June 1, 1745

1745 June 1 (Saturday).  My son Thomme much out of Health So that I sent him to Marlborough to Dr. Gotts that he might get suitable Directions and Druggs of him.  Mr. Simon Goodard came here to ask whether his coming to Meeting here on sabbath Days would be disagreeable to Me?  And in reply, I expressed to him in what Case and for what Reasons it would.  His Father here presently after, but we had nothing upon his sons Errand.

June 2, 1745

1745 June 2 (Sunday).  On Sabbath Morning Mr. Breck[1] came up and preach’d for me all Day, a.m. on Ps. 130.3.4, p.m. Mat. 25.1-13.  He return’d to his wife at Marlborough after he had Supp’d.  N.B. he brought up the Agreeable News of our Forces having Succeeded in the Capture of a French Man of War of 64 Guns.  To God to praise and Glory!

[1]Rev. Robert Breck, Jr., of Springfield.

June 5, 1745

1745 June 5 (Wednesday).  A.M. Mr. Townsend[1] from the Northside here, and very full of Discourse.  I visited Neighbour William Rogers junior’s Wife who lies Sick.  P.M. I rode (with my wife) over to the raisings on the west side of the River.  Mr. Seth Rice an House and Ensign Josiah a Barn.  N.B. Brother Hicks was here a.m. and brought up yesterdays Gazette[2] containing a large and particular account of the Successes of both Army and Fleet.

[1]Joshua Townsend.

[2]The Boston Gazette, or Weekly Journal, June 4, 1745.

June 9, 1745

1745 June 9 (Sunday).  On John 17.3, and p.m. on Mat. 6.10.  Received from Reverend Mr. Salter[1] of Mansfield (who stop’d at Captain Fays[2] in his journey home) Mr. Solomon Williams’s[3] Sermon[4] on his Ordination and the Windham Associations Letter to the Several Societys in that County concerning Mr. Pain[5] etc.  Mr. James Fay who brought these deliver’d me also a Book from Deacon Merriam[6] of Grafton, being Dr. Francke[7] against the Fear of Man.

[1]Richard Salter (HC 1739), minister at Mansfield, Conn., 1744-1787. SHG 10:404-409.

[2]Capt. John Fay.

[3]Solomon Williams (HC 1719), minister of the First Church in Lebanon, Conn., 1722-1776. SHG 6:352-361.

[4] Solomon Williams, Ministers of the Gospel (New London, 1744).

[5]Elisha Paine had been imprisoned in 1743 in Connecticut for preaching without a license. He is said to have founded the First Baptist Church in Harwich. The pamphlet Parkman mentioned is A Letter from the Associated Ministers of the County of Windham (Boston, 1745).

[6]Joseph Merriam.

[7]August Hermann Francke, Nicodemus; or a Treatise Against the Fear of Man (3d ed.; Boston, 1745).

