Month: February 1745

1745 February 1 (Friday).  More Moderate Air.  Clear and pleasant for the Season though Somewhat Cold.  Ebenezer Maynard came from Boston Yesterday.  Brought up several Pamphlets against Mr. Whitefield — of whom (and Fresh Provisions) he says, the Town is full.  Two Essex associations Letters to the Ministers of Boston,[1] and the Determination of the Association at Cambridge.  Mr. Nathaniel Henchman[2] of Lyn, his Letter[3] to Mr. Chase[4] of Lyn End against Mr. Whitefield.  But have not yet Seen Mr. Foxcrofts Apology.[5]  The world much divided.  Laudatur ab his Culpatur ab illis.  God grant us Wisdom, Grace and Peace!

[1]Caleb Cushing, et al., A Letter From Two Neighbouring Associations of Ministers in the Country…Relating to the Admission of Mr. Whitefield into Their Pulpits (Boston, 1745).

[2](HC 1717), minister of Lynn, 1720-1761. SHG 6:192-195.

[3]Reasons Offered by Mr. Nathaniel Henchman…for Declining to Admit Mr. Whitefield into his Pulpit [with an introductory note by Stephen Chase] (Boston, 1745).

[4]Rev. Stephen Chase (HC 1728), minister of Lynnfield, 1731-1747, was also hostile to Whitefield. SHG 8:382-385.

[5]Thomas Foxcroft, An Apology on Behalf of the Reverend Mr. Whitefield (Boston, 1745).

1745 February 2 (Saturday).  Pleasant Day though Somewhat Cold.  Mr. George Smith the Taylor brought home a Great Coat which he had made for Ebenezer.  His work 11/.

1745 February 3 (Sunday).  On Luke 12.15.  Repeat’d p.m. on Ps. 73.25.  Mr. Jenison and Mr. Tainter and Mrs. Biglo.  At Eve Lieutenant Tainters Sister Hastings here.

1745 February 4 (Monday).  A Beggar whose Feet had been froze, and one Cutt wholly off, the other all the Toes, here, his Name John Green, his Home Hartford.  I could not but Sympathize with him.  The Lord make me thankfull for my Limbs and faithful in improving them to the Divine Glory.  Brother Hicks and his wife here going to Cambridge.  Mrs. Martha Warrin here further to Discourse concerning her Admission into the Church.  At Evening Reverend Prentice of Grafton, and his Wife, with their son Solomon here.  Supp’d with me and return’d to Mr. Winchesters in order to their going Home.

1745 February 5 (Tuesday).  I visited Mr. Samuel Fays (Junior) Wife, who lyes Still in her Languishment.  P.M. The First Precinct Met to See whether they would by a publick Vote manifest their Desire of my Continuing their Minister; which Vote pass’d by Every one present.  Also money for Support till next June, and that the Precinct would take upon them the Obligations which the Town were under.  N.B. A Considerable Number of the precinct were dissatisfy’d with the Warnings of the meeting, posted upon the Meeting House Door, which stood there on the Sabbath, and therefore did not care to be present — but came to my House; or if they were at the Meeting House at any Time, retir’d from acting in the Affair.  Messrs. Miller, Whitney, Jonah Warrin, Beriah Rice, Stephen Fay, etc. were of those who esteem’d the notification of the Precinct Meeting to be a Breach of the Sabbath.

1745 February 6 (Wednesday).  Zipporah Wheeler[1] marry’d to Asaph Wilder[2] of Lancaster.  Mrs. Baker here again in order to her joining in full Communion with the Church.  A Committee from the first precinct to acquaint me with how far they proceeded at the late meeting — and to Consult me about what Distance from a Meeting House I could be easy with meeting.  Training, on the South side.  Was Requested by Lieutenant Forbush (Captain Baker being at Court) to be with them at Captain Fays — Pray with them and Dine among them — which I did.  Mr. Jenison was there also.  N.B. A Young Man there who came from the Town of Preston in Connecticutt who was much in Defence of Mr. Pain etc.  The Proclamation was read to the Company by Lieutenant Forbush encouraging Men to ‘List Volunteers in the Expedition to Cape Breton.  But no one ‘listed.  N.B. Cornelius Cook[3] talk’d with but in Vain.  At Eve in at Mr. Williams’s.  Conversation turn’d upon the Business of the Precinct tomorrow.

