Month: October 1744

1744 October 1 (Monday).  The Funeral of Mr. Joseph Thurston, a man well spoken of for his Seriousness and Graciousness.  He leaves a Widow and six Children among us.  Help Lord! the Godly man ceaseth etc.  Deacon Whipple of Ipswich Hamlet here.  At Eve Mr. Patteshall again; Mr. Turell and Two Messengers going to the Council at Grafton, viz. Captain Brooks and Mr. Tufts[1] — and they all 4 lodged here.  Nei[gh]bours Young Men came and Husk’d.

[1]John Tufts (HC 1708) of Amesbury, formerly the minister at West Newbury.  SHG 5:457-61.

1744 October 2 (Tuesday).  A.M. Mr. Emmerson of Malden and his Messengers, viz. Mr. Brainerd and Mr. Shute.[1]  They all left us before Dinner and Mr. Patteshall rode with me to Mr. Beemans — and thence he went for Marlborough.  The Judges Saltonstall[2] and Sewall[3] din’d with me.  Mr. Zebulon Rice lay’d the Floor of my new Study.

[1]Daniel Shute (HC 1743) of Malden, later minister of the Second Congregational Church of Hingham, 1746-1802.  SHG 11:304-09.

[2]Richard Saltonstall, justice of the Superior Court of Judicature.

[3]Stephen Sewall (HC 1721), justice of the Superior Court of Judicature.  SHG 6:561-67.

1744 October 3 (Wednesday).  I rode to Grafton Council (as an Auditor).  Thomas Winchester at Grafton.  Mr. Patteshall came into Captain Fays while I was there and was my Company up.  We were at the Forenoon public Hearing but not at the Reading over Articles of Complaint.  They heard but 11 of 23 Articles to Day and in the Evening.  I lodg’d at Captain Willards.[1]

[1]Benjamin Willard.

1744 October 4 (Thursday).  I rode to Worcester and din’d with Mr. Burr, where also din’d Captain Flagg.  Mr. Burr asked Me to Change with him next Sabbath, but I freely told him it would Stir up great uneasiness among my people.  He ask’d me to Preach the Execution sermon but I was oblig’d to deny him because of my design’d Journey to Boston.  I visited the Prisoner, found him in a bad frame — dwelling upon his deplorable Condition but taking no Care to help himself, nor suitably betaking himself to God for Help.  Unforgiving, Sour, very Sparing of Speech — not Confessing his Sin — refusing to say anything about it, but that We might think as we would — reflecting on his Trial.  But I most solemnly Call’d him to Repentence and Confession, reprov’d, Charg’d him, pray’d with him and left him.  Justice Brigham my Company to Grafton and to Westborough.  Thomas at his Fathers.

1744 October 5 (Friday).  George Reed came with a Message from Grafton from Drury and Hardy to go up.  I rode up and p.m. the Council took under Consideration the aggrieved Brethrens Complaint of Reverend Mr. Prentice’s Disgust at my sermon on their Fast in September 1743, and I was Desir’d to produce my Notes.  At their request I read the disquieting Prayer — and after a Short Debate withdrew.  At Eve Mr. Hall preach’d a Lecture (while the Council were in their Debates in private) on Job 22.21, a very savoury and usefull sermon.  The Lord graciously bless it to my Spiritual Profit!  Return’d home Mr. James Fay and wife being in Company.

1744 October 6 (Saturday).  The good and Learned Moderator of the Council, Reverend Mr. Wigglesworth came to me with Mr. Francis Whipple who waited on him — to preach for me tomorrow.

1744 October 7 (Sunday).  Mr. Wigglesworth a.m. on Jer. 8.20.  The Very Text and the Very Day on which I purpos’d myself to preach, that I might follow my summer sermons with the most solemn and awakening Warnings.  But the Lord in his Providence has order’d wisest and best, that these should be dispers’d [dispens’d?] by So Superiour a messenger.  P.M. on Mat. 11.12.  O that God would follow both sermons with an efficacious Blessing!

1744 October 8 (Monday).  Mr. Wigglesworth return’d to the Council.  Training Day, but I was overlook’d, and it suited me very well, not to be disturb’d, being in my Preparations for my Journey.  Ebenezer went to Grafton and brought Madam Sartels Chaise.  Mr. Millen[1] from Chauxit here, with his Call to settle there.  Mr. Matthias Rice kindly lent me £50 old Tenor, for which I gave him a Bond.

