March 14, 1751

1751 March 14 (Thursday).  Was with Mr. Putnam[1] (as I was yesterday with Mr. Doolittle,[2] and Mr. Waters[3]) on the Affair of Dr. Breck.  N.B. in my returning home, had Discourse with Mr. David Crosby[4] about his son and Daughter Cook,[5] who are under the Frowns of our Church.  Have heard to Day and yesterday of Several sudden Deaths — but when I got home (instead of finding Mr. Martyn and his wife, to dine with me, as I expected) found Forbush[6] from College there, who came up with Tidings of Asaph Rice’s[7] illness at College.  But especially — O Especially!  with the heavy and grievous Accounts of the Death of my Dear Kinsman, and rather Brother or Son than Nephew Elias Parkman who was taken ill Friday night was sennight of a Pleurisie, Soon grew delirious — continued all Wednesday after and expir’d — was interr’d the next Saturday.  May I be suitably affected with this Holy Dispensation — remember and prepare for my own Decease!  May God remember dear Nabby, and her Maker be her Husband!  and with him may the dear Orphans find Mercy!

[1]James Putnam, the lawyer of Worcester.

[2]Ephraim Doolittle of Worcester.

[3]John Waters of Worcester.

[4]Samuel Crosby of Shrewsbury.  Ward, Shrewsbury, p. 255.

[5]Sarah Crosby married Robert Cook of Westborough.  Their conduct was a concern of the Westborough church for many months.

[6]Eli Forbush, who was keeping school in Westborough.

[7](Harvard 1752).  Rice practiced medicine for a time in Brookfield and later served as the minister of the First Congregational Church of Westminster, Mass., 1765-1815.