April 2, 1747

1747 April 2 (Thursday).  Exceeding pleasant. Warm, excellent Weather.  Mr. Dunlop came from Lieutenant Tainters with an Horse for my wife and me to ride over there to Day.  He Stay’d the forenoon and wrought in my Garden. According to Lieutenant Tainters Request my wife and I din’d there, and p.m. I preach’d to the private Meeting there, on Mat. 16.26 to page 12, and the application, page 21.  Ebenezer Carted Stones a.m. Harrow’d p.m.

April 3, 1747

1747 April 3 (Friday).  Rain’d hard last night and this Morning, but about 10 clear’d off and Mr. Dunlop came to work in my Garden.  Ebenezer Sow’d Some Barley and ploughs it in with the Mare. N.B. Billey begins more manfully to ride to plough.  N.B. Some talk with Mr. Phineas Hardy about his Son Constantine.

April 5, 1747

1747 April 5 (Sunday).  On Mat. 13.12 and p.m. on Rom. 12.11.  Appointed the Communion to be next Lords Day — though it would be but the fifth Sabbath since the last Communion, yet the sixth Since the First Sabbath of March.  Mrs. Mary Steward and Mr. Jonas Warrin’s wife of Upton din’d with us. Frosts hard from one night to another.

April 6, 1747

1747 April 6 (Monday).  Cool Day, but the Season wondrous forward.  Apple trees begin to put forth their Leaves.  Mr. Dunlop came Early to work at my Garden, but went away about 3 in the afternoon, being oblig’d upon some unavoidable Business at Hopkinton.  And was So generous as to give all his work these Several Days — making more than a Day and a half.  Moses Pratt came with those oxen from Eliezer Rice’s which Timothy Warrin bought of me, and with my Team join’d thereto plough’d my Stubble.  Mr. Daniel Warrin also came p.m. and built Stone Wall, before the Ground where my old House stood.  N.B. Captain William Brintnall[1] here; and informs me that old Colonel Buckminster[2] now lyes Dead.  Deacon Forbush’s wife here and brought me excellent Flax seed, a peck and half, and Eli half peck from his uncle Tainters, all of it gratis.  I engag’d Moses Pratt[3] to work for me next Hay Time.

[1]Of Sudbury.

[2]Joseph Buckminster of Framingham.

[3]Son of Isaac Pratt.

April 7, 1747

1747 April 7 (Tuesday).  Mr. Warrin lodg’d here last night and works for me again to Day at building Stone Wall: part of the forenoon where he wrought yesterday: the rest of the Day at the northeast part of my Improvements.  Neighbour Hezekiah Tomlin ploughs here with his oxen join’d to my Team.  Mr. Jenison comes over from the northside and goes to keep School in the South part of Town.  Asa Rice continues very low (I hear) but not worse.  Aaron Wheeler much worse and very dangerously ill.  My son Thomme came up from Marlborough to See us.  Mr. Bacon[1] from Ashuelot (upper) came and lodg’d here.  He brings the sorrowful News that a Number of Indians the night after the Sabbath was Sennight came to Mr. Shattucks Fort,[2] and fir’d it.  They burnt down the Fort at Number 2 or great meadows[3] — and burnt an House of Colonel Josiah Willard.  That their Town as well as the other Ashuelot[4] were broke up and come off — as was Winchester also.  That Captain Melvin[5] and 26 men went out after the Indians, and discover’d 14 and packs of about 20.  That Captain Stephens[6] with 50 men had been gone about 3 Weeks and no news of him but twas hop’d he was at No. 4.

[1]The Reverend Jacob Bacon of Keene, N.H.

[2]Daniel Shattuck’s garrison house was within the limits of the present town of Hinsdale, N.H.

[3]No. 2 township, sometimes known as Great Meadows, was incorporated as Westmoreland, N.H., in 1752.

[4]Lower Ashuelot was incorporated as Swanzey, N.H., in 1753.

[5]Eleazer Melvin.

[6]Phinehas Stevens.

April 12, 1747

1747 April 12 (Sunday).  Sacrament Day, yet this Morning just as I was going out to Meeting (with my Hat in my Hand), comes Levi Brigham with his and his wife’s Relations which must be look’d over etc.  A number of other Persons came, divers of them to my House, with various Cases — all by word of mouth which caused me to Speak to the Congregation to bring their Desires written — and when they have Business that takes any Time, they must not defer it till the Lord’s Day.  A.M. preach’d on Isa. 1.18. P.M. from Rom. 12.11, first Clause, but us’d the Heads in sermon on Mat. 20.6, from page 24 to 31, resolving the Doubts which old men might frame against converting and becoming Religious. N.B. Mr. Jenison was at the sermons, and Sat in my Pew, but withdrew from the Communion.  No fresh Occasion of Disgust that I know of. Deacon Fay, Mr. Nathan Balls wife, and Mr. Zebulon Rice’s wife din’d here.

