Month: May 1773

1773 May 1 (Saturday).  Mr. Ballard of Oxford from Boston, returning home, calls here: Mr. Stone changes with Mr. Hall of Sutton — as he goes to Sutton takes a Dinner here.  Rev. Joseph Willard of Mendon came and dined here also.  P.M. Alexander came with Ruth Bellows, and returned with a Bush. of Rye and a Bush. and half of Indian Corn.  Sorrowful News of the Death of John Arnold (well known among us) by the fall of a Tree a few days ago, at Heneker.  O that this solemn Warning might be improved suitably by all of us!  By me especially, that I may be always ready!  Lord, make me know my End!  O that young people, his Acquaintance in special, who are gay and walk in the Vanity of their Minds, might be awakened to Repentence and prepare for Sudden Death!

1773 May 2 (Sunday).  Read Hosea 9th.  Preached on Hos. 6.4.  P.M. Read 2 Ep. John.  Preached on 2 Pet. 3.11.  Was Sent for to go to Mrs. Maynard (Lucy).  Found her very low — more reconciled to Dying.  Prayed with her.  Mr. Stone returning from Sutton dined here.

1773 May 3 (Monday).  The workmen prepare to attempt the moving the East End of the Meeting House — with three windlasses, and a Number of Chains.  Mr. Stone went with me, and at my Request he prayed before they actually began.  Through divine Favour it was with good Success.  Thanks to our most Merciful God!

1773 May 4 (Tuesday).  The workmen and a great Number of people undertake the moving the West End.  Messrs. William Brigham and David Brigham with their Wives, dined here, as did Mr. Keenes.  Mr. Peter Whitney (whom I had writ to, apprizing and inviting) came p.m.  N.B. Mr. Walley and Coll. Whitcomb, going to Upton, Stop at the Meeting House, and the Movings there being accomplished, the people requested me to Return Thanks publickly; to perform which we gathered into the House — and after prayer we Sung part of the 132 Ps.  Deacon Wood invited me, Mr. Whitney etc. to an Entertainment at his House.  I went, but Mr. Whitney to Capt. Maynards.  Thus this arduous Enterprise was finished without any Disaster.  The Praise to God our Preserver!  N.B. Harrington and Caruth did not come home at Night.

1773 May 5 (Wednesday).  But they return to Day.  I rode over to Northborough.  Din’d at Mr. Whitneys and preached his Lecture from Mat. 25.6.10.  As I returned, called a little at Capt. Maynards and but a little for he was not at home.  Before I got home, Mrs. P____________, who had been to see our good Neighbour Nurse, would have me turn in to see Mrs. Nurse, because it was thought she was near her End.  I went, conversed and prayed with her, as one hastening apace out of this Life.  She her self thought She was like soon to go.

1773 May 6 (Thursday).  Between one and Two o’Clock in the Night came Neighbour Jonas Kenny and alarmed us with the Death of my good Old Neighbour Mrs. Ruth Nurse, newly entered into her 68th Year — a woman of great and many Infirmitys for many Years.  A very prudent House-Keeper according to her Circumstances, and much exercised in Entertaining Strangers and Pitying and relieving the necessitous.  In the morning went over to them and prayed.  N.B. Mr. Walley and Col. Whitcomb, returning from Upton, call here, but would not tarry to dinner — our Discourse chiefly of Bolton Affairs.  N.B. Col. Whitcomb cant say that they asked Mr. Goss to call a Church Meeting for the express Purpose of his Dismission.  Mr. Walley says he wants Advice of his Rev. Fathers and Brethren in the Ministry concerning his settling there.  At Parting at the Door I Said I could not but be greatly dissatisfyed with their Proceedings etc.  P.M. preached at Mrs. Kendalls, principally to old Mrs. Woods (old Mr. Joseph Stretton of Waltham was also present) from Mat. 25.6.10 from p. 37 to 61, omitting from p. 46 to 51.  May the Lord be pleased to add His Blessing, to our Saving Benefit!  My Grandson, Ebenezer Tertius, from Cambridge.  Has left Mr. Barrett; is on his was to Brookfield.

1773 May 7 (Friday).  Mr. Joseph Arnold of Grafton calls to see me.  He is very mournful for the Loss of his son John (whose Death he confirms) and desires public prayers here.  P.M. Attend the Funeral of Mrs. Nurse and pray’d there.  Mr. Eleazer Ward of Paxton there.  He is the only Residue of the Family that used to dwell in that House.  May I have profitable Reflections on this speaking Providence!  Hear that old Mr. Charles Rice, the oldest male member of this Church, dyed at Brookfield on Monday last.  Also that Rev. Mr. Daniel McClalland of Colrain is dead.  Lord make me know my End etc.!

