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146   BILLY AND JENNY.

young, alas! to tell even by what means, or in what way she was taken.

3. Neither was she capable of telling the situation in which she left her bereaved parents ; who, if they were not taken themselves, must have had many anxieties and sorrowful moments, known only to those who are parents, and who may have been deprived of their children in a similar way. Her being marked on the forehead and temples, indicated her parents' being persons of distinction.

4. This little girl, after suffering all the hardships attendant on her situation, and a long confinement on shipboard, was landed in New York, and sold according to the custom of that time. She was bought by Samuel Underhill, and taken to Long Island to wait on his wife and children, and they called her Jenny. As she advanced in age, she became more and more useful in her master's family, and satisfied with her situation.

5. Her mistress being a woman of an uncommonly amiable disposition, having known the subjugation of her own will, by the operation of that principle which brings  into harmony all the discordant passions, and one of that description also, that "looked well to the ways of her household, and ate not the bread of idleness," she was qualified to govern her family with mildness and discretion, and to set them an example of economy, sobriety, cheerfulness, and industry.

BILLY AND JENNY.   147

6. Jenny, being placed under the tuition of such a mistress, in due time became qualified to fill the station allotted her with propriety, as an honest, sober, industrious, and useful servant. When she had arrived at about the twentieth year of her age, she was visited by the before-mentioned Billy, in the character of a suitor. After mature deliberation, and their affections becoming more strongly fixed, with the approbation of those concerned, the marriage ceremony was performed.

7. Thus were they united, not only in the bonds of wedlock, but those of sincere affection, which abundantly manifested itself in their conduct toward and respect for each other, during a long and laborious life, and in their care of their numerous offspring, which consisted of nine sons and one daughter.

8. Time passing on with them, they partook of such a share of happiness as their situation in life would permit, until the year 1769, when the master of Jenny, having purchased a farm in Westchester county, was preparing to remove his family thither. This circumstance became a very close trial to this affectionate pair, who by this time had several children.

9. The thoughtfulness and anxiety felt by them on this occasion being reciprocated by their masters, a proposition was made for an exchange. The wife of one of Billy's fellow-servants being in the family with Jenny, accommodations were