1744 April 18 (Wednesday). Mr. Barrett[1] not being present I preach’d the public Lecture. Text Luke 16.23. N.B. The first Time I preach’d in the New Meeting House. P.M. I got an Horse of Mr. Prentice,[2] and (Mr. Bowers[3] of Middletown in Connecticut and Mr. Whitcomb[4] of Lancaster part of the way in Company) I rode to Luningburgh and to Townshend, lodg’d at Lieutenant Taylors,[5] but alas! the house in Tears for my kind Landlady, Mrs. Taylor, who lately deceas’d. N.B. Several Houses in Townsend fortify’d against the Indians.
[1]Rev. Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.
[2]Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster
[3]Rev. Benjamin Bowers (HC 1733), minister of Haddam, Conn., 1740-1761. SHG 9:278-79.
[4] Deacon David Whitcomb.
[5]Daniel Taylor. See Ithamar B. Sawtelle, History of the Town of Townsend (Fitchburg, 1878), 154.