Robert Goodbody Journal

that they did not write. However on the 7th day morning we got directions to send the chair for them in Rathangan, they being to leave Dublin by boat that day, but until my father and Aunt Alice we did not know how ill he had been, or ill at all. They got home in the evening about 7 o'clock, he came in and I helped him off with his coat, and he kissed me, but never sat down until he went upstairs, and to bed at once. I never saw him to speak to after, but Dr, Jacob was sent for immediately to Knockfin where he lived 20 miles off, but did not come till next morning first day. He said when he saw him that it was fever, and his spirits much affected, that he should be kept quiet, being very nervous and fearing that seeing us would make him worse. Neither my brother or I went near him, but my mother did for a day or two, and told us that he said he was resigned but had nothing to trust in but mercy of god through Christ, but as she could control her feelings in his presence she gave up seeing him, but my Aunt Alice and Sarah staid by him to the last, also Ann Richardson and her sister Elizabeth Shannon, his cousins, but our house was not entered by any friend in the town for fear of fever. Only cousin Ann Paisley would come and sit by my mother, but she having lodgings in a house who were friends, but had her own room, they threatened to keep her out if she would pay visits to us. I at that time was foolishly afraid of fever. My Uncle Richard also sat up with my father and staid much with him through the following week. He was sometimes better and oftener worse, but never was delirious. But on 1st day morning he was much worse, constipation having set in, and his belly greatly swelled.

Copyright © 2004 Mr Tony Lynch All rights reserved.