Diary of Ezra Green, M.D. from November 1, 1777, to September 27, 1778

Dr. Green is still able to employ himself with books for several hours every day. He reads the papers, and keeps himself well informed upon all public affairs, and retains his interest in them. As an evidence of the declaration that "the intellect and the heart have been slightly touched by time," I am permitted to publish the following extracts from a record, made in my journal, of an interesting interview had with him after service on the Sunday on which the sermon was preached. I had said that he was so well and strong that perhaps his life would still be prolonged some years; to which he replied – "I know not how long I may live. Death was always a very solemn and affecting thing to me. When a young man nothing affected or impressed me so much as a funeral. It has been so through life and is so now. I contemplate death with awe. It is a solemn thing to die, to exchange worlds, to enter upon an untried, spiritual, eternal state of being, of which we can form no adequate conceptions. To appear before an omniscient God, to account for the deeds done in the body, all of them, through a long life, is a solemn thing; I feel it to be so – I have always felt it. But I thank God that I am able to contemplate him as my Father in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, the mediator, I have hope in his mercy, and a perfect trust in his paternal goodness." * * * *

These observations, and others in a similar strain, were made spontaneously, with pauses in which he seemed to be collecting his thoughts, but with only a single question put to him on my part. I publish them, not on account of the particular religious opinions which they express, but for the evidence they afford of the unabated vigor and activity of his intellect at the age of an hundred years. I have given very nearly his exact words. He was much affected during the utterance of these sentiments, and evidently spoke from the bottom of an earnest and sincere heart. The interview was exceedingly interesting, and left on those present the impression that he was ripe for the Kingdom of Heaven, and that an old age surrounded by so many comforts, with the intellect and the heart so little impaired, was not so sad and gloomy a period as we sometimes imagine.

In June, 1846, he received the following letter from Daniel Webster:

Washington, June 17, 1846.

My Dear Sir: – I hope you remember me at that period of my life, when I was in the habit of attending the Courts at Dover, and when I had the pleasure of enjoying your society and hospitality.

And I hope that in subsequent life I have made some efforts which you have approved, for the maintenance of those political principles to which, as a friend and follower of Washington, you have ever been attached, and which I have heard you so often and so intelligently defend. This is the day 6 on which you complete the hundredth year of your age. Will you allow me, therefore, to greet you, to-day, with a respectful and friendly letter, congratulating you on the degree of strength, mental and bodily, which Providence allows you to enjoy, so far beyond the lot of man, and tendering to you my cordial and affectionate good wishes for your continued health and happiness. I send you a copy of a speech lately made by me in the senate, and remain, dear sir,

Your friend and obedient servant,

Daniel Webster.

Dr. Ezra Green.

To my cousin the Hon. James D. Green, of Cambridge, Mass., I am indebted for the following authentic annals from his manuscript volume, in the library of the New-England Historic, Genealogical Society, in Boston, relative to his and my father's earliest progenitors.

Dr. Green's earliest ancestor who came from England to this country, was:

1. James1 Green, yeoman, 24 years. He was an inhabitant of Charlestown, 1634, and admitted freeman of the colony in 1647, purchasing lands and settling in "Mystic Fields," since called Maiden. He died March 29, 1687, aged 77 years, leaving a widow and two sons, John and James. After a proper provision for his widow and son James, he willed his "lands and housing thereon" to his son John.

2. John2 (James1), the eldest son of James, was born about 1650 and died at the age of 59, leaving a widow, three daughters and one son, Samuel, to whom, after providing for his widow and daughters, he by will gave all his lands in Maiden and Charlestown "to him and his heirs forever."

3. Samuel3 (John2 James1), who was born in 1679, was a representative of the town in the general court in 1742. His wife died at the age of 72, and he died February 21, 1761, at the age of 82, leaving four sons: James, John, Timothy and Ezra, and one daughter, Mary Daua. To his beloved son Ezra, he by will gave all the remainder and residue of his real and personal estate, he paying his debts, funeral expenses and the various bequests to his other children and granddaughters.

