Month: August 1742

1742 August 1 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough  a.m.  on 2 Cor. ii.15.16 on Occasion of the Death of Rev. Mr. Stone of Holliston.  P.M. on 1 Thess. 1.10.  I would have returned home at Eve but my Mare could not be found in Mr. Stones Pasture.  The servant Fears that She has got out, a pair of Barrs being flatt.  Mr. Stone came home, and I lodged there.

1742 August 2 (Monday).  My Mare not to be found.  I rode home on Mr. Brighams Horse but she was not there.  Mr. Helyer came last night and was waiting for me.  Took Thomme with me (who rode upon Neighbour Maynards Horse) and rode to Southborough again — and to Marlborough but returned without hearing of her.  Was at Dr. Gotts and Mr. Smiths.  N.B. Mr. Frink at Mr. Smiths.  Thomas Winchester got in the last of the Wheat and the last of the Hay in the Meadow Except Two Stacks which we cannot Conveniently Cast yet.

1742 August 3 (Tuesday).  Read Sir Richard Bulstrode on Mary Magdalene.  Thomas worked for Neighbour Rogers for his work for us.  N.B. Thomas went at Evening to his Fathers to work for him the Ensuing Days — accordingly

1742 August 4 (Wednesday).  Thomas at his Fathers.  Ebenezer went to Framingham upon Ensign Maynards mare to enquire after mine.  No Certain News.

1742 August 5 (Thursday).  At the Funeral of Mr. Joslins eldest son Joseph,[1] the last Surviving Son.  A very heavy (yet holy) Stroke of Divine Providence.  This is the Fourth in this Family in about a fortnight.  It is very awfull and awakening!  P.M. I preached at Mr. Grouts[2] on Micah 7.7.

[1]Joseph Joslin, son of Joseph and Catharine, d. Aug. 4, 1742; WVR, 245.

[2]Joseph Grout (1683-1759) and his wife Mary were dismissed from the church in Waltham and admitted to the Westborough church, Apr. 13, 1755 (WCR, 101).

1742 August 6 (Friday).  I walked down to Mr. Cooks at Evening to meet Neighbour Stephen Fay and I employed him to make diligent search after my Mare, and to send Mr. John Tainter[1] of Watertown to Lexington after her.

[1]John, son of Simon and Johannah Tainter, b.  Mar. 13, 1699; Records of Births Deaths and Marriages, Second Book to the End of 1737, 13, 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). His brother Simon settled in Westborough.

1742 August 7 (Saturday).  Mr. Thomas Brown[1] of Newton and his son here.  Lieutenant Stone[2] of Shrewsbury here in his way from Holliston.  He informs me they die in numbers there of the nervous Fever and that Mr. Stones widow[3] is now Sick.  Thomas came home at Evening from his Fathers.

[1]Not identified.

[2]Walett: Isaac Stone, one of the first selectmen of Shrewsbury.  Stone d. Apr. 22, 1776, a. 78 y. 7 m.; Shrewsbury VR, 276.

[3]Not identified.

1742 August 8 (Sunday).  On 1 Thess. 5.19.  Job.1.21.

1742 August 9 (Monday).  Early at Mr. Fays.  No clear News of my Mare, but Sorrowful News from my Mother, of her illness and danger.  Capt. Fay offered to go to Framingham to look for my Mare; but Mr. Williams being more acquainted with those Roads, and being willing to go, I improved him.  Capt. Fay also went with him to Southborough.  N.B. Thomas carted home the Two Stacks of Hay at the Meadow, Mr. Chamberlain helping him load, and they got it done before dinner.  P.M. Thomas Carted home a Load of Hay from Mr. James Fays Swamp, given freely by Mr. Fay.  At Evening I was at Capt. Warrins to borrow an Horse to ride to Boston, and succeeded.  Was also at Mr. Cooks.

1742 August 10 (Tuesday).  Thomas went to work again at his Fathers.  I dined at Capt. Warrins and rode his Horse down to Cambridge.

1742 September 10 (Friday).  Mr. Forbush at the Chimny and Thomas tending him.  Lieutenant Brigham came to See us but could not work.  N.B. Mr. Davenport at Capt. Fay’s, going upward.

1742 August 11 (Wednesday).  Visited my Venerable Parent who was Somewhat revived, but Still remained in a very weak and low state.  Dined with Sister Elizabeth where was Cousen Dan. Needham and his Wife and Children going to live at Norwich.

1742 August 12 (Thursday).  Doct. Colman[1] preached on Luk. 16.25.  I dined at Dr. Sewalls.  P.M. at Dr. Chauncys, where were also Mr. Barnard of Marblehead, Mr. Turell[2] and Mr. Nathaniel Gardner.  Visited Brother Alexander.  Molly came yesterday to Boston that She might go to School.  Lodged at Brother Parkmans.

