ANNALS OF THE DEAR UNKNOWN - PART FOUR, CHAPTER ONE

His Place in the Family of Things

 
More than a quarter century would pass
before the Reverend Joshua Williams preached
at Diah Munson’s funeral. Meanwhile,
his fifth son, Ephraim, enlisted and
survived the war. But Daniel, who had served
as Life Guard under General Nathanael Green,
died of typhus following the siege
of Yorktown. Every effort Diah made
to find Benoni ended in defeat.
Wil promised he would keep the search alive.

It was impossible for him to know
that, as the years went by, the names had changed.
Having had no news from Diah Munson,
Rebecca moved to Harris’ Ferry, where
she raised Benoni as John Eton Jones,
“twin brother” to Susannah. Afterward,
Rebecca married tailor Gerhard Scholl;
so anyone attempting to locate
the widow Jones and young Benoni Munson
would only meet with bitter disappointment.

Time, as it must, went on. As businessman
as well as farmer, Diah recommenced
his dealings in immoveable property
in Northbury and later, Harwinton.
Though often he’d bemoan each wasted cent
he’d sunk into the grim “Wyoming disaster,”
Diah never spoke about the loss
of Rachel, baby Rachel, or Benoni.
Their souls inhabited his quiet hours,
their absence weighing on his failing heart.

 

The chapter titled His Place in the Family of Things comes from “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver.

 

 

COMING SOON - PART FOUR, CHAPTER TWO