1745 April 9 (Tuesday). Return’d some Answer to Mr. Jenisons late tart Letter, and sent it by Benjamin Lull, junior. Such Contention fills me with Trouble — but the Lord preserve and restrain me! By and By Mr. Jenison (not having receiv’d the Letter) came to my House about the Time that the Ministers began to assemble to the Association, which met here to Day. The Gentlemen that came were, Mr. Loring, who was Moderator. Messrs. Cushing, Gardner,[1] Barrett, Stone, Smith, Goss,[2] and Davis.[3] Mr. Martyn was also here present. Mr. Stone deliver’d a Concio on 2 Cor. 12.2. At Eve Mr. Martyn deliver’d a large Confession of Faith. Debates upon his being approbated. Mr. Gardner made objection. N.B. Mr. Barrett told us that a Westborough man, he could not tell who, but he thinks one that was griev’d by the Line of the Precincts or in the Name of Deacon Tomlin was over at Hopkinton to enquire of his Brother Morris[4] after Mr. Commissary Price,[5] in order to joining with the Church of England there. N.B. Mr. Jenison and I some Warm Contest in presence of Messrs. Cushing, Stone and Smith with reference to my Discourse with him January 1 and afterwards my Conversation with Mr. Matthias Rice on February 23. Mr. Jenison went away dissatisfy’d, but I requested him to come tomorrow (not only to Lecture but) to dine with us. N.B. Captain Maynard took 2 Horses, 3 at old Mr. Maynards[6] — and one at Mr. Hows,[7] and 3 Gentlemen, Mr. Goss, Mr. Davis and Mr. Martyn lodg’d at Captain Maynards.
[1]Rev. John Gardner of Stow.
[2]Thomas Goss (HC 1737), minister at Bolton, 1741-1771. SHG 10:175-185.
[3]Rev. Joseph Davis (HC 1740), minister at Holden, 1742-1773. SHG 10:478-481.
[4]Theophilus Morris, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, was an Anglican missionary who had settled at West Haven, Conn., 1740-1742.
[5]Roger Price was the rector of King’s Chapel in Boston until Nov. 21, 1746. He later founded the Anglican Church in Hopkinton. See Henry W. Foote, Annals of King’s Chapel (Boston, 1882-1896), 2 vols.
[6]David Maynard.
[7]Hezekiah How.