Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

OENKALOGlCAt, NOTEy OF BAKNSTABLE FAMILIES. 357
in her diadem, namely, the noble, generous hospitality which her sons
and daughters extended to the shipwrecked mariners of the Gen.
Arnold, and second, the scrupulous honesty they displayed in restoring
every article found, however small in value, to its rightful
owner.
Soon after Mr. Downs was taken on shore sensation and
speech were restored. While lying on the deck he could see and
hear—was perfectly conscious of his situation—suffered no pain
but could not move a limb—and if left, would have died without
a struggle. With the return of feeling, his pains became most
excruciating. He always said that he suffered far more during
the time in which he partook of the hospitality of Plymouth
friends, than he did while on the wreck.
Mr. Downs lost his feet. The toes and heel of each were
frozen, and the flesh sloughed off leaving stumps which did not
heal over till a few months before his death. He used crutches,
and ever after walked on his knees.
He married, Nov. 23, 1784, Sarah Hamblin, and had a
family, several of whom yet survive. He died in the summer of
1817. That year a young physician had opened an office in Barnstable,
and desirous of performing some cure that would give him
a name and reputation, said to Mr. Downs, "I can cure your
feet." He did so. Mr. Downs immediately after became very
fleshy, and at sunset on the day of his death remarked to a
neighbor that he never felt so well in his life, and exhibited his
arms and legs to show how fleshy and strong he was. Two hours
after he died. Dissolution commenced immediately, and he had
to be buried the next forenoon.
Barnabas Downs, Jr., resided in the ancient Lumbert house,
on the high ground south of Lumbert's pond. He was honest
and industrious, and though he went about on his knees, he
worked in his garden in pleasant weather, cut up his wood, and
did many jobs about his house. In the winter, and during unpleasant
weather he coopered for his neighbors. He also cast
spoons, ink stands, and other small articles, in pewter or lead, a
business in which he exhibited some skill.
He rode to meeting on the Sabbath on horseback, and few
can now be found who can mount or dismount quicker than he
did. He and his wife were admitted to the East Church Oct. 10,
1804, and his children, James Magee, Timothy, Catherine, Temperance,
and Ruth Hamblin, were then baptized.
He was a pious man, and being considered a worthy object of
charity, a collection was annually taken up for his benefit by the
church. The benevolent often remembered him, and though he
had but few of this world's goods, he lived comfortably and respectably.
His wife was a pattern of neatness. Neither a
paint-brush nor a carpet was ever seen in her house, yet frequent