Month: June 1744

1744 June 1 (Friday).  The Morning and most of the Forenoon I Spent with Mr. Thomas Stoddard who was very full of Experiences of the Lords work upon his Soul — accompany’d me to my mothers who lyes weak and cast down, yet hoping in God.  I was full of Concern about my Son Thomme, my hopes all blasted respecting his living with Mr. Emms, who is discourag’d and throws up.  I sought to Mr. Skelling the Carver, but in vain — to Mr. Samuel Jarvis, but not direct Success.  I was also otherwise variously taken up — partly to make Some Interest in Court lest the Petition of our Coram side of the Town should be granted, which would be (Should it happen) to my inexpressible Detriment.  Din’d at Brother Alexanders — waited on Dr. Delhonde[1] and paid him for what he had done last year for my Daughter Molly.  Exceeding Hot Season — can but just keep alive.  At Eve took Very Solemn Leave of my Honor’d aged and dear Parent, and took Thomme to Cambridge.

[1]Louis Delhonde, the physician of Boston.

1744 June 2 (Saturday).  Thomme rode behind me and we got home about 2 p.m., while my Family were at Dinner.  N.B. I had Mr. Hall and his Wife’s Company from Wards Tavern.  Blessed be God I find my Family in Health and peace.

1744 June 3 (Sunday).  On Mat. 12.30, and p.m. Repeated sermon on Ps. 99.5.9 from Exod. 15.11, with Some alterations.  N.B. A Packet came from England into Boston yesterday and War was to be proclaim’d in the afternoon and was so about 5 o’clock between England and France.  N.B. This proclamation of war immediately follow’d by a terrible Shock of an Earthquake about 10 o’Clock this Morning.  N.B. Mr. James Fays wife cry’d out very much as Soon as I was come from the meeting House at Noon — and there was great crying out in the woods where a Number were retir’d at Noon.  I Stop’d the Church at Eve at the request of Lieutenant Thomas Forbush to See if the Church would put in another Member to supply the place of Brother Whipple[1] at Upton Council, who is one of the Committee for answering the North Side’s Petition to the general court, but he holding he should not go to Boston as he conceiv’d

[1]Francis Whipple.

1744 June 4 (Monday).  Variety of Company all Day.  Mr. Whipple is again induced to go to Boston.  Mr. Beaman[1] and Josiah Rice with 8 or 9 more resolve to petition that they may not be laid to the design’d New Precinct.

[1]Eleazer Beamon.

1744 June 5 (Tuesday).  Old Mr. Rice yet living.  Made him the last Visit and pray’d with him in my way to Upton.  It is this Day 20 Years Since I gave my Answer to Settle in this Town.  Mr. Rice lives to See it, but dyes this very Day.  Did not overtake Deacon Newton till I got to Mr. Fisks[1] in Upton.  Council met at Mr. Welds,[2] and immediately adjourn’d to Captain Sadlers where we were to be entertain’d, and from whence we never stirr’d.  All Things relating to the people Separating from Mr. Weld to hear Mr. Pain,[3] were conducted smoothly enough and then respecting Mr. Weld’s Maintenance.  And we lodg’d comfortably at Captain Sadlers.

[1]Ebenezer Fiske.

[2]Rev. Thomas Weld.

[3]Probably Elias Paine, an itinerant Baptist preacher.

1744 June 6 (Wednesday).  But when we came to propose the Hearing of the Case relating to Rachel Wheeler, we had great Struggle.  It was plain that Mr. Wheeler would never submitt it, nor yield to any Thing that could be done about it.  The Vote was put and there appear’d 8 for it and 7 against it, without the Moderator — but there was great Stir and noise on the Yea Side and Mr. Hall and Prentice threaten’d that they would forthwith go home if it was to be kept out, and in short the Moderator upon Considering all the State of Things condescended to give his Vote for hearing it, insisting at the Same Time upon the Liberty to Enter his Dissent in the Result.  How much we might then wish for the help of Brother Whipple who was gone to Boston!  But at length even he came, whilst in the hearing of the Wheeler Case.  See the Minutes of the Council for the rest of the Proceedings.  Lieutenant Tainter came to me at Upton to request me to go to Old Mr. Thomas Rice’s Funeral who deceas’d Yesterday, this Month 90 years old, a principal Instrument in obtaining the Grant and Settling of This Town.

1744 June 7 (Thursday).  Spent the Day in Debating, and passing Votes of Judgment upon what we had heard.  I would have nothing to do with the Wheeler Case — and was Sorry to See Such a reigning Disposition in that part of the Council we were chose by the Dissatisfy’d to carry every thing they could to its height against Mr. Weld.  It being very Hot and my Business in the Council Such as requir’d close Attention and continual Application I was very much worried and faint, and a bad Cold also Seiz’d upon me and kept me down.