June 11, 1745

1745 June 11 (Tuesday).  I have discover’d that though Ebenezer performs his Tasks of Lessons, yet he has an inward heavyness and drops now and then a word how glad he Shall be to be at Work upon the place, how much better the place Should Soon be if he Should labour etc.  I therefore took the Opportunity this Morning to talk with him, and I once More still gave him Liberty to Choose what Method of Life Should Suit his Genius best.  I rode to Boston by the Way of Captain Barnards[1] of Marlborough, to Association.  The following were present.  Messrs. John Prentice,[2] Loring, Cushing, Cook, Barrett, Stone, Seccomb,[3] Smith, Goss, Marsh,[4] Morse, Millen; and Mr. Buckminster was voted in.  Mr. Martyn also and Mr. Nathaniel Gardner,[5] Candidates were there.  After Prayer arose a Sharp and Vehement insisting for my transcribing into the Association Book, the minutes of the Meeting[6] at Mr. Smiths in Marlborough, last January when a Testimony was drawn up against Mr. Whitefield, but which I Strenuously deny’d and gave my Reasons for my Refusal of it.  It was desir’d that Mr. Stone would but he refus’d also; and though his Reason was that he had no more authority than anybody Else, he being Clerk only for that Meeting, yet when it was about to be put to Vote that he might be authoriz’d by the Association to do it, he still refus’d.  I repeatedly offer’d, and entreated that I might resign the office of Clerk.  I had now that the Burthen of it for 20 years, and it was Time Somebody else Should take a Turn.  But it was not granted — except by a Member or Two — of which Mr. Marsh was chief, who several Times desir’d that a New Clerk might be Chose.  After long Contest about recording those Minutes (it being of an out-of-Season, out-of-place Meeting, and when besides the Business of that Meeting, Two Members were admitted and one old Member dismissed) Mr. Barrett offer’d himself that if the Association Should appoint him to transcribe Mr. Stones Minutes into the Book, he would do it, which accordingly they did.  Then Mr. Martyn (the Concionator not being present) deliver’d an Exercise on Mat. 16.27, which no one Member (I think) was Satisfy’d with, he therein advancing that there would be no rewards in the future world according to Mens Works, untill the General Judgment.  But the Chief Subject of Conversation was Mr. Whitefield.  Collections were unthought of (I Suppose) by the Moderator.  They were never call’d for.  After Supper at Mr. Goss’s, Mr. Stone and I went home with Mr. Martyn and lodged there.

[1]Robert Barnard was a miller and tavern keeper. Hudson, Marlborough, 313.

[2]Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster.

[3]Rev. John Seccomb of Harvard.

[4]Thomas Marsh of Mansfield, Conn.

[5]Nathaniel Gardner (HC 1739), a Boston schoolmaster. SHG 10:366-368.

[6]See Allen, Worcester Association, 24.

June 12, 1745

1745 June 12 (Wednesday).  In the Morning before the public Meeting, there was a free Conversation with Mr. Martyn about his Sermon Yesterday, the Scheme being New and some passages offensive, to us all.  Mr. Cook preach’d the Public Lecture upon Amos 8.11.  In my returning I rode to Marlborough.  Messrs. Barrett, Stone and Smith in Company.  I visited Sister Breck who is yet at Marlborough.

June 14, 1745

1745 June 14 (Friday).  Ebenezer at work on the Smaller, South, Barn Doors.  P.M. Mr. Miller here.  Mr. Jenison (who has begun to keep school at Mr. Hezikiah Pratts, lodging at Mr. Williams’s) came here p.m. and had some further talk, but yet seems to be resenting and goes away unquiet.  Molly exercis’d much with Toothach goes to Hopkinton, to Mr. Barrett[1] to pull them out which troubled her.  He pull’d Two.

[1]Rev. Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

June 15, 1745

1745 June 15 (Saturday).  Mr. John Chamberlain having bought of the Maynards the West End of the House which he himself us’d to live in, this Day mov’d it, upon Wheels, beyond Captain Maynards nigh the River.  P.M. Thomme return’d home again from Grafton being in such Pain and under So great Discouragement that his master[1] sends all his Things Home with him.  God grant the Grace and Wisdom needed under every Trial!

[1]Joseph Batcheller, the weaver of Grafton.

June 16, 1745

1745 June 16 (Sunday).  On John 17.3.  P.M. on 2 Tim. 3.16.  N.B. Mr. Jenison came in the Morning and also din’d with us.  N.B. at Noon Time Mrs. Whitney went down the road near my Barn and there made a great Out Cry.  N.B. Captain Baker (with my Consent obtain’d at noon) after the Public Exercises of the Day desir’d the Congregation to stop, and warn’d his Company to come together tomorrow Morning at 9 o’Clock.

June 17, 1745

1745 June 17 (Monday).  I visited Mr. Hezikiah Pratts Child sick of a fever.  Both Companys met to Show Arms and beat up for Volunteers, but I was with neither of them.  Captain Maynard indeed came to my House to ask me but I was not at Home.  N.B. Mr. Benjamin Burnap of Hopkinton here and din’d with us.  N.B. David Warrin of Marlborough here, with a Message from Mr. Smith, who had again still asked me to preach a Lecture for him, and which by our Agreement was to have been tomorrow, but it So falls out that their Military Companys are then to meet, and therefore the Lecture is wav’d.  N.B. Thomas Winchester gone part of today, as he was half of Saturday, p.m. of Friday helping Mr. Chamberlain, and p.m. Thursday last, at his Fathers raising.

