I rose early--After Breakfast I rode to see Miss _Rachel Stocktin_,[165] now Mrs _Ryley_; She lives on this River, about a mile higher up, in a large very elegant brick House; in considerable grandeur--Poor Girl She herself is much indisposed either of a bad Cold, (as She thinks) or of this epidemical Fever; Mrs _Ryley_ introduced me ceremoniously to Miss _Ryley_ her Husbands _Sister_, She has a small handsome Fortune, & is perhaps agreeable--I returned to Town, & dined with Mr _Voorhees_, & immediately after crossed over the Ferry for _Port-Penn_.[166] Expence at _George-Town_ for my Horse 2/3 to Boy 4d. I rode next to small village called _Warwick_,[167] a pitful place indeed--Expence here 1/11 Boy /2. then I rode on to Port-Penn, the Country beautiful, the Land apparently very rich, the Timber strait, & large; I entered Port-Penn just as the Sun went down, but could not prevail with the Ferry-Man to carry me over before the morning--In George-Town I was told the following distressing _News_: that Dr _Ward_, & my Aunt _Fithian_ of Cohansie are both Dead; that my Aunt died in a very sudden unusual manner!--That Miss Polly Bullock of Philadelphia is dying in a Consumption!--In the Evening I called in to see Mr _Steward_ an ancient, gray headed, wealthy Gentleman in _Port-Penn_, who, by some Weakness in his Back, has been unable to walk at all for four years, he is hearty, religious, cheerful, seemed much pleased, & thanked me often for calling to see him, & desired by me his kindest Compliments to Mr Hunters Family--I spend the Evening alone with quiet & content.--In Bed by nine-- [165] Stockton. [166] Port Penn, Delaware. [167] Warwick, Maryland. [Illustration: ferry crossing] _Saturday 16._ I rose early, & expected to pass soon over the Ferry--The wind moderate at North West but the boat is aground, & I must wait until eleven, when She is expected to float--I was much alarmed in the night, thinking I had in Maryland taken the putrid Fever; I lay sleepless, felt feverish, had pains in my Head--But I feel wholly relieved this morning. At twelve the Boat came--We run over--Expence at _Port-Penn_ 4/8. Ferriage 5/-. Once more through Gods Mercy in New-Jersey. The Favours of God our common Parent are innumerable, & great beyond our merit--I rod with Pleasure from Elsenborough to Greenwich; I stopt to see the forsaken Mrs Ward; She seems to be truely distress'd! I arrived by Sunset at my Uncles he also seems much afflicted, with his Loss--He informed me that many have Died in the Neighbourhood of Greenwich this winter. Dr Ward, Squire Millar, Mr Boy'd Merchant--Aunt Fithian, aunt Ware, Rachel Peck, Rachel Ware, David Mills, Mrs Mills &c. a very Mortal Winter! _Sunday 17._