1739 June 2 (Saturday). Return’d to Westborough. My Company from Harringtons were Mr. James Morris who came lately from Lisbon, and from the Isle of Wight. (N.B. That he Saw in January or February last one of my name in west Cows in the Isle of Wight, Tavernkeeper, who said he was our Relation.) Other Company up was Mr. Joseph Gardner[1] who was going to preach at Hopkinton, and Mr. Andrew Boardman[2] Schoolmaster at Shrewsbury. Mr. Boardman and his Brother din’d with me at Baldwins. Shav’d at Sudbury. Rode through Marlborough. Mr. Aaron Forbush at Colonel Woods’s who rode up with me and acquaint’d me with the Rude and Vile Conduct of John Kidney towards my Daughter Molly [age 14], when alone with her, except little Lucy [age 4], her Mother being at Marlborough with Mrs. Pierpont and her other Friends, whom she waited upon thither the Day before. It was to my great Surprize, but Blessed by God who is the Refuge of all Distressed ones, and who appear’d for the Dear Child in the middst of her Troubles calling aloud upon His Mercifull and allmighty name, and wondrously Sav’d her, though he had button’d the Door and assaulted and Striven with her, thrown her on the Ground and was very indecent towards her, Yet was not suffer’d to hurt her — except what was by the Fright and bruising her arms in struggling with her. When disengag’d She ran out to go to her uncles, but he ran after her and forc’d her back and made her wash the Blood from her arms, which she did upon his Swearing to her that he would not go into the House again till night. As soon as She had got him out to his work, She ran to Ensign Maynards who rode to Marlborough and at Eve brought up her Mother. Stephen Maynard lodg’d in the House that night and Noah How the next, My wife being afraid to be alone with so brutish a Creature. When I came home I examin’d Molly very Strictly. Brother Hicks and Ensign Maynard were here, whose advice I needed at so important a Juncture. John upon his Knees ask’d my Pardon, and again fell on his Knees and ask’d his mistresses Pardon. It was difficult with me to know what was fittest to be done, the Sabbath being approaching and the Holy Exercises thereof to be prepar’d for. As Compos’d as I could I deferr’d the Matter till the beginning of the Week.
[1](HC 1732), later minister at Newport, R.I.,1740-1743. SHG, 9:156-59.
[2]Boardman had previously been the schoolmaster at Hopkinton.