Thomas Paine Diary Entry

We first came to the colonies four years ago, among an unnamed ship coming our farm near a town in south-east england called Canterbury. Although we started to get ready in Canterbury, we had first go say goodbye to family in Thetford, a town about four-hundred and twenty kilometers away round trip. Our cousin Thomas Paine seemed quite convinced that something was bound to go wrong, and that going to the colonies was a large blunder on our part. On our way we crossed the Thames near Dartford on horseback, carrying nothing but extra garments and food for the trip, for we were to return to Canterbury to finish collecting our things and then depart for the colonies. I, Magnus, and my sister, Genevieve, were both hoping to make many new friendships in this new place. We have made all the friends we could dream of and more. The colonies are an amazing place. There are so many
It seemed that this was going to be the fashion in which the colonists were going to combat the Stamp Act. There were other ways too, mostly by terrorizing stamp collectors, but they would also refuse to let ships into port, and tarring and feathering, among other things. My parents won’t even let me play cards or dice with my mates, because of the boycott. My father seemed to go to all of these events, although after most of them he seemed a little bashful, having just rid a man of his job while he was only trying to make a living for himself and his family. Life is getting more and more interesting, and the colonies have been a very naughty child to England lately. I wish the King would just realize that if he gave us representation not one bit of this turmoil would have occurred. I know they won't let this stand and something crazy will happen soon. In the end though I think what Mr. Paine said to us is right. Something bigger than all of us is coming, and I want to play a