And would I grieve? Yes, many a poisoned dart Have I with wilful hand flung straight at thee, Yet stood aghast, when it did prick thy heart, I mourn in silence, now--thou'rt gone from me; Father, and we, the six yet still are here And for thy sake will serve each others good-- Grief answers grief, now comes the ready tear, To bring thee back we'd weep thee tears of blood; And would we weep for thee to call thee hence? Again instate thee in this world of woe, Would we rebel and murmur--dread offence-- Against the God whose mandate bade thee go? Nay, wearied one, fly to thy hav'n of rest, God wills it so; content we are to be Without thee here, thou dwell'st among the blest Forever safe in realms prepared for thee. PART I. Life and Character. CHAPTER I. ANCESTRY AND PARENTS. In Cumberland County, in the southern part of the State of New Jersey, may be found a little settlement called "Gouldtown." It contains a church, a school house, a blacksmith shop, a wheelwright shop, two stores and a post office. The community is made up almost entirely of farmers, and is of course very conservative as to modes of thought and expression. It takes its name from the large family of Gould's who have so long occupied the place. There are, however, three other families more or less intermixed with the Gould family; viz: The Pierces, the Murrays, and the Cuffs; but the Goulds have usually maintained the leading position, both in number and influence. Tradition connects this family with the early settlers of the State. John Fenwick, an Englishman, who had been a Major in the Parliamentary army under Cromwell, and who had been specially appointed by Cromwell to "see the sentence of death pronounced against the king, (Charles I.,) executed, in the open streets before Whitehall," after the Restoration emigrated to America. He had adopted the religious views of George Fox, and became associated with William Penn. He arrived in New Jersey (Caesarea) in the year 1675, accompanied by his three daughters, two of whom were married, their husbands, five grandchildren, and ten servants. One grand-daughter, Elizabeth, aged at the time of their arrival in America at eleven years, subsequently caused him much grief, and, it is said did much to bring his gray hairs in sorrow to the grave. "He does not disguise the sense of shame that hangs over him from her course of life, and strives to make her understand his displeasure, by depriving her of any part of his property, immediate or prospective, but on certain conditions."--_Life of John Fenwick by John Clemens._