ep, and took no further care of them, for we knew, when they
were gone more would come, the Women never failing once a year at least,
and none of the Children (for all the hardship we put them to) were ever
sick; so that wanting now nothing but Cloathes, nor them much neither,
other [68]than for decency, the warmth of the Countrey and Custome
supplying that Defect, we were now well satissied with our condition,
our Family beginning to grow large, there being nothing to hurt us, we
many times lay abroad on Mossey Banks, under the shelter of some Trees,
or such like (for having nothing else to do) I had made me several
Arbors to sleep in with my Women in the heat of the day, in these I and
my women passed the time away, they being never willing to be out of my
company.

And having now no thought of ever returning home, as having resolved and
sworn each to other, never to part or leave one another, or the place;
having by my several wives, forty seven Children, Boys and Girls, but
most Girls, and growing up apace, we were all of us very fleshly, the
Country so well agreeing with us, that we never ailed any thing; {{14 }}
my Negro having had twelve, was the first that left bearing, so I never
medled with her more: My Masters Daughter (by whom I had most children,
being the youngest and handsomest) was most fond of me, and I of her.
Thus we lived for sixteen years, till perceiving my eldest Boy to mind
the ordinary work of Nature, by seeing what we did, I gave him a Mate,
and so I did to all the rest, as fast as they grew up, and were capable:
My Wives having left bearing, my children began to breed apace, so we
were like to be a multitude; My first Wife brought me thirteen children,
my second seven, my Masters Daughter fifteen, and the Negro twelve, in
all forty seven.

After we had lived there twenty two years, my Negro died suddenly, but
I could not perceive any thing that ailed her; most [69]of my children
being grown, as fast as we married them, I sent them and placed them
over the River by themselves severally, because we would not pester one
another; and now they being all grown up, and gone, and married after
our manner (except some two or three of the youngest) for (growing my
self into years) I liked not the wanton annoyance of young company.

Thus having lived to the fiftieth year of my age, and the fortieth of
my coming thither, at which time I sent for all of them to bring their
children, and there were in num