June 18, 1745

1745 June 18 (Tuesday).  Last Night a Night of Thunder and Lightning and Rain.  My Wife not well.  Thomas began to Mow the Garden and Fore Yard.  Mr. Salter and his wife on their Journey home, came and lodg’d here.  Their Horses had broke from them at Sudbury and Mr. More (Son of Deacon) waited on them hither with Two, who also return’d with the Evening.  Mr. Salter brings Sad News from the Fleet and Camp at Cape Briton.  Captain Smithhurst[1] missing in the Country Galley, and 140 Land soldiers cutt off in their Attempt on the Island Battery.  Yet God has deliver’d 3 French Sail into our Hands, Two 36-Gun-Company-Ships from France and a Quebeck Sloop with Flour and Peas.

[1]Smithhurst captained the Prince of Orange, a vessel of 16 guns. The Boston Gazette, or Weekly Journal, 11 June 1745.

June 19, 1745

1745 June 19 (Wednesday).  A Young Man, one Laffland from Landlord Wards in Marlborough, brought Mr. Salters Stray Horses, and they proceeded upon their Journey.  I rode with them as far as Captain Bakers.  N.B. Reckon’d with Samuel Baker.  P.M. Hard Thunder and heavy Rain.  Towards Eve came Mr. Benjamin Goddard to talk with me about what is the Duty of a Christian that in his Conscience did Seriously judge that the Constant Preaching he sits under is not edifying, if So much as Safe.  My Wife rather Worse.

June 20, 1745

1745 June 20 (Thursday).  My Wife ill yet.  Sent to Dr. Gott.  P.M. the Doctor came.  Left divers Medicines both with regard to her Fever and pains in her Limbs, and likewise for her Sore, pained Breast.  God grant us to make a good Improvement of his holy Corrections!  My Family divers of them continue not well, Several of the Children as well as their Mother.  My concern at present great for Thomme yet he is Stirring about a little, but growing no better (I think) in the Main.  Mr. Joseph Batchellor here and we finish’d with regard to Thomme.

June 21, 1745

1745 June 21 (Friday).  I rode over to see Deacon Tomlin who lies ill.  He answer’d me with great readiness respecting his State, and said he had such Hope, and such scripture ground for his Hope that he was not afraid.  I gave him some Cautions, — Strait the Gate — few etc. — the many deceiv’d — the Heart deceitful — the wiles of Satan — our own Sin — particularly warn’d him respecting Covetousness and loving the world — wanting to Live longer, how long soever we live.  Pray’d with him and recommended him to the Grace of God.  Neighbour Abner Newton[1] din’d with me, told me he heard that a Young man at Mill River was kill’d by the Lightning the Day before yesterday — as was another at Woodstock or Pomfret last Monday Night in his Bed.  Mr. Jenison here, and pleasant.

[1]Son of Thomas Newton.

June 24, 1745

1745 June 24 (Monday).  A very Spreading report that Mr. Whitefield is to preach at Grafton tomorrow.  I visited Deacon Tomlin who lyes utterly insensible, breaths as if he was in a Sleep but cannot be wak’d, nor has Spake ever since about Sundown last Evening.  Tis conceiv’d is in a dying State. Mr. Benjamin Burnap came to me at the Deacons.  He has gather’d a Number of Subscriptions (under mine) for Mr. Edwards to Religious Affections.  Old Ensign Newton here.

June 25, 1745

1745 June 25 (Tuesday).  Early in the Morning to the House of Death, the late Deacon Tomlins, who deceas’d last Night.  Jejun. Priv. Speciatim propter Reverendi Domini Whitefield Approquinquationem: ut de Voluntate Dei gravis sim; ut nosque De Displiceani nec Quomodocumque opus eius impediam sed Sapientiam et Directionem omnem quae necessaria Set praesertim hoc Tempore, a Deo Fonte et Patre Luminum et Largitionem, obtineam.

