July 2, 1746

1746 July 2 (Wednesday).  At Commencement.  Along with the Governor were Admiral Warrin[1] and Sir William Peperell.  Every Body rejoic’d at the refreshing News of the Defeat of the Rebels in Scotland, and the Taking the young Pretender Prisoner.  P.M. the Joyfull News Confirm’d by another vessell with Duplicates of the Letters lately receiv’d by the Governor respecting a Squadron of English Men of Warr and Troops about to sail from England for Canada Expedition.  Thus God mixes Mercy with Judgment, and makes us, though unworthy, to rejoice one Commencement after another.  At Evening again heard something sorrowfull so Checker’d our State.  A Lad was drown’d as he went into Water to Day.  Brother Samuel Parkman lodg’d with me at Mother Champneys.

[1]Pepperrell and Warren had just returned from Louisburg.

July 3, 1746

1746 July 3 (Thursday).  My Brother rode with me to Boston.  Some of us who are Heirs to our deceas’d Mothers Estate were inclin’d to be together to Day to prepare (as we Should be able) for a Settlement.  But Brother Alexander was not ready with his account So that it was prevented.  Receiv’d one of Mr. Edwards’s Books at Mr. Green’s[1] for which I pay’d 28 Shillings Old Tenor.  Din’d at Brother Parkmans.  At Eve my sister Willard and I rode to Cambridge where we lodg’d.

[1]Timothy Green, the printer, of Boston published a number of the works of Jonathan Edwards.

July 4, 1746

1746 July 4 (Friday).  My Sister rode Home with me.  We Stopp’d at Mrs. Bekky Walkers, at Dr. Robys[1] and at Wards Tavern.  Got up somewhat after 2 p.m., they having din’d but little before.  N.B. John Hicks junior and Mrs. Molly Whittemore here before us.  They went to Sutton. After them came Dr. Breck and Mr. Colton[2] Schoolmaster at Springfield, who at Eve proceeded to Worcester.  N.B. Both Companys of Foot together this Afternoon.  Lieutenant Hezekiah Ward beats up for Volunteers.  Thomas Winchester trains p.m.  N.B. Mr. Hastings[3] of Shrewsbury and Mr. Sparhawk[4] of Sutton in Company.

[1]Ebenezer Roby, the physician of Sudbury.

[2]Jonathan Colton (Yale 1745) was later the missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for Hebron and vicinity.  Dexter, Biographical Sketches, II, 35-36.

[3]Daniel Hastings.

[4]Joseph Sparhawk.

July 6, 1746

1746 July 2 (Wednesday).  At Commencement.  Along with the Governor were Admiral Warrin[1] and Sir William Peperell.  Every Body rejoic’d at the refreshing News of the Defeat of the Rebels in Scotland, and the Taking the young Pretender Prisoner.  P.M. the Joyfull News Confirm’d by another vessell with Duplicates of the Letters lately receiv’d by the Governor respecting a Squadron of English Men of Warr and Troops about to sail from England for Canada Expedition.  Thus God mixes Mercy with Judgment, and makes us, though unworthy, to rejoice one Commencement after another.  At Evening again heard something sorrowfull so Checker’d our State.  A Lad was drown’d as he went into Water to Day.  Brother Samuel Parkman lodg’d with me at Mother Champneys.

[1]Pepperrell and Warren had just returned from Louisburg.

July 7, 1746

1746 July 7 (Monday).  Lieutenant Hezekiah Ward, surveyor, came at my request to look up the Bounds of the Ministerial Meadow.  Warn’d Mr. David Maynard junior, Eliezer Rice and James Maynard of it, and they each of them attended upon it.  Heavy rains beat us off when we had Spent but about one Hour.  We retir’d to Dinner: and met again p.m. At about 1/4 after 3 we finish’d the Lines of the 10 Acres, and with some Conversation upon the 3 Corner’d piece laid on upon the South Line towards the Spring of Water; and the northeast Line taking in Some of what Mr. Maynard has been wont to mow, we parted.  A Storm of Thunder, Lightning and Rain arose before Night.  N.B. Lieutenant ask’d me 20 shillings for his work.  Without Saying much to him he took up with 14.  Mr. Whittlesey[1] of Wallingford and Mr. Williams (junior)[2] of Longmeadow here whilst I was at the Meadow.  Mr. Jenison keeps school again.  Molly return’d Pamela volume I to Colonel Chandler by Mrs. Lucy Stearns.

[1]Reverend Samuel Whittelsey (Yale 1705), the minister of Wallingford, 1708-1752.  Dexter, Biographical Sketches, pp. 40-44.

[2]Stephen Williams, Jr. (Yale 1741), later the minister of West Woodstock, 1747-1795.  Dexter, Biographical Sketches, pp. 695-696.

July 10, 1746

1746 July 10 (Thursday).  Fast on account of the Expedition to Canada.  I consider’d the Business of the Day in these Two Lights — First to humble ourselves under God’s Sore Judgment (viz. the Sword of War) and then his Message to us to Repent etc.  Accordingly preach’d on Jonah 3.5 to 9. Secondly to beseech a great Mercy of God — such wisdom and Direction as was now needed, and success in so great an Enterprise as was now propos’d — but yet it was what we did not deserve, but might rather expect that God would be against us and therefore it concern’d us to look into our Case and endeavour to remove what might be a just Ground of Fear that God would not be with us nor prosper us — and therefore p.m. I preach’d on Ezek. 5.5 to 9.

