166. The Lot of the Refugee (1775-1779)
Curwen was a man of education and social position, a resident of Salem, Massachusetts. He was Judge of Admiralty at the beginning of the war, but became a refugee and lived in England till the war terminated. Other refugees who left journals or letters are Van Schaack and Hutchinson. — Bibliography as in No. 120 above.
LONDON, July 4 [1775]. Arrived at the New England coffeehouse, Threadneedle-street, at 7 o'clock P.M. — July 5. Met my townsman and friend Benjamin Pickman, which rejoiced me ; we walked to Westminster Hall, in Chancery saw Sir Thomas Sewell, master of the rolls, sitting with his hat on, — at Common Pleas saw Judge Blackstone and Sergeant Glynn ; and the King's Bench, Lord Mansfield and Mr. Sergeant Wedderburne. Lord Mansfield s manner is like the late Judge Dudley's of Massachusetts. His peering eyes denote a penetration and comprehension peculiarly his own. Mr. Wedderburne spoke, but at no great length.
July 9, 1775. Went to old Jewry meeting-house, where I met Gov. Hutchinson, his son and daughter, — a cordial reception and invitation to visit him. Mr. Isaac Smith and Mr. Deberdt sat in the pew next me. . . .
Dec. 31. . . . May the afflictions I have suffered the past year, in an unhappy banishment from my family, friends and country, be the means of increasing my reliance on, and submission to the all-disposing hand of the wise and righteous Governor of the universe.
January 1, 1776. May the events of the following year, however unfavorable to the pride of my heart, be productive of more moral improvement than the last. . . .
April 1, A. M. At Gov. Hutchinson's ; he was alone, reading a new pamphlet entitled " An Inquiry whether Great Britain or America is most in fault." I accepted an invitation to return to dinner : taking leave for the present, I departed, walking through the palace and park to Mr. Bliss's lodgings, where I met Judge Sewall, Mr. Oxnard and Mr. Smith ; returned to the governor s, with whom only young Oliver and myself dined. From thence, in passing through Leicester-square, I called in at Mr. Copley's to see Mr. Clarke and the family, who kindly pressed my staying to tea ; and in the mean time amused myself by seeing his performances in painting. He was then at work on a family piece containing himself, Mr. Clarke, his wife and four children, of all of whom I observed a very striking likeness. At tea was present
