The latest receipt for money paid by Mr. James Read bears date 8th July, 1777, for the sum of fifty pounds currency, being in part payment of his bond. [Signed.] R. O. Witness: Wm. Mattley.
The book seems to have passed out of the ownership of Mr. James Read; whether by death, or failure in business, I know not.
On one of the pages, written in an elegant female hand, without date:
"When this you see remember me
though many miles you distant bee-
Catherine D. Hammond."
My mind raises the question whether Catherine was of the Le Roy or Samuel Hammond family, but I get no reply. Catherine, or some other good woman, wrote also the following:
"I send the joys of earth away,
A way ye tempters of the mind;
False as the smooth, deceitful sea,
And empty as the whistling wind."
Again:
"I waited patient for the Lord,
He bow'd to hear my cry;
He saw me resting on His word,
And brought salvation nigh."
