Month: September 1750

1750 September 1 (Saturday).  Messrs. Harrington and Twitchell dugg at the Cellar.  Messrs. Gale, Bradish, Grow, Tainter junior, Sam Hardy, old Mr. Charles Rice, and p.m. Lieutenant Tainter, at the Frame.  Mr. Haven went to Upton.  Prepar’d part of an Exercise, but found I must throw it by: Such were the Impediments of this Week — and I am oblig’d to improve some former Preparations.

1750 September 2 (Sunday).  Read Exod. 36.  Preach’d from 1 Pet. 4.6, former part and us’d Sermon 3 on Eph. 5.14.  My wife din’d with me at Esquire Bakers.  P.M. read John 11 from number 30 and carry’d on the Same Subject in preaching as in the Morning from 1 Pet. 4.6, answering the objections against the propriety of preaching the Gospel to them that are Dead — see Sermon on Eph. 5.14, Page 34 to 44.  Mr. Haven preach’d at Upton.

1750 September 3 (Monday).  Messrs. Gale, Bradish, Grow, Tainter junior, Harrington — work’d at the Frame.  I attended the Burying of Mr. Bezaliel Smiths Child.  P.M. came Mr. Haven.  P.M. Thomas Whitney of Shrewsbury work’d at the Frame.  Ebenezer under bodily indispositions and very unfit for Business — but a considerable Number of Hands digging in the Cellar at Eve, he was with them.

1750 September 4 (Tuesday).  Gale, Bradish, Grow, Tainter junior, old Mr. Charles Rice, Mr. Nathaniel Whitney, David Batherick, John Rogers and Jonas Warrin of Upton wrought at the Frame.  P.M. Samuel Bumpso at the Cellar.  Justice Baker carted stones, six Load.  Mr. Benjamin Fay and Mr. Eleazer Williams dugg in the high way and in divers places in the Interest of the Esquire.  I rode to Mr. Daniel Forbush’s[1] and to his Father, and they gave me Encouragement to begin the Stoning of the Cellar tomorrow Morning.

[1]The son of Deacon Jonathan Forbush.

1750 September 5 (Wednesday).  See Natal.  I went not over to the Workmen, but sent over as usual which was daily Beer and Cyder, and a bottle of Rum; some Days Bread and Cheese for Bait; and p.m. dinner for Two or Three, the rest bringing for themselves.  Deacon Forbush came to the Cellar, but I think did not work.  P.M. his son came — but neither did he much, the digging was not completed, where their work was to be: Yet there was Samuel Bumpso and Nathan Whitney at Digging.  At the Frame, there were Whitney, Messrs. Gale, Grow, Bradish, Tainter, Batherick, old Mr. Charles Rice, Mr. Nathaniel Whitney and Neighbour John Rogers.  N.B. Samuel Bumpso wrought to Day on Deacon Newton’s account.  N.B. Ebenezer and Mr. Eliezer Rice’s son Silas carted Stones and Mr. Pratt Sent Cornelius Cook to digg them.  [The following appears in the Natalitia for September 5, 1750.]  I endeavour’s to Spend the Day in a Separate and religious Manner — Seriously reflecting on my past Temper and Conduct — especially since this Day Twelve Month, and whilst I gratefully recognized the Divine Benefits, do penitently confess and bewail my own bareness and vileness, my negligence and unfaithfulness, which I would earnestly beg of God, in His infinite and adorable Mercy to forgive, through a great Propitiation!  My manifest unfaithfulness, together with finding so very little of good Motions or Dispositions in me, fill me with deep and distressing Concern about my Spiritual Condition, But desire to referr all to the boundless Mercy and Goodness of God through Christ, hoping that my principal Desire and aim and longing is to be Conform’d to the Blessed and Holy Nature and will of God.  Special Errands in Prayer were, my undertaking to Build another House and the Dividing the Association.

1750 September 6 (Thursday).  Deacon Forbush and his son Daniel at Stoning the Cellar, and Samuel Bumpso, employ’d by me, diggs in the Cellar and tends Mr. Forbush with Stones.  At the Frame Messrs. Gale, Grow, Bradish, Tainter, Charles Rice, Jonah Warrin, Bowman, Harrington, Bond, Ephraim Bruce.  Since it is concluded upon to raise tomorrow, I very earnestly entreated every one who was at the Work to notifie all the Several Quarters of the Parish which they liv’d in.  I made a Business especially of going to Captain Maynards to invite him and all his that could come.  Captain was gone to Brookfield — but I invited Stephen and Joseph Winchester.  I took all the pains I could to Send every where, that none might be excepted.  I rode over to the other side of the River, Spake and Sent word to Every One, that way: particularly both Sent and went to Mr. James Maynard and to Mr. Seth Rice, and Spake with them both.  N.B. Mr. Haven with me, and we rode over to Mr. Martyns.  Ask’d him and his Spouse — and brought over Mrs. Molly to our House.

