1742 October 1 (Friday). We have some Number of Cold frosty Nights, but the last was very Cold — the air Raw and looked snowy. This Morning very Cold. Corn gathering Yesterday and to Day.
Month: October 1742
October 2, 1742
1742 October 2 (Saturday). [No entry.]
October 3, 1742
1742 October 3 (Sunday). On Mat. 23.37.38.
October 4, 1742
1742 October 4 (Monday). Message from Boston that my Mother was grown worse. Stephen Fay here and in various religious Disquietments. His Brother James here at Evening and while some young women, Sarah Shattuck, Mary Graves and Sarah Bellows were receiving Instructions from me in singing Mr. Fay was in much Spiritual Commotion; but while we were singing the 63 Psalm, he was in a peculiar Manner rapt in Spiritual Delight and panted with the overbearing Joy and admiration of the Divine Greatness and Condescention to us and His Patience towards us; and his Expressions of these Things were very becoming and noticeable. About 16 or 18 Hands husked out my Corn.
October 5, 1742
1742 October 5 (Tuesday). I sent Ebenezer to Marlborough to Speak with Mr. Boynes concerning the finishing the Well which lyes too long Neglected; and the Waters are yet low.
October 6, 1742
1742 October 6 (Wednesday). My Mind and Heart much engaged in my Spiritual [work?] and on Account of my Ministerial Work.
October 7, 1742
1742 October 7 (Thursday). I expected Mr. Seccomb of Harvard but it was so rainy he came not. I preached my self on Ps. 65.4.
October 8, 9, 1742
1742 October 8, 9 (Friday, Saturday). Thomas made the Cyder — only 4 1/2 Barrells. Noah How making a Cart Gate for the East End of my House both these Days.
October 10, 1742
1742 October 10 (Sunday). Sacrament. On Gal. 2.20. Some Number of Strangers — Hopkinton people especially. Mr. Thurston of Upton and his wife here, and Mrs. Lambson[1] of Ipswich, Mrs. Whipple,[2] and all dined here besides Deacon Fay. I hope it was a Time of Some Instruction and quickening among God’s people.
[1]Probably Abigail (Mrs. Thomas) Lamson whose daughter Abigail married Francis Whipple of Westborough (Vital Records of Ipswich, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849 (2 vols.; Salem, MA: The Essex Institute, 1910), 2:271). The younger Abigail Lamson was b. Feb.15, 1708 (ibid., 1:233).
[2]Abigail, wife of Francis Whipple.
October 11, 1742
1742 October 11 (Monday). Noah How finished the Gate and hung it. School began again, at Ensign Forbushes. I rode down to Mr. Boynes — and visited Capt. Brigham. P.M. Catechetical Exercise — I preached on Eccl. 11.9, being utterly prevented preparing the Exposition.
October 12, 1742
1742 October 12 (Tuesday). I rode to Cambridge. In my Journey I had Mr. Samuel Jenisons Company and we called to see Elder Lyman who lyes Sick at Mr. Williams’s at Weston.
October 13, 1742
1742 October 13 (Wednesday). To Boston. My aged Mother in much the Same State as for some Time of Late. Sick and low and faint. Oft time so poor and weak that She Seems in immediate Danger of Death: and then revives again. In Spirituals Dark and distressed yet hoping and trusting in God. P.M. at Mr. Condys — where was Mr. Samuel Coollidge[1] and afterwards came Dr. Chauncy and then my Kinsman Parkman. We all visited Mr. Eliot who was newly married to my Kinswoman, Mrs. Elizabeth Langdon, only Daughter of Deacon Josiah Langdon. At Eve at Brother Alexanders where Molly Still resides (dining at Cousen Procters) while She attends School at Madam Condys. Lodged at Brother Samuels.
[1]Samuel Coolidge (1703-1767), Harvard 1724, Harvard librarian, 1734-1735; chaplain at Castle William; occasional schoolmaster at Westborough and Watertown; SHG, 7:326-31.
October 14, 1742
1742 October 14 (Thursday). Mr. Lowel preached the public Lecture on Job. 7.17, an excellently well composed and well delivered Sermon; except that the Life part was too brief. Dined at Deacon Henchmans with Mr. Gee etc. Bought Dr. Twiss’s [Vindicice?] out of old Mr. Nortons Library; but was obliged to leave behind a great Collection of the School men — Aquinas, Scotus, Vasquez, Suarez, Durandus, Estius etc. At Eve Sorrowful Parting with my venerable, aged, tender Mother, whose Blessing she delivered in Solemn and affectionate Manner. Among other Things She prayed that I might have Stedfastness especially now in these Times. To Cambridge.
October 15, 1742
1742 October 15 (Friday). At Deacon Sparhawks to Discourse with them concerning Sarah, and apprized them of my unwillingness to keep her. I returned home. Family in Health. D.G.
October 16, 1742
1742 October 16 (Saturday). At Eve Neighbour Richard Barns was here requesting Baptism for his Twins born last Night or this Morning. I advised him to wave the Matter till I could make search into some Reports which I had heard of him.
