May

Sunday 1st. May !!!
This day, after morning Service, Mrs. Macquarie with our darling Boy went in the Carriage to Church; whither Col & Mrs. Molle with their little Boy had gone before us; and at 1. P.M. both Children were christened by the Revd. Mr. Wm. Cowper at the new Font (now used for the first time) in the Church of St. Philip, Col: Molle, with Capt. Antill as Proxy for our friend Jas. Drummond Esqr., and Mrs. Molle, standing sponsors for our darling Infant who was now Publickly [sic] Baptised by the name of "Lachlan" after myself. — Mrs. Macquarie and myself, and Capt. Antill as Proxy for Mr. Andrews, Stood as Sponsors to Col: Molle's son, who was christened by the names of "William Macquarie", after his uncle Mr. Wm. Molle and me. — The following friends were present at the Christening at Church vizt. Mrs. Cowper, Mr. & Mrs. Riley, Mr. & Mrs. Redfern, Lieut. Jno. Maclaine and Mr. Campbell the Secretary, besides ourselves and the Nurses.

We gave a Christening Dinner to the following friends at Government House on this day; vizt. Mr. & Mrs. Cowper, Mr. & Mrs.Riley, Mr. & Mrs. Redfern, Mr. & Mrs. Mc.Intosh, Doctor Wentworth, Doctor Harris, Major Ogilvie, Doctr. Foster, Capt. Glenholme, Lt. Skottowe, Col: & Mrs. Molle – and Eliza Molle; making in all 23 (including Family) who sat down to Dinner. — This is the first time my dear Mrs. M. dined in Public since her Confinement. — The Party were happy and broke up at an early hour. — The Healths of the two young Christians were drank in overflowing Bumpers. — Young Molle was present – but our little darling being asleep at the time their Healths were drank, and having been a little griped during the afternoon, it was not thought prudent to disturb him on occasion of his Health being drank. — Our darling Babe is only 1 month & 3 days old this Evening, – whilst young Molle is 4 months & 7 days old today! — N.B. I made Presents of Five Pounds Str. to each of my own Nurses Mrs. Reynolds & Mrs. Frost – and the same to young Molle's Nurse.

Wedy. 18. May! —
I set out for Parramatta this morning wt. Col: Molle on an excursion to Castlereagh and Windsor, and returned to Sydney on Friday afternoon at 2,O'Clock, when I had the happiness of finding Mrs. M. and our darling Boy in perfect goood health. — Capt. Antill, Secry. Campbell & Capt. Glenholme accompanied me. — At 5,O'clock this afternoon a fire broke out on board the Ship Three Bees, which proved fatal – and totally consumed her – it being found impossible to save her. — The Capt.in, Officers & Crew are great sufferers by this dreadful Calamity. — A Subscription was set on foot for their relief by Capt. Antill to which I subscribed Fifteen Pounds Sterling.

Tuesdy. 24th. May! —
I slept this night for the first time in the same Bed with Mrs. M. since her Confinement; – she being now, thank God! perfectly recovered & quite well. Our beloved Babe is also thank God, in very good Health, and thriving equal to our most sanguine expectations. — He was last Night Eight weeks old! —

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Memoranda & Related Papers. 22 December 1808-14 July 1823.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A772 75-77 ff. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #81-83].