Katherine S.

September 13,1705

Dear Diary,

Well, good day! It is truly wonderful to be writing in my first diary. My name is Modesty Hill of the Hill family. I would like to write this diary so perchance someone will find it and explore my wonderful life in colonial times. Let me begin;

First, I shall tell you about myself. Thee know my name already, so I will describe my features, as Mother calls them. I shall tell thee about Mother later. My skin is fair, but my eyes are a rich brown. My hair is an onyx black that forms into ringlets. As for the lips, they are like the wild strawberries we pick outside. I was born on the eve of November 11, 1695.

Next, I suppose I shall tell you about our home. We live in the colony New York, in a town called Albany, where my Grandparents settled. Albany is one of the most populous places in the colony (1, http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=26238 ), along with New York City(2, http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=26238 ). My grandparents came for the riches in the new world. (3, Group project: group #3) My father, Solomon Hill, was born here and brought my mother, Abitha, here in 1691. They built our house when they arrived. Our house is not very large but has a symmetrical design (4, Historic Communities: Colonial Home) and a chimney on each side (5, Historic Communities:Colonial Home). Many people call it beautiful (6, Historic Communities: Colonial Home), but I believe it to be a normal home. It has a hip on the roof (7, Historic Communities: Colonial Home), and a small fence. Inside there is a kitchen with a large fireplace (8, Historic Communities: Colonial Home), and two bedrooms. In the kitchen we make candles, cook, play, and work (9, Historic Communities: Colonial Home).

Now on to my family. First there is Father, then Mother, and next we children come in. The eldest is my brother, Eli Hill. He has blonde hair, like mother’s. Now we have my my first sister. Her name is Comfort and she is of the age of fifteen. I know I should look up to her, but I do not enjoy her presence. I secretly think she is not very kind. I do not understand why she started treating me this way. We were the best of friends in our youth. I am the third child in line, and the fourth is my youngest sister, Ester Hill who is three. There used to be twins, but one soon passed away and that left Ester. Oh marry! I forgot to mention my father. He used to be a captain on a ship, but then he caught Typhoid Fever and nearly died. I remember the day...

Mother was in the bedrooms tidying up when Ester started to cry in the kitchen. What we did not know was that Father was coming home, and not in a good way. A pair of men beside his side while they approached the door. A short, stubble man knocked quietly. This action made Ester cry harder. Mother came to the door and and gasped. There was Father, sick and in desperate need of rest. We laid him down on the floor covered in blankets by the fire. We immediately called Dr. Allen to give Father a treatment. It was a long and dreadful night.

Luckily, we were able to save him, even if he is blind. Now Eli and Comfort work for the family. Eli is a shipbuilder by the docks. Mother did not like him being by the ocean because of Father, but he took the job anyway. Comfort is an apprentice for a seamstress. She believes that colonists have horrid clothing, unlike the glorious Queen. Unbelievably, one night, she said I have the worst clothes of all. The strange thing is that I wear her old ones.

I have forgotten one more person! I must say I am very clueless at the moment. This girl is no other than my close friend, Charlotte Ainsley. A very kind girl, with brown hair and blue eyes. The Ainsley family was very useful with Father. Though Charlotte says it is not true, I think she is much prettier and smarter than me. Comfort agrees.

I am sorry but I must go now or sister will tell that I am not asleep. Remember my secret about her. Pray do not tell or I will get the rod from Father.

Fare thee well,

Modesty Hill