1744 June 8 (Friday).  Exceeding poor and weak, Sweating and fainting Last Night and very little sleep.  But in the Morning when I got up and Stirr’d about I revived and was Better.  We who were the Committee for drawing up a Result, could not be wholly alone without great Inconvenience.  Mr. Hall who had drawn up the most of the Votes which had pass’d in the Council, undertook to draw up the rough Draught for the Result — of that part which was most Critical and difficult.  N.B. the church were call’d in (inadvertently) to hear it read, before the Committee themselves could have time to weigh and recommend it, But it was read.  Upon my mentioning it to the Moderator how unfit till we had Scann’d and finish’d the Preparation of it — we had the privilege to be alone — and the Draughting the Result took us til late in the Afternoon.  Not without many Strivings if not deep mutual Dissatisfactions.  But at length it was finish’d, and pass’d in Council though to my great Dislike in many respects.  Just before sundown the people were summon’d, Mr. Prentice, at the Moderators desire Read the Result (in Captain Sadlers Entry, for we never went to the meeting House at all) and the Moderator concluded with prayer.  Captain Hazzletine and others earnestly requested me to tarry over Night but I was determin’d Home if possible — and Home we came though it was nigh Midnight first.  N.B. there had been a press for Soldiers to go up and keep guard in Frontier Towns.  Silas Pratt,[1] Silas Newton, Jacob Garfield went out of our South Company and Josiah Cutting and Benjamin Wilson out of the North.  We Hear the Earthquake was very great at the Eastward particularly Newbury, last Sabbath.  It was much noted how this present war breaks forth with the Earthquake.  It is Still a great increase of our Calamitys to have such intestine Broils and so furious Contentions among ourselves.  N.B. Reverend Mr. Stone preach’d the Lecture in Westborough to day preparatory to the Communion.

[1]Son of John Pratt.

1744 June 9 (Saturday).  Greatly disquieted with both the Actual Miscarriages and the Defects of the Council at Upton, and made some Remarks thereon.  Prepar’d what I could of my sermon for the Communion tomorrow — and O that my own Soul were suitably prepar’d there for!  Bekky[1] and Lucy[2] rode to Sutton.  N.B. Mr. James Bowman took the Care of a Letter from me to Mr. Weld of Upton.

[1]Rebecca Hicks, Parkman’s niece.

[2]Parkman’s daughter, who was 10 years old.

1744 June 10 (Sunday).  Relations of those who stood Candidates for Admission into the church not brought till just before I went out to Meeting.  Preach’d on 1 Cor. 11.16.  P.M. (as last Sabbath p.m.) on the Holiness of God.  Mr. Coollidge having mov’d his Lodgings nigher meeting, viz. to Mr. Samuel Williams’s, din’d at home.  Captain Fay, Mrs. Adams [blank] din’d with us.  O might it please God to Sanctifie both his Word and Sacraments to our highest Benefit!

1744 June 11 (Monday).  Mr. Coollidge[1] opens School at Lieutenant Aaron Forbush’s, and sent Ebenezer there.  Mr. Samuel Biglo and his wife, of Shrewsbury here upon their Spiritual Concerns.  Mr. Weld came, and manifested his great Disgust at what the Council had done.  He lodg’d here.  Thomas mow’d the fore Yard and Garden.

[1]Samuel Coolidge.

1744 June 12 (Tuesday).  Mr. Frost[1] of Mill-river in Mendon here with a Young Lady, in their Journey to Brookfield; soon after Mr. Weld had taken leave, and went up the Road to Shrewsbury.  Mr. Salter[2] from Mansfield here also.  Captain Maynard’s Training.  Great Ruffle and Contests in the Breasts and partly breaking forth in the Conduct and Conversations of many of the North side soldiers.  N.B. Mr. Wheeler as I was going into the Meeting House to prayer, told me he thought they were hardly in a Frame fit for Such Things — but I ask’d him whether we ought not to labour to be Compos’d, at least so far forth to beg of God to prepare us?  A great Favour that Colonel Nahum Ward and Colonel Williams[3] came, and were present at Reading the Laws, Viewing arms etc. that the unruly might be rebuk’d and kept down.  N.B. It had been said that a certain Man on the North side [promised?] a Gallon of Rum if they would rebell against Captain Maynard — and a man was ready (as it was conceived) to head them.  Mr. Wheeler was thought to be the first of these and Corporal Nathan Ball the other.  But in Public and whenever I was present I saw no indecency for which I was greatly rejoic’d and that Captain Eager[4] and Lieutenant Holloway[5] din’d with us at Captain Maynards, as did Mr. Salter (who went down with me) likewise.  P.M., Dr. Breck from Worcester here, but he went to Marlborough at Evening.  N.B. Neighbour Chamberlain mov’d his Family and his Goods to Leicester, and Thomas Winchester had my Mare to help with their Children.  N.B. Rebecca Hicks and my little Lucy return’d from Sutton, though a Very hot Day.

[1]Rev. Amariah Frost (HC 1740), minister of the Second Church of Mendon (later the First Church of Milford, Mass.),1742-1792.  SHG 10:494-96.

[2]Rev. Richard Salter of Mansfield, Conn.

[3]Abraham Williams of Marlborough.

[4]James Eager of Westborough.

[5]William Holloway of Westborough.

