Month: June 1750

1750 June 1 (Friday).  Thomas return’d to Concord; and Mrs. Nanny and Beckky Gott with him as far as Marlborough.  Ebenezer and Joseph put up a Partition Fence from South to North in the upper part of the Great Pasture.  I finish’d the Life of Miley Ismael Emperor of Morocco.[1]  P.M. Mr. Millen[2] and his Spouse, accompany’d by Mr. Palmer,[3] Schoolmaster, here.  The Weather, especially in the Nights, very Cool for Some Time.

[1]John Harrison, The Tragicall Life and Death of Muley Abdala Melek, the late King of Barbarie (Delph, 1633).

[2]The Reverend John Mellen of Sterling.

[3]Joseph Palmer (Harvard 1747) kept school in Westborough and neighbouring towns for about 2 years.  He was the second minister of the First Church in Norton, 1753-1791.  Sibley, XII, 197-199.

1750 June 2 (Saturday).  Wrote, and sent to Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s for Conveyance a Line to Mr. Hutchinson concerning his preparing a Confession of his Faith against his Ordination.

1750 June 3 (Sunday).  Read Exod. 25.23, preach’d on Rom. 11.33, latter part, a. and p.m.  Din’d at Justice Bakers.  N.B. an Horse is provided for me and my wife statedly to ride up to Dinner.  P.M. read John third.

1750 June 4 (Monday).  Cousen Nathaniel and I rode to Mr. Twitchells.  P.M. came Mr. Samuel Haven to dwell here.  He was accompany’d by his uncle Deacon Burnap of Hopkinton.

1750 June 5 (Tuesday).  A Day to be remember’d — as for my Accepting the Call of the Town in the Year 1724.  So now for my undertaking to begin the World again on the South Road — a Number of Neighbours came to Clear and plough down the Knoll which I purpose to build on.  It was very much owing to Lieutenant Bruce, and accordingly a.m. there was a number to clear the ground, Scil. Neighbour John Rogers, Thomas Frost, and Abraham Beeman, besides my own Ebenezer and Joseph, and p.m. a considerable Number with their Cattle to plough and levill it.  Lieutenant Bruce and Oxen, Mr. Timothy Warrin with Oxen both his own and his Brother Daniels, Mr. John Rogers with Oxen, which with my own oxen made up Ten.  Other Hands were Ephraim Bruce, Ebenezer Forbush, Neighbour Cook, Eleazer Williams, Timothy Warrin, Samuel Harrington, Simon Tainter, Abner Newton, Junior.  N.B. Lieutenant Forbush and I transacted the Affair of our Conveyance of the Title to the Knoll and Land adjoining.  He gave me a Deed of an Acre and Quarter — for 11£ old Tenor.

1750 June 6 (Wednesday).  My Wife, Mr. Haven, Son Ebenezer and Two Daughters Molly and Lucy rode in the Rain, in Company with Mr. Martyn, his wife and Daughter, to Grafton to the Ordination of Mr. Aaron Hutchinson.  Council met at Mr. Ebenezer Brooks’.  Consisted of the following Churches.  West Church in Sudbury, the 2 Churches of Westborough, First Church in Sutton, Church in Southborough, and the First in Hebron, and the Church in Worcester.  Mr. Loring Moderator, Mr. Martyn Clerk.  Moderator pray’d, Mr. Hutchinson was examin’d.  Mr. Ebenezer Wadsworth came and objected against our proceeding.  N.B. Captain Sadler and his wife, his witnesses on the one part, to prove falsehood upon him.  Mr. Joseph Batchellour and his wife were to be the other, but they could not be had, nor were prepar’d — but if they were, the Subject Matter of the Difficulty was not thought to be sufficient to retard the Council.  About 2 p.m. went to Meeting.  Mr. Martyn pray’d, Mr. Pomroy[1] of Hebron preach’d on Acts 20.28.  Mr. Loring gave the Charge.  Mr. Hall[2] pray’d after the Charge.  The Right Hand I deliver’d was much the same with that which I prepar’d for and gave at Mr. Buckminsters Ordination at Rutland.  N.B. Thunder Storm at night when we got home.  Mr. Martyn etc. Stay’d till it was over.  Mr. Smith of Marlborough tarry’d over Night.  N.B. Mr. Haven and Mr. Dodge went up to Sutton, and carry’d my two Daughters to Esq. Goddard’s;[3] and Deacon Burnap of Hopkinton came hither, and led home Mr. Havens Horse.  Thus have we Seen the Vacancy at Grafton, which has given the Churches so great Trouble, from Year to Year, thus far happily made up; and God grant the Joy may not diminish!  N.B. Wrote to Mr. Pierpoint by Mr. Bliss of Concord.