4. Ezra4 (Samuel3 John2 James1), was born in 1714, and married Sarah Hutchinson, who died July 7, 1741, at the age of 26 years. His second wife, Eunice Burrell, of Lynn, died October 20, 1760, aged 47, leaving two sons, Ezra and Bernard. For his third wife, he married Mary Vinton, by whom he had one son, Aaron. Said Ezra Green was deacon of the church in Maiden, selectman and representative in the general court during the years of 1760, '61 and '62. He died April 28, 1768, at the age of 54 years. By his will, after providing for his beloved widow Mary, he gave to his son Ezra twenty acres of land in Chelsea, and about five acres near "Penny Ferry," apart from what he had paid for his collegiate and medical education, and the gift of a horse, which he deemed equivalent to the homestead, real and personal (except what he had disposed of to his son Aaron, besides his collegiate educational expenses), which he bequeathed to his son Bernard, making as it did the fifth generation, and embracing more than two hundred years since its first purchase by James Green in 1610.

Dr. Green was in his second year's naval service, when, by the Rev. Jeremy Belknap, he was married to Susanna Hayes in the twentieth year of her age. She was then reputed to have been quite handsome and a great favorite with all her acquaintance. She had a delicate and petite figure, nut-brown hair, shading bright hazel eyes that lit up her regular cut features with a winning expression, which played over a soft transparent complexion, lovely as a fresh-blown rose.

Her father's will, making his estate reversionary in the event of his daughter's decease without issue, happily placed her and her husband in no such unpleasant dilemma; for in the brief time of nineteen years, thirteen children were born to them, viz.:

My mother's earliest paternal ancestor 7 in America,

1. John1 Hayes, is said to have emigrated from Scotland about 1680, and settled in Dover, New-Hampshire. He had a grant of land in 1693. By his wife Mary Horn, he had seven sons and three daughters, viz.:

2. John2 (John1), married Mrs. Tomson, and lived at Tole-End, four miles from Dover corner. He was a deacon of the First Congregational Society in Dover. They had eight children, viz.:

3. Reuben3 (John2, John1), was born May 8, 1720. He lived at Tole-End and married Abigail Shackford, by whom he had only one child, viz.:

Reuben Hayes died in 1762, at the early age of 42 years, and by his will, after a liberal provision for his wife Abigail, he gave all the residue of his estate, real and personal, to his only child Susanna Hayes, consisting of his farm of 150 acres at Tole-End, with this reservation that, in case "his said daughter Susanna, at her decease, should leave no issue of her body lawfully begotten surviving, then my will is that, my whole estate that shall then be remaining, both real and personal, shall revert and be divided among my four Brethren, namely, Benjamin, John, Ichabod and Elijah Hayes."

DIARY OF DR. EZRA GREEN

Portsmouth Road, Nov. 1st, 1777. Saturday.– Between the hours of 8 & 9 this morning weigh'd anchor and proceeded to Sea with a moderate breeze, before night lost sight of the American shore. 8

Sunday, Nov. 2nd.– A very fine morning and a favorable wind, all well on board – except some few who are a little Seasick.

Friday, Nov. 7th.– A strong gale at Northwest which carrys us 10 knots.

Thursday, Nov. 13th.– About seven this morning saw a sail on our lee Bow distant about 2 Leagues, gave chase and spoke her about 12 o'clock, a Brig from Carolina bound for Bordeaux with several Tory Passengers on Board, among whom were Hartley the Organist & his wife.

Friday, Nov. 14th.– This Morning at 5 o'clock came up a severe Thunder Storm from the southwest.

Saturday, 15th.– Last evening came on a gale of wind which increas'd till about 3 this morning when it began to abate, in the hight of the gale a sail was seen under our lee Quarter, hove too till she came up, a Schooner from St. Peters bound to Bordeaux.

Sunday, 16th.– A fresh Breeze, and high Sea from the late Gale, about 10 o'clock our tiller Rope broke by which we were in great Danger of the Consequences of the Ship's broaching to.

Wednesday, 19th.– About six this morning saw a Sail under our lee Quarter, gave Chase or rather bore away till we came within about a mile of Her found Her to be a large Ship standing Our course clued up Our Courses and hawl'd Our wind – got ready for Action she standing on her course close to the wind, wore Ship when it was too late, continued the chase till night and lost Her.

Saturday, Nov. 22nd.– At nine o'clock this morning saw a Sail on our weather Beam – little wind; One of Our People fell from the Chains but was saved by a Rope's End handed Him.

Sunday, Nov. 23rd.– Early in the morning saw a Sail supposed to be the same we saw yesterday, came up with and made a Prize of – about 8 o'clock, a Brig laden with fruit and wine from Malaga bound to Yarmouth, Riches Commr. – She is called the Mary – there are no less than six sail in sight at this Time.

