1724 January 9 (Thursday). In the Morning Mr. Swift oblig’d me to pray, and to return Thanks after Breakfast. Mr. Morris and Deacon Barrat[1] went Back to Boston. By the Deacon I convey’d a Letter to John Hicks[2] for me. Between 12 and 1 o’Clock we Set out from Mr. Swift’s for Hopkinton. We stop’d at the Tavern (Maynards)[3] where there was a great Number of Hopkinton People, and at Mr. Jones’s[4] we stop’d also. Colonel How[5] was in the Company and with great Ceremony congratulated me. We rode together on the Journey to Hopkinton, and he Gave me to Understand that he had been at Westborough at his Son Agar’s where he was informed how Affairs were carry’d on. And the Colonel told me of the Opposition Mr. Thomas Ward[6] endeavour’d to raise, of which I believe more may be Said hereafter. At Hopkinton there were very plentiful Provisions made, And there were many People. In the Evening we Sang a Psalm, the 128 by Mr. Deming[7] and Sundry Psalm Tunes. I had a great Deal of Discourse with Mr. Barret, of the Country, etc. Mr. Deming, Mr. Cushing and I rode home with Mr. Whood. Mr. Deming pray’d. Mr. Cushing and I lodg’d together.
[1]Samuel Barrett, father of Reverend Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.
[2]Of Cambridge.
[3]Jonathan Maynard’s tavern in Framingham.
[4]Colonel John Jones, then in Hopkinton (now Ashland).
[5]Thomas Howe of Marlborough.
[6]One of the first inhabitants of Westborough.
[7]Probably Daniel Deming (Harvard 1700) who had been minister at Needham, Mass., and was later supply pastor at Lyme, Conn. Sibley, IV, 518-519.