1739 July 4 (Wednesday). Mr. Joseph Grants Mare which I rode down got out of the Pasture this morning, but I got Deacon Sparhawks[1] lad to go up the Road after her which she [sic] did. I rode to Boston to see my Mother and fetch my Cloths which I did before meeting. My Kinsman Elias[2] came over from Captain Sharps[3] where he has lodg’d for some Time because of his Infirmitys. I din’d in the Hall. N.B. a very great storm of Thunder, Rain and Wind, at Dinner time. N.B. A Most agreeable Century Oration by the President.[4] N.B. Mr. Worthington[5] of Seabury and Mr. Parsons[6] of Lyme in Connecticut at our Commencement. I was chiefly entertain’d at Sir Buckminsters.[7] Sir Woods[8] did not keep Commencement. No Company at Father Champney’s, He being much disordered.
[1]Samuel Sparhawk of Cambridge.
[2]Parkman’s brother, Elias Parkman of Boston. [Walett may be mistaken, as this appears to be Parkman’s nephew; see August 22.]
[3]Robert Sharp of Brookline.
[4]Rev. Edward Holyoke, President of Harvard College.
[5]Rev. William Worthington (YC 1716), minister at Westbrook (Saybrook), Conn.,1724-1756. Dexter, 156-58.
[6]Rev. Jonathan Parsons (YC 1729), minister at Old Lyme, 1729-1745. Dexter, 389-93.
[7]Joseph Buckminster (HC 1739), later minister at Rutland, Mass., 1752-1792. SHG, 10:348-54.
[8]Benjamin Woods (HC 1739), eldest son of Col. Benjamin Woods of Marlborough. SHG, 10:416.