At the time of my birth my father was considered one of
the leading men of that section of country; he was a
master workman, sober and attentive to business, prompt
and punctual to his engagements. He contracted largely
and carried on a heavy business ; he erected a magnificent
mansion, for that age and country, on his land adjoining
the town of Kaskaskia.
This tract of land was the property of my mother
when she married my father. My grandfather Doyle
was a wealthy man. He died in 1809 at Kaskaskia,
Illinois, and left his whole fortune to my mother and her
sister Charlotte, by will. They being his only children,
he divided the property equally between them.
My father and mother were both Catholics, were raised
in that faith; I was christened in that Church. Wljen
about one year old, my mother being sick, I was sent to a
French nurse, a negro woman. At this time my sister
Eliza was eleven years old, but young as she was she had
to care for my mother and do all the work of the house-
hold. To add to the misfortune, my father began to
drink heavily and was soon very dissipated ; drinking and
gambling were his daily occupation. The interest and
care of his family were no longer a duty with him; he



THE STORMY YOUTH OF LEE 25

was seldom present to cheer and comfort his lonely,
afficted wife.
