Month: March 1727

1727 March 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday).  Notwithstanding the preparations I made for last week yet I proceeded to other.  I preach’d on Phil. 12, a. and p.m.  I rode to Stoney Brook, to Mr. Willard.[1]  With him was Mr. Brintnall.[2]  The last rode with me to Mr. Swifts.  I was design [?] to Boston, but receiving a Letter from my mother by Mr. B. How at Framingham meeting house, I turned back.  I rode to Mr. Hows[3] and lodg’d there.

[1]Samuel Willard, the preacher at the Stoney Brook part of Marlborough.

[2]Reverend William Brintnall of Sudbury.

[3]Probably at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, kept by David Howe.

1727 March 7 (Tuesday).  In the morning I rode to Marlborough.  Din’d at Mr. Woods (with Deacon Wilder[1]).  I went with Mr. Breck[2] to his house and (it storming hard) I remained here all night.

[1]Deacon Joseph Wilder of Lancaster.

[2]Reverend Robert Breck of Marlborough.

1727 March 8 (Wednesday).  The storm continued, but yet after dinner I removed.  Mr. Breck went with me to his Son Williams[1] (his daughters lately lying in[2]).  Thence I returned home.

[1]Reverend Breck’s son-in-law, Abraham Williams, a prominent resident of Marlborough.

[2]Elizabeth Breck, daughter of Reverend Robert Breck, married Abraham Williams.

1727 March 9 (Thursday).  Very high winds.  I my Self Sleded home wood with my own Team (mare and Sled).

1727 March 10, 11 (Friday, Saturday).  Considering my Appointment to go to Boston next week, I Employ’d my Self in preparing Sermons to serve one on the following Sabbath, for I had finished for the approaching Sabbath.

1727 March 12 (Sunday).  I preach’d all Day on Phil. 2.12.

1727 March 13 (Monday).  My Wife had Designed to go to Boston with me but it was so rainy that she was obliged to give up her intention.  About Eleven it held up and I set out.  I was at Mr. Coles[1] (the shoemaker) where I saw Distracted Mrs. Bowtel.[2]  I got down to Cambridge between 7 and 8.

[1]Probably Samuel Cole of Framingham.

[2]This was perhaps a woman who had married one of the Boutwells of Reading, Mass.  In 1728 Samuel Cole of Framingham married a Sarah Boutwell of Reading.

1727 March 14 (Tuesday).   I rode to Charleston with Father Champney (it being Court Time), and thence over to Boston with Brother Hicks.[1]  I spent my Time at home.

[1]John Hicks of Cambridge, Parkman’s brother-in-law.

1727 March 15 (Wednesday).  We had very joyfull news from my Brother John.[1]  In the Evening I was at Mr. Greenwoods[2] Lecture which was upon Projectile Motion.  I can’t but Conclude these Exercises by Experiments are the most beneficial as they Reduce all to Sensible Demonstration.  When I return’d I went in with Mr. Greenwood to Dr. Clarks.[3]  At home I saw Captain Willard[4] of Salem.

[1]Parkman’s brother-in-law John Tyley.

[2]Isaac Greenwood, Parkman’s classmate and later first Hollis Professor of Mathematics at Harvard College.

[3]John Clark (Harvard 1687), a physician of Boston.  Professor Greenwood married Clark’s daughter Sarah.  Sibley, III, 375-379.

[4]Josiah Willard.

1727 March 16 (Thursday).  Mr. Sewal preach’d the Lecture on John 15.5.  I din’d at Brother Williams.  In the Evening My Sister Susanna was marry’d to Captain Josiah Willard of Salem by Dr. Mather.[1]  The Ceremony over we Sang Psalm [blank] and the Doctor had many uncommon Observations upon the Concluding words of the psalm and explained Several other Texts in that millenary Scheme.  I must observe here that I had very much Concern upon my Mind lest Every Thing throughout this transaction should not be to the Glory of God, and devout in the Eyes of Men.  But last of all did I Suspect my Self.