April 13, 1747

1747 April 13 (Monday).  Very rainy.  A.M. Mr. James Eager here to inform me of the Death of his Brother, Aaron Wheeler, who expir’d last night about Sunsetting.  A Sore Bereavement to his Father and Mother, who, he being their only Son set their Hearts much upon him.  May God Sanctifie this heavy Affliction to their highest Good.  I had rather they would have sent to Mr. Martyn, but Mr. Eager said that they had determin’d to send to Mr. Jenison if I could not go.  He informs me likewise that Asa Rice lyes at the point of Death if he be living.  O that all young persons, and mine in Particular might take warning! renounce their Vanitys and prepare for Death and Judgment! P.M. I was at Neighbour Garfields, whose wife was just before brought to Bed of a Daughter.  Finish’d Mr. Stoddards and Mathers Controversy about Right to the Lords Supper.[1]

[1]The controversy between Solomon Stoddard and Increase Mather began in 1700.  Mather’s Order of the Gospel (Boston, 1700) was followed by Stoddard’s Doctrine of Instituted Churches (London, 1700).  Mather published an “Advertisement, Directed to the Communicants in the Churches of New England” in Thomas Doolittle, A Treatise Concerning the Lords Supper, The Twentieth Edition (Boston, 1708).  This was an answer to Stoddard’s The Inexcusableness of Neglecting the Worship of God (Boston, 1708).  Mather responded with A Dissertation wherein the Strange Doctrine Lately Published in a Sermon… is Examined and Confuted (Boston,1708).  Then came Stoddard’s An Appeal to the Learned. Being a Vindication of the Right of the Visible Saints to the Lord’s Supper (Boston, 1709).  Later Mather wrote an epistle which was prefixed to Stoddard’s A Guide to Christ (Boston, 1714).

April 14, 1747

1747 April 14 (Tuesday).  Rode (with Deacon Forbush and his Wife) to Mr. Martyns and ask’d him to go with me to the Burial of Aaron Wheeler to which he immediately consented and went.  I din’d at Mr. Wheelers.  Asa Rice yet alive, there, though very low.  I pray’d and took leave.  N.B. Mr. White[1] of Lancaster and his wife (who was a Ball) accompany’d me to Lancaster.  Mr. Prentice much out of Health.  Ministers Meeting had been put by, but I had not receiv’d the Letter, Said to be sent to me.  Several ministers there notwithstanding — Mr. Cushing, Buckminster,[2] and Davis.[3]  The 2 last went to Harvard.  Mr. Cushing and I stay’d.  Mr. Prentice pleasant at Evening — as he was also

[1]Deacon and Captain Joseph White had married Patience, the daughter of James Ball of Westborough.

[2]Joseph Buckminster of Rutland.

[3]Joseph Davis of Holden.

April 16, 1747

1747 April 16 (Thursday).  Early in the Morning Mr. Goss and I rode to Mr. Seccombs,[1] and breakfasted there.  N.B. brought from thence several books — Seldons Table Talk:[2] Warders Monarchy of Bees[3] etc.  And from his Garden Box trees and a Variety of Curious Graffs etc.  Din’d at Mr. Goss’s (his wife gone from home) — call’d to Mr. Martyns (who was gone afishing).  Return’d home in Safety my Self through Gods tender mercy.  But whilst I was abroad heard Sorrowful Tidings of the Indians assaulting the Garrison at Saratoga, and they kill’d and carry’d off Captive 40 Soldiers — and at Kenderhook kill’d and Captivated 11.  N.B. Jonathan Maynard worse — visited him this Evening.  At home whilst I was at Lancaster, a large promising Steer coming 2 years old, for which I had lately got a mate of Mr. David Maynard, was drown’d at a meadow where my Young Cattle went to feed.

[1]The Reverend John Seccomb of Harvard.

[2]John Seiden, Table-Talk (London, 1689).  Numerous editions followed, one as late as 1892.

[3]“Joseph Warder, The True Amazons, or the Monarchy of Bees (London, 1713).  This went through 8 editions by 1749.

April 27, 1747

1747 April 27 (Monday).  Ebenezer work’d at Mr. Tomlins.  I rode to Marlborough and pay’d the remainder of the Bond at Mr. Jesse Rice’s, and the Interest and took up the Bond.  N.B. Mr. Joshua Wheeler of Boston and his wife there.  Thence I rode to Bolton (Calling at Captain Barnards)[1] — din’d at Mr. Benjamin Lawrence’s (who lately dwelt at Westborough).  N.B. visited her sister Esther Russell who has lain Sick for Some Years and has not spoke a word ever since last March was Two Years.  I proceeded to Mr. Joseph Tainters at Marlborough and at Colonel Williams[2] — call’d also at Mr. Amsdens[3] at Westborough.  Got home before the Storm set in, which prov’d very great in The night.  Fear’d my Barn would be blown down by the Strong Winds.

[1]Robert Barnard, who lived in Marlborough near the Bolton line, was a miller and kept a public house.

[2]Abraham Williams, Parkman’s brother-in-law.

[3]Jacob Amsden.

April 29, 1747

1747 April 29 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer went with my Team to Ensign Rice’s, and got some more Hay about 8 or 10 Hundred.  Mr. Townsend[1] brought a Letter from Mr. Martyn requesting me to preach his Lecture tomorrow — but I have appointed a Catechizing of children, which prevents.  Mr. Ebenezer Garfield[2] had my mare to go to Shrewsbury.  Neighbour Jonas Brigham and his wife here to be Examin’d etc.  Could do but a little for ‘em because they came so near night.  N.B. Mrs. Hannah Warrin (wife of Daniel) of Shrewsbury here.

[1]Joshua Townsend of the north side of town.

[2]Of Shrewsbury.

April 30, 1747

1747 April 30 (Thursday).  In the morning visited Mr. Joslin who has been Sometime not well.  Catechiz’d both forenoon and afternoon.  A.M. 30 Boys; p.m. 24 Girls.  Nathan Maynard work’d here for Noah How.  N.B. Ebenezer p.m. Searching about for 2 Yearlings which were missing. At Eve he rode up to Mr. Adams’s[1] at Shrewsbury.

[1]Jonathan Adams lived near the Westborough line.