April 12, 1748

1748 April 12 (Tuesday).  Mr. Wellman (having lodged here) rode with me to the Ministers Meeting at Marlborough early in the Morning.  I went so early because of an appointment made at Southborough by the other members of the Committee to meet at 6 o’clock this morning to finish our Report.  But they did not come in season nor did Mr. Loring come till nigh 11 o’clock today.  So that we could accomplish but very little before Dinner and the association Exercises came on.  See the minutes of the Association.[1]  At Eve a most unhappy occurrence!  It was this, Mr. Jenison had sent a letter to Mr. Smith[2] to be communicated to the association, and he came himself.  As the Moderator (Mr. Loring)[3] began to read the letter, came in his son Jonathan.[4]  Mr. Buckminster,[5] perceiving that there was in the room one who did not belong to the association (viz. said Mr. Jonathan Loring) and knowing our practice not to read letters or transact association business while any stranger was present, stepped up to the Moderator and put the question to him, whether it was fit to go on till his son was retired.  Mr. Jonathan Loring, mistaking him and not knowing our custom, flew into a sudden and violent passion with him — reproached him bitterly.  Mr. Davis[6] offered to speak — Mr. Loring fell upon him also.  Insulted the whole association at very intolerable Rate, nor did his own worthy and venerable father escape, who could do nothing to Effect in stilling him.  But we saw how grievous and wounding it was to the good man, and for his sake we could not but forebear the Resentment which Jonathan deserved.  We hardly ever saw such an Evening, any of us in all our lives.  Mr. Jenison’s letter was voted to be read tomorrow morning.  Yet was it afterwards read to a number that remained to lodge at Mr. Smith’s — because of Mr. Jenison’s frequent and strong insisting — his plea that he was to go to Watertown early in the Morning.  I lodged at Mr. Smith’s but my horse was kept at Mr. Samuel Wards.

[1]Among other things Mr. Morse of Boylston told the ministers he had not had any salary for more than a year.  Allen, Worcester Association, p. 28.

[2]Aaron Smith of Southborough.

[3]Israel Loring of Sudbury.

[4]Jonathan Loring (Harvard 1738) was a lawyer of Marlborough.  Sibley, X, 288-289.

[5]Joseph Buckminster of Rutland.

[6]Joseph Davis of Holden.