[1]Daughter of Joseph Wheeler of Westborough.

[2]Son of the late Col. James Wilder, who had been a deacon of the Lancaster church.

[3]Westborough’s profane and cantankerous blacksmith.

1745 February 7 (Thursday).  [No entry.]

1745 February 8 (Friday).  I Solemnly committed to God the Business and Affairs of the Precinct this Day — and besought the Divine Direction in the drawing up my Thoughts which the precinct had desir’d Me to Send them.  I drew them up and Sent them by Mr. Abner Newton (one of the Committee).  N.B. Captain Maynards Company together afternoon and I pray’d with them.  No one ‘listed.  The Precinct Met also this afternoon, by adjournment.  N.B. Those who excepted against the Notification (as above) would not attend.  At Eve Deacon Newton and Mr. Francis Whipple, Deacon Forbush, Mr. Abner Newton and others came to my House, and Deacon Newton Said that the Precinct had not appointed a Committee to wait upon me, for it was growing nigh Dark, but they desir’d their Moderator and Clark to come and give me an Account of what they had done, and they were now come accordingly.  And then he desir’d Clark Whipple to read the Votes which had been pass’d that Day; who comply’d and read that the Precinct had voted £55 of New Tenor money (not Soldier money) to be my Yearly sallery from June 5 next — and that in Case the Meeting House be mov’d about 3/4 of a Mile from Me, that then the Precinct pay me £500 old Tenor.  Upon which they dissolv’d the Meeting.  It appear’d to me to be of God that they were so ready to provide for me, as the last meeting they were so universal in their Desire of my Continuance.[1]  At Eve Brother and sister Hicks from Cambridge who inform that Father Champney has been ill, but is better.  That Mrs. Suse Champney[2] dy’d at Hingham, etc. etc.

[1]See DeForest and Bates, Westborough, 131.

[2]Susanna was a cousin of Parkman’s first wife.

1745 February 9 (Saturday).  Brother and sister went home to Sutton.  Mr. Joseph Batchellor of Grafton here, Who agreed to take my Son Thomme a Prentice next April.

1745 February 10 (Sunday).  Luke 12.15.  Ps. 73.25.  Granny Forbush[1] din’d here.  At Eve Thomas Winchester and Sarah Henry a Taylor, Stopp’d and lodg’d here.  N.B. I propounded Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Warrin and appointed a Meeting to be next Thursday at Mr. Solomon Rice’s in Upton.  Cold Day.

[1]Widow of Thomas Forbush of Westborough.

1745 February 11 (Monday).  Ebenezer who came home on Saturday last return’d to the School again this Morning.  Thomas thrash’d Barley and Sarah Henry making a Coat for Ebenezer.

1745 February 12 (Tuesday).  Thomas thrashing Barley.  Sarah at work.  P.M. Mr. A. Hardy of Grafton here.

1745 February 13 (Wednesday).  Thomas and Sarah at Work.  Visited at Charles Bruce’s and Mr. David Brighams.  Mr. John Oakes Wife here again in Order to her being propounded and having her Child baptiz’d, but am oblig’d still to delay gratifying her, not finding her acquainted with what is necessary to be known and understood of the main Principles of Religion.  At night Thomas and Sarah went home.

1745 February 14 (Thursday).  I rode to Mr. Solomon Rice’s, at Upton and preach’d there on Rom. 8.7.  The Lord add his effectual Blessing!  N.B. Molly went with me.  We design’d to have gone by Mr. Eliezer Rice’s, but miss’d my way and went to Mr. Timothy Warrins — and they being at Dinner, we din’d there.  But I rode up to Mr. Eliezer Rice’s because I had told him of my coming to his House to Day.  When we return’d at Eve I visited Mr. Daniel Forbush’s wife who was confin’d and greatly distress’d, and Expecting (at her Time) much Danger and Difficulty as her Circumstances are.  Was also at Lieutenant Tainters, and Molly not well, but we (through Divine Favour) got home safe.

