March 20, 1740

1740 March 20 (Thursday).  The Next Morning after some Discourse of Land at Hartford and Simsbury, etc. I rode with great Haste over to Sutton yet the Roads very bad, and wholly New to me.  Mr. Hall[1] half a Mile from his House and his wife from Home.  I went to him upon the Affair of Some Land which had lately bought of Mr. Smith, Sugar Baker of Boston, but it was chiefly bargained away.  At 1/4 after one I left Mr. Hall and rode down to Grafton, to Mr. Prentice’s in about an Hour.  But they were gone to Lecture.  N.B. that Mr. Cushing was to have preach’d, but the sickness of his son prevented him.  He spake to me Yesterday of it, Mr. Prentice being gone to Groton, but expected back.  I answered nothing because of my Engagement upon my Business, but as I was riding the Road to Worcester was reflecting upon the Matter and that I had no Notes with me.  As I was Riding on I met Benjamin Fay.  Him I sent to Mrs. Parkman to desire her to wrap me up some sermons, which I remember’d to lye in the Drawer of the Table I wrote at; and the Said Fay must do his utmost to Convey them up to Grafton where I would endeavour to be.  Accordingly the Notes were come to Mr. Prentice’s.  Thus having taken Brank[2] and drank some Beer without staying to Dine, I went to Meeting and I preach’d Sermon on Ps. 73.24 to page [blank].  Return’d to Westborough in the Evening.

[1]Rev. David Hall of Sutton.

[2]Old usage for buckwheat.