Monday, Nov. 24th.– Spoke a Schooner from Malaga bound to Liverpool vessel and Cargo owned by a Portugal Mercht.

Tuesday, 25th.– Last night spoke a Ship & Snow bound to France, – and are now chasing a vessel under Our lee Bow, at 11 at night came up with & made a Prize of the Brig George from Malaga bound to London laden with fruit and wine, she was commanded by Bulfinch.

Wednesday, 26th.– Early in the morning gave chase to a Brig under our lee Bow, but were obliged to give over Chase on seeing a very large Ship to windward with several other Sail in Company she appeared to be standing athwart us, about 2 she hove too with a Fleet of 13 Sail of Ships & Brigs at 2 Leagues Distance, clewed up Our Courses & stopp'd our Ship's way expecting every minute when she would come down upon us about 4 she stood on her Course, we made sail close to the wind with a design to cut off a Brig which could not keep up with the Convoy, lost her in the night.

Thursday, 27.– A fresh gale from the S.W. in the afternoon vear'd a Barrel of Beef astern for the Brig, Sea running High she carelessly ran upon our Larboard Quarter but did no other Damage than breaking our Driver Boom – at 10 at Night saw several Sail spoke one of them found them all to be Dutch Daugers.

Saturday, 29th.– A very heavy gale, hove too at night in the Bay of Biscay 60 Leagues distant from Land.

Sunday, 30th.– Fine weather and a strong wind in the night hove too and sounded in 80 Fathom water.

Monday, Dec. 1.– Saw Land from mast Head at 10 in the morning, with fine weather.

Tuesday, Dec. 2nd.– Ran in for the Land with a fine moderate Breeze, narrowly escap'd running on a Sand through want of a Pilot and arrived all in good spirits at Peanbeauf on the River Loire and came to anchor in the evening.

Wednesday, 3rd.– Wrote a Letter to Capt. Shackford at L'Orient and inclos'd one to my very good friend Cooper – favour'd by Capt. Mutchemore. 9

Friday, Dec. 5th.– The Prize Brig Mary arrived here safe – went to Nantez with Capt. Simpson arriv'd at 9 in the Evening this is a very considerable City distant 10 Leagues from Peanbeauf am told there are 12 Parishes in Nantes in one of which are 30,000 Souls.

Saturday, Dec. 6.– Went to the Tragedy but it was to me in an unknown Tongue, was not much pleased or entertained, however the Musick was good.

Sunday, Dec. 7.– Returned to Peanbeauf, and on board the Ranger.

Friday, 13 Feb.– Set sail for Quiberon Bay Mr. Williams & Brother on board, in company with us Brig Independence, anchored in the Bay about six in the Evening, 4 Ships of the Line besides Frigates in the Bay.

Saturday, 14th Feby.– Very Squaly weather, came to Sail at 4 o'clock P.M. saluted the french Admiral & rec'd nine guns in return this is the first salute ever pay'd the American flagg.

Sunday, 15th Feb'y.– Brig Independence saluted the french Flagg which was return'd. 10

Wednesday, 25th Feb'y.– Fleet got underway and left us at anchor contrary to Expectations, about 12 o'clock it being very windy we came to sail, ran out of the Bay without a Pilot, attempted to the Northward of Belisle, but did not succeed, put back hoping to run into the Bay again, but could not weather the Rocks, in the midst of our Trouble having narrowly escap'd over setting the Ship, were alarm'd with the cry of Fire – after all our endeavours to procure a Pilot were in vain, & night coming on, bore away and ran out to the Leward of the Island, very squaly still.

Thursday, 26.– Arrived in Quiberon-Bay again the Evening after a short but very tedious & unprofitable Cruize.

Tuesday, March 3rd.– Weigh'd anchor and came to Sail in fine weather & smooth water, sail'd along the Coast about 25 Leagues and came to anchor in a small Bay near a small village called Benodett, had a curious Adventure with a french Pilot who came on Board to pilot the Ship but would not be compell'd to take charge of her.

Thursday, March 5th.– Went with Joseph Ratcliff to Pontlably and procured good lodgings for Him supposing the Eruption (which came out last night) to be Small Pox – we were treated with great respect as we were Americans, were waited on near half a mile to the Boat and on parting gave them 3 Cheers which was answered with vive Le Congres.

