July 20, 1772

1772 July 20 (Monday).  In Complyance with a Letter from Mr. Hutchinson I went to Grafton to attend a Church Meeting there.  Dined at Mr. Hutchinsons.  At the Meeting I prayed.  The aggrieved oppose the Appointment of the Meeting and will not own the Choice of the Moderator.  Spent the time in Altercations.  It is complained by the Aggrieved that Mr. Hutchinson had agreed with them to have the Meeting (the Business of which was to see whether they would accept the Result of the late Council) to have been some Friday passed, but that he neglected to, and appointed it on a Sabbath Day when none of them were present (for they will not attend on his public  Exercises) and when the assembly was dismissed chose a moderator which they had no hand in.  N.B. Stephen Prentice very coarse, rude, impudent, upon which I did not care to tarry — but being perswaded to Stay, I prevailed with them to condescend to one another and appoint another Meeting and unite also in choosing their Moderator.  These they did.  The Day to be this Day Month, and though I opposed Coming again, they unanimously besought me to come again.  Even Prentice, Lt. Ward and Mr. Ephraim Sherman requested etc.  The Meeting concluded without Prayer or Blessing.  Returned home at Eve, Deacon Meriam and Mr. Nat. Whitney junior accompanying part of the Way.