[1]Cotton Mather.

1727 March 17 (Friday).  My Brother Elias gave me one of Mr. Webbs[1] books on the 4 Last things; and Deacon Henchman[2] gave me the Extraordinary binding.  I visited my friend Mr. John Adams.[3]  In the Evening we had much more Company than I thought of.  Mr. Secretary Willard,[4] our Cousens, Mrs. Sarah Porter and her Sister, Mrs. Dorcas Bows,[5] etc., etc.  I have grievously and Sadly reflected upon my Levity this Evening.  I am very much afraid that in the Eyes of Some of the Company my Demeanour was not altogether becoming.  But there was nothing criminal in my Conduct with one that considers what a time of Joy it was with us.  However I think I might have spent more time with the graver people, especially have improv’d the opportunity of acquainting my Self better with the Secretary and perhaps it had not been to my Disadvantage.

[1]Reverend John Webb of Boston.  The work was Practical Discourses on Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. In Twenty-four Sermons (Boston, 1726)

[2]Daniel Henchman, publisher and bookseller in Boston.

[3](Harvard 1721).  Of Boston.  A classmate of Parkman.

[4]Josiah Willard (Harvard 1698) of Boston, college tutor, preacher, shipmaster and Secretary of the Province.  Sibley, IV, 425-432.

[5]Sarah (Champney) Porter was evidently either a cousin or a niece of Mrs. Dorcas Bowes, who was Mrs. Parkman’s cousin.

1727 March 18 (Saturday).  I had additional Trouble by some Discourse my brother Samuel had with me upon the articles of my tarrying no more in Boston when I went down; for it was very stormy weather and I was urgent to return home.  It rain’d till between 10 and 11, when holding up a little I left home, truly with my heart full of Sadness.  Veruntamen in quoquo peccavi, vel mete vel oculo, vel olioquiu Sanguis pratiosus Jesu Mei per totum purgabit!  It was one o’clock (as I remember) when I set out from Cambridge.  I lit upon Mr. Tainter[1] riding up with Hannah Warrin.[2]  I rode to Dr. Bellows of Marlborough, Stoney Brook, where I stop’d, Mr. Willard being gone up to Westborough.  I was not well, or I should have reach’d home, and there was almost Sunrise to have gone by.  I went to Bed not very Well.  I was exceedingly fatigued and very faint.  But what Surprized one very much in the morning Mr. Willard came in — for my wife Expected that if I returned from Boston at all I should reach home though it were 12 at night first.  He soon went back to Westborough and I preach’d at Stoney Brook (the South part of Marlborough) a. and p.m. on Prov. 3.6.  At Even I returned to my own house.  I found all things Comfortable.  Deo Opt. Max. Grates.

[1]Simon Tainter of Westborough.

[2]Mrs. Hannah Warren of Westborough.

1727 March 20 (Monday).  Mr. Willard left us to go to his Lodgings.

1727 March 22 (Wednesday).  I had not very well got over my Journey yet.  Mr. Cushing (I understood) brought home his wife.  I a little wonder’d why I was not sent for but Time will open the Cause.

1727 March 25 (Saturday).   I received a Letter from Mr. Cushing which invited me to go to his house on the 21 to Meet his Wife, and the Letter was written some considerable Time ago, but miscarry’d till now.

1727 March 26 (Sunday).  I preach’d on Phil. 2.12, a. and p.m.

1727 March 27, 28, 29 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).  I was closely and Strictly Engaged in My Sermons and in my Enquiries into [blot] of the Land and of my People, particularly that I might prepare my Self for the Solemnity drawing nigh.  But it is to be remark’d that the 27th was a very Tempestuous, Cold, Snowy Time, at which my Brother John Parkman was Shipwreck’d at Cape Ann.  The Thirtieth was Publick Fast.  I preach’d upon Ps. 51.10 all Day and Endeavour’d to improve the Day also as preparation for our Sacrament.

1727 March 3l (Friday).  I apply’d my Self to my Study only.