August 14, 1723

1723 August 14 (Wednesday).  Mr. Lee was very much disturbed for the Same Reason; took his Horse and Rode away to know the Cause.  He did not return till after Dinner.  But he told me he had Secured my Journey, and about 3 o’Clock p.m. came Mr. James Rice with a very good horse, and we rode away about 4.  He related many Particulars of the Story of Mr. Gardiner,[1] who had been dismissed from them — his Innocence, etc.  We reach’d Marlborough at the Close of the Day.  We met with Mr. Breck in the Street.  He asked me into his house and to Lodge with him, but that would obstruct our getting down Time enough for Lecture the next Day.  We Thank’d him for his Expressions of Kindness, remounted and rode along for Sudbury.  It was too late to gain the Town.  We stop’d at David How’s Tavern,[2] and having Eaten part of a Fryed Gosling for supper, prayed, etc., we repair’d to repose.  N.B. This was the first Time that I ever Lodged in a Tavern on the Road.

[1]Andrew Gardner (Harvard 1712), first minister of Worcester, 1719-1722.  Sibley, V, 638-641.

[2]The Wayside Inn of Longfellow fame, in Sudbury, built by David Howe in the early 18th century.  Alfred S. Hudson, History of Sudbury (Sudbury, 1889), pp. 59I-599.