1773 May 8 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1773 May 9 (Sunday).  The Meeting House very open and broken: the Floors much disordered — neither mens nor womens Seats Standing: but have reason to fear our own Hearts much more unfit for divine Worship.  The Lord set us to rights by His almighty Grace and Spirit!  Read Hos. 10.  Preached on Prov. 27, adding to what I formerly delivered on that Subject, and especially on Account of John Arnold and his Sudden Death.  N.B. several young Men, Some of them members of the Society to which he belonged, desired this Death may be Sanctifyed to them.  Mr. Barrett of Hopkinton came to Meeting here, and din’d with us; Mr. Fitch being absent.  P.M. Read 3d Epistle of John.  Went on (in preaching) with the Discourse on 2 Pet. 3.11, but could not deliver all.  The Lord grant us a Spirit of true Seriousness, that we may be Savingly profited by the Word and Providences of God!

1773 May 10 (Monday).  In the morning went over to Neighbour Nurse’s.  Mr. Eleazer Ward of Paxton Still there.  Visit Mrs. Maynard again who lyes in a very low and distressed Condition yet — discoursed and prayed with her.  May I Suitably consider who makes me to differ!  Called at Neighbour Pratts, Bonds, and Williams and drop Some Serious, quickening words among them.  Mr. Hancock the Taylor came to make me a black, cloth Coat and Jacket which Breck bought for me at Boston — 6£ old Tenor per yard, in the wholesale way.

1773 May 11 (Tuesday).  Mr. Hancock at work.  Read on Redeeming the Time; and Dr. Chauncy on Breaking of Bread a Gospel Institution[1] and Burroughs Commentary on Hos. [Ch.?] 6.5.  At Eve Mr. Keenes here, and the young woman he is published to, viz. Miss Mary Painter.

[1]Charles Chauncy (1705-1787), Breaking of Bread in Remembrance of the Dying Love of Christ, a Gospel Institution.  Five Sermons on the Lord’s Supper (Boston, 1772).  Evans 12,350.

 

1773 May 12 (Wednesday).  No Mr. Hancock.

1773 May 13 (Thursday).  Mr. Moore and his little Sukey Safely arrived from Rochester.  She rode behind her Father on a Pillion, and bore it well.  D.G.  They lodged here.  At Eve Mr. Hancock came to excuse himself.

1773 May 14 (Friday).  Mr. Moore Windbound by the Storm.  Capt. Curtis of Boston and Dr. Curtis of Marlborough here and dine with us.  Mr. Ephraim Ballard of Oxford in his return home from Boston, came in, and dines, though late; and then prosecutes his Journey.  Mr. More [sic] tarrys.

1773 May 15 (Saturday).  The rainy weather prevents Mr. Moore’s going to Ashburnham.  Elias Parkman of Brookfield comes with my Horse, and with Letters from his Father and from his uncle Forbes informing me of the Sickness of Ebenezer Tertius: having been taken ill upon his Journey to Brookfield.  Arrived there with Difficulty, grew very ill, was delirious, and remains bad, though better than he was a few Days agoe.

1773 May 16 (Sunday).  Read Hos. 11.  My Son Moore preached on Rom. 1.18.  P.M. Read the Epistle of Jude.  Mr. Moore preached on 2 Tim. 2.10.  And repeated at Evening.  O that it might be to saving Effect!

1773 May 17 (Monday).  Mr. Moore setts out for Ashburnham.  I visited Old Mr. William Nurse who desired prayers yesterday for himself and son in Law Stacy.  Called to see the Widow Brigham.  Left my Horse there, to be pastured by Mr. Nathan Fay, who lives there.

1773 May 18 (Tuesday).  This morning Elias of Brookfield with his Horse Load of Rye (4 Bushels) left us, and Jonathan Maynard with 5 of my Cattle to go to Brookfield to be pastured at my Son Baldwins.  Mrs. Lucy Maynard (wife of Mr. Nathan Maynard) after 13 years Suffering of Pain and illness, and in the 45th Year of her Age, dies, about noon, hopefully in Christ.  A Pattern of Patience and Meekness.  May God sanctifie this Breach!  P.M. I visited Mr. Stacy of Hopkinton; in a low Condition of Mind and Body.  Discoursed and prayed with him.  A very Sorrowful Spectacle!  Visited also at Mr. Daniel Adams’s, Mr. Jonah Warrins etc.  N.B. Mr. Whitman of Hartford and a Daughter, Mr. [H?]insdell of Windsor — and Capt. Bull of Hartford, journeying to Boston, were here in the morning at Breakfast with us.

