April 18, 1745

1745 April 18 (Thursday).  Word was carry’d to Each of the last Mention’d Gentlemen; I was at Mr. Gardners and at Captain Sharps.[1]  Broke fast at Mrs. Keggells at Boston.  Visited my Aged and honor’d Mother.  Had so many difficult Affairs upon Me that I could not go to Lecture.  Sad News came to Boston to Day by an Express from Captain Knowls at St. Kitts directed to Commodore Warrin who is gone to Cape Briton of 7 or 8 French Men of War and 28 Transports arrived at Martinece, bound we know not whither.  Din’d at Brother Williams.[2]  N.B. Our Dear Kinsman Elias[3] was unemploy’d yet, but Seems now to be about resolving — the Lord rouse him — for human Help is Vain!  I hastened to Cambridge at Eve in prosecution of our affairs there, Though to my great perplexity I miss’d of Mr. Danforth at Boston.

[1]Captain Robert Sharp of Brookline.

[2]William Parkman of Boston.

[3]Parkman’s nephew, the son of Elias Parkman (d. 1741).