1742 December 1 (Wednesday). Mr. Smith having bought a Chaise Molly had a fine [adv.?] to ride up with him. Several women accompanyed her to Charlestown. Dined at Brother Parkmans. Visited Cousen Langdon in her widowhood — and Cousen Angier in her sickness. At Eve sister Dorcas and I at Mrs. Bennets. Lodged at Brother Alexanders.
Month: December 1742
December 2, 1742
1742 December 2 (Thursday). Mr. Prince public Lecture on Amos 4.12. Dined at Dr. Chauncys — the Company Mr. Mather, Mr. Condy and Mr. Mayhew [1]of College. Finished all my Accounts with Mr. Foster the Clothier. At Eve at Mr. Thomas Baxters and supped — the Company Mr. Andrew Eliot, Mr. Grout and his wife, my Kinsman and Mr. Harb. Dorr. At Brother Samuels afterwards with Brother Alexander and his wife.[2] Lodged with Parkman.
[1]Jonathan Mayhew (1720-1766), Harvard 1744, minister of Boston’s West Church, 1747-1766; SHG, 11:440-72.
[2]Esther Parkman. She d. Jan. 12, 1746 (Parkman diary, Jan. 19, 1746).
December 3, 1742
1742 December 3 (Friday). First wore a Plush Coat of Homespun which I have been above a 12 Month preparing, and made Yesterday by Mr. Owen. Rode to Cambridge in the Eve and very wet by the Rain. Mother Champney in a poor state.
December 4, 1742
1742 December 4 (Saturday). Rode Mr. Smiths Mare to Marlborough. My Mare having brought up his Chaise, with Molly who was yet ill and so bad that I left her at Mr. Smiths. An Evening ride Home in [illegible] and Dark. Had much pain in the Night.
December 5, 1742
1742 December 5 (Sunday). Mr. Jenison preached for me, on 2 Sam. 23.5, but I could not go out. Mr. James Bradish and Mr. James Fay here at Eve after Meeting.
December 6, 1742
1742 December 6 (Monday). Felt Something easier. Went to the Door, but not out.
December 7, 1742
1742 December 7 (Tuesday). Rainy, could not Send for the Doctor, but was in great need of him. Much pained and feverish — full of fears of the Event.
December 8, 1742
1742 December 8 (Wednesday). Mr. Morse of North Shrewsbury here. As were also Messrs. John Stone[1] of Rutland, and Mr. Howard of Holden with a Letter from thence respecting Mr. Davis’s ordination. Ebenezer went for the Doctor who also came to me under Symptoms of Rheumatism.
[1]John Stone of Rutland died Oct. 11, 1776 (RVR, 249).
December 9, 1742
1742 December 9 (Thursday). A Fast at Grafton but I was confined and could not go. I took Physick (Rhubarb etc.) which worked gently and kindly. N.B. Sarah Sparhawk very intolerable in insisting to go to Grafton though there was no Body at home but She to take Care of the Business of the House — My wife waiting on me. Boys at School and Bekky at Mr. Hows.
December 10, 1742
1742 December 10 (Friday). The Doctor here.
December 11, 1742
1742 December 11 (Saturday). Took another Portion of Physick. Sam Bumpso and Stephen Mainard k[indly?] got wood, the latter only p.m.
December 12, 1742
1742 December 12 (Sunday). I engaged Mr. Jenison to preach again. He preached on Ps. 119 ult. and on [blank]. I could not have the Dinner near me. The Bridegroom Green[1] and his Brother dined with my Family. At Eve I had a Turn wherein I was nigh Swooning but got to Bed and came to.
[1]Jonathan Green mar. Sibyl Wheler, Dec. 8, 1742 (WVR, 162).
December 13, 1742
1742 December 13 (Monday). Rheumatick pains are gone off. D. Gr. Mr. Mainard killed a Shote for me, weight 108. Mr. Cushing here. Acquainted him with our uneasiness with Sarah. I expected the Doctor but he came not. Mr. Bradish prayed with me. I had a very bad, distressing Night. My Fever Strong and my Spirits much Exercised. But the Lord sustained me.
December 14, 1742
1742 December 14 (Tuesday). Ebenezer went for the Doctor. Brought up Molly from Marlborough but no Doctor. Five Shrewsbury Neighbours — Mr. William Nurse, Bezal. [illegible], Eleazer Pratt, Reuben Mainard and Jotham Mainard came and got wood. N.B. Mr. Harwood and Jonathan Roberts of Grafton here to see me. Not so bad a Night as last; yet feverish.
