I might here be permitted to state my master, Mr. Garrard, at this time, occupied a small farm in the parish of Stradbroke, distant about three miles, to which myself and others were often sent, to do different kinds of work, such as putting in the corn with the drill, sometimes getting in a good lot of turnips, at other times getting up the hay and the corn in harvest, when we had a wagon to be conveyed through the pleasant journey. Adjoining our farm was one occupied by Mr. William Davey, and he also kept a lad a year or two older than myself. He felt himself sometimes aggrieved, because he had so much to do in waiting upon his young masters, so he thought he would cut the matter short, and, being sorely irritated, he got up early one morning (oh! most dreadful act) and set fire to the straw in the barn, which burnt and consumed the whole premises, except the dwelling-house—an alarming conflagration; I saw it blazing. He was taken upon suspicion, tried, and found guilty, and sentenced to be executed, which sentence was carried into effect at Ipswich, on the 20th April, 1822. A terrible example to all young men was the death of William Aldous, late of Stradbroke. Having passed through the various degrees of training incident to a farming establishment, including the diversified labours of the season of harvest, for my master boarded his men, and in some instances lodged them as well; and the harvests were in those days somewhat cheerful and happy seasons. “Crowned with the sickle and the wheaten sheaf,” the ingathering was equal to the demand of the coming winter, however severe and rigid that season might be. My master usually kept a man at his off-farm, but during my last two years of service with him he placed me in that position. The farm-house was occupied by Samuel Tovell and John Pulham. I lodged with the former, and fetched my food from master’s house, being allowed to take a horse, of which I had two under my care, as also several bullocks and pigs. I used to go to master’s house, and have Sunday dinner, and one evening during the week regularly. I received no money for my work, my remuneration was board, lodging, washing, and clothes. My master trusted to me to obey his orders, spoke well of me, and I was encouraged by the designation of steward. I was promised that, if I was willing, I should be put to a business, which would be better than being at a farm-house. As time rolled on, a neighbouring farmer, a friend of my master (Mr. Lenny), removed from out of the parish to Worlingham, and that gentleman was requested to look out for something for me. He was successful, and it was arranged that I should be placed under the care of Mr. George Sutton, a shoemaker, of that parish.