April 26, 1745

1745 April 26 (Friday).  In the Morning I rode up to Mr. Samuel Fay junior whose Young Child is to be bury’d to day.  He was not at home.  I pray’d with his wife and told them who were there of the reason of my withdraw.  Mr. Cushing came to my House with whom and Mr. Stone I (on Mr. Pratts Horse) rode to Framingham to the Funeral of Reverend Mr. Swift.  The Coffin not being ready we waited till 6 o’Clock before the Corps mov’d.  Mr. Loring, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Gardner and Mr. Cook,[1] Mr. Stone and I were Pall Bearers.  The Deacons etc. were under Bearers, the Brethren of Church walking before the Corps, Mr. Loring having pray’d before moving.  It was a very mournful Time!  There was So much mist and rain as made it uncomfortable, but Care was taken that all the Circumstances of the Funeral were very decent.  The Grave was brick’d So high as to cover the Coffin with large flat Stones — and there was provision for a Monument.  We Supp’d at the Sorrowfull Widows.  Mr. Loring, Gardner and Peabody[2] retir’d to draw up a Character.[3]  Mr. Cushing and I rode home with Mr. Stone and lodged there.

[1]Rev. William Cooke of Wayland.

[2]Rev. Oliver Peabody of Natick.

[3]A notice of Swift’s death appeared in the Boston Evening Post, May 13, 1745; reprinted in William Barry, A History of Framingham, Massachusetts… (1847), 112.