August 3, 1727

1727 August 3 (Thursday).  Mr. Cushing and his Wife happened to come to See us upon this Day.  But he had no Notes with him and I had not finished my Sermon, so that I was debarred their Company very much.  I Lectur’d on 1 Chron. 28.19.  Mr. Cushing pray’d.  His Wife not at Meeting.  After Meeting I had information that Mr. Tomlins[1] Daughter was dead.  A Young Woman that had lain confin’d ever since I had been in Town; and dy’d unbaptis’d.  (O Jesu Misericors ne mihi imputatur).  I went over to the house and discours’d with Mr. Tomlin and with the family, etc.

[1]Isaac Tomblin was an early settler of Westborough.  The Westborough Vital Records do not give the death of this person.

August 6, 1727

1727 August 6 (Sunday).  I had appointed on this Day to administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, but we were disappointed, the Elements not being brought up nor the Person (Thomas Ward) that went for them, return’d.  God graciously forgive wherever he has Seen Guilt, and whatever Unpreparedness in his Servants that Should provoke him to debarr us therefrom!  I preach’d on 1 Chron. 28.9, a. and p.m.  It was very hot and I was very faint and weary when the Exercises were over.

August 7, 1727

1727 August 7 (Monday).   I went to Mr. Thomas Newton’s, who had a great deal to Say about Mr. Peres Rice[1] and wanted much that he Should be brought under Church censure, Seeing the Court of Judicature had found him guilty of violating the Civil law, in the act against Selling drink without License.  I was at said Rices also but not to Discourse with him, nor did I upon anything besides coming to Mow for me.

[1]Son of Thomas Rice, one of the original settlers of Westborough.

August 14, 1727

1727 August 14 (Monday).  I accompanied Mr. Weld as far as into the Mendon Road (beyond Mr. Eams of Hopkinton) he being determined to go to Mr. Dorrs.[1]  I was at Mr. Jonathan Forbes’ where there were not a few Sick.  Mrs. Forbes was not Recovered.  Three of their Daughters had a strong fever and Rebecca Paterson [Paddison?] lay very ill.

[1]Reverend Joseph Dorr of Mendon.

August 20, 1727

1727 August 20 (Sunday).  I rode for Mrs. Byles and sent for other neighbouring women.  My wife had many pains, But I Saw Liberty to go to Meeting at the proper hour.  I delivered the morning Sermon upon 1 Chron. 28.9.  In the Afternoon I preach’d upon Rom. 11.36 wherein I had occasion to Mention the Kings Death, and to give fair hints at the Circumstances of my Family.  When I came home at Even my wife was Still full of pains but no immediate apprehension that she should be delivered.  But, a little more than half an hour after sunset (having been no long time in Extremity) She was Delivered, and the will of God was to favour me in a very high Degree.  God gave Me a Son, which I have set up for my Ebenezer, for hitherto the Lord hath Helped Me.  We have indeed a great deal of Reason to praise and magnifie the name of our gracious God who So Signally and mercifully appears for us, and lays us under ten thousand the strongest obligations to him.  O that I may never forget his Benefits!  But O that I may both Live and Speak Gods praises!  Were comfortably carry’d through the night.  Blessed be God!

August 21, 1727

1727 August 21 (Monday).  I went down to Mr. Thomas Forbes[1] and was intending to marry his Daughter[2] to Mr. Cornelius Cook,[3] but they could produce me No legal certificate But I discoursed to them of their unhappy Circumstances and their Sin and urg’d to serious unfeigned Repentance.  Mr. Cook I advis’d to go and get another Certificate, while I tarried there.  He went away but a storm coming up and night hastening on, and my people at home extreamly prone to be very much Scar’d, I left them and walked home, leaving word that Mr. Cook should bring home my Horse, which He did.  It was a very Awfull and terrible night and we had very little Rest (the Thunder and Lightening were So sharp) till near Day break.

[1]Thomas Forbush did not change his name to Forbes as did his brother Jonathan.  Parkman was confused at this point.

[2]Eunice Forbush.

[3]Also of Westborough.

August 22, 1727

1727 August 22 (Tuesday).  I again rode to Mr. Forbes’ and married Cornelius Cook and Eunice Forbush (so they will Spell their Name).  I hasted home, a storm arising as it did last night.  I went to Mr. John Maynards and brought up his wife to watch with mine.  It was a very terrible storm and far louder Thunder than the night before, but lasted not so long.  By nine o’Clock it abated.

August 26, 1727

1727 August 26 (Saturday).  If on Saturdayes in Generall I am professedly more employ’d than on any other Dayes I am Surely to be thought to be more on this, and I Endeavoured to possess my Thoughts in all Seriousness, of the Weighty and solemn Transaction of Dedicating my Son to God, and I would in the Fear of God Undertake this Sacred Business.

August 27, 1727

1727 August 27 (Sunday).  I Sincerely comitted the great Article of offering my Son unto God and implor’d the divine direction and assistance, with Confession of my Sins and Thankfull acknowledgements of all especially his Signal Mercies.  I then proceeded to the Exercises of the Day, and preach’d in the Morning on Mat. 19.13.14.15, as I did in the afternoon likewise on the Same.  And then (I hope in the integrity of my Heart and with Souls Desire of the Glory of God and the invaluable Spirituall Blesings of the Covenant) I baptiz’d My Son Ebenezer and put him into the Arms of the Saviour that He might Bless Him according to the gracious Encouragement given to His People.  And I hope I found Favours with the Lord.  Mr. Joseph Wheeler presented His Son Aaron[1] at the Same time.  The Lord has done great things for me for which I was filled with Joy and Gladness.  O that Gods Grace may be given me that I may alwayes walk in a suitable manner Before Him.  At this Season I improv’d the Opportunity [to] renew the Dedication of my Self and My Daughter Mary and all mine unto our glorious God in the Covenant of Grace.

[1]Born July 7, 1727.

August 28, 1727

1727 August 28 (Monday).  I Catechiz’d the Children and I happen’d to appoint the Same hour and Place that the Town meeting was warn’d, but I was earlier than they and they waited till our Exercise was finished.  Diverse persons were at my house in the Evening.  I heard Yesterday and again today that my sister Tyley[1] was very ill after Delivered in childbearing.

[1]Parkman’s sister Elizabeth, who married John Tyley of Boston.  She died August 30, 1727.