In 1810, my father showed signs of failing health.  A life of hardship and great exertion was telling upon a naturally strong constitution.

He decided upon resigning all his offices, and his resignation was accepted upon this assurance, that from ill-health he could no longer fulfil the duties involved.

The Hon. Thomas Talbot was appointed his successor as colonel commandant of the militia, and the later Judge Mitchell succeeded him as Judge of the District and surrogate Courts.

At this time there were strong rumours of war between America and England, and the militia anticipated being called into active service.

At the close of 1811, a large body of the militia which my father had organized waited on him, and urged him to resume command, as in him they had confidence.

Colonel Talbot was a stranger among them, and lived at a distance.  My father at that time was in the last stage of consumption, and died in the June following, in 1812, aged sixty years.

In the six days after his death war was declared, and then came troubles to my widowed mother in various shapes.

Continued... >

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