[1]Benjamin Colman (1673-1747), Harvard 1691, minister of Boston’s Brattle Square Church, 1699-1747.  SHG 4:120-37.

[2]Ebenezer Turrell (1702-1778), Harvard 1721, minister at Medford, 1724-1778); SHG, 6:574-82.

1742 August 13 (Friday).  My honoured Mother worse again — but towards Evening revived.  I dined at Capt. Allens.[1]  Waited on Madam Condy to prepare the way for Mollys going to School.  Visited Mr. Mather.[2]  Bought Several more Books of Mrs. Greenwood.  My Mother gave leave that I Should go home to keep Sabbath with my people, and then return to her.  At Parting I received her Blessing, delivered in very Solemn and most tender Manner.  I rode to Cambridge late at night but the people there were o’bed and I was greatly put to it for convenient reposing —

[1]Not identified.

[2]Samuel Mather (1706-1785), Harvard 1723, minister of Boston’s Second Church, 1732-1741, and the Bennet Street Church, 1741-1785.  SHG 7:216-38.

1742 August 14 (Saturday).  but I remounted Early in the morning, broke fast at Mr. John Tainters — and took a Nap at Mr. David Hows and there dined.  Called at Mr. Darlings and was very kindly entertained there.  Got home in the middle of the afternoon, and found my Family in Comfort; except Billy, whose illness remains.

1742 August 15 (Sunday).  On John 4.13.14.  Old Mrs. Mors of Marlborough dined.

1742 August 16 (Monday).  Mr. Jenison (who preached at Marlborough yesterday) began again to keep School and he keeps at Mr. Richard Barns’s.[1]  I rode to Cambridge again.

[1]Richard, son of Richard and Anna Barns, b. Feb. 12, 1717 (MVR 22); d. Sept. 1791 (Breck Parkman diary, Sept. 4, 1791).  He and his wife Elizabeth confessed fornication, owned the covenant, and their daughter Anna was baptized, Nov. 22, 1741; WCR, 61.

1742 August 17 (Tuesday).  To Boston.  My Honoured Mother yet alive, but very weak and low and at Times very disconsolate.  I told her I was going to write to my wife and I prayed her to tell me what I Should Say.  “Say I’m alive yet, as you see, and waiting but know not  what a Day may bring forth.” I added and have a Good Hope through Grace?  She Said, “Have Hope through Grace.”  I answered that it was a Good Hope if it was accompanyed with a Loathing of sin and a Love to God, to the Things, the Law and People of God.  She made this Return in a very Solemn manner, I’m Sure I Can Say that.  This I Sent to my wife.  At Eve at Mr. Eliots Lecture on Mark 8.38.  Lodged with my Kinsman Elias.  N.B. Governor Shirley came in from the Eastward Conference.

1742 August 18 (Wednesday).  My Mother often in Darkness but hoping in God and Trusting to see the Goodness of the Lord.  Wrote again to my wife.  Dined with Mr. Gee[1] and a Number of Gentlemen at Mr. George Rogers’s.[2]  P.M. at Mr. Mathers, and at Eve my Kinsman and I walked as far as to Mr. Byles’s.[3]  N.B. his little Son’s artfull repeating a Poem on Thunder and another on Goliath: though but 7 Year old.  Returned [quite?] to North End, to my Mother, and to my Lodging.  [Marginal notation: An high Training, to wait on the Governor.]

[1]Joshua Gee (1698-1748), Harvard 1717, minister of Boston’s Second Church, 1723-1748.  SHG 6:175-83.

[2]Not identified.

[3]Mather Byles (1707-1788), Harvard 1725, minister of Boston’s Hollis Street Church, 1732-1776.  SHG 7:464-93.

1742 August 19 (Thursday).  Dr. Sewal on Gal. 3.13.  Dined at Mr. Hubbards with Dr. Wigglesworth[1] and Deacon Crocker of Ipswich.  P.M. at Dr. Chauncys.  N.B. The great Disturbance last night by Means of Mr. Davenports condemning the Ministers of Boston as unconverted: and Dr. Colman, Dr. Sewall and Dr. Chauncy by name.  N.B. My Mother in much the same State.

[1]Edward Wigglesworth (1693-1765), Harvard 1710, Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard College, 1722-1765; SHG, 5:546-55.