Friday, March 6th.– This morning (being fine weather) came to sail, in the morning went through of Passage Duroi; saw a large Ship to the leeward which we thought was a Frigate & the same we saw yesterday: She fail'd in attempting to get through the Passage and stood off.

Saturday, March 7th.– Came to anchor in Baldavids Bay not far from the River of Brest.

Sunday, March 8th.– Weigh'd and beat up towards Brest came too in Camaritt's Bay 4 Leagues from Brest.

[At Brest] Tuesday, March 10th.– Last night eight of our People took the Cutter and went on shore and ran off leaving the Boat on the Rocks.

Friday, March 13th.– Seven of eight Deserters were bro't back under guard & confined in Irons.

Saturday, 14th March.– Went to Brest with Capt. Jones & Lt. Simpson; had a slight view of the Fortifications, Shipping, and Dock-Yards – return'd in the Evening.

Sunday, 15th.– I had the pleasure of entertaining the Commissaries Lady & two Sisters on Board the Ranger.

Wednesday, 18th.– Last night died after a lingering Illness for more than three weeks Willm. Reading – His remains were decently interr'd about 11 o'clock A.M. – P.M. the Ladies came to pay Capt. Jones a visit as he was absent when they pay'd us the first Visit.

Monday, 23rd March.– Got under way and ran up to Brest; saluted the Admiral, rec'd the news of Ld. Stormont's having left Paris on receiving a copy of the Treaty with America.

Thursday, 2nd April.– Got up anchor pay'd the french flagg another Salute rec'd. 11 for 13 – One of our Seamen narrowly escap'd drowning; when the Ship was coming to sail was turned off from the Spritsail Yard the Ship went over Him, but He was luckily taken up by the Man who was in the Cutter which was vear'd astern arriv'd at Camaritt about 5 o'clock P.M. and came to anchor.

Friday, 3rd April.– Our Ship being laid on Shore for cleaning I went with our Pilot & Lt. Wallingsford to take a view of the New Fort which is building on an Eminence at the distance of three miles from Camaritt.

Sunday, 5 April.– Attempted to get out to sea with the Fortuna of 36 guns but were oblig'd to return to Brest.

Wednesday, 8th.– Made a second Attempt to get out & fail'd.

Friday, 10th.– About 5 o'clock P.M. came to Sail in Company with the Frigate [Fortuna] – were detained by the Cutter which was sent after Sand to Camaritt.

Saturday, 12th. 11– Fine weather but no Convoy to be seen, about 10 in the morning saw a sail to windward which prov'd quite contrary to our fears to be the Fortuna – we were all ready for action when she came alongside of us.

Monday, 14th.– Our Convoy left us, sooner than Capt. Jones Expected which He resented but could not prevent.

Tuesday, 15 April.– Early in the morning saw a Brig under our Lee Bow, about 8 o'clock spoke her: from Ostend to Galway laden with Flaxseed took the People their Baggage &c. on board scuttled and left Her. 12

Wednesday, 16th.– Made some part of Ireland in the morning suppos'd to be the high Land of Dungarvin.

Thursday 17th.– Saw a Ship in the afternoon under our lee Bow, at Sun's setting spoke Her – a Ship of about 350 Tons from London for Dublin laden with Hemp Iron Porter &c &c. ordered her to Brest. 13

Saturday, 19th.– Made a warm attempt to take a Cutter mounting 8 Guns, she slipped through Our Fingers, had the Captain have permitted the Marines to fire on them when they first came under our lee Quarter might have taken Her with great Ease.

Sunday, 20th.– In the morning near the Isle of Man sunk a schooner laden with Barley & Oats about 60 Tons burthen from some part of Scotland, in the Evening sunk a Sloop in ballast from Ireland. 14

Monday, 21st.– Bore down for Belfast Loch, took a fishing Boat with 4 Men in sight of a Ship at anchor they informed Us that she was a Man of war of 20 guns; we made sail and stood off about an Hour, when the Capt. ordered the ship to be put about in order to go in and cut her out, but the wind blowing fresh and the people unwilling to undertake it we stood off and on till midnight when the People consenting and the wind having lulled a little we stood into the River but it being somewhat Dark did not drop our Anchor so as to lay her along side, therefore were oblig'd to cut and run out, which we were very lucky in effecting.15

Tuesday, 22nd.– Stood off and on all Day with a design to make another Trial if the wind lull'd at night there being no signs of more moderate weather wore ship and stood back towards Galway Mull – Our people very much fatigued.

