May 23, 1726

1726 May 23 (Monday).  In the morning about 7 or 8 I set out for Cambridge.  I call’d at Neighbor Thurstons,[1] he being agoing out waited for his Horse.  I tarried an hour and half and then went away without him, as far as Mr. William Johnsons,[2] where he came up with me.  We rode to Mr. Swifts but did not ‘Light.  Mr. Swift very ill, Hence we went to Natick but Mr. Peabody[3] not at home.  Madame persuaded us to tarry for him Since he would not be at the Election, and Seeing Mr. Hale was with him.  They came in the Beginning of the Evening, and we had a very pleasant time till Two o’Clock in the Morning, when we forc’d our Conversation to break up.  (N.B. The Family had Liberty to repose about 10 in the Evening and Neighbor Thurston then retir’d from us.)  I had the afflicting account of poor Mr. Osgood[4] our Classmate, his Recess from Topsfield.  In the Morning we Sung a Psalm and I was call’d upon (for I refu’sd it last night and Mr. Hale was desir’d thereupon) to perform the address to Heaven.  Then we Walk’d about Mr. Peabodys Farm.  We convers’d, we smoak’d, and we (hardly) parted.  Mr. Hale with us we proceeded as far as Mr. Ephraim Williams of Newton, but he was not at home.  From this Place we Urg’d our way to Father Champneys (Mr. Hale dropping us at the verge of Waterton) and thence to Boston, My Wife being carried thither by her Brother this Morning.  I sent back my Horse to Cambridge.

[1]Joseph Thurston.

[2]Of Marlborough.

[3]Oliver Peabody (Harvard 1721).  Later minister of the First Congregational Church (the Indian church) in Natick.  Sibley, VI, 529-534.

[4]William Osgood (Harvard 1721) had begun preaching in Topsfield in the fall of 1725.  In July, 1726, he was dismissed by his congregation.  Sibley, VI, 508-509.