October 17, 1742
1742 October 17 (Sunday). On Mark 3.35 and Philip. 4.5. Neighbour Barns came to Me after Evening Exercise — and told me he would See and get Me some Letters concerning his Conduct as referred to last Night.
October 18, 1742
1742 October 18 (Monday). I wrote to Mr. Woolson, inholder at Weston, concerning Neighbour Barns. I rode to Mr. Eliezer Bellows’s whose Child[1] lies sick, and to Mr. Daniel Forbushs. Dined at Mr. Tainter’s.
[1]Possibly Lucy, the youngest child of Eleazer and Sarah Bellows, bapt. Jan. 21, 1739 (WCR, 54).
October 19, 1742
October 20, 1742
1742 October 20 (Wednesday). Mr. Hall preached a moving Sermon on Joh. 5.40. No crying out in the meeting House, but as I was going home from the Meeting House, Mrs. Ruth Fay, in anguish of Spirit, burst out and went into my House. I took her into my Study and gave her what Instructions I could. In the Mean Time Sarah Sparhawk was crying and Screaming upon her Bed in another part of the House. Many people were in the House below. Mr. Edwards of North hampton was come, and both he and Mr. Hall assisted me in Ministring to these distressed souls and others that needed. It was an Evening of great Engagement. Sent a Letter to Jabez Green.
October 21, 1742
1742 October 21 (Thursday). Mr. Hall and Mr. Edwards went, the one to Sutton and the other for Boston. Jabez Green was executed. Mr. Aldridge the Quaker having preached at the Jail and Mr. Burr at the Meeting House. No prayer at the Gallows — nor much Warning given, as I was informed (for I went not to Worcester) but by Mr. Aldridge some sort of Exhortation was given. The Prisoner dyed declaring he was not guilty of Murder, to the Surprize of the Spectators. An extraordinary Cold Night for the Season.
October 22, 1742
1742 October 22 (Friday). Mr. Forb. worked at the well. At Eve Mr. Barns, with his uncle Miller and Ensign Forb. here to consult what to do on Barns’s Affair. I insisted for the Testimonys of the persons who were with him at the Time when he was thought to be most Culpable: and these they agreed to procure. Mr. Barns brought the Testimony of Messrs. Joseph Stratton and John Weeks of Marlborough. I had received also a Letter from Mr. Woolson.
October 23, 1742
1742 October 23 (Saturday). Mr. Forb. broke off work at Noon. N.B. I have understood there are various Commotions on religious Accounts among Brethren on the South side of the Town.
October 24, 1742
1742 October 24 (Sunday). Mr. Jenison a.m. on Jer. 12.1. P.M. I preached on Heb. 6.7.8.
October 25, 1742
1742 October 25 (Monday). Mr. Forb. at the well. Thomas Winchesters Time out. Mr. Seccomb visited me and lodged here.
October 26, 1742
1742 October 26 (Tuesday). Mr. Seccomb went with me to the Association at Marlborough. A considerable Number of ministers and Candidates. The Conversation turned most of all upon the Times. Mr. Marsh[1] of Wachusett very full of his storys to the discredit of those who were Zealous in promoting Convictions etc. Mr. Prentice of Lancaster delivered his Concio on 2 Tim.1.2. Mr. Seccomb and I lodged at Dr. Gotts. N.B. My Mare led down by Winchester for Molly to come Home.
[1]Elisha Marsh (1713-1784), Harvard 1738, minister of Westminster, 1742-1757; SHG, 10:300-06.
October 27, 1742
1742 October 27 (Wednesday). Mr. Joseph Davis[1] of Holden preached the Lecture (having been first examined). Text Eph. 2.4.5. N.B. Mr. Lorings angry rebuke directed to Me at Dinner for opposing Mr. Marsh. Mr. Forb. finished the Well, at the Mouth.
[1]Joseph Davis (1720-1799), Harvard 1740, minister at Holden, 1742-1773; SHG, 10:478-81.
October 28, 1742
1742 October 28 (Thursday). We have the utmost Reason to Celebrate the Divine Patience and Longsuffering inasmuch as He has not only waited Three Years upon this Church and upon Me their unworthy Pastor, seeking fruit upon us — nor only Three Times Three; but this Day it is no less Space than Twice Three times Three Years.[1] O may we be humbled for our manifold Defects and unprofitableness! O might I in peculiar who have the greatest need! And may God of his infinite Mercy grant us grace, and to me in Special that henceforth we may bring Some Fruit to his Glory! Jejun. Priv.
[1]Parkman was ordained on October 28, 1724.
October 29, 1742
1742 October 29 (Friday). Thomas carted Stones for the Well a.m. to throw in behind the Wall: but p.m. it rained.
October 30, 1742
1742 October 30 (Saturday). Mr. Jenison to Shrewsbury.
October 31, 1742
1742 October 31 (Sunday). On Hab. 6.7.8, in which I endeavoured to improve the Divine Admonitions and Instructions to our Quickening and awakening. See the 28th Day.