Newport Jan’y 20 1779
With what words can I express the Melancholy News of Mr. Johnstons Death he was taken Suddenly from his family the 29 of Dec’m and has left me with nine helpless Children to Lament the Loss of the best of fathers and the best of friends you my Good Mr. Harrison knew him you had a long acquaintance with him you knew how often he was persecuted for his attachment to his royal master that _____ [manuscript torn] was not all the malice of his enemies could shake his Loyalty to you my good sir have the ear of the Great let me beg of you to recommend this unhappy family who have been Nourished and supported by the liberal hand of there more gracious Sovereign and his ministers that they would not now leave the [helpless] Infants of these Late faithful Servant to the mercy of there enemies when I think what a happy family is now made miserable by this fatal blow it is too much if we had all that we could wish in this world without him we should be unhappy but when with his breath the whole Support of a family goes the thought is almost Insupportable. I have wrote to Lord Percy who when in Newport Hon’d us with his acquaintance begging his assistance in presenting a memorial to the Lords Commissioners Praying they would Continue some small allowance towards the bringing up of these helpless Children six of which are under twelve years of age if you my good sir who have ever been thoughtful for us would now add to the many favors already bestow’d, the recommending of this family to some of his Majestys Ministers that they would not now cast them off as the situation of this Country is such that God only knows what will become of them our eldest son had engage’d as a volunteer in the forty third Regiment a few days before his papa’s death who intended to purchase him a Commission but as he is now no more he has Nothing to depend upon but his own merit and am not without hopes but he will prove a faithful servant to his King and a useful member to Society My father Robinson is at his farm in the Country he would take one of the boys if the lines were as we could wish them but as things are at present I dare not send one for fear they should be forced into the rebel army as there youth would be no protection to them I must now beg pardon hope my present Situation will be a Sufficient apology for giveing you this trouble for to whom _____ [manuscript torn] Distressed apply but to those who have been ever ready to relieve I am with the greatest respect to you Mrs Miss & Harrison your afflicted friend
P Johnson
my mother & sisters join in regards your old servant York is yet alive has fits Continually he often enquires if we do not hear from you
With what words can I express the Melancholy News of Mr. Johnstons Death he was taken Suddenly from his family the 29 of Dec’m and has left me with nine helpless Children to Lament the Loss of the best of fathers and the best of friends you my Good Mr. Harrison knew him you had a long acquaintance with him you knew how often he was persecuted for his attachment to his royal master that _____ [manuscript torn] was not all the malice of his enemies could shake his Loyalty to you my good sir have the ear of the Great let me beg of you to recommend this unhappy family who have been Nourished and supported by the liberal hand of there more gracious Sovereign and his ministers that they would not now leave the [helpless] Infants of these Late faithful Servant to the mercy of there enemies when I think what a happy family is now made miserable by this fatal blow it is too much if we had all that we could wish in this world without him we should be unhappy but when with his breath the whole Support of a family goes the thought is almost Insupportable. I have wrote to Lord Percy who when in Newport Hon’d us with his acquaintance begging his assistance in presenting a memorial to the Lords Commissioners Praying they would Continue some small allowance towards the bringing up of these helpless Children six of which are under twelve years of age if you my good sir who have ever been thoughtful for us would now add to the many favors already bestow’d, the recommending of this family to some of his Majestys Ministers that they would not now cast them off as the situation of this Country is such that God only knows what will become of them our eldest son had engage’d as a volunteer in the forty third Regiment a few days before his papa’s death who intended to purchase him a Commission but as he is now no more he has Nothing to depend upon but his own merit and am not without hopes but he will prove a faithful servant to his King and a useful member to Society My father Robinson is at his farm in the Country he would take one of the boys if the lines were as we could wish them but as things are at present I dare not send one for fear they should be forced into the rebel army as there youth would be no protection to them I must now beg pardon hope my present Situation will be a Sufficient apology for giveing you this trouble for to whom _____ [manuscript torn] Distressed apply but to those who have been ever ready to relieve I am with the greatest respect to you Mrs Miss & Harrison your afflicted friend
P Johnson
my mother & sisters join in regards your old servant York is yet alive has fits Continually he often enquires if we do not hear from you
Source: Patience Johnston to Mr. Harrison. January 20, 1779. Newport Historical Society.