[1]Rev. John Mellen of Sterling.

1744 October 9 (Tuesday).  My Wife and I with our little son William rode to Sudbury in Madam Sartels Chaise.  We got down about 12.  It was the Time of the Ministers Meeting at Mr. Cooks.[1]  While dinner was preparing I borrow’d Mr. Lorings Horse and rode to Mr. Farrars[2] at Concord and paid him £50 old Tenor and return’d to Ministers Meeting.  I read (for my Concio) the former part of my sermon on Heb. 13.17.

[1]Rev. William Cooke of Wayland.

[2]Deacon Samuel Farrar.  See Shattuck, Concord, 370.

1744 October 10 (Wednesday).  We rode to Mr. Foxcrofts[1] and my Deeds from Mr. Lull were enter’d to be recorded.  Proceeded to Boston.  My aged Mother much more Comfortable than for a long Time.  Blessed be God.  We din’d with her.  N.B. The Sorrowful Shocking News by Brother Samuel of Cousen Elias’s[2] Fall into uncleanness with Mrs. Sally Hill.  The Lord Sanctifie this sore Trial for our deep humbling!  P.M. I was at Dr. Sewals.  We lodg’d at Brother Samuels.

[1]Rev. Thomas Foxcroft.

[2]SHG 10:223-24.

1744 October 11 (Thursday).  Mr. Byles Lecture on Tit. 2.13, middle Sentence.  Din’d at Brother Alexanders.  P.M. at Mrs. Bennetts, where was Mr. Mather.[1]  At Eve at Mr. Webbs[2]and at Mr. Eliots[3] — in these last visits, upon poor Parkmans Case.  Lodg’d again at Brother Samuels.

[1]Rev. Samuel Mather.

[2]Rev. John Webb.

[3]Rev. Andrew Eliot (HC 1737), minister of the New North Church in Boston, 1741-1772.  SHG 10:128-61.

1744 October 12 (Friday).  We purpos’d to have gone to Cambridge but the rainy Weather prevented.  I attempted to go over the Ferry, but the Rain increasing I prevail’d with the Ferryman to sett me ashore, as also Colonel Minot of Concord.[1]  He walk’d up with me and broke fast at Brother Samuels.  At Secretary Willards.[2]  P.M. at Mr. Gee’s.[3]  So rainy that I concluded to stay over the Sabbath and engag’d to preach for Mr. Gee.  At Eve waited on Mr. Wilsteads[4] Lecture.  On Mat. 16.26.  Lodg’d at Sister Bettys.  N.B. Mr. John Jarvis dy’d nigh a month agoe.

[1]James Minott was Concord’s representative in the General Court.  Shattuck, Concord, 380.

[2]Josiah Willard, Secretary of the Province.

[3]Rev. Joshua Gee of Boston.

[4]Rev. William Welsteed (HC 1716), minister of the New Brick Church,1728-1753.  SHG 6:153-58.

1744 October 13 (Saturday).  The Morning was So bright (tho windy) that I hasten’d to Mr. Gees to dissolve the above Obligation of preaching for him and tripp’d to Cambridge to my Horse (our Chaise having been left at Charlestown) and endeavour’d to Come up to my own Flock; but by loosing one pair of Gold Buttons out of my Sleave, and other Impediments I made it sundown before I got to David Hows[1] — and was much Chill’d with the Cold of the Night.  Stopp’d at Mr. Smiths of Marlborough and lodged there.

[1]Proprietor of the Wayside Inn.

1744 October 14 (Sunday).  Lords Day Morning, rose early and was more Comfortable.  Rode up Home and preach’d all Day, repeating (with alterations and additions) Sermon on Mat. 26.41.  This I was prevail’d with to do though I had preach’d ‘em once or Twice before, because they were so seasonable after Grafton Council — and suitable for us likewise seeing Such a Trying Time is before us, next week, when the General Courts Report on our Northside People’s Petition is propos’d to be made.  A Thin Congregation many having thought I would not return from Boston so soon.

1744 October 15 (Monday).  Rode to Cambridge, partly in Company with Mr. Smith of Marlborough.  We din’d at Mr. Woolsons at Weston.  No Buttons found.  I set up Notifications.  So Early at Cambridge that I walk’d from thence to Boston, in Company with one Mr. Shaw shingler, of Boston South end.  Lodg’d at Brother Samuels.

