Date: 27th of November 1819
Despite my father, John Clelland, and my mother, Mary, being reputable in their role as doctor and apothecaire respectively, our estate is in danger of the rioting happening all over the New England. I wanted to stay and help, wanted to be with my family. However, my father was firm that I leave to a safer place. My mother insisted I had some relative, a Baron Ewan Ashford, who would take me in and protect me from the chaos happening here in the Colonies.
I was allowed to dress smartly but simply, not as my station but not poorly. "Try to be kind and invisible," mother advised. They permitted me one bag of belongings. So I have but one change of clothes, linens for bandages, a small collection of herbals and medicines, a locked box my mother insisted I take with me, and some blank notebooks I can use as a journal like this one and a means to communicate with those around me.
I boarded a ship to England today. Winter is hitting hard and the ship wants to leave before it gets too cold and rough. I will miss Christmas with my parents. I pray they will be alright and I will see them again in the future. I wonder what this Baron Ewan Ashford will be like.
