1770 April 2 (Monday). Begin to prepare for the Fast. At Eve Capt. Joseph Wood of Hopkinton — tells me his son Joseph would go out to work for six months but he can’t begin till the first of May. He asks 80£. I refuse. I tell him if his son is a good Hand and faithful I will give 75£. He agrees that if I hear nothing from his son before the Fast, I May depend upon his Coming to me for that, and begin the first of May, to continue out October.