1744 October 16 (Tuesday).  Din’d at Brother Parkman’s.  Our Conversations turn very much upon the Melancholly and afflicted Circumstances of my poor, Miserable Kinsman.  But as to the Affair of Westborough Petitioners, there is little room for me to Say any Thing because our People are grown so jealous that there is my Design in being at Boston so much at this Time, viz. that I may undermine them[1] etc. — whereas this journey was appointed on Occasion of the Ministers Meeting at Mr. Cooks.  At Eve was at Mr. Eliots Lecture on Jam. 5.16, latter part.  N.B. Mr. Buel,[2] Mr. Pomeroy,[3] and Mr. Parsons,[4] of Connecticut at meeting.  I was at Mr. Eliots after Lecture.  N.B. Mr. Whitefield expected at Portsmouth, Piscataqua.  We lodg’d at my aged Mothers.

[1]The north precinct of Westborough was created by the legislature, Oct. 20, 1744.  Distance from the meeting house was one of the important factors  motivating the northside people.  See Josiah C. Kent, Northborough History (Newton, 1921), 14.

[2]Rev. Samuel Buell (YC 1741), an itinerant preacher and later minister at East Hampton, Long Island, 1746-1798.  Dexter, 664-669.

[3]Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy of Hebron, Conn.

[4]Rev. Jonathan Parsons (YC 1729), minister at Old Lyme, Conn., 1729-1745, and later at Newburyport, 1746-1776.  Dexter,389-393.

1744 October 17 (Wednesday).  Din’d at Alexanders.  Refus’d to apply to any Gentlemen of the Court about our Westborough Affair.  Saw divers of the Committees on both Sides.  Lieutenant Holloway very hot.  We rode to Cambridge.  Our Mare in the Chaise got away from Sister Barretts and ran over to Father Champneys.  Broke one of the Thills and clear’d herself of her Tackling.  But I found her again, and Deacon Whittemore[1] Sent over my wife and son in his Chaise to prevent further trouble.

[1]Samuel Whittemore.

1744 October 18 (Thursday).  Rainy.  John and Samuel Hicks helpfull to get over my broken Chaise to Mr. Edward Mannings to be mended.  Din’d at Mr. Whittemore.  P.M. Mr. Manning and Mr. Moss (the Smith) prepar’d and fitted every Thing for the mended Shaft to be put on again.  And in the Eve I visited Mr. Goff, Mr. Appleton[1] and Dr. Wigglesworth,[2] and supp’d with the Doctor before I return’d to Father Champneys.

[1]Rev. Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge.

[2]Edward Wigglesworth, Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard College.

1744 October 19 (Friday).  So rainy that we were confin’d at Father Champneys all Day.

1744 October 20 (Saturday).  Though the weather was thick and Sometimes Misty, yet being Saturday we Set out upon our Journey.  Were at Baldwins by Twelve, at Hows before 2 p.m.  Din’d at Mr. Darlings, and got home by Day Light, in Safety.  The praise to God, who has protected both us and our Family in our Absence.

1744 October 21 (Sunday).  I preach’d on Heb. 10.22, being mainly from what I had deliver’d in Time past though with much alteration and addition.  Eli Forbush[1] and Mrs. Thankfull Maynard[2] here before meeting with their Relations.  P.M. they were admitted before the Communion.  Preach’d p.m. on Mat. 16.26.  I beg it mayn’t be without Effect!

[1]Eli Forbes.  SHG 13.

[2]Mrs. Stephen Maynard.

1744 October 22 (Monday).  Had the Chaise to mend at Mr. Williams Shop before it was carry’d home.  Ebenezer went up with it to Grafton.  N.B. Captain Baker at Mr. Williams Shop.  Hear that the Petition of the North side was last week granted by the General Court.  N.B. Captain Baker and I a great Deal of Talk of the Manner of my first Settlement in Westborough.  Thomas Winchester work’d for Mr. Samuel Fay, junior.  I visited Captain Forbush who is very weak yet.

1744 October 23 (Tuesday).  At Mr. Beemans in the Morning.  Catechiz’d a. and p.m.  N.B. Mrs. Kelley present at the Catechizing.  N.B. Mr. Cornelius Cook here and as violent as ever.  Thomas Winchester carting out Dung from the Cow Yard.

