1728 August 1 (Thursday). Mr. Flynt[1] and Mr. Greenwood[2] (who had taken a Circular Ride) came to See us. Our sisters Lydia and Ruth[3] and Kinswomen Mrs. Abigail and Susan Champney[4] came likewise.
[1]Henry Flynt, Tutor at Harvard College.
[2]Professor Isaac Greenwood of Harvard College.
[3]Ruth Champney of Cambridge.
[4]Abigail and Susan Champney, cousins of Mrs. Parkman.
1728 August 2 (Friday). Mr. Flynt and Greenwood rode to Marlborough. The rest tarry’d. Sister Ruth and the rest (except Sister Lydia) left us. These Dayes were very hot.
1728 August 4 (Sunday). I preach’d from Gen. 18.25, and from Ps. 119.68.
1728 August 6 (Tuesday). Early in the morning Sister Lydia and I rode (single) to Cambridge, from whence I proceeded to Boston.
1728 August 7 (Wednesday). I went to See Mr. Miles’s[1] Library. His widow show’d me her house and Garden.
[1]Reverend Samuel Myles (Harvard 1684), Rector of King’s Chapel, Boston, 1680- 1728. The library in question was sent over by the Bishop of London. Sibley suggests that it was “perhaps the best theological library in the country.” The remnants of this library were deposited in the Boston Athenaeum in 1823. Sibley, III, 287-293.
1728 August 8 (Thursday). I entered into Obligation to my Father for the Negro Barrow. My Father gave me 5£. I pay’d him 3£ and gave a promissory Bill to pay 66£, the whole making 74£ which was the price of him.
Mr. Cooper[1] Lectur’d on Job 37.16. I din’d at Mr. Coopers, Mr. Thatcher and Mr. Byles[2] also.
[1]Reverend William Cooper (Harvard 1712) of the Brattle Street Church Sibley, V, 624-634.
[2]Reverend Mather Byles of Hollis Street Church, Boston.
1728 August 9 (Friday). I rode to Cambridge, Barrow, alias Maro, running on foot. Though somewhat rainy, it clear’d away after noon. After 4 o’Clock I set out, my Self on one horse and the Negro on the other. At Larnards[1] met Mr. Swift.[2] Rode to Mr. Swifts and lodged there.
[1]Thomas Learned, tavern-keeper of Watertown.
[2]Reverend John Swift of Framingham.
1728 August 10 (Saturday). We rode home by a little after noon. Prepar’d somewhat upon John 1.46 and carry’d on the Exercises with the Applicatory Considerations in the Sermons on John 12.26.
1728 August 13 (Tuesday). There arose a storm of Thunder and Lightning in the Night.
1728 August 14 (Wednesday). About 2 in the morning the Thunder and Lightning were very Sharp and terrifying. Neither was it a Crack or Flash or Two, but it continued for (I Suppose) an hour and half exceeding dreadfull. Once it was So hard Thunder that the house Jarr’d in some sort as in an Earthquake.
Mr. Rice was here, and Goddard[1] from College. The latter Said the people of Framingham entertain’d disaffections to Mr. Swift. My heart is mov’d greatly; and I think merely for the Cause of God in these melancholly and divided Times.
[1]David Goddard (Harvard 1731) of Watertown and later the second minister of Leicester. Sibley, IX, 40-43.
1728 August 15, 16, 17 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). The Remaining Dayes of the Week I abode more strictly by my Preparations for the Sabbath. Late on Saturday Night I was Sent for by Lieutenant Forbes to his wife who departed this Life (a little before 12 o’clock) before I could get to the house. A very meek, patient, Godly person, under the sufferings She bore through most of her Life, by Sickness and weakness.
1728 August 18 (Sunday). I preach’d from Ps. 119.68 both forenoon and afternoon.
1728 August 19 (Monday). Mrs. Forbes was buried. A Large funerall; many people from Marlborough being up here. Mr. Foxcroft[1] of Boston, Esquire Pool[2] of Reading and Lieutenant How of Framingham came to our house and lodged with us.
[1]Reverend Thomas Foxcroft.
[2]Benjamin Poole, selectman of Reading. Tilley Eaton, Genealogical History of the Town of Reading (Boston, 1874), pp. 108, 282, 283.
1728 August 20 (Tuesday). Those Gentlemen rode away to Leicester to be (with others) a Council upon the Difficulties of that people. Mr. Swift of Framingham, Elder Lymen and Mr. Loring of Boston came but rode quickly away upon the lastnam’d Concern. Esquire Pools advice and offers respecting Mrs. Burt.
1728 August 25 (Sunday). I preach’d a.m. on Ps. 119.68, and administered the Sacrament. I preach’d p.m. on 1 Cor. 10.16. I have no slender Reason to lament my insensibility, indolence and utter unfruitfullness under all Gods Goodness to me; and it is nothing else but the infinite Mercy of God to poor sinners, his infinite Patience and Compassion towards us under our manifest infirmities that has brought me to the Sacrament for my Conduct is Such that my unprofitableness and indifference might utterly debar me and leave me discouraged.
1728 August 26 (Monday). Father and Mother Champney returned home.
1728 August 27 (Tuesday). Under the Engagements of my Family by reason of our want to Help, our Negro being New, I am much taken off from my Work, but I trust in God it may be better with me and more leasure ere long.
1728 August 28, 29, 30, 31 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). Much Concern in the minds of all people throughout the Province on the account of the Difficulties at Court about settling the Governours Sallery. And no prospect of its being any better between the Governour and the Lower House. Indeed the Governour has always been fair and pleasant and is not willing to make Complaint against the Province. But his Instructions from his Majesty oblige him to move in this Manner and the House think they loose all Priviledges if they comply. Its a difficult Time respecting our Credit in England, but the Heavens do rule. God gives us Wisdom and turneth the Heart of the King which way Soever He will.
