was willing to take his place as teacher, the school was discontinued.

As we now lived nearer to neighbours than formerly, I had a better opportunity to learn many foolish and hurtful habits. Besides, I soon found I had been kept stricter, and more closely at work

than others; for besides winding a great many quills for my mother, (she being a weaver,) I had spun upward of ninety runs of yarn before I was seven years and a half old. Of course

I could not have so much time for play and amusement as most other children, which circumstance made me uneasy and fretful. My parents, however, were conscientious in their treatment of me, and I shall always have occasion to bless God for their fidelity.

When I was between eight and nine years of age, a Mr. M. taught our district school, and as he was a professor of religion, he prayed at the close of school every day. To guard against a breach of order during this solemn exercise he appointed a watch, whose duty it was to report to him after prayers. All whispering was forbidden; but as we were standing before a window, a girl named L. saw my brother coming in a sleigh and said, "Now we can ride." I replied, "So we can ;" but immediately recollecting I was not to go home till after we had spoken our pieces in the evening, said, "No; I am going to stay." After prayer we were reported; and then questioned by the teacher, that he might know who whispered first. The watch said, "Lucy;" but this I denied, as did also L. Mr. M. deferred the matter till just at evening, then came to me with the watch, and, after sending the rest of the scholars out of the house, asked him if he saw me whisper first? He said he did. He then told him he might leave, as he wanted nothing

further of him; and, taking me by the hand, feruled me severely; after which he asked me if I would not own I whispered first? I told him I did not, and should never say I did. He then repeated his blows in a most cruel manner, saying it was a very wicked thing to tell a lie. I told him I knew it. "But," said he,

"you have told one; and I shall punish you till you own it." I replied, "I never shall." He continued his blows till my shrieks and groans alarmed the scholars in the house across the way, so that they ran and looked in at the window. This led him to desist, at the same time saying, he was afraid I meant to tell a lie. Thus I escaped further punishment. Some of the scholars were so much exasperated, that they advised me to leave the school; but this I did not wish to do, as I never thought that either the teacher or watch had any ill will toward me. Probably the latter was not looking toward us when the conversation commenced; and it would be natural for the teacher to put confidence in a young man rather than in a child. Self-willed and wicked as I was, in other respects, such was my fear of telling a lie that I should not have dared to tell one on any account.

At the time appointed Mr. M. had his exhibition in a large new house, belonging to a Mr. S. We had not been there long before I was taken into the dressing-room, where some of the ladies were employed in powdering and dressing the heads of those who were to appear