1736 November 1 (Monday). Deborah came home with Eleazer Ward. David got down the Great Stones into the Cellar for the foundation of the Cellar Wall and the 2d stack of Chimneys. Moderate pleasant Day and the Snow greatly diminished. I visited Mr. Tomlins[1] sick Child.[2] David p.m. preparing for putting up Stanchills for the Cattle.
[1]Isaac Tomlin.
[2]Silas, son of Isaac and Jemima Tomlin, b. May 1, 1736; d. Jan. 16, 1737 (WVR, 98, 254).
1736 November 2 (Tuesday). Lieut. Nathan Brigham came to rebuild part of my Cellar Wall, Scil.: the North side of the East part of my Cellar, being that which is against the Foundation of the Chimneys. Training Day: I prayed with the Companys and then proceeded (in Company with Mr. Stone) to the Association at Shrewsbury. N.B. Discourse of the late Disquietments which still Subsisted between us. N.B. A Young Bear in Mr. Cushings Pasture and crossed the Road but a little behind Mr. Stone and me as we rode up. He was pursued and shot. Mr. Prentice of Grafton was to have delivered a Concio, but was not prepared and was under Bodily Indispositions. Mr. Prentice of Lancaster delivered an Exercise on Act. 24.25. Mr. Cushing proposed one Case after another to be advised upon. N.B. Mr. Stone and I walked out and after some Discourse we were so happy as to accomplish a Reconcilement, mutually forgave, and promised to burn our Letters that there might nothing remain of the Papers of that Difference. Grates Deo plurimae! Maj. Keyes and Deacon Keyes[1] came in, in the Evening.
[1]Cyprian Keyes (d. 1802) was elected deacon of the Shrewsbury church in1735; he resigned that position in 1742 and moved from Shrewsbury; Worthley, Inventory, 575.
1736 November 3 (Wednesday). Mr. Stone preached in public on Ps. 27, ult. Next association to be at West Sudbury 2d Tuesday of next April. Mr. Stone rode home with me; and after that we rode together to Neighbour Hezekiah Pratts and down by Neighbour Increase Wards and (as far as) <several words crossed out> to Capt. Warrins. N.B. his free Talk of me — My Behavior — Language — the Parkmans — the Stones — etc. I visited Capt. Warrins Family, and returned. David gone to work at Mr. Lawrence’s.
1736 November 4 (Thursday). Ensign Maynard came a.m. and sledded more stones for my Cellar Wall.
1736 November 5 (Friday). Lieut. Brigham at Work again upon the Wall and foundation of the Chimney.
1736 November 6 (Saturday). I had a Letter from Mother Parkman — in which she certifyed me that Mrs. H______ B______ (who had been ill) was better. David came at night from Mr. Lawrence.
1736 November 7 (Sunday). A.M. on Mat. 6.25 and onward. At noon Mr. Solomon Page[1] came and offered to assist me and he accordingly preached for me p.m. on Ps. 119.59. Ebenezer at meeting again. My little Lucy taken ill of a Fever in the Eve.
[1]Solomon Page (1710-1788), Harvard 1729, was never ordained. SHG, 8:608-09.
1736 November 8 (Monday). Mr. Page went to Sutton. Lucy Continues ill, but at times is better. Lieut. Brigham finished his work at my Cellar. He asked me about 11 or 12 shillings.
1736 November 9 (Tuesday). Training. N.B. Mr. Hazzletine of Upton. Lucy much better.
1736 November 10 (Wednesday). Mr. John Barrett[1] of Cambridge (who is published (as I hear) to Sister Ruth) came up. Lucy considerably recover’d. Received a Letter from Brother Samuel per Mr. Josiah Rice informing that Mrs. H______ B______ had been better, but took a Vomit last Friday, and since that time was not better. This was Sad News at the Preparation for the Thanksgiving. David wrought at Mr. A. Hardy’s.
[1]John Barrett mar. Ruth, daughter of Samuel Champney, Sr., of Cambridge, May 5, 1737 (CVR, 2:26). John d. Nov. 16, 1754, a. 49; Ruth d. Dec. 25, 1768, a. 61. y. (CVR, 2:462, 463).
1736 November 11 (Thursday). Thanksgiving. Rev. 14.3. Mr. Barrett (aforesaid) with us. O that we might be redeemed from the Earth and that we might be taught by the Holy Spirit of God the New Song of the 144000![1] But the Duty of the Day Difficulter than usual — We must Sing of Judgment as well as Mercy, through the Land indeed, but particularly in my Family! Oh! What alterations and Changes since the last Solemnity of this kind! What an intermixture of Frowns and Smiles — the observablest in the Course of this Year of any through the whole Course of my Life! God sets one over against another that we may find nothing after Him.