December 15, 1742
1742 December 15 (Wednesday). Comfortable morning through God’s Mercy. Doctor here. Fever came on p.m. Capt. Fay, and he prayed with me. Much Company at Eve. Mr. Jenison prayed. Had another distressing night. Much Fever, but God sustained my Spirits So that with Comfort in my Mind I bore through. To him be Glory!
December 16, 1742
1742 December 16 (Thursday). Comfortable Day. D.G. Ensign Forb. and others here. Mr. Daniel Stones wife continues low yet. I wrote to her by her Daughter Martha. Not quite so good a Night as Day. My mind is daily Exercised, especially concerning the Souls under my Care. The Lord enable me to acquit myself respecting them!
December 17, 1742
1742 December 17 (Friday). In fears of the return of my Fever, but it went off in the middst of the Day. Deacon Newton to see me. Mr. Jenison being engaged on the Northside, they talk of Sending to Mr. Minot of Concord. Ensign Mainard here. A good, comfortable night. D.G.
December 18, 1742
1742 December 18 (Saturday). I had sent a Letter to Mr. Joseph Sparhawk, but no return. The ways heavy but yet Sent Ebenezer with Sarah to said Mr. Sparhawk at Sutton. The Doctor here and his Young Man and dined here. Comfortable Day. D.G.
December 19, 1742
1742 December 19 (Sunday). Mr. Jenison preached on the North side, but no preaching at the Meeting House; they read Mr. Tennents Sermon on the Spiritual Match with Christ. Had turns of feverishness and faintness, both last night and to Day — but in general not very bad. Deacon Fay and others preached with me at Eve.
December 20, 1742
1742 December 20 (Monday). A.M. felt variously. P.M. Comfortable, and writ considerable. N.B. Mr. Jno. Bowker and Matthias Rice here, as they were going to a meeting of both sides of the Town at Capt. Fays concerning Dividing the [parish?] etc. Mr. Barrett here and prayed with me, Mr. Jenison, Lieutenant Baker, [and?] Seth Rice.
December 21, 1742
1742 December 21 (Tuesday). Very fine moderate Weather. Mrs. Eager and Mrs. Barns[1] here, and Mr. Smith of Marlborough. He din’d with us and kindly tarried all the afternoon. Through Gods great Goodness I felt the best of any Day Since my Sickness. May God go on and perfect my Recovery!
[1]Probably Elizabeth Barns, wife of Richard.
December 22, 1742
1742 December 22 (Wednesday). Extraordinary pleasant Moderate Weather like Spring. ‘Twas Said it did not so much as freeze last night. I was not So well as yesterday, yet ventur’d down to the Kitchen so much as to look about. Young Mr. Caleb Prentice[1] of Cambridge here. Told me of the Religious Commotions last Sabbath and last night at Grafton. Divers Neighbours to see me. Mrs. Dolly Rice, Mrs. Winchester,[2] Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard,[3] old Mr. Mainard.[4] N.B. Life of Rev. Mr. George Trosse.[5]
[1]This may have been the Caleb Prentice who kept a student rooming house and was father of Caleb Prentiss (1746-1803), Harvard 1765); SHG, 16:205.
[2]Elizabeth, second wife of Benjamin Winchester.
[3]Hephzibah Maynard was dismissed from the Marlborough church and admitted to the Westborough church, Apr. 10, 1737 (WCR, 44).
[4]Probably David Maynard, b. Dec. 21, 1669, son of John and Mary Maynard. He was one of the original members of the church (WCR, 379).
[5]The Life of the Reverend Mr. Geo. Trosse, Late Minister of the Gospel in The City of Exon, who Died January 11th, 1712/13. In the Eighty Second Year of his Age, Written by Himself, and Publish’d According to his Order. To which is added, the Sermon Preach’d at his Funeral. By J.H. [Joseph Hallet]. Exon: Printed by Jos. Bliss, for Richard White, Merchant, and sold by him at his House near the Elephant in Northgate-Street, as also by Hen. White, at Mr. Burridge’s, grocer, in Southgate-Street, [1714]. There were at least two other contemporary versions of Trosse’s Life.