1750 September 7 (Friday).  Deacon Forbush a.m. and his son Daniel at the Cellar.  Deacon Newton tends ‘em.  At the Frame, Messrs. Gale, Bradish, Grow, Tainter, Batheric, Charles Rice, Nathaniel Whitney, Bowman, Harrington, Jonah Warrin, John Rogers, and [blank] who all gave their Work of this forenoon.  Mr. Martyn and Mrs. Molly din’d with us, Mr. Haven went briskly to Mrs. Martyn and brought her over (Mr. Martyn having come without her).  P.M. My Neighbours rais’d my New Frame and we sung part of Psalm 127.  Scil. one Stanza and Psalm 128 (second meetre) except the last half stanza.  Sundry Neighbours Sent and brought Cheese, Cake, Wheat Bread, etc. which with Some Apples Pyes which my Wife provided, made up our Entertainment.  Mr. Martyn pray’d and Mr. Haven return’d Thanks.  N.B. Mr. Gaskitts Son, Seth, came and requested me to go this Evening to their House to See Two Children who were dangerously Sick of Throat Distemper and (though I was oblig’d to leave all my Affairs to my wife and son and to take leave of my Company and Comforts in returning to my Seasonable Rest after Such a Day of Care and Fatiegue) yet I Cheerfully rode over to ‘em.  Return’d home though late at Night.  Mrs. Molly Martyn Still with us.  Thanks to God for the Favours and Salvations of this Day!

1750 September 8 (Saturday).  Bright good Day.  Ebenezer mows a little more Rowing.  Mr. Haven to Upton.  I rode to Grafton.  Mr. Hutchinson not ready.  He expected a Line from me.  He borrow’d an Horse having Lent his own.  It all made him late to Westborough.

1750 September 9 (Sunday).  Preach’d at Grafton on Ps. 110.3 all Day.  Mr. Hutchinson went from my House this morning over to Mr. Martyn and according to agreement preach’d for him: Mr. Martyn for me.  N.B. at Grafton p.m. there was Some interruption in the Time of Worship; Thieves (it was Said) had begun to rifle Mr. Phinehas Rice’s House.  After Meeting many persons went in Search of them.  Mr. Hutchinson return’d home, though it was Somewhat late when he arriv’d.

1750 September 10 (Monday).  Mr. Hutchinson rode with me to make Some Enquiry after five of my Cattle which lye about Still in that Neighbourhood.  We went to Charles Brigham Esq., from thence I went to Captain Drurys[1] and Mr. Aaron Hardys, as I return’d home.  Was at Mr. Amsdens at Eve to get Mr. Gale to come to Work for me in Covering my House, which he consented, at length, to, if he could hire any man to Work for him in his Husbandry.

[1]Thomas Drury was a Selectman of Grafton.  Pierce, Grafton, p. 475.

1750 September 11 (Tuesday).  I rode over to the New House hoping to meet Lieutenant Hezekiah Ward, but he came not.  Went to Mr. Harringtons and din’d there.  Thence to the Burial of a Child of Mr. Eleazer Whitney.[1]  Thence with Lieutenant Ward (who came by that time) to view a piece of Swampy Land east of my New House which he says is common Land.  We did no more than view it.  Ebenezer taken very ill with Pain in his Bowels, vomiting, etc.

[1]Deborah Whitney was only I year old.

1750 September 12 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer very ill yet.  Messrs. Grove and Simon Tainter work at the New House in putting up Short Studds.  Samuel Bumpso proposes to digg me a Well, which is necessary to be done before my Chimney can be built.

1750 September 13 (Thursday).  Laid out the Well.  Samuel begins to digg — upon the following Terms.  He says he must have five pounds If he digg Eight foot wide, and digg till he come to a good Spring.  If we Shall not agree about the Spring, that he Shall Choose a Third, a majority of which Shall decide the Matter — That Samuel Shall find himself Diet; but I promise to allow him a Dram for each Day.  Samuel to find Windlass and Crotches; and I am to find Tub, Chains and Rope.  To these I consent.  My wife rode over to Mr. Martyns a.m.  I rode to Mr. Levi Brighams Child p.m. — went to Deacon Rice’s,[1] to Ensign Bartlets,[2] and to Mr. Martyns at Eve.

[1]Matthias Rice of the north precinct.

[2]Jonathan Bartlett of the north precinct.

1750 September 14 (Friday).  My Neighbour Thomas Frost at work for me p.m.  Ebenezer being Still unable to work.  Esquire Baker brought down my Cattle (which had run in Grafton) from Esq. Brighams[1] who had put ‘em into his Pasture.  N.B. Sam Bumpso.

[1]Charles Brigham was an early settler, town officer, and Representative of Grafton.  Pierce, Grafton, pp. 463-464.

