2004—Childs children

In 1778, as our Revolution raged elsewhere, Abijah and Sarah Childs, distant relatives of ours, suffered terribly under some unspecified contagion. In less than two weeks, they lost three sons and three daughters, aged from almost-three to thirteen. This family monument attests both to their sorrow and to their prosperity. It has always moved me. I already had images but couldn’t resist snapping another on this occasion. In case you can’t read it:

Sarah Childs Died August 28^th 1778 Aged 13 years 8 months & 11 days

Eunice Childs Died August 23^d 1778 Aged 12 year^s 3 months & 8 Days

Abijah Childs Died Sep^t 6^th 1778 Aged 11 years and 37 Days

Abigail Childs Died August 29^th 1778 Aged 7 years 7 months & 11 Days

Benjⁿ Childs Died August 24^th 1778 Aged 4 years 9 months & 8 Days

Moses Childs Died August 19^th 1778 Aged 3 years wanting 8 Days.

This Monument is Erected to the Memory of 6 Children
of M^r Abijah Childs & M^rs Sarah his wife

Meanwhile, half a continent away, our 21^st-century family had contrasting cause to rejoice.

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Such a Life
Contents

Chapter 4
(1972-2002)

Chapter 5
(2003-?)