April

[8 April]
From this time [31 March] till the 8th of April, our dear little Boy continued doing very well – only now and then slightly troubled with griping, and Phlem [sic] in his Throat; which seemed to affect his respiration a little. — But on this day he began to be more uneasy in his Bowels, and the Nurse observed a visible falling off in his Flesh and Strength. —

Sunday 10th. April 1814.
This Evening his mother & myself were dreadfully alarmed at our beloved Babe's appearance and general State of Health; more particularly the evident disposition he shews to frequent severe Spasms and difficulty of Breathing. — These two last symptoms were first most evidently observed after he had lain down with his mother in Bed between the Hours of 10 and 11,O'Clock this Night. — I immediately sent for Dr. Redfern, who administered some composing medicine to our dear Babe, and remained himself during the rest of the Night in the House, so as to be at hand when necessary.

Between this day & Wedy. the 13th. Inst. our beloved Child suffered severely, and we were during the whole of this time most seriously alarmed for his safety – expecting every moment to be his last. — But on Wedy. afternoon between 4 and 5 OClock, he had a most copious and favorable looking stool, which appeared to give him immediate relief, and which we fondly hope is the crisis of his Disease. — From this period he became evidently easier, being less irritable in his Bowels, and seldom afflicted with Spasms; but is still troubled wt. Hickup [sic] and difficulty of Breathing.

Sunday 17th. Apl. 1814.
Our darling Infant keeps still improving and this day looks greatly better. — He begins to fill up again, and is fast increasing in Strength; tho' still occasionally afflicted with griping. —

Monday 18th. April !!!
Our dear Boy being this day 3 weeks old – and in better Health than he has been for the last Ten days, we resolved to have the dear little Fellow privately Baptized. — This Ceremony took place accordingly in our own Bed-Room at 8,OClock this Evening, having been performed by the Revd. Mr. Wm. Cowper the resident Chaplain at Sydney; Lt. Govr. & Mrs. Molle being present as sponsors; I held the Child during the first part of the Ceremony, then handed to Mrs. Molle as his God-mother and she placed in the Ministers arms to be Baptized with Holy water & named, his mother giving him the name of "Lachlan" after me. — Capt. Antill stood Proxy for our friend James Drummond Esqr. M.P. for Perthshire as the other God-Father. — Besides Lt. Govr. & Mrs. Molle, Mr. Cowper, and Capt. Antill, there were present at the Baptism – Mrs. Cowper, Dr. & Mrs. Redfern, Mr. Campbell Secry., and our Nephew Lieut. Jno. Maclaine; all of whom had previously dined with us in the Family way.

Sunday 24. April 1814.
Our beloved Babe has continued improving a little in his Health since he was Baptized on Monday last – but still continues to be afflicted with occasional shortness of Breathing, griping, and Hickuping. [sic] — He increases however, thank God! in Strength, and is looking very well indeed. — He was carried out this day in his mother's arms, for the first time to walk in the Shrubery [sic] – and staid [sic] out about Ten minutes. —

In the afternoon Mrs. Macquarie, attended by Mrs. Cowper, went to be churched. — I accompanied her also, and we staid [sic] the Evening Service, Mr. Cowper having Preached a very good Sermon. —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Memoranda & Related Papers. 22 December 1808-14 July 1823.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A772 72-75 ff. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #78-81].