September 21, 1737

1737 September 21 (Wednesday).  We rode to Cousen Winchester,[1] but they being gone and their neighbours also to Worcester, we struck along up to Mr. Prentice’s at Grafton.  N.B. Their son Nathaniel’s finger had been wounded, the Top of one of his Fingers being cut off.  N.B. Mrs. Sartel[2] of Groton here.  Called at Capt. Fay’s as we returned home in ev’g.

[1]Walett: Elizabeth Champney, cousin of Parkman’s first wife, was the second wife of Benjamin Winchester of Framingham.

[2]Walett: Probably a relative of Sarah Sartele (Sartell or Sawtell) who married Reverend Solomon Prentice of Grafton in 1732.

September 22, 1737

1737 September 22 (Thursday).  Visited Capt. Eager’s wife[1] who had been some time sick.

[1]Forbes: Capt. Eager was one of the first settlers in that part of Westborough which afterwards became Northborough.  His house was the first built on the New Connecticut Road, between Sam’l Goodenow’s Garrison and the Town of Worcester.  It was the first tavern opened in the place.  He died in 1755.

Walett: James Eager of Westborough.

September 24, 1737

1737 September 24 (Saturday).  Message from John Hamilton[1] under condemnation for Burglary requesting that I would visit him.  N.B. Lydia sick and my wife[2] burthened with the Business of the Family.  N.B. Fire raging in the Bushes on the west side of Powder Hill, drie by the Drought and the Frost and the Wind very high.  Brother Hicks alone there, till I assisted him, and we succeeded.  D.G.

[1]Walett: Otherwise known as Hugh Henderson, at that time in jail in Worcester awaiting execution.

[2]Walett: On Sept. 1,1737, Hannah Breck, daughter of the late Reverend Robert Breck of Marl- borough became Ebenezer Parkman’s second wife.  Hannah was 21, some 13 years younger than Reverend Ebenezer.  She bore him 11 children and survived him nineteen years.  She died in 1801 at the age of 81.

September 25, 1737

1737 September 25 (Sunday).  Mr. Pierpont came to us this morning, having come from Boston but a little before sunset last eve’g.  N.B. News that the vessel in which his Goods were had struck upon Martha’s Vineyard, but had got off again: he (as he can) pursues his journey to see in what condition they are at New Haven.  A.M. I repeated on 1 Chron. 26.9.  P.M. I preached on 1 Pet. 3.7.

September 26, 1737

1737 September 26 (Monday).  Mr. Pierpont and his wife left us.  I with my wife accompanied them to Shrewsbury.  I still continued with them as far as Worcester and dined with them at Capt. Howard’s.  P.M. having taken leave of those Excellent Friends, I rode to Mr. Burr’s,[1] not finding him at home, I hastened to the Prison to see the Criminal.  Among other Questions, I asked him his true Name?  He answered Hugh Henderson.  He acquainted me with his Birth and Baptism etc.  He was much concerned and distressed about his state, and ready to confess himself a great Sinner, etc.  I prayed with him.  He requested I would come and see him again.  I hastened to Shrewsbury and with my wife, returned in the evening.  N.B. John McClung took leave of us.

[1]Forbes: Rev. Isaac Burr was settled over the Old South Church in Worcester in 1725.  Mr. Chas. E. Stevens writes: “No portraiture of his person or mind survives; no characteristic anecdote is on record and nothing testifies of his ministry save its continuance for a fifth of a century in a generally peaceful way.”  Mr. Burr lived on the south corner of Main and Pleasant streets.  His house was afterwards moved to Blackstone Street, where it stood until a few years ago.  The little sketch of it made for Mr. Caleb Wall’s Reminiscences of Worcester, by “an accurate and experienced artist,” as he writes, is the only picture of this house in existence.

Walett: Reverend Isaac Burr of Worcester.