Robert Goodbody Journal

Joshua was brought over by his mother's family in 1803. He was very unhealthy but a nice sensitive lad, he died perhaps about twelve years after.

I think that it was in 1792 that Richard Shackelton, a well-know character among friends, being much devoted to the good society, he came to Mountmellick in the 7th or 8th month to attend the school committee then the annual meeting. He rode from Ballitone on 3rd day. I recollect him coming to see our family after dinner, and seeming well, and telling my grandmother of the death of her last cousin, a Metcalf married to John Boardman, I think her name was Hannah. Richard Shackelton attended the monthly meeting next day, and in the 2nd meeting was so poorly that he had to go out of the meeting, which was the last time I ever saw him. He took to his bed, and died a few days after the fever. It was said that he got it at being shaved by a barber who had previously shaved a corpse, who died of fever. Richard Shackelton was a remarkable character. I think that for years he attended the yearly meeting of London, which at that time was both expensive and troublesome. He always wore spectacles and even then had bad sight.

I recollect Samuel Neale of Cork well. He was a large minister, and was in much esteem among friends as such. He often was at meetings in Mountmellick, and largely engaged therein.

In the 9th month 1793 my brother Samuel a handsome child, died of the smallpox, about three years old. I was fond and felt very much seeing him, for perhaps 12 hours dying very hard in convulsions. My sister Jane was then but 5 months old, and had it very bad. My mother was nursing her. She was frightfully swelled in

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