[1]The Reverend Benjamin Pomeroy of Hebron, Conn.

[2]The Reverend David Hall of Sutton.

[3]Robert Goddard of Sutton.

1750 June 6 (Wednesday).  My Wife, Mr. Haven, Son Ebenezer and Two Daughters Molly and Lucy rode in the Rain, in Company with Mr. Martyn, his wife and Daughter, to Grafton to the Ordination of Mr. Aaron Hutchinson.  Council met at Mr. Ebenezer Brooks’.  Consisted of the following Churches.  West Church in Sudbury, the 2 Churches of Westborough, First Church in Sutton, Church in Southborough, and the First in Hebron, and the Church in Worcester.  Mr. Loring Moderator, Mr. Martyn Clerk.  Moderator pray’d, Mr. Hutchinson was examin’d.  Mr. Ebenezer Wadsworth came and objected against our proceeding.  N.B. Captain Sadler and his wife, his witnesses on the one part, to prove falsehood upon him.  Mr. Joseph Batchellour and his wife were to be the other, but they could not be had, nor were prepar’d — but if they were, the Subject Matter of the Difficulty was not thought to be sufficient to retard the Council.  About 2 p.m. went to Meeting.  Mr. Martyn pray’d, Mr. Pomroy[1] of Hebron preach’d on Acts 20.28.  Mr. Loring gave the Charge.  Mr. Hall[2] pray’d after the Charge.  The Right Hand I deliver’d was much the same with that which I prepar’d for and gave at Mr. Buckminsters Ordination at Rutland.  N.B. Thunder Storm at night when we got home.  Mr. Martyn etc. Stay’d till it was over.  Mr. Smith of Marlborough tarry’d over Night.  N.B. Mr. Haven and Mr. Dodge went up to Sutton, and carry’d my two Daughters to Esq. Goddard’s;[3] and Deacon Burnap of Hopkinton came hither, and led home Mr. Havens Horse.  Thus have we Seen the Vacancy at Grafton, which has given the Churches so great Trouble, from Year to Year, thus far happily made up; and God grant the Joy may not diminish!  N.B. Wrote to Mr. Pierpoint by Mr. Bliss of Concord.

[1]The Reverend Benjamin Pomeroy of Hebron, Conn.

[2]The Reverend David Hall of Sutton.

[3]Robert Goddard of Sutton.

1750 June 8 (Friday).  Mr. Dodge din’d with us.  My son Ebenezer ill with a Cold.  P.M. a Number of Neighbours went to my Knoll, with Two Yoke of Cattle besides my own, and with Shovels, Hoes and Barrs to levell it further.  They were chiefly Mr. Charles Rice, Lieutenant Thomas Forbush, Lieutenant Bruce, Lieutenant Tainter, Mr. Grow, Bowman, Harrington, Simon Tainter Junior, Jonathan Forbush, Charles Bruce, Ephraim Bruce, Adams, Rogers (with oxen), Timothy Warrin, Abraham Bond, Samuel Forbush junior, [blank] Miller, Eleazer Williams, Abner Rice, and Daniel Forbush junior with a Cart and Oxen.  N.B. Neighbour Ebenezer Maynard raised his House this Afternoon.  I supp’d there.  A Time of remarkable and great Colds.

1750 June 9 (Saturday).  A Cool Air — most people oppress’d with Colds.  Ebenezer unable to do any great matter.  Mr. Dodge came p.m.

1750 June 10 (Sunday).  Read Exod. 26, and gave some Exposition of it.  Mr. Dodge preach’d on Prov. 3.17.  He, my wife and I din’d at Esq. Bakers, where was Mr. Thomas Cheevers[1] of Lyn.  Mr. Haven din’d at my House.  P.M. Read John 4.  Mr. Dodge preach’d on Heb. 2.3.  I gave Notice to the Church and Congregation of the Association Fast next Tuesday at Mr. Martyns.  N.B. Mr. James Maynard was at Meeting.