[1]Rev. 14.3: “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders; and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”
1736 November 12 (Friday). Very early in the Morning I sent David to Mr. Wheelers to bring from thence a Fat Cow. Mr. Tainter and David my Butchers. Mr. Barrett and sister Ruth rode to Cousen Winchesters.
1736 November 13 (Saturday). Mr. Tainter came and Cut out and salted up my Beef. Mr. Barrett went to Hopkinton but returned at Eve. Dr. Gott at the Barrs informed me that Mrs. Hannah Brecks illness arose from her taking Cold that Journey from Marlborough. See Oct. 11.
1736 November 14 (Sunday). Mat. VI.25 and onward. Rev. 3.1, last Clause. Mr. Tainter and his wife[1] dined with us. Pleasant though somewhat Cold a.m. Cloudy, Raw p.m. Yet winter holds off. At night there came up a flurry of Snow.
[1]Simon Tainter mar. Rebecca Herrington of Watertown, 1714 (Records of Births Deaths and Marriages: First Book and Supplement, 51, separately paginated supplement to Watertown Records Comprising the Third Book of the Town Proceedings and the Second Book of Births Marriages and Deaths to the End of 1737 Also Plan and Register of Burials in Arlington Street Burying Ground (Watertown, MA: Watertown Historical Society, 1900). She was admitted to the Westborough church by dismission from the Watertown church, June 27, 1731 (WCR, ___).
1736 November 15 (Monday). A Clear, Cold Morning. We undertook our journey to Cambridge and we ventured to carry down my Little Daughter Lucy. Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard and Mrs. Jemima Lee upon the Road also. The Latter overtook us at Mr. Baldwins; and they proceeded with us to Father Champneys and (except Mr. Barrett) we all lodged there. N.B. The Child had a Comfortable Journey.
1736 November 16 (Tuesday). Mrs. Maynard, Mrs. Jemima and I rode to Boston. As Soon as I had Waited upon my Mother <words crossed out> I visited Mrs. Hannah Breck whom I found confined to her Chamber, and had been So ever Since the awfull Death of her Uncle. I dined with Mr. Pierpont and Madam. N.B. Mr. Pierpont and Madam give me their hearty wishes and encouragements but Madam in Some Doubt whether I shall Succeed. Mr. Pierpont undertook a difficult Journey to Providence, Narragansett etc.: but Madam and I took a Dish of Tea with Mrs. H______h. At Eve at Brother Elias’s who was confined by indisposition. My Daughter Molly had been in Town for 3 Weeks and chiefly resided there. Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Jemima Lee there in the Eve and Supped with us. After Supper I went with them to Mr. John Lee’s where they lodged. N.B. The Town is every where full of Mr. Hooper, the Scotch Preacher.
1736 November 17 (Wednesday). Attended to various Business a.m. and made divers Visits. N.B. Talk of Sister Willards marrying one Mr. Reas of Philadelphia. I dined at Brother Samuels. After Dinner I went in to Mr. Pierponts. <Several words crossed out.> I determined to Say Nothing to Mrs. H______ of the weighty Matter under Consideration whilst She remains in So ill a state of Health, but She entered upon it her Self and discover’d to me that She had the most maturely considered things, and they were Still darker to her. She thanked me for the respect I had Shewed her and their Family, but was now settled and determined etc. Upon my requesting She would wave a final determination, she replyed that she had done so already; that she thought it was now high time to put an End to the whole affair, and therefore prayed me to withdraw my offers to her and Spare my Visits upon such Head, for that she was Sure it would be utterly in Vain: That this proceeded from no influence of any Body else: That She had no Eye to any Future Prospects; and if it Should so happen that She Should be less happy in any other match, yet She Should not have so clear a Conscience if She accepted of my Proposals, whilst things appeared to her mind as they do. I went down to drink a Dish of Tea with Madam Pierpont and Mrs. Elizabeth Pierce and after Tea I had a private Minute with Madam who told me She was heartily Sorry to find her Kinswoman so resolutely determined to refuse me etc.: gave me her hearty wishes that I might have other and better Success otherwhere, prayed it might not break my Friendship at the House etc.: Upon which I returned to Mrs. H______ who continued the above mentioned strain — would return me (how much soever against my inclination) a little present I had made her, and which (she said) no Eye besides had Seen. I was much put to’t to conduct my self with Decency, but I was obliged to undergo my Affliction, and thus with my best regards to her I took my final Leave. Returned to Brother Elias’s and Supped and lodged there. Thus have I been labouring and toiling at the Corn fields for divers Months, have ploughed with one Heifer after another, and watched all opportunitys and improved all advantages to benefit my Cause, having Spared nor Cost nor Pains, but now when the Time is Come when I might expect a joyful Harvest, <word crossed out> I have no Crop; instead thereof I find nothing by a Sign. Mr. Pierpont kept the Sign of the Corn-Fields.
