April 24, 1676 In the Year of Our Lord

I have met just yesterday two Christian Indians. I did not realize that there were such, but they proved to me through their speech, conversation, and countenance that they were so. There names were Tom and Peter. Upon finding them to be Christians, I lost my composure and wept. How good it was to see people who held the same beliefs that I did, who could identify with the struggle to continue trusting in God through difficulty. I couldn't explain this to them, for my words were lost in tears. After some time I gathered myself and asked if they had news of my husband or my friends. They replied that all were well but "melancholy." I wanted so desperately to send messengers back to tell them I was well, that they should not worry but no chance came. Tom and Peter brought me two biscuits and a pound of tobacco, which I quickly gave away. The Indians were desperate to get the tobacco. When I had given it all away, some Indians inquired after it and were furious that it was gone. Tobacco has taken the Native population here in the colonies by storm. I am told that before the colonists first brought it to America, it was not used widely. However, now Virginia grows it quite en mass, selling it to the Natives often more than they do to the colonists. I am glad to have rid myself of that dirty habit, to have distanced myself from tobacco since my taking. I hope desperately not to lose this habit in the future, as it is quite uncustomary and is looked down upon. I am quite glad of the circumstance to be rid of it.