444 Washington Street
Gloucester, Mass.
September 26, 1972

Dear Cousin Dempsey,
A letter came today from Mrs. Hubbard. It said you know Clement Coldam like I know him; how exciting! May I read what you have? To find someone who knows some of the puzzles is wonderful.

I have a hundred questions. Who was his mother? Thomas loved him. In the will he leaves him the things symbolic of the home and family by "his right" which as I understand the law, was not existent.

Some of the books have two Clements. Did you find two? I found only the little man with the big temper getting gradually older. Do you know why he went back to Lynn?

When Clement went to "war", at St. Johns and Port Royal he stood near the officers in charge. I wrote the librarian in charge of State archives but could get nothing. In other matters he has been very helpful. (this has been with me a long time) Clement was ensign of the local company and I just wondered if he was ensign of that expedition.

I believe there are newly found papers on the 1692 witchcraft trials. We know Clement gave a little testimony in what was written before and we know he believed with the establishment. I am timid to examine these further. Someone in Gloucester had it in for the family of Hugh Rowe. Many of the people picked up in town were closely connected to Hugh.

I was down to the Francis Norwood house in August. In the living room, the visiting daughter of the house was busy cutting out a dress for school for the little granddaughter. Paper, cloth, pins and tape measure strewn about. It is good to know that real live active people live there. Across the narrow water was the home site of Clement--Tansy and Bouncing-Bet growing everywhere.

Speaking of Francis Norwood, I understand you differ with Mrs. Callam. Did you get to see her? ...I questioned her source for harold. She even explained the Bayeux tapestry and knew more than Prof. Freeman on the sons of Harold.

The thing to find out is, who was Thomas Norwood's wife? That Aston Clinton departure place for Francis need not be his only homeplace.

I want very much to find out about Clement. Do you believe in ghosts? We wonder if Clement was here? Not really--but on a foggy morning like this I see him on the shore path or in his skiff going up river. I am happy that someone loves him too, enjoys his temper and his shortcomings, and his moral manners.

This typing is new to me and needs a lot of work, everything does. As I write the fog is lifting and I can see Wheeler's Point (Pearces Point) where Clement once owned. Further toward the north-east is the old Riggs house, now almost hidden by a lilac hedge of my neighbor. Clement lived at Goose Cove, about a mile from here.

Did you ever find an indenture paper for Clement when a youth? He worked for Dexter but I never was able to find a paper.

Please let me read the Coldam stuff.

I met a noted researcher in the Newburyport Library who said most people want their ancestors rich, smart, and beautiful. We have poor, illegitimate Clement and we love him to pieces. He was smart in memory, but he did mix up the taxes in Lynn. I think he was honest and proper but I guess he liked the girls. Enough for now.

Your cousin,
Elizabeth Harriman Rowe Day
(Mrs. John W. Day)

P.S. What was Francis Norwoods "Black Arts"? [handwritten note]

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