1750 September 15 (Saturday).  Samuel Bumpso at the Well.  Mr. Frost again p.m.  Lieutenant Tainter brought home from the woods, a Steer which he had kept all winter, and driven up to Sommers for Summering; and this as well as the keeping of Several Cattle for me last Winter was I suppose Gratis.  Ebenezer Somewhat better.

1750 September 16 (Sunday).  Read Exod. 37, 38 and 39 Chapters, a Verse or Two of Each with some Remarks on Repititions — preach’d on Exod. 20.10.  Din’d with my Wife at the Esquire’s.  P.M. Read John 12 and from Ez. 18.32, repeated sermon on Eph. 5.14, and hope it may not prove unuseful.  May God add His Blessing, on which all depends!

1750 September 17 (Monday).  Messrs. Samuel and Phinehas Hardy, and Benjamin How began to work on the Roof of my New House, to board and Shingle.  Sam Bumpso at the Well, a great and Solid Rock appears in the Well.  I visited Rufus Hardy who has had a Sore on his Knee for about Seven Weeks.  N.B. Mr. Haven came to us again.

1750 September 18 (Tuesday).  Messrs. Samuel Hardy and How on the roof and Mr. Phinehas Hardy a.m.  I got Mr. Wyman[1] of Shrewsbury to come and blow the Rock in the Well and he Split it to pieces.  He blow’d also a Rock in the Cellar, Sam Bumpso assisted all Day.  Ebenezer Shingling p.m.  N.B. They got the south side of the Roof done by night.

[1]Ross Wyman.  See Ward, Shrewsbury, pp. 482-483.

1750 September 19 (Wednesday).  Messrs. Samuel and Phinehas Hardy, How, Daniel How (who often heretofore work’d at Day Labour for me) work’d upon the Roof; as did Ebenezer also.  Samuel Bumpso with help from the Carpenters got out of the Well the Great Pieces of the Rock which was blow’d yesterday and, thanks to God, without Dammage.  P.M. Sam came from Dinner to work but little before Night.  I rode over to Deacon Forbush[1] just at Eve to See if he could come to underpinn the New House.  At my return home found my Brother Samuel Parkman and with him Mr. Holland[2] of Boston on their Journey home from New-London.  Frost this Night.

[1]Jonathan Forbush of Westborough.

[2]Samuel Holland was a prominent member and later deacon of the New North Church.

1750 September 20 (Thursday).  Waited on my Brother and Mr. Holland as far as Marlborough.  Din’d at justice Brighams.[1]  In returning call’d to see Eliphalet Adams and his wife, and at divers of their near Neighbours — having heard that Said Adams was to have a Separate-preacher to be at his House on Some Date appoint’d and preach there.  I therefore warn’d and Caution’d them against so great Evil; and found them ready to Comply (verbally) with my Counsel: and Adams assur’d me there was not a direct appointment though something had been Said to one Joseph Ward, late of Marlborough about Mr. Hovey[2] of Mill River his coming, but now promis’d me he Should not come.  At Night very Cold.  My son Thomas came up from Concord.

[1]Charles Brigham of Marlborough was a Justice of the Peace.

[2]Samuel Hovey, an uneducated preacher, was ordained minister of the Baptist Church in the Mill River precinct of Mendon in 1749.

1750 September 21 (Friday).  Messrs. Samuel and Phinehas Hardy closing my new House with Boards.  Samuel Bumpso at the Well.  Then came also Mr. Dunlop to digg in my Cellar, besides whom there were three Youths, viz. Jonathan Grout and a Son of each of foresaid Hardys to digg in the Cellar.  Messrs. Bezaleel Smith and Eleazer Pratt, each with a Team Carting Stones for the Cellar, whilest Thomas Whitney and Isaac Tomlin (this last was sent by Mr. Reuben Maynard) dugg Stones for me.  And all but the Two Carpenters and Mr. Dunlop brought themselves Dinner.  But Some time before Night it rain’d; Yet I desire to submitt to the will of God under the Disappointment.

1750 September 22 (Saturday).  Rain over, Sam was at the Well and had Nathan Whitney and Charles Rice junior to help him.  Mr. Haven to Upton and Molly with him to See Bekky Warrin.

1750 September 23 (Sunday).  Read Exod. 40.  Preach’d on Rev. 10 former part.  My Wife and I din’d at Justice Bakers.[1]  P.M. I read John 13, and preach’d on the Same subject that I was upon in the forenoon, but from another Text, Scil. Lev. 19.30, and by means of my continual avocations at the New House Business I was oblig’d to repeat part of what I formerly deliver’d from that Text, viz. from page 14 to 20.  N.B. a Very Cold Day for the Time of the Year.  N.B. Gave Notice of the Association Fast to be next Tuesday at Hopkinton.