July 11, 1746

1746 July 11 (Friday).  Rain. Yet Mr. Prentice and Mr. Ebenezer Wadsworth of Grafton came with a Boy to drive their Team and had 6 Barrells of Cyder of me; and Considering how late in the Year, yet it was boil’d and the Barrells were fill’d up (which took another Barrell) they agreed to give me 25 Shillings per Barrell even though it was not of the Best.

July 14, 1746

1746 July 14 (Monday).  Considering the Extremity among people on account of the Scarceness of men to Labour I did what I could abroad which yet was but very little for I was soon worry’d.  My work was chiefly turning some Hay, and raking up and poling in Barley which lay greatly expos’d to a great storm of Rain which came up suddenly and pour’d down most heavily.

July 15, 1746

1746 July 15 (Tuesday).  Had a poor night after my Labour.  Lent my Mare to Mrs. Barns to send to her Father in Law for Help to Hill their Corn. I went to her House and to Neighbour Rogers’s.  William, John and Jonathan (as well as Neighbour Barns) being out in the Service. Lieutenant Ward din’d here. He brought Molly the second volume of Pamela from Colonel Chandler.  Towards Evening my wife and sister to Captain Maynards. My wife bought and paid for 20 lbs. of wool of Mr. Thomas Ward, at 8/6 per pound. I walk’d down there to see Old Christian as well as to wait on them back.  N.B. Captain Maynard not in the best Humour.

July 16, 1746

1746 July 16 (Wednesday).  Captain Maynard Came and said why he was ruffl’d yesterday — viz. He had another Warrant (or Order) to press 4 more men — and he believ’d Thomas Winchester must now go.  I work’d several Hours a.m. in turning, opening and raking Hay. P.M. Catechetical Exercise. I repeated from Isa. 1.9.

July 17, 1746

1746 July 17 (Thursday).  Thomas and Ebenezer went to the Meadow.  I walk’d down to Captain Maynards to see what he had done in pressing Men.  He told me he had press’d several men but that one of them had paid his money; and therefore he Sees no way but that Thomas must go.  So difficult as it was with reference to Cutting my Meadow, I resign’d the Affair — return’d soon, din’d, and Sent Thomas Word to come Home.  I hasten’d to Mrs. Joslins[1] where I had appointed to Catechize.  She was troubled and disappointed that I did not dine there.  Thirteen Children was my whole Company — but I hope they will increase both in Numbers and Qualifications.  Visited old Mr. Garfield[2] who had been Sick — and return’d home a little after Sundown.  Thomas came home at noon Time, and is gone to Grafton to prepare to go away to the Colonel’s tomorrow.

[1]Mrs. Joseph Joslin.

[2]Benjamin Garfield.

July 18, 1746

1746 July 18 (Friday).  Ebenezer and Thomme are gone to the Meadow.  A little before noon Thomas Winchester came preparing to sett out upon his Journey.  It was very difficult as to my Business to part with him, but so it must be and I desire to committ myself to a Mercifull and faithfull God.  It was also Somewhat difficult to part with one that had been of my Family so long and had endear’d himself to us by his good Conduct. The Lord go with him and give him to return to us again in Safety!  I went after him to Captain Maynards and Saw him Still again at Mr. Chamberlins.

July 19, 1746

1746 July 19 (Saturday).  Late in the forenoon came Elijah Warrin and afterwards Mr. Dunlop came and reap’d my Winter Rye, and bound it and got it in to the Barn.  Exceeding good Rye for the bigness of the Piece. Blessed be God! The Girls also pull’d the Flax — which was more than ordinarily thin. Yet its more that I deserve.  Ebenezer brought home one Load of Hay from the Meadow.

July 21, 1746

1746 July 21 (Monday).  Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlins Wife here with a present of String Beans.  My Sons at the Meadow to Day. I went over to Mr. Whipples who informs me that the Petition of the Select Men pass’d in the Lower House but was not granted in the Upper, which is directly Contrary to the State of Things heretofore: the Board being ready to grant and the House not.  As he was going down this Eve I deliver’d him a Paper which I directed to him for his own Reading.

July 22, 1746

1746 July 22 (Tuesday).  My Interruption great by Cattle breaking into my Corn.  Ebenezer and Thomme at Meadow.  Read four Necessary Cases of Conscience of daily use by Mr. Thomas Shepherd,[1] in a Letter to a Friend of his — with a Discourse of that Friends added — viz. R. H. [blank], which the Lord make Spiritually useful to me!  Finish’d the second Volume of Pamela.  See some Remarks I would draw up, on this Latter Piece.

[1]This obscure work of the famous Puritan divine Thomas Shepard (1605-1649), was published under the title Four Necessary Cases of Conscience of Daily Use (London, 1661?).

July 25, 1746

1746 July 25 (Friday).  Rain. At length it clear’d off and instead of Ebenezers going to work for Elijah Warrin at his Fathers, I was oblig’d (though Friday) to go over myself to Mr. Warrins to begg his Patience with regard to our helping him this week for his sons reaping, who was ready to oblige me. Was also at Deacon Newtons as I return’d home.

July 29, 1746

1746 July 29 (Tuesday).  I Visited Mr. Tenney who is Settled with us in the room of Mr. Jedidiah How.  Proceeded up to Mr. Daniel Warrins to get him to reap — but in Vain. Rode up to Mr. Cushings where was Mr. Stevens (who preaches at Worcester) but Mr. Cushing not at Home.  I went to Serjeant Taylors to Speak with Mr. Parker the Shooemaker. At Mr. Robert Keys’s to have my Mare Shod. Din’d at Home. At Eve was at Mr. Amsdens to get Reapers.