1744 June 13 (Wednesday).  Very hot again.  Thomas and the Boys with him half-hilling.

1744 June 14 (Thursday).  I had appoint’d a Catechetical Exercise for young Women today but a great Storm arose just at the Hour appointed which prevented their Coming.

1744 June 15 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1744 June 16 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1744 June 17 (Sunday).  On Mat. 12.31.32.  A very awful Subject!  O that we might have a right understanding of it and Suitably improve it!

1744 June 18 (Monday).  [No entry.]

1744 June 19 (Tuesday).  Rode to the Association at Shrewsbury.  See the Association Records.  N.B. was at Smith Allens Shop to get my Horse Shod before I went up to Mr. Cushings.  Was also at Dr. Smiths[1] being much Concern’d for Mr. Jonathan Livermores wife who I understand is in a wasting state.

[1]Joshua Smith, physician of Shrewsbury.

1744 June 20 (Wednesday).  Mr. Loring preach’d an Excellent sermon on Heb. 6.11.  After Dinner I rode to Worcester (accompany’d by Reverend Mr. Davis[1] of Holden).  Visited Dr. Breck but my Special Design was to make a Visit to the poor prisoner.[2]  I found him willing to submitt to Instruction, but in no very deep Concern about his State.  I very familiarly explain’d to him 10 principal Heads of Christian Religion which I had drawn up for that purpose and which I left at the Jayl that they who were there might often read to him.  I pray’d with him.  Waited on Madam Chandler (the Colonel being at Boston) and return’d home to Westborough the same Night.  N.B. accompany’d some Miles by Mr. Curtis of Worcester being very full of his Uneasiness with Mr. Burr, and how far they had proceeded about Calling a Council.

[1]Rev. Joseph Davis (HC 1740), first minister of Holden, 1742-1773.  SHG 10:478-81.

[2]Edward Fitzpatrick.

1744 June 21 (Thursday).  Mr. Dorr[1] of Mendon and Mr. Weld made me a Visit and din’d here; But they would not Stay to the Lecture (at 4 o’Clock p.m.) — full of remarks upon the late Result.  I preach’d to a thin Auditory, from Tit. 2.6.  N.B. receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Hall requesting a Copy of our Result.

[1]Rev. Joseph Dorr.

1744 June 22 (Friday).  Richard Roberts here a.m.  David Marble (from old Mr. Prentice’s of Lancaster).  Sent by those Young Men a Return to Mr. Halls request of the Result.  P.M. Sudden Storms arose – of Thunder, Wind and Rain.  Thomas got in part of a Load of Hay only: and that considerably wet before he could house it.  N.B. Mrs. Rebecca Hayward[1] here about a Quarrill between her and Mrs. Townsend.[2]

[1]Mrs. Simon Hayward.

[2]Mrs. Joshua Townsend.

1744 June 23 (Saturday).  I rode up to Deacon Cyprian Keyes’s[1] in order to Change with Mr. Morse, but miss’d of Mr. Morse,[2] he having gone to our House in a different Road.  Rainy Night.

[1]In Shrewsbury. Ward, Shrewsbury, 342.

[2]Rev. Ebenezer Morse (HC 1737), minister of the North Parish in Shrewsbury, which later became the separate town of Boylston.

1744 June 24 (Sunday).  Morning — preach’d at North Shrewsbury on Rom. 8.7, a. and p.m.  Din’d at Lieutenant Taylors.[1]  N.B. Mr. Sparhawk[2] Schoolmaster in the Town din’d with me.  After the Exercises Ebenezer Ball pilotted me over to his uncle Livermore’s, that I might See his Wife who was in a Wasting Languishing State, was told she was not like to live, and I understood that the way was shorter than I found it to be — but my Circumstances were like to be such that I could not visit her for Several Weeks.  I return’d to my Family at Evening.  Both Mr. Morse and Mr. Coollidge lodg’d here.

[1]Eleazer Taylor.

[2]John Sparhawk (HC 1723), formerly a schoolmaster and lawyer at Plymouth, Mass.  SHG 7:258-59.

1744 June 25 (Monday).  Mr. Morse went home.  Mr. Coollidge din’d here.  Sarah Tainter[1] here in order to her joining the Church.

[1]Daughter of Simon Tainter.

1744 June 26 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1744 June 27 (Wednesday).  Mr. Chamberlin from Leicester here.  We had some disquietment about his delaying to pay Rogers’s Debt which Should have been paid last February or rather (as it was due) last December 25, but I prevented much Contest and dismiss’d it for the present.

1744 June 28 (Thursday).  Publick Fast on account of the War and the Earthquake.  I preach’d a.m. on Ps. 46.6, p.m. on Isa. 1.4.

1744 June 29 (Friday).  Major Jones[1] of Hopkinton here.  Mr. Lawrence here about Chamberlins Debt.

[1]John Jones.

1744 June 30 (Saturday).  Have heard that there are 4 Indians gone down to Boston with the Commissioners that lately went to Albany to treat with them.  Six Nations.  One of the Said Indians is look’d upon as a Chief of the Whole Six Nations: and that they design to proceed to the Eastward.