[1]Edward Baker, a selectman of Westborough.

1750 September 24 (Monday).  Samuel at the Well just before noon, and he had got Phinehas Maynard to help him.  Visited Mr. Daniel Forbush’s Daughter Sarah who lyes at her uncle Jonathans sick of the Throat Distemper.  N.B. Mr. Harrington ask’d me to dine at his House, but I refus’d that I might hasten along with Mr. Daniel Forbush to see his Daughter — by which means I miss’d of dining to my Hurt — Yet they did ask me to Eat both at Mr. Jonathan Forbushs and at Mr. Bonds, but both under great Disadvantages So that I did not accept thereof.  At Evening Mr. Haven return’d home with Molly from Upton by the Way of Grafton.

1750 September 25 (Tuesday).  Mr. Davis[1] of Holden and Mr. Haven accompany’d me to Hopkinton Association Fast.  Found only Mr. Loring[2] there.  Nor did there come any other Minister.  Mr. Barrett[3] pray’d and Mr. Davis preach’d on Hab. 3.2.  P.M. Mr. Loring pray’d and I preach’d on Ps. 110.3.  Mr. Davis to Framingham.  Mr. Davis and I came home.  N.B. Some Water in the Well.

[1]The Reverend Joseph Davis.

[2]The Reverend Israel Loring of Sudbury.

[3]The Reverend Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

1750 September 26 (Wednesday).  Mr. Davis having din’d with us return’d to Holden.  I rode to South East Corner of the Parish and visited old Mr. Hudson and his Wife at Mr. Ithamar Bellows: and old Mr. Garfield[1] and his wife.  Was at Mr. Joslins[2] about Stones.  He is willing to give me Stones, but does not appear very forward to help me in digging and Carting them.  Whereas divers men who are nearer have offer’d me Stones gratis, but the Difficulty is at this busy Time of Year, to get them to the place where they are to be us’d.  Mr. Benjamin How and Ebenezer boarding the New House.  Sam Bumpso and Mr. Pierce make a Frame to digg in, in the well.

[1]Benjamin Garfield.

[2]Joseph Joslin.

1750 September 27 (Thursday).  My Son Thomas left us to go to Concord again.  Billy rode with him as far as to Deacon Jonathan Rice’s in Sudbury, to bring back the Mare, on which he rode.  Visited Rufus Hardy[1] who is dangerously Sick.  Din’d there.  P.M. attended the Funeral of little Sarah Forbush daughter of Mr. Daniel Forbush.  She was almost nine years of age: a very agreeable forward Child.  Bury’d from Jonathans where she had liv’d for Two Years.  Mr. Benjamin How and his Brother Noah, together with my Son Ebenezer boarding the New House.  Mr. Pierce and Sam Bumpso digging at the Well.  N.B. It had cav’d in, before they got a Frame, about 4 feet.  They have got out a great part of it to Day.

[1]The son of Phinehas Hardy.

1750 September 28 (Friday).  Rain Storm.  Under a great Disappointment having striven much Yesterday for men to digg in my Cellar, that Mr. Forbush might finish Stoning it, and might do the underpinning of the House and get ready for Mr. Newton to be about the Chimney — and I had provided Two, viz. Benjamin Whipple (of Hardwick) and Aaron Warrin.  Messrs. Benjamin and Noah How p.m. at boarding the New House, and Ebenezer with them.  Sam Bumpso diggs an Hour or Two before night in the Cellar.  At Eve Benjamin Whipple and his wife with their Children here.  We took up 3 Hives of Bees.  A great Frost this Evening.

1750 September 29 (Saturday).  Sam Bumpso having nobody to work with him at the Well, work’d at digging the Cellar.  Messrs. Benjamin and Noah How boarding the House.  Ebenezer work’s there also part of the Day.  Mr. Bond Cart’d 3 Load of Stones.  Lieutenant Tainter, Mr. Nat Whitney, Mr. Harrington, Aaron Warrin and [blank] dug Stones in Mr. Jonah Warrins Lot, and at Grind-Stone Hill.  I attended the Funeral of Rufus Hardy.  Mr. Haven came to my House and I went to Upton for him.  Lodg’d at Captain Hazzletons.[1]

[1]John Hazeltine, an early settler, selectman, and Representative of Upton.

1750 September 30 (Sunday).  A great Frost last night, and the Ground much frozen this morning.  I preach’d at Upton on 1 Thess. 1.10 a. and p.m.  Din’d at Captain Sadlers[1] (the Captain gone to Church at Hopkinton).  P.M. I baptiz’d Elizabeth Warrin, Daughter of Elijah and Rebecca Warrin; on her Mothers Right, being Member of the first Church in Cambridge.  Was at their House in the Eve, and lodg’d there.  N.B. Mr. Haven preach’d for me on John 3.36.

[1]John Sadler, a frequent office-holder in Upton.