1744 October 24 (Wednesday).  Thomas Winchester carting Dung and clear’d up Rye.  I preach’d at Southborough on John 1.11.  Few at Meeting.  When I return’d home Thomas was gone, and now changes his Home.

1744 October 25 (Thursday).  Mr. Smith having desir’d me to preach for him, but not hearing any Thing from him Since he went to Cape Ann, I rode as far as Mr. Matthias Rice’s with whom I had some Business, that I might be more certain — but could not find from them or from there Nei[gh]bours that any Lecture was appointed — so that I return’d home.

1744 October 26 (Friday).  I preach’d at Mr. James Fays on Eph. 1.4, and hope that through the Grace of God there was Some good Effect.  Wish it may have Suitable Impression upon my own Heart.  A number of hearers immediately requested me to print the Sermon.  N.B Captain John Tainter of Watertown there, with his Wife.

1744 October 27 (Saturday).  Many Reflections on God’s wonderful Patience towards me and his people in this Place.

1744 October 28 (Sunday).  The Lord’s name be prais’d and magnify’d for his adorable Patience and Longsuffering towards Me and towards the Dear Flock in this place, that now we see the 20th Year Completed since our Founding and Ordination.  Alas!  My Barrenness and unprofitableness!  How little good have I done in all these years, and how many Things are amiss also among the people!  O that God would Pardon us through the Greatness of his Mercy!  And Grant us his almighty Grace, to enable us to Repeat, and bring forth the Fruits meet for Repentence.  I preach’d a.m. on Gen. 31.38 and p.m. on 2 Cor. 13.9, Repeating part of Sermon on Heb. 13.20.21.[1]  Captain John Tainter and his wife, with Lieutenants Wife also din’d with us.  O that God would make it the Day of his power with us!

[1]This sermon has been preserved and is printed in large part in DeForest and Bates, Westborough, 126-129.  It is regrettable that Parkman did not take this opportunity to give an historical summary of the previous period.

1744 October 29 (Monday).  Mr. Weld of Upton here.  He Still thinks himself under grievous Oppression.  Want another Copy of our late Result, which I transcrib’d for him and let him have Copys of Several papers.  He din’d here, and p.m. being somewhat rainy he lodg’d here also.  In the Eve Captain Maynard here, and John Oake in order to owning the Covenant.  A.M. visited Mr. Jonathan Forbush’s Sick Child.

1744 October 30 (Tuesday).  A.M. Mr. Weld left us.  P.M. came Mr. Peabody,[1] accompany’d by Deacon Felch[2] and Chickery, on their Journey to Worcester Council.  O what Cause of Grief and Mourning that God has permitted So many unhappy Divisions and Contentions to arise among us!  May God Sanctifie these Evils and hasten them to an End!  New Perplexitys also arise respecting the Affairs of Upton.  The Moderator at the Request of Sundry of the Upton Brethren has issued out Letters for the Council to meet the first Tuesday of November, but it falls out to be the week of West-Leicester Ordination at which Mr. Hall, Prentice and Goddard[3] are to officiate.  So that it was concluded by the people at Upton that there must be another appointment which the Moderator refuses to make, but abides by his old Appointment, and requests me to Certifie Mr. Weld that he does; nor can attend at any other Time, unless it be adjourn’d to Spring.  My Catechetical Exercise with young women could not be attended till it was too late for the Sermon, but the other parts of it were accomplished.

[1]Rev. Oliver Peabody of Natick.

[2]Ebenezer Felch of Natick.

[3]Rev. David Goddard of Leicester.

1744 October 31 (Wednesday).  I went to Mr. Whipples[1] and Deacon Newtons[2] upon the Upton Business.  Wrote to Reverend Mr. Weld and to Ensign Jonathan Wood.[3]  N.B. Serjeant Miller undertook to Convey the Letters to Mr. Jonas Warrins[4] of Upton.  Raw Cold season.  Snow’d some part of the Day.  Daniel How[5] work’d for me, Ploughing up Stubble of the lower Field.

[1]Francis Whipple of Westborough.

[2]Josiah Newton.

[3]A selectman of Upton.

[4]Jonas Warren was a deacon of the Upton church.

[5]Son of Parkman’s neighbor, Hezekiah How.