October 1, 1739

1739 October 1 (Monday).  Mr. David Maynard, junior was here with a large Bay Horse which I agreed with him for, in presence of Mr. Francis Whipple and Mr. Abner Newton at the price of 35 pounds but with the Reserve and Condition that if I find that he doth not suit me, he shall take him again, if he be return’d within a fortnights Time.  This was written and Declar’d by both of us before the Witnesses.  The Road which goes out south from my House handsomely clear’d up, and the Training field clear’d more Spaciously.

October 3, 1739

1739 October 3 (Wednesday).  The Regiment Under the Command of Colonel William Ward consisting of 11 Companys, muster’d and perform’d the Exercises proper on That Occasion.  N.B. Mr. Dor[1] and his Brothers Daughter, Mr. Weld, Mr. Webb, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Stone, Mr. Solomon Prentice, and Mr. John Ballantine.[2]  We march’d with the Field Officers in Viewing the Regiment as the Battalion were in array, the Officers in their Places, and performing the Standing Salute.  Mr. Dorr pray’d.  We were entertain’d by the Field Officers.  It  was worthy of Notice that the Exercises were perform’d so well, considering their Newness, that there was so little hurt Done, and that there was So little intemperance, Rabblement and Riot.  N.B. the Regiment under Colonel Chandler[3] muster’d the same day.  Mr. Dorr and niece, Mr. Weld and Mr. Webb lodg’d here.

[1]Rev. Joseph Dorr of Mendon.

[2](HC 1735), later minister at Westfield, Mass., 1741-1776.  SHG, 9:468-72.

[3]John Chandler of Worcester.

October 4, 1739

1739 October 4 (Thursday).  Mr. Dorr, etc. rode away, and my Daughter Molly, Single on her Horse rode with them, Mr. Weld carrying my Niece Elizabeth behind him.  At Evening, Mr. Weld, Eliza, and Molly return’d, having been to Grafton.  Major Keys[1] din’d with us, and Mrs. Miles [2] of Concord.  P.M. John Oake,[3] James Geoffrey, James Eager and Samuel Allen[4] gather’d that part of the Corn by the old House and with Jotham[5] and Stephen Maynard and Noah How husk’d it out in the Evening.  N.B. Abial Allen help’d us these Two or Three Days but to Day went home, and Lydia Harrington came to serve us a Day or Two.  John Oake lodg’d here in order to his Working tomorrow.  Mr. Weld Lodg’d here.

[1]John Keyes of Shrewsbury.

[2]Wife of Deacon Samuel Miles.

[3]Son of Nathaniel Oakes of Marlborough.  Hudson, Marlborough, 426.

[4]Son of Ephraim Allen of Westborough.

[5]Son of David Maynard.

October 16, 1739

1739 October 16 (Tuesday).  Mr. Knowlton at Work here.  Very Rainy forenoon.  Mr. Cushing din’d with us.  P.M. it held up and we rode to Association at Southborough.  At Eve Mr. Fisk[1] of Killingly came.  N.B. Mr. Cabot there before detain’d by the Storm.  See Association Records.  I lodg’d with Mr. Cushing at Ensign Brighams.

[1]Rev. John Fiske (HC 1702), first minister of Killingly, Conn.,1715-1741.  SHG, 5:144-47.

October 18, 1739

1739 October 18 (Thursday).  Several Nei[gh]bours on the South side of Town Mr. Bowman,[1] Stone,[2] Martin Pratt, Beriah Rice,[3] Jonathan Forbes, and Phinehas Walker, Dan Hardy, came and gather’d my Corn.  Molly Wright[4] came to wash for my Wife.

[1]James Bowman.

[2]Daniel Stone.

[3]Son of Edmund Rice, an original settler.

[4]Mary, daughter of Edward Wright of Framingham.  Temple, Framingham, 755.

October 23, 1739

1739 October 23 (Tuesday).  Mr. Bridgham and Mr. Wyman[1] here.  Mr. Williams brought home 6 Barrells more of Cyder.  I had design’d to go to Boston but So much Business prohibited it.  Mr. Samuel Harrington brought me his Horse for my Journey, and greatly assisted me in getting down Cyder, etc.  Boil’d Two Barrells of Cyder into one.  Neighbor Maynards, Whipples, Forbushs etc. Lads Husking.  N.B. I made up Accounts with Ensign Maynard.

[1]Rev. Ebenezer Wyman (HC 1731), minister at Union, Conn., 1738-1746.  SHG 9:116-17.

October 26, 1739

1739 October 26 (Friday).  Rode to Mr. Tainters[1] and Browns[2] at Waterton.  Met Mr. Francis Bowman and Mr. Samuel Harrington.  Din’d at Mr. Strattons of Waltham.  Bargained with Mr. Bowman for his Mare.  Rode home with Mr. Harrington and a Considerable Company of Neighbors, etc.  Ensign Forbush, etc.  We rode over the new Bridge.  Not well at Wards, but held up home between 10 and 11 at Night.

[1]Capt. John Tainter of Watertown, brother of Deacon Simon Tainter of Westborough.

[2]Deacon William Brown, a prominent resident of Waltham.

October 29, 1739

1739 October 29 (Monday).  Abroad in the forenoon, but in pain, chiefly in my left Hip and Groin.  Dr. Gott occasionally here.  P.M. could not walk.  At Eve my pains exceedingly increas’d.  Neighbor How came and got my bed down into the lower room, and lifted me on to it.  All night in great pain.  My Wife got up twice.  Took Flower of Brimstone, which purged Me.