Wednesday, 23rd. 16– Weather somewhat more moderate & our people a little recruited, Our enterprising Capt. with about 30 men went on shore about 11 P.M. with a Design to fire the Town of Whitehaven. 17

Thursday, 24th.– After watching the night and all the morning till broad day light in expectation of seeing the smoke of the Town and Shipping (ascend as the smoke of a Furnace) began to fear that Our People had fallen into the Enemies Hands; however about half an hour after sun rise we discovered two small Boats at a great Distance coming out of the Rivers mouth, and clouds of smoke arising from the Shipping, soon after we saw them fire on the Boats from the Shore, but most of the Cannon being spiked up by our People they could do but very little the Boats were soon out of their Reach and came along-side with 3 prisoners for one left behind.

The same Day crossed over to the other side of the Bay to the Mull of Galway Capt. Jones with Lt. Wallingsford and about 12 Men went on shore [at St. Mary's Isle] with design to take Ld. Selkirk, Prisoner. As he was not at Home and no man in the House, for the sake of his Lady & her Company they came off without doing any further Damage than plundering Him of Plate to the amount of (as near as I can judge) 160lb. weight of Silver. 18

Friday, 24th.– Early in the morning our Capt. proposed making a second attempt to cut out the Ship in Caraefergus, which was now within a small Distance, the People both officers & men discovr'd great unwillingness to make the attempt. Capt. Jones notwithstanding declar'd publickly his determination to go in, in short it seem'd impossible to avoid it for the Tide & what little wind there was, had imperceptably carry'd us in so far that there was very little chance for an Escape, and now which was about sun-rise we saw the Ship with Her Sails loos'd and had nothing to do but to get ready for Action Our People at the same Time discovering the greatest readiness to engage Her. When she [the Sloop of war Drake] came out at 11 almost Calm about 12 Saw a Boat coming from the Ship which we Decoy'd and took on board a Midshipman & 5 Men; there being a light Breeze of Wind & understanding by the People from the Ship that she was coming Out to us; clung our wind and stood out under easy sail till 4 o'clock, P.M. & hove too for Her, she came up about 6 and hailed after the usual Compliments were pass'd we wore Ship and gave her a whole broad side, without receiving a Shot: the Action continued till 5 minutes after seven very warm when her 2 Commanding Officers being the one Capt. Brurdon killed & the other Lt. Dobbs mortally wounded and about 20 of Her Men disabled and the Ships Rigging Sails &c. very much damaged they were oblig'd to give her up by the wave of the Hat; & a call for Quarters for having the Second Time cut away their Ensign staff they had no Colours to Strike.

Lost on our side, – Lt. Wallingsford 19 killed by a musket shot in the head. John W. Dangle by a double Hd. shot cut in two in the Fore Top.

Wounded, – Pierce Powers lost his right Hand, & his left badly wounded. James Falls by a musket shot through the Shoulder. Thos. Taylor lost his little Finger by a musket shot at the wheel.

Saturday, 25th.– Very pleasant and almost Calm a fine Opportunity for repairing and fitting for Sea from on board the Drake buried the Remains of Capt. Burdon with the Honors of war – spoke a Brigg from white Haven of about 300 Tons commanded by Capt. More, put a Prize Master and Hands on Board Her: at 12 we were not far from the place of action about 2 o'clock P.M. having a light Breeze sent away the Fishing Boat's crew with a present of Money 17 Guineas and the Drakes Main Sail & Mn. Top Sail; in the Evening committed the Body of Lt. Wallingsford to the deep with the Honours due to so brave an Officer.

Monday, 4th May.– Died of his wounds and the same day were decently buried the Remains of Nath1. Wells of Portsmouth, America.

Thursday, May 7th.– Arrived at Brest with the Ship Drake in Company.

May 9th, Saturday.– Sent on Shore to the Hospital Pierce Powers, James Falls & Thos. Taylor from the Ranger at the same Time sent from the Drake 13 Prisoners.

Sunday, 10th May.– Arrived here the Prize Brig Patience.

Wednesday, 13th.– Sent to the Hospital John Mott a Prisoner taken in the Drake.

Friday, 29 May.– Drew a petition in behalf of my good Friend Simpson now in gaol in Brest which was sign'd by Lt. Hall Mr. Cullam and myself & sent on shore to the Office in order to go to the Commissioners at Paris.