5. A dying saint - Final months, death, what followed (Mar-Oct 1747) He left Crossweeksung to travel further east. He visited his family and friends at Haddam on May 10. His sister Jerusha would be dead in just two months. On May 28 he arrived at Edwards' home. At this time he was much better and quite cheerful. For his remaining 19 weeks he was nursed by Edwards' daughter Jerusha. She devoted herself to him with great delight, looking on him as an eminent servant of Christ. They travelled to Boston together in search of a cure but there was to be none. By June he was worse. He took his last ride and prayed with the family for the last time on August 11. A room on the ground floor was set aside for him the following week as he could not climb steps. He went to church for the last time September 2. Edwards described his last days – his feet swollen, in constant pain, many indignities and bodily struggles. On the morning of October 4, his last Lord’s day, Edwards wrote 'as my daughter Jerusha, who chiefly attended him, came into the room, he looked on her very pleasantly, and said, ‘Dear Jerusha, are you willing to part with me? - I am quite willing to part with you: I am willing to part with all my friends: though if I thought I should not see you and be happy with you in another world, I could not bear to part with you. But we shall spend a happy eternity together.' On the Wednesday he discussed his Indian work with his brother John, who succeeded him in it. On Friday, October 9, the appointed day arrived and he died. His last words were said to be 'He will come, and will not tarry. I shall soon be in glory; soon be with God and his angels." He was buried on the Monday, Edwards conducting the funeral. Four months later, grieving Jerusha, just 18 years old, took sick and in five days, on February 14, 1748, joined David in heaven. She was buried next to him.
Brainerd's gravestone reads A faithful and laborious missionary to the Stockbridge, Delaware and Susquehanna tribes of Indians.
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