December 23, 1742
1742 December 23 (Thursday). Very fine Weather Still. Several persons here. I went down below again and took the air of the Door by stepping into the for Yard.
December 24, 1742
1742 December 24 (Friday). Rainy Weather yet I was wondrous Comfortable and brisk. Read and Writ almost all Day and till nine at Night — Studying a Sermon on Isa. 33.14. Glory to God!
December 25, 1742
1742 December 25 (Saturday). Was too well yesterday to hold it. To Day I was dull and feeble and could not study. Mr. J. Mead a.m. and Mr. Jenison and Mr. James Fay p.m.
December 26, 1742
1742 December 26 (Sunday). A pleasant Day, but I felt feeble and weak; and therefore looked upon the work of the Day with Fear and Concern. The people met at my House. I undertook what I might with God’s Help to be able to do. I pray’d 20 Minutes and preach’d 30, on Ps. 90.1. At Noon lay down and refresh’d me and din’d also with Some, though deprav’d, Appetite. P.M. attempted another Exercise and held out 50 minutes in my sermon on the Same Text. Immediately after lay down and after a while was greatly reviv’d, and had a pleasant Eve, through the wondrous Goodness of God. Mr. Jenison, from the North Side here in the Evening. O might we all have due Reflections on our frail and dying State! Lord make me know etc.!
December 27, 1742
1742 December 27 (Monday). Sent by Mr. Tainter to Boston. Mr. Stone here, din’d and Spent the p.m. I was very lively a.m. Went into the Yard — though a Cold yet a Clear Day. P.M. and Eve not without feverishness and faintness. But Blessed be God I am so far recruited! O may I Spend my Strength to His Glory!
December 28, 1742
1742 December 28 (Tuesday). Was pritty Comfortable in the Day But was feverish at Eve. N.B. a remarkable meeting at Mr. Harwoods (upon the Borders) last night. Great awakenings there and several Children of Mr. William Nurse and one of Mr. James Fay much wrought on. N.B. An Indian Youth one [blank] Cole, greatly carry’d out at those Meetings. Some of Westborough people that were present greatly question’d their regularity and Soundness, particularly Mr. Eliezer Rice. May the Spirit of Truth lead us and guide us into all Truth for his Name’s Sake! Grant us by all Means the Blessing and preserve us from the Evil! Old Mr. Mainard settling his Estate. At Eve Mr. Edward Goddard here. Thomas Winchester thrashing Rye.
December 29, 1742
1742 December 29 (Wednesday). Thomas Winchester thrashing Rye. I rode out a little way about my Place. Could Study with Some Comfort.
December 30, 1742
1742 December 30 (Thursday). Thomas clear’d up the Rye. Brother Hicks having heard of my Sickness came to see me. Rain p.m. At Eve Mr. Whipple, Mr. James and Neighbour David Mainard and Mr. Abner Newton (all of them having been at the Meeting at Harwoods last Monday night) came to See me and discourse of those so uncommon Things.
December 31, 1742
1742 December 31 (Friday). Brother Hicks return’d to Sutton. Bright and pleasant. Through Divine Goodness and Mercy I felt very comfortably and was Chearfull. At Eve Captain Eager and Lieutenant Holloway here, who had not been to see me in all my sickness, and Scarcely any other North Side men, though many had rid by my Door. However I was glad to see ‘em at last. Receiv’d a Letter from Brother Breck dated the 27th. He writes that all New Light is almost Extinct — and God grant that all New Light may be, intirely that the Old the true Gospel Light may Shine forth the more gloriously and victoriously! Now I come to finish the Year, what Shame and Sorrow I had need to be fill’d with for my Ingratitude, unprofitableness and insensibility, when God has been so wondrous patient, So mercifull, So faithfull, So abundant in Goodness towards Me! How graciously he has conducted me through all the Changes of the Year! and in Special, let me never forget his Mercifull and Compassionate Beliefs in my Sickness, So that Neither my Rheumatism, nor my Fever prevail’d upon Me! O that I might know the mind and will of God concerning me! and what shall I render to him for all his Benefits towards Me! The Lord prepare my Heart to render as I ought. But O may my great Redeemer both wash me from my sins in his own Blood, and grant me the gracious and Sanctifying influences of his Blessed Spirit. Without these I can neither be acceptable in his sight, nor offer any Thing to His Glory.