1736 November 18 (Thursday). Hindered from the public Lecture by preparing to ride to Cambridge with sister Willard and my Daughter Molly in a Chaise; but by Sister Lydia’s coming down with Brother Champney the Scheme was overthrown, for he carryed up Molly and I sent for my own Horse and rode to Cambridge at Eve.
1736 November 19 (Friday). Though it was very cold and raw yet I undertook to carry my Daughter Molly to Westborough and through Divine Goodness she bore the Journey very well. N.B. We called at Mr. George Cuttings[1] at Waterton to speak with his Daughter Lydia[2] to come and keep my House, but she was at Mr. Amos Waits at Framingham, where I Spoke with her. N.B. Snow from Mr. Swifts to Mr. Stone’s but a clear Evening. N.B. A Boy of about 14 killed yesterday at Watertown, by a Timber falling upon his Head and mashing it against another Timber. My Family in my absence had been well and Comfortable. Deo Gr.!
[1]George Cutting, b. Apr. 26, 1686, son of John and Susan Cutting; Records of Births Deaths and Marriages: First Book and Supplement, 58, separately paginated supplement to Watertown Records Comprising the First and Second Books of Town Proceedings with the Lands Grants and Possessions also the Proprietors’ Book and the First Book and Supplement of Births Deaths and Marriages (Watertown, MA: The Historical Society, 1894). George Cutting mar. Mary Brown, Jan. 31, 1709/10; ibid., 44.
[2]Lydia, dau. of of George and Mary Cutting, b. Feb. 3, 1711; ibid., 43.
1736 November 20 (Saturday). Preparing Diligently for the Sabbath. David and John Rogers put up stanchells for my Cattle.
1736 November 21 (Sunday). Very Rainy. Rev. 3.1, last Clause. Sacrament. Repeated p.m. on Judg. 11.35. N.B. my Mind in much inquietude — being full of Reflections upon the late Providence and Disappointment and my own Conduct throughout the last Months.
1736 November 22 (Monday). Very fine, warm Day. Capt. Forb. came up to ask me for Some of my old Clabboards to mend his Barn. He comes into much more Sociableness of Late. I visited old Mrs. Pratt[1] She being much disordered and Distressed by Pain etc.
[1]Walett: probably Mrs. John Pratt (Oct. 11, 1737).
1736 November 23 (Tuesday). David carted out Muck. P.M. Neighbour Hezekiah How[1] with him. At Eve at a very handsome Supper at Mr. Townsends, and handsomely invited to it; Neighbour Rogers and his wife there also.
[1]Parkman identified Hezekiah How as among the “first inhabitants” of Westborough (WCR, flyleaf). How died on June 19, 1768: “My old Neighbour Hezekiah How dyed about 10 o’Clock this forenoon. May god Sanctify it to me! and to those he has left behind!” His wife Elizabeth had joined the Westborough church on Oct. 25, 1730, having been dismissed from the Marlborough church (WCR, 24).
1736 November 24 (Wednesday). Rode to Mr. Jonathan Forbush’s etc. Mr. Ivory Hovey at Evening. David at work at Mr. Lawrence’s.
1736 November 25 (Thursday). To Marlborough with Mr. Hovey — and preached to the Society of young Men there on 1 King 18.12, latter Clause. They Sent me 32s.6 <word crossed out> with their Gratitude. At Dr. Gotts at Eve. N.B. Dr. Alexander Maximilian Thyery there. At Coll. Woods’s. Returned home. Mr. John Pratt framed my great Barn Doors.
1736 November 26 (Friday). Warm Storm of Rain.
1736 November 27 (Saturday). We put up the Milch Cows into the Barn this Evening.
1736 November 28 (Sunday). Mat. VI.32.33.34. Mrs. Townsend[1] (wife of Benjamin) dined with us. Received from Mr. Hezekiah Ward[2] (of New Medfield) Mr. Rob. Camell’s Three Sermons[3] and read ‘em this Evening.
[1]Susannah Townsend, wife of Benjamin Townsend, whom Parkman listed among the first inhabitants of Westborough (WCR, flyleaf).
[2]Hezekiah Ward of New Medfield (Sturbridge).
[3]Robert Camell, I. The great benefit of afflictions: II. The long-suffering of God, with respect to sinful communities. III. The duty of Christ’s ministers, and the offence of some taken at their doctrine ; considered. In three sermons, preached in St. Nicholas’s church and St. George’s chapel, in Great Yarmouth, at several times in the years 1724, and 1725 (London: Printed; and sold by the booksellers of London and Norwich, 1726).
1736 November 29 (Monday). Storm of Snow. This Evening was the first of our housing all the Cattle. Young Mens singing meeting here.
1736 November 30 (Tuesday). Fowl Weather again to Day. P.M. David by a Fall of His Horse last Thursday, hurt his Legg to such a Degree that it remains Swelled Still and renders him unfit for Business. Catechized at Lieut. Holloways and visited in the North West Corner of the Town.
