Michael-Colburn

Dear Diary,

           After reading The Crisis four years ago I was persuaded to fight in the war. And now I'm 20 and stuck in the middle of a bloody campaign. When I look back at how I used to be, I laugh, mocking myself for my foolish ways. I now agree with my father that I was lazy and irresponsible. Now I have to time for silly games and daydreams. The people of America look up to me to bring them freedom. I haven't fought in any major battles but the little guerilla ones can be just as violent. Lately it has become hard for me to sleep at night. I wake thinking there is a redcoat above me. I wake believing I'm in danger. I feel this war is breaking me. But I must fight. I must pick up my musket and fight. My family's safety has crossed my mind recently. And I cant wait too see Ma and Pa again. I hope they are all right. But there is no room for weakness anymore. I fight only for my survival and for my peoples' freedom. But I am getting old. And I fear I have lost my youth. I no longer have a sense of humor. Everything is a critical situation for me. Even if I try to have a good time, I just can't. I don't know how ill find love back home...

Dear Diary, 

               Everyday my father calls to me saying "Joseph Alexander Colburn get your ass over here", and thats when you know im in trouble. I always do something incorrect or of some error that troubles my father. Even if it were of some natural cause it is my fault. Being 16 i have to live the life of a young man whose stuck between searching for love and working. My father always tells me stories of my great great great grandfather, Michael Colburn, and how times were sooo tough for him and how easy we have it now. In everythinhg i do my father looks down upon me commenting on my laziness or lack of work. It is as if he has no heart. He never comes to think that maybe i get tired working or how i just want to relax sometimes. I always wondered how we ever landed in Jamestown, Virginia and my father tells me how my great great grandfather, John Michael Colburn moved to Virginia because of the hard times hitting Massachussetts. I wonder why things happen the way they do. Why am i constantly being put down? Does everything happen for a reason? I am thinking of joining the war against England. I have been reading The Crisis by Thomas Paine and it encourages me to pick up arms and fight.But I still do no know how my father will take this....

Dear Diary,

              Tis have been 3 years since mine mother died. I hath hardened my heart as if it were stone. But all I can do is move on. 2 years after mine mothers death, mine wife and I decided to leave Ipswich to raise our young John Michael Colburn. We moveth to the town of Worcester in the hopes of living a new life. We sold our shop in Ipswich for a reasonable amount. And till this day we still carry our riches made by mine mother and her deal with that ship owner. I do not know what commeth of mine sister Bridgett. Last I saw of her we sent her to work with Goody Corey and her husband. I gave her some of mine wealth lest something happen to her. But as of my family we are living a reasonable life in Worcester. We opened up another shoe shop and named it  "Colburn Hard", to show the durability of our hand made shoes. So far we are receiving good business, thank god. My son John is coming along and learning his way into this cursed world. I'm proud that everyday he says a new word, only being 2 years of age, he can speak proper English. And my dear Elizabeth, we are still in love as if it were my first day meeting her. I only hope we remain this way. Tis hard to not show my emotion to her in public. Because every time I seeth her I want to kiss her red lips. But I know I cant till I come home. Tis not Christian to think such blasphemies. But I am only human. And what is a human to do with his impurities.

Dear Diary,    

          Tis been a long struggle for mine family and me I could only wish that it did not last so long. 5 years before today I met Elizabeth Wilson. Today was our wedding and tis was the most memorable event of my life. Tis sad to say not everything on this day was cheery and righteous. Mine mother tis still ill. Every day that passeth by I think she be gettin' worse. Even with all our wealth and all the doctors we hire nothing seems to be going right. I even feel that these "doctors" hath maketh he worse, with their ancient remedies. I pray to the God almighty that she gets better. I remember when I was but a boy, 11 years of age, I swore an oath to leave Ipswich when I become married, but I can't leave Ipswich when I get married. But I am stuck here till mine mother passes. I still dread the day I tell Elizabeth that we are leaving Ipswich. I wonder what will become of my young sister Bridgette; she now being 16 meaneth she will marry soon. I only hope she can marry before I leave. Ipswich hath become old and rusted in its hospitality. People here no longer respect each other. And I do not wish for my son or daughter to be raised among wild beasts. T'was thinking of goin to the peaceful town of Salem. But with all those witch accusations going around, I don't want to put my family in harms way. All that matters to me is the safety of mine family. Without it all the wealth in the world couldn't make me happy.

Dear Diary

       Mine life tis gettin' mush better lately and I intend on gettin' married soon, god willin'. Mine father's death tis not harrass me mind ne'more, and i hath learned that tis ok to forgeteth it. The shop i run with mine mother tis thrivin and we can now leave our poverty in the past. The deal we strucketh with that old sailor hath turned out well and we maketh much profit from him. Tis as if God now recognizes us as people and not as rats. He has given me Elizabeth my future wife. I wanteth to talk to her everyday of my god forsaken life but mine mother forbades that I speak with a girl lest I commit some wicked sin of adultery. But we find ways to see each other whether it be in the woods or late at night. I believe tis love between us. The only thing that distresses me is the cold of February. Mine mother tis gettin old and i feel she be gettin weak from the cold . I pray day and night that nothing happen. She might be a pain in my rear because of Of me only having 16 years of age but she is mine mother, and I love her very much. Lately I've gotten in arguments with her over problems in the shop. For example I forgeteth to clean up the shop one day and I do believe there was not one person in all of Ipswitch that did not hear her scolding me. Now that she is be weak I wish I hath listened to her lest I be on her good side.