[1]Cheever was a prominent citizen who had represented Lynn in the General Court several times.

1750 June 11 (Monday).  Very rainy.  Mr. Dodge left us, a.m.  Mr. Jonah Warrin here; tells me he has got me 6500 Shingle.  I gave him a Note to Lieutenant Tainter for 26£ old Tenor.

1750 June 12 (Tuesday).  Mr. Haven and I rode over to Mr. Martyns it being Association Fast there.  But a few Members came, viz. Mr. Cushing, Mr. Goss,[1] Buckminster and Maccarty.  Afterwards for the last service came Mr. Barrett — and when we came home at Eve Mr. Seccomb.[2]  As to the Exercises, Mr. Martyn pray’d and Mr. Buckminster preach’d on Rev. 2.3.4.  P.M. Mr. Goss pray’d and Mr. Maccarty preach’d on Mat. 16.28.  It was committed to me to draw up an Answer to the Letter which was sent us from the Association of which the Reverend Mr. Townsend[3] of Needham was Moderator in reply to a Message from us to them by a Committee which we sent them upon the Affair of guarding our Pulpits and Examining Candidates.  I lodg’d with Mr. Maccarty at Mr. Martyns.  Most of us indispos’d with a great Cold.

[1]The Reverend Thomas Goss of Bolton.

[2]The Reverend John Seccomb of Harvard.

[3]The Reverend Jonathan Townsend.

1750 June 13 (Wednesday).  I walk’d over from Mr. Martyns in the Morning to Mr. Gideon Haywards and talk’d with Mr. Lull about my Land in Townsend.  Says he’ll go over with me to Townsend as soon as Hay Time is over.  Mr. Haven who rode home to my House last Evening in my Chair, return’d to Day (at my request) to carry me back.  N.B. Mr. Barrett with me most of the p.m.

1750 June 14 (Thursday).  Ebenezer and Joseph are mowing Bushes.  I rode to Mr. Bonds and left a Letter for Mr. Beriah Rice about his meadow in Chauncy.  Was at Lieutenant Tainters who was mowing.  Money extreme difficult to be got; receiv’d 30£ old Tenor when the whole sallery should be finish’d.

1750 June 15 (Friday).  Brother Hicks brought up sister Hannah Champney[1] from Cambridge.  Ebenezer and Joseph Clear over by the new Meeting House.

[1]The first Mrs. Parkman’s oldest sister.

1750 June 16 (Saturday).  Brother Hicks goes up to Sutton with Sister Hannah.  Ebenezer and Joseph clear again over at the New meeting House.  Samuel Bumpso lends ‘em an Hand.

1750 June 17 (Sunday).  My illness was much increas’d that I did not go to Meeting without a great deal of Difficulty.  My wife and I rode in the Chair, and Mr. Haven and Molly on the Horse.  I read Exod. 27, and preach’d on Exod. 20.8.  Din’d (together with my wife) at Esq. Bakers.  P.M. read John 5, and carry’d on the Exercise on Exod. 20.8.  Very much indispos’d and worried at night.

1750 June 18 (Monday).  Mr. Martyn here.  He rode with me to my new Knoll.  At Eve he carry’d Molly over to his House as to tarry a few Days with them.  Joseph half-hilling p.m.

1750 June 19 (Tuesday).  Mr. Haven rode with me to old Mr. Fays.  We din’d there.  Took up Mr. Fay into my Chair to see how he could bear to ride in one.  Mr. Haven and I rode to Mr. Winchesters — would have had Prudy ride in the Chair, but she was too Weak.  We return’d to Mr. Moses Brighams Raising of his Barn, and were well entertain’d there.  Mr. Ebenezer Rice undertakes to get me the 4 Beams of my intended House, and Mr. William Pierce to hew the 4 Girts (which are wanting).  Mr. Daniel Hardy finding the Timbers.

 

1750 June 20 (Wednesday).  Mr. Noah How hoed here at half hilling.

1750 June 21 (Thursday).  Ebenezer did so much as to mow the Garden and foreyard a.m.  I rode to Mr. Martyns — din’d there.  Thunder storm arose and detain’d me an Hour or Two.  Brought Molly home.  Mr. Martyn came with me.  Lecture to young men was appointed to be at 4 p.m. but we were 34 Minutes after, when we began being hinder’d by the Storm.  Mr. Martyn preach’d on Josh. 24.21.  N.B. I rode out at Eve by Express Desire to a woman (one of the Members of the Church who has try’d to hang herself) this Day.  A most astonishing power which the Devil has among us!