1742 August 20 (Friday).  My Mother in Darkness — weak and distressed [Still?] but yet humbly declaring her Integrity and Truth, though in every Thing imperfect, and coming short and Condemning her Self bitterly.  A Letter from my wife that Billy is very ill, and nothing does him any good.  Dined at Brother P________n’s and lodged there.  I went into the Cold Bath at Mr. Jonathan Welch’s.  Sent a Medicine to Billy by Mr. James Fay.  N.B. Mr. Davenport condemned by name 9 more of the Ministers.  Grand Jury I hear have sat and have found a Bill against him as a Disturber of the peace.  I visited Madam Condy to prepare the way for Mollys going to Her School.  Visited Mr. Gray[1] and Mr. Cooper.  Spent the Evening with my Mother.  Frost to Night.

[1]Ellis Gray (1715-1753), Harvard 1734, minister of Boston’s New Brick Church, 1738-1753; SHG, 9:400-04.

1742 August 21 (Saturday).  Once More took a Solemn Farewell of my dear and honoured Mother whom I left in some Measure of Comfort both of Mind and Body compared with what she had been; but yet very weak and low still — looking, panting and full of Earnest Desires after God and the Manifestations of his Grace.  Dined at Cambridge.  Entertained kindly at Mr. Darlings on the Road.  Found my Family more Comfortable than I feared.  Mr. Jenison here.  N.B. Cool Night.

1742 August 22 (Sunday).  Mr. Jenison preached all Day.  A.M. on 1 Thess. 4.6.  P.M. on 2 Pet. 3.18.  While I was resting thus, it looked almost like a Frown of Providence that I was So Much out of  Business, having preached neither abroad nor at Home.  Billy grows better by Means of the Medicine I sent him by Mr. Fay.  Rhubarb and Callomell.

1742 August 23 (Monday).  Clear Days: Cold Nights: and a dry Season.

1742 August 24 (Tuesday).  The Association Met at my House.  Mr. Loring, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Stone and Mr. Smith were all that came to Day.  Mr. Prentice of Lancaster was to have given us a Concio; but not coming Mr. Loring was requested to deliver a Sermon he had with him, and which was upon Luk. 15.21.  He also read some Collections which he had made from the Life of Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe (who was Mrs. Singer) and I read some Collections from Mr. I. Mather[1] on the Types.  N.B. Mr. Jenison our schoolmaster present p.m.  N.B. Mr. Gamel[2] building a Wall on the Lower Side of my Front Yard.

[1]Increase Mather (1639-1723), minister of Boston’s Second Church, 1675-1723; sixth president of Harvard College, 1685-1701; SHG, 1:410-70.

[2]Samuel Gamel.

1742 August 25 (Wednesday).  Mr. Cushing preached the Lecture on Rom. 3.29.  Mr. Weld[1] of Attlebury, Mr. Hemmingway[2] of Townshend and Mr. Moss of  the North part of Shrewsbury came.  N.B. The Account Mr. Weld gave of the remarkable Work of God among them.

[1]Habijah Savage Weld (1702-1782), Harvard 1723, minister at Attleborough, 1727-1782; SHG, 7:268-72.

[2]Phinehas Hemenway (1707-1760), Harvard 1730, minister at Townsend, 1734-1760; SHG, 8:724-26.

1742 August 26 (Thursday).  Rain.

1742 August 27 (Friday).  Rain.

1742 August 28 (Saturday).  Brother Samuel Breck came from Springfield and brought a Melancholly Letter concerning himself from Brother Breck.  The Lord grant us Grace suitably to humble our selves under the Frown of his Providence and grant the wisdom that may be profitable to direct in so difficult a Case!  Brother went to Marlborough.

1742 August 29 (Sunday).  Sacrament.  Preached on Song 1.4.  P.M. repeated on 1 Joh. 1.7.  Deacon Fay, Old Mr. Fay and the widow Mary Rice dined with us.

1742 August 30 (Monday).  Mr. Nathaniel Smith[1] of Hopkinton here for advice respecting his Son Nathaniel who was So oppressed and overcome with Affairs of his Soul and another world that he would not attend to the Necessary Supports of Life.  Brother Samuel Breck here, but towards Evening took Leave.  Thomas finished Cutting Stalks.

[1]Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Richard, and Hannah Smith joined the Hopkinton church, Sept. 10, 1731; Nathaniel Smith, Jr., joined, Feb. 7, 1742.  Manual of the First Congregational Church, in Hopkinton, Mass.  Organized Sept. 2, 1724. Including the Confession of Faith, Covenant, Standing Rulers, List of Officers and Members, and Historical Sketch (Boston: Alfred Mudge & Son, 1881), 43, 44.  Parkman later noted that “Disturbances in Hopkinton are risen to great Heights and Richard and Nathaniel Smith are sent to Jayl for breaking up the Worship last Sabbath” (Feb. 1, 1744).  It was may been the elder Nathaniel Smith who died June 3, 1789, a. 77 (HVR, 449)

1742 August 31 (Tuesday).  My wife under much Indisposition.