1773 May 19 (Wednesday).  Mr. Hancock and Wheeler, Taylors, at work here, making a black Coat and Jacket for me.  P.M. Mr. Whitney, his wife and Child, from Northborough, make us a Visit.

1773 May 20 (Thursday).  Hancock a.m., Wheeler a. and p.m. finish their Work and paid for it.  P.M. Mrs. Maynards Funeral.  Cousen Maynard, Dr. Hawes and his Wife were here after the Burying.  Mr. H. Parker Sends me 40£ old Tenor.

1773 May 21 (Friday).  Hear that poor Mr. Samuel Stacy dyed Yesterday — and unhappy [Man?] in a very despairing Frame: but as he was under hypocondriack Affections, and he was Sometimes, at least partly, delirious, a Judgment cannot be made concerning him.  My Kinsman Bradshaw from Western and dined here.  He is journeying to Brookfield.  P.M. Cousen Maynard came with her sister Miss Betty Gott, waited on by Mr. Daniel Gilbert of Brookfield.  N.B. This afternoon was a session of the Meeting House Committee, who Enquire into the Conduct of Henry Marble, who stole some of their Rum.  I hear he was brought to Confession and Humiliation.

1773 May 22 (Saturday).  Hear that Rev. Mr. Solomon Prentice of Grafton expired this Morning.  May God Sanctifie this to me for my Awakening and Quickening.  P.M. Came Brother Breck of Springfield.  He tarrys with us.

1773 May 23 (Sunday).  Mr. Breck preached for me on Gen. 22.11.12.  This Chapter I read and p.m. read [blank].  Mr. Breck preached on Gen. 4.3.4.5.  This Evening I marryed Joseph Keene, a transient person, to Mary Painter, a transient also; both of them from old England.  Mr. Breck and my neighbour, Mrs. Spring, were present.

1773 May 24 (Monday).  Mr. Breck and I sat out for Boston: but he went through Framingham.  I went to Sudbury, and dined at Mr. Daniel Lorings.  Gathered up a Number of Manuscript Books of his Grandfathers, and left my Desire that his Father would Convey them to me — which he promised.  Called at Mr. Jacob Biglows, at Mr. Bridge’s, at Dr. Robys, at Mr. Woodwards, where I lodged.

1773 May 25 (Tuesday).  Arrived at Cambridge.  Visit Brother Champney at the widow Prentice’s.  Waited on Judge Danforth concerning my Guardianship of my first Children.  He directs me either to bring the Receipts from them, or make out an Account which he will allow and give a [illegible] Dined at Barretts.  Called at Mr. Adams’s at Roxbury.  Called at My Kinsman Baileys at Boston, and Saw Cousen Winter at his House — understand they are marryed — but I manifested Dissatisfaction with it.  At my Sons — at Cousen Bradfords — at the Sale of Sir Francis Barnards Library.  Bought Origines Sacrae, folio and Sir Thomas Moores Eutopia.[1]  Lodge at my Son’s.

[1]Possibly the 1753 Philadelphia edition, Thomas More, The Common-Wealth of Utopia.  Containing a Learned and Pleasant Discourse of the Best State of a Publick Weal, As It Is Found in the New Island Called Utopia (Philadelphia, 1753).

1773 May 26 (Wednesday).  Attended the Election Sermon preached by Mr. Charles Turner of Duxbury[1] from Rom. 13.4.  “For he is the Minister of God to thee for Good” — a Sermon much applauded by all who were for Liberty.  I dined in Concert Hall, not knowing that the Commissioners were there.  After Dinner I went to Mr. Surcombs, who is his Chaise waited on me to the School House where the Convention usually (of late years) Met.  But not discerning any Body nigh, thought they did not meet, I passed away, concluding there was and would be, none: For which Reason I did not Attend with them.  At Mr. Shaws at Evening — Supped there.  Visit Mr. Quincy.  Several of my Children there also, viz. Mr. Forbes and his Wife, Mr. Moore (my Daughter Baldwin was at Mr. Bailys), besides Samuel and his Sally.  It was dark and rainy returning to our Lodging.

[1]Charles Turner (1732-1813), A Sermon Preached before His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson, Esq; Governor: The Honorable His Majesty’s Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives, of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, May 26th, 1773.  Being the Anniversary of the Election of His Majesty’s Council for Said Province (Boston, 1773).  Evans 13,053.

