Statement of the Services and principal Events in the life of the late George Marsh Esq.
A Commissioner of His Majesty’s Navy.
On the 29th August 1786 the Navy Office was removed from Crutches Friars to the present site in Somerset House. This removal made no change in Mr.Marsh’s Duties or in the general routine of the official business.
————————————————————————-
Diary of George Marsh
27 January 1786
This day I am 63 years of age, and bless God in perfect health, and as cheerful and happy, as perhaps it is possible for a human being to be. Although at times I have been very uneasy in my mind on account of the bad conduct of my eldest son, but in general have been well enabled to keep up cheerful spirits, from my reflections on my own conduct to him and all persons with whom I have had any connections.
————————————————————————
27 January 1786
O Lord God, who knowest the inmost secrets of all hearts, receive I beg and beseech thee my most humble and unfeigned thanks for the particular mercies and Blessings thou hast been graciously pleased to confer on me to this * 27 January 1786; and if from the imperfections of my nature, and not the disobedience of my heart, I have not lived without Sin, but in many respects contrary to they commandments; yet as this has originated from passions implanted in my nature, and has not hardened my heart against thee, they Laws; or my fellow creatures; nor arose from a fixed determination of disobedience to they Blessed Will; I hope for, and most earnestly implore they forgiveness in whatever I have deviated from thy divine Ordinance; and that thou will be graciously pleased, out of thy great goodness and compassion to lead me back again to Thee.
Receive also O Lord, my grateful thanks for thy Blessed guidance in my conduct through Life, and for thy support under such troubles and afflictions of Mind and Body, as thou hast Judged proper to inflict on me (which indeed have been very few and small, in comparison to what other Men have suffered) and have no doubt been necessary: as those which have affected my mind are proper lessons for humility and meekness, and my Bodyly infirmities are convincing proofs to me that in the hightest health, upon any sudden disorder, I have a great tendency to decay and putrefication and is sufficient barrier against vanity and Price.
Thou knowest also that my heart is full of gratitude for they guidiance under the temptations of the Prosperity and Wealth thou hast been pleased to bestow on me, and hast blessed me with sense sufficient to avoid the many Snares and Miseries they too often lead to: and in trouble thou hast comforted me, with the reconciliating reflection that I am totally inable to Judge what is best for me. Hast guided me to hsun all kind of ambition, Pride, or destructive pleasure, and dissatisfaction; and to endeavour to act as nearly as possible for a human creature to do, with respect to others, as I wish them to act by me; with strict Justice, the utmost compassion, humanity and Philanthropy; having as thou well knowest always had very great pleasure in being instrumented in assisting, giving comfort, rendering kind Offices, and doing my utmost to make all those happy, by very friendly act, who I have known to be worthy.
Thou hast moreover blessed me with good health and a chearful mind, by leading me to pursue regularity and proper exercise for the health of my body, and by constant employment to preserve my mind in due Temper, and so scrupulous an obedience as possible to they Divine Commands.
For all these blessings I most earnestly privately, and dayly return thee thanks from the bottom of my heart, and pray for the continuance of them to me, and that I may ever conduct myself, to be as deserving thereof, as possible; with which must necessarily be united, peace of mind and that transcendant happiness, my own approbation; with a conscience as void of offence to Thee, and man, as possible.
WIth this blessed Treasure, I wish and pray to be constantly prepared for my final dissolution, and to end my mortal Life, as composedly and as chearfully as I have passed through it; and by they great unbounded goodness and mercy, I have the strongest hopes of being translated into Life Eternal.
George Marsh
* I am this day 63 years of age.
—————————————————————————-
Diary of George Marsh continues – – –
18 July 1786
My dear grandson Arthur Cuthbert Marsh was born this day.
29 August 1786
We finished business at the Navy Office in Crutched Fryers and removed all the books and papers to that at Somerset place in the Strand, and took possession thereof this day.