1750 June 22 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1750 June 23 (Saturday).  I had agreed with Mr. Martyn to change with him tomorrow, but Mr. Stone coming here and desiring to Change I sent him to Mr. Martyn that he might Supply my place at the North Side, and I rode to Soutborough.

1750 June 24 (Sunday).  I preach’d at Southborough on Prov. 14.9, and p.m. on Mat. 16.26 to page 15, and baptiz’d Miriam, of Manasseh and Dinah Stow.  At Eve return’d home.  Mr. Martyn preach’d for me on Regeneration from John 3.5.

1750 June 25 (Monday).  Funeral of Joseph Rice’s Child.  N.B. At the House of Mourning heard the astonishing account of the fearful Judgment of God on Robert Woodberry of Beverly, who having in his Lifetime been us’d to profane Cursing, and wishing persons might go to Hell and blare like a Calf especially would often curse his worthy Mother in this Manner — and carry’d it very basely and cruelly to his Wife, sicken’d and dy’d, and when the Corps had lain a Suitable Time to be laid out, a horrible Sound broke forth from the Corps, blaring like a Calf.  This Story is Said to be sufficiently attested to be credited.  After the Funeral I visited old Captain Forbush who has been ill of late; and he receiv’d my advice to him affectionately and gratefully.  N.B. William rode to Marlborough with Lucy and brought up Mrs. Sally Gott.

1750 June 26 (Tuesday).  Mr. Martyn and his Spouse here and din’d with us.  Towards Eve my Wife undertakes the Weaning of little Breck; and to accomplish it the better, she and Sally rode to Worcester.  When I was preparing to go to bed, came Mr. William Rogers and desir’d me to go to Mr. David Brigham, whom I found past Speaking.  He Expir’d while I was there between 11 and 12 o’Clock.  A serious man and I hope dy’d in Christ.  He was taken ill on the Sabbath a.m. at meeting.  Twas thought to be the Effect of the great Cold that goes about.  He was So comfortable this Day that p.m. the Sun about Two Hours high, he walk’d into the other room; yet a little after sunsett was not able to Speak any more, nor understand any Thing.  So Sudden was the Summons.  I return’d home about midnight.

1750 June 27 (Wednesday).  It rain’d all Day.  Ebenezer and Joseph fixing up the New Cart with Ladders.

1750 June 28 (Thursday).  Rode with Mr. Eliezer Rice and his Wife to Mr. Brighams and had discourse with her referring to her Temptations.  Attended the Funeral of Mr. David Brigham there being now but 3 of the first 12 members who were in the Foundation of this Church, Surviving.  May be truely sensible of our hastening into the Eternal World, who commonly are So extremely fond of this!  And O that our practices and Experiences might bear some proposition to our high and Sacred Professions!  After Funeral I rode over to Mr. Martyns.  Captain Eager and Lieutenant Holloway and Mr. Jacob Rice in Company.  My Wife and Mrs. Sally Gott came from Worcester to Mr. Martyns after we had din’d, but Seasonably for Lecture.  I preach’d on Hos. 6.6.  I desir’d the Knowledge of God more than Burnt Offerings.

1750 June 29 (Friday).  Mr. Goodhue came from Hopkinton Requesting me to visit his Brother Jeremy who lies very bad at his House; (yet is, at Madam Dench’s, where he has hired).  I accordingly went.  Din’d with Mrs. Barrett.  Found Jeremy not altogether so bad as I fear’d.  Talk’d with Mrs. Dench about her Mothers Apparition to Mr. Cutting a Gentleman from Barbadoes in Boston.  At Eve returning home and calling at Mr. Barretts (who was not come home yet) had some Conversation with Mrs. Price (Commissarys Lady).  Met Mr. Barrett on the Road — could not get from Hopkinton till some time after sunsett and therefore was late home; but safe.  Blessed be God!

1750 June 30 (Saturday).  Ebenezer and Joseph mowing Day by Day Except that Ebenezer was at Times indispos’d.  N.B. Colonel Chandler and his Lady here, in their Journey from Boston to Worcester.  By the various accidents and avocations of this Week have been exceedingly interrupted and impeded in my Studys and Preparations for the Sabbath.