auto-biography, abounding with uncommon incidents, but from regard to one whose services and pecuniary circumstances recommend him to favor."

The following communication was designed to have a place among the recommendations of the work spoken of in it; and though not received in time for that purpose, we think proper, even now, to lay it before the public.

MR. WM. WILLIAMS,

SIR-Understanding that you are about to publish the Life of Rev. Andrew Sherburne, written by himself, I think it my duty to communicate to you some of my thoughts respecting the work.

When Mr. Sherburne first consulted me on the expediency of having it published, I felt apprehensive that it would be unsaleable, and occasion to him, rather a burthen than a benefit; and consequently dissuaded him from the undertaking. He urged me to look into the manuscript. Reluctantly I complied; and had read but a few pages, when my attention became fixed, and I regretted that I had not time to read it through before he called for it. I read, however, the account of his adventures and sufferings during the Revolutionary War, to the time of his release from confinement on board the JERSEY. My opinion on the expediency of printing it became decidedly reversed. I am persuaded that, if published, it will be perused and read with great avidity by various classes of American citizens. It gives a more circumstantial detail of the sufferings and deliverances of our naval prisoners, during the Revolutionary conflict, than I have seen in any other book, and in connexion therewith serves greatly to illustrate the minute and wonderful operations of Divine Providence. Upon the whole, though in a plain style, it is a very interesting story; and exhibits a character, in several respects extraordinary.

Wherefore, as the author is now old and poor, and has a dependant family, I do most cordially wish that the book may be published, and that it may receive deserved patronage; which will, in some measure, remunerate his past toils, and supply his present wants. Indeed,

whether his youthful and faithful services in the cause of his country, be recollected, or whether he be considered as an aged and needy disciple and minister of Christ, where is the American patriot or the sympathetic Christian, that would refuse to give a dollar for a copy of his book?

Respectfully yours,

WILLIAM PARKINSON, Pastor of first Baptist church, N. York. New-York, July 12, 1827.

From my personal acquaintance with Rev. Mr. Sherburne, and from the interesting character of his biography, as far as opportunity has been afforded to peruse the M. S. I do most cordially unite in the preceding recommendation.

SPENCER H. CONE, Pastor of Oliver-street Baptsit church, N. York.

MEMOIRS

OF

ANDREW SHERBURNE.

CHAPTER I.

The Author's birth and parentage-at the age of seven years left his father's house-Londonderry-Mrs. Bell, an Irish Presbyterian lady-her piety—the Author's first religious impressions through her instructions-public excitement at the commencement of the revolution-the Author's first cruise on board the Ranger, at the age of thirteen.

My ancestors, both on my father's and mother's side, were from England. My father could trace hi spedigree back to one of the earliest settlers of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Within my remembrance many persons of the name of Sherburne, were inhabitants of Portsmouth, and especially of the plain, called Sherburne's plain. The only family, however, now on the plain, is that of Capt. Joseph Sherburne, my uncle's son. He is of the sixth or seventh generation of that name who have held the same farm in succession. My father, Andrew Sherburne, was the son of Deacon John Sherburne, of Portsmouth. My mother was Susannah Knight, the eldest daughter of George Knight, of Kittery, Maine. He died at Cape Breton, in Sir William Pepperell's expedition, in the year 1745, leaving three infant daughters, Susannah, my mother, Mary, who became the wife of Capt. Joseph Green, and Elizabeth, married to Capt. William White. These gentlemen were commanders of vessels which sailed from Portsmouth. My grandmother, Mrs. Knight, married Mr. Shadrach Weymouth, whose sons I shall have occasion to mention hereafter.

I was born in the town of Rye,* once a part of Portsmouth, N. H. September 30th, 1765, within one hundred rods of the Atlantic ocean. I was the second son and fourth child of my parents. My brothers were Thomas, older than myself, Samuel, George and John; the last died in infancy. My sisters were Martha, Elizabeth, Mary, Susan, Abagail, Marcy, Sarah and another who died in infancy. At an early age my life began to be marked by misfortunes and dangers. When I was less than three years of age I fell into a spring, and was to appearance drowned. A sister one year and a half older than myself, gave the alarm. I was taken out, and the Almighty was pleased to resuscitate me. Having reached the age of seven years, my father placed me with Mr. John Cate, of Londonderry, forty miles from Portsmouth. His wife was my father's youngest sister. I lived more than four years in this family, without having seen any member of my father's family. Here I began to feel the sorrows of life. I frequently mourned deeply over my separation from my father, mother, brothers and sisters. I had no playmate. When childish vanity or frowardness received correction, I frequently felt myself friendless, and sometimes thought that I was chastised when I did not deserve it, and that if my parents were acquainted with my sufferings, they would surely take me home with them. Children certainly enjoy a very great blessing, who in childhood are permitted to remain under the care of parents. When I was eight or nine years old, an ancient Irish Presbyterian lady, by the name of Bell came to reside in my uncle's family. She had experienced religion before her removal from Ireland.She had been distinguished for her piety during the course of a long life, having now reached the age of ninety. She was the first woman whom I had ever heard pray. She had been a cripple from her youth, was never married, and at this time I believe subsisted on the charity of her friends. Families whose means would allow it, seemed to account it an honor to have Mrs. Bell for a guest. She paid especial attention to

As Rye was once a part of Portsmouth, I have generally hailed from that place.

the youth and children of those families in which she resided, taught them to read, instructed them in the catechism, stored their memories with hymns, and often conversed with them on the subject of religion. I recollect to have heard her speak of an extraordinary reformation which took place in Ireland during her childhood. She stated that a number of very young children were converted, some of whom at an early period, left the world in an extacy of joy, with strong confidence in the prospect of dwelling with the Saviour. When Mrs. Bell entered my uncle's family, I had but little opportunity for reading; she, however instructed me in the catechism, and I, under her direction, learned a number of hymns, most of which I recollect to this day.

One Sabbath afternoon, while this lady was employed in catechising the children of the family, my mind became agitated in an unusual manner. I wished to retire, but feared to make the attempt, lest I should be ordered to remain in the room; at the same time I concluded I should cry aloud if I remained. I was awed with a sense of the presence of GOD, but could find no cause for my strange confusion of mind. At length I hastily made for the door and retired without molestation. It gave me a momentary relief to escape from the house unmolested. I fled to the barn, imagining that my feet :scarcely touched the ground, and falling on my knees in one corner, I, for the first time attempted to pray.

To all this, except weeping when I first left the house, I seemed to be involuntarily impelled. The conflict of feeling subsided, my mind became tranquil, and for some days or weeks, I felt an unusuul degree of solemnity. I have no recollection that Mrs. Bell ever made any inquiries respecting the state of my mind, yet she was indefatigable in giving me good counsel.

During fifty-six years which passed away since that event, I have reflected on it perhaps a thousand times, but have never been able satisfactorily to assign a cause for my feelings on that Sabbath. I am not aware that I founded any hopes of salvation on those impressions. From that time forward, however, when I thought of God, my mind was filled with awe, and I often dread