1773 May 27 (Thursday).  Attended the Convention (which was at the school House) from whence we proceeded to the public Exercises at the Old South.  Dr. Pemberton Moderator.  Mr. Edward Barnard preached from Gal. 6.7.8.  The Collection amounted to [blank].  I dined at Dr. Eliots.  P.M. met with the Ministers, who seemed to meet together with one accord, to consider the present state of Ministers and Churches — moved hereto by the sorrowful Aspects at Bolton.  A greater Number of Ministers at this Convention than usual.  “Upon a Motion made and seconded, the Question was put, whether it is the Opinion of this Convention that the state of the Churches in this Province, with respect to Church Order and Discipline is Such as to require the Attention of this Convention?”  Passed Affirmatively Nem. Con.  Question put — Whether the Convention will now choose a Committee to make diligent Enquiry into the Sense and meaning of the Platform of Church Discipline and the general Practice of our Fathers and of the Churches in this Land from their Days with respect to Church Order — They to lay the Result of their Enquirys before the Convention at their next Meeting.  Passed affirmatively.  Nemine Contr.  The Committee chosen, Dr. Chauncy, Dr. Pemberton, Dr. Eliot, President Locke, Dr. Cooper, Messrs. Cook of Notomy, Adams of Roxbury, Professor Wigglesworth, Dr. Appleton, Messrs. Rogers of Littleton, Chandler of Rowley, P________, Shute, Barnard of Salem, Gorden.  I prayed at the Conclusion, when the Convention was adjourned to the Day after Commencement, 9 a.m. at the Same place.  Was at Mr. Mathers after the meeting.  Borrowed of him Cotton of the Keyes and other Tracts.  4to.  At Mr. Quincys — Mr. Cranch’s.  Paid him two Dollars for mending my Watch — but he gave me Dr. Brays Bibliotheca paroch. [1]  N.B. I bought out of Governor Barnards Library Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. and Mori Eutopia.  We, My Children abovesaid and Lucy as well as I, Supped at my Son Samuels where were Brother Shaw, his Wife and Friend, Mrs. Pidgeon of Newtown.

[1]Thomas Bray (1656-1730), DNB?

1773 May 28 (Friday).  Was at Mr. Scolleys Yesterday to Speak with [torn] Melvill concerning an English Eutopia, which She promises to lend me.  This morning attend another Sale of Books at Mr. Russels Auction and bought Voiages into the Levant, Lives of Wickliff etc. and Clarks Caesars Commentaries.  Visited my Cousen Corser at Capt. Jonathan [Clarks?].  Being invited, with my Children to dine at my Brother Shaws, we went (except Mr. Moore, who sat out on his Journey home); we were there entertained with great Decency; Several of their Friends also present; Particularly the aged Mrs. Burt, and Mrs. Pidgeon of Newtown.  N.B. I have visited Mr. Lathrop.  We discourse of the Sad State of Boston.  Lodged every night at my Sons.  Bought of him an handsome Sealskin Trunk for his Mother for only 3 Dollars.

[1773 May 29?  (Saturday)].  Called at Proctors and Baileys; at both which heard their sorrowful complaints of my Brothers Condition, as if my [torn]ter was too incapable of taking Care of him.  Returned home.  In my way called at Mr. Adams (Roxbury) [torn] refreshed.  At little Cambridge Mr. Thomas Jackson, Taverner ([who?] marryed Miss Suse Dana) invited me to dine, which accept.  Mr. Cushings Waltham.  At Mr. Wheelers in Sudbury to look [torn] his Division of his F. Lorings Books and Papers.  At Mr. [torn] edge’s, where was his son (who is to preach at Marlborough tomorrow).  Arrived safely, though late, and found my Family well.  All Thanks [torn]raise to God!  Mr. Forbes and his Wife here, but their sister Lucy [torn] were obliged to leave at Coll. Brighams at Southborough.

1773 May 30 (Sunday).  Read Hos. 12.  Mr. Forbes preached on Gal. 5.5 a. and p.m.  [Torn] God be graciously pleased to add His almighty Influences and [torn] the Exercises Savingly Beneficial!  N.B. p.m. read the [torn] wherein was the Text.  Sad News from Brookfield of the dying State [torn]evi Rice.  A message is come to Mr. Forbes to hasten home.  [Torn]y God be with the Distressed, and be a present Help in time of Trouble!

1773 May 31 (Monday).  Breck goes with a Chaise to Southborough and brings my poor Daughter Baldwin, who is weak in Body, and Sunk in Spirits.  O that a gracious God would extend His Pity to her!  P.M. Mr. Forbes and his Wife, with their distressed Sister, leave us to go as far as Worcester, or Leicester [torn] they can: Riding and Diverting Objects being best for her.  N.B. Mrs. P____________ informs me that while I was gone last week came Mr. Leonard of Woodstock and Miss [blank] Jarvis of [torn]ston, in the Journey to Boston.  [Torn] has put up shutters in our dining [torn]