June 26, 1745

1745 June 26 (Wednesday).  Deacon Tomlin was bury’d.  Thunder Showers.  At the request of the Widow — principal Heir and Executor, I stop’d at the House after the Funeral to read the Last Will and Testament of the Deceased.  N.B. The Will disquieted the Daughters.  Deacon Fay rode home with me and I show’d him Something that I had drawn up with regard to Mr. Whitefield.  Mr. Whipple and his wife at my House at Eve.

June 27, 1745

1745 June 27 (Thursday).  Mr. Thomas Billing here.  Neighbour Rogers Suffers Damage by Doggs among his sheep.  People report here for the Fruits of my Garden.  Cherry and Currants.  Thomas and Ebenezer mow Bushes instead of Grass, by Reason of the Cloudiness of the Weather.  Nor have we done anything at Haying for several Days.

June 28, 1745

1745 June 28 (Friday).  Thomas work’d for Mr. Chamberlin till noon, when Ensign Bruce came along with him home, having press’d him in his Majesty’s Name to go up to the Western Frontiers.  Somewhat Surpriz’d at Such a sudden and unexpected Turn, I had my Horse, left my Studys and Business and rode with the Ensign over to the Captain, who after a great deal of arguing told me that it was done out of Favour and regard to me, for that unless the young man be Secur’d he would soon Escape, and neither the King nor I Should have any Benefit from him.  But I could not but Conceive that if that had been the Case the Affair would not have been carry’d on with all manner of Tokens of carrying him off, and no private hints given me of the Design, but every way oppressive to me under the Weight, nor merely of my private, but of publick Business.  I mention’d over the Young men of the Neighbourhood that might better have been pitch’d upon than Thomas — and though I was willing to bear my part — a public Calamity yet could by no means conceive it to be my place to suffer as yet in this way.  We broke off with his assuring me he should be releas’d upon his promising him to Stick to my Business and not run away if there Should be further Occasion for young men and Necessity obliging them At Length to take him.  I din’d there.  P.M. The Company train’d and beat up for Volunteers — but without success.  In the North Company Captain Maynard pressed his own son or young man Merodach, [illegible] Lieutenant Forbush’s son Noah and Ensign Rice’s son Joseph.  The last hir’d Silas Pratt to go in his sons stead.  N.B. An Exceeding, great Storm of Thunder and Lightning (which rose among us) prevail’d as it pass’d into the East and the brightest rainbow follow’d.  N.B. I saw Deacon Mirriam of Grafton going to Concord with an Horse for Mr. Whitefield.  N.B. At Evening Joshua Winchester was press’d.  He was of them I nam’d when I mention’d over the Neighbourhood but I added I thought it might not do to take one out of that but I did not remember that they had one Son already in the Kings service, viz. Samuel gone to Cape Breton: for then I should have endeavour’d to have him excus’d.

June 29, 1745

1745 June 29 (Saturday).  Thomas went to Captain Bakers and home.  After a while came his Mother, disquieted that I (as she said) was the means of having Joshua press’d.  Ebenezer carry’d home Mr. Tainters Chaise which has stood in my Barn now some Time.  Very letting Weather as to our Hay — so frequent showers and Shines.  P.M. another Thunder Storm, but chiefly went away South.  After which there was Still a great and dismal one which went from the North East to the South East but did not come up over us.

June 30, 1745

1745 June 30 (Sunday).  On Hos. 6.3, former part.  P.M. 1 John 3.23, former part.  For this last I us’d an Exercise on the Catechism which I had deliver’d to Young Women.  Eli Forbush din’d here.  N.B. He and Jonathan Bruce being press’d to go to Westward to guard the Frontier desir’d prayers for them.  I was very much tir’d and worried with my Services to Day which were somewhat long.  Memorandum.  Mr. Whitefield preaches at Grafton to Day and Some number of my Southern Neighbours are gone to hear him.  Thomas Winchester at his Fathers and went to hear Mr. Whitefield.