1745 February 15 (Friday).  Town Meeting to see if the Town would make an Answer to the North side’s second Petition to the General Court; and voted it, and Captain Warrin, Mr. Francis Whipple, and Deacon Newton to be the Committee.  Mr. Daniel Warrin trimming my Orchard.  N.B. My wife has been generally much indispos’d for a Month or Two past, and grows much more uncomfortable — and is particularly very much so today.

1745 February 16 (Saturday).  A Thaw.  High South Winds; Misty — the Snow gone.  Ebenezer came home.

1745 February 17 (Sunday).  On Luke 12.15 and p.m. on 1 Tim. 6.2 those words — Partakers of the Benefit and therefrom repeated part of sermon on Eph. 3.8th, viz. from page 17 to page 24.  Mr. Jenison, Mrs. Tainter and Mrs. Child din’d with us.

1745 February 18 (Monday).  This Day The Committee from the Northside were with me to receive my determinate answer[1] to their Message on December 10 to go over and be their Minister.  Lieutenant Holloway and Mr. Collister[2] here, but Mr. Matthias Rice did not come.  Those who were here gave me their Bond for Security of £12, 10 s.  I dealt somewhat freely with them about their last Petition to the Court and warn’d them against Unrighteousness and against Divisions, but wish I had been more faithfull on the Affair of the Petition, notwithstanding that I had it over with them time after Time.  Mr. Dan Warrin trimming my Orchards.  A Number of hands cutting and Carting Wood for me, viz. Benjamin Whipple with a Yoke of Oxen made up my Team.  Mr. Benjamin Fay with his Cart and 2 Yoke of Oxen, and Jonas Brigham with his Cart and 2 Yoke.  The Cutters were Mr. Harrington, Dunlop, Edwards Whipple, Noah How, Sam Baker, Silas Pratt, Levi Brigham, [blank] White, Charles and Artemas Bruce, Moses Warren, and Samuel Bumpso.  And they got to my Door 50 Load of Wood.  N.B. At Eve Samuel Baker discours’d with me touching his admission into the Church, but not without some Disputing on Visible and Real Right to Special Ordinances.  Ebenezer return’d to the School.

[1]Parkman declined the offer of the northside people in his “determinate answer” which is printed in Kent, Northborough History, 22-23. The northside committee reported Feb. 21, 1745: “we have accordingly applied ourselves to the Reverend Mr. Parkman, and he hath chose to Tack the Twelve pound Ten Shillings, and we have accordingly given bond to the said Mr. Parkman of L12.10s. to be paid by the first Day of May Nexte in sewing.”

[2]John McCollister.

1745 February 18 (Monday).  This Day The Committee from the Northside were with me to receive my determinate answer[1] to their Message on December 10 to go over and be their Minister.  Lieutenant Holloway and Mr. Collister[2] here, but Mr. Matthias Rice did not come.  Those who were here gave me their Bond for Security of £12, 10 s.  I dealt somewhat freely with them about their last Petition to the Court and warn’d them against Unrighteousness and against Divisions, but wish I had been more faithfull on the Affair of the Petition, notwithstanding that I had it over with them time after Time.  Mr. Dan Warrin trimming my Orchards.  A Number of hands cutting and Carting Wood for me, viz. Benjamin Whipple with a Yoke of Oxen made up my Team.  Mr. Benjamin Fay with his Cart and 2 Yoke of Oxen, and Jonas Brigham with his Cart and 2 Yoke.  The Cutters were Mr. Harrington, Dunlop, Edwards Whipple, Noah How, Sam Baker, Silas Pratt, Levi Brigham, [blank] White, Charles and Artemas Bruce, Moses Warren, and Samuel Bumpso.  And they got to my Door 50 Load of Wood.  N.B. At Eve Samuel Baker discours’d with me touching his admission into the Church, but not without some Disputing on Visible and Real Right to Special Ordinances.  Ebenezer return’d to the School.

[1]Parkman declined the offer of the northside people in his “determinate answer” which is printed in Kent, Northborough History, 22-23. The northside committee reported Feb. 21, 1745: “we have accordingly applied ourselves to the Reverend Mr. Parkman, and he hath chose to Tack the Twelve pound Ten Shillings, and we have accordingly given bond to the said Mr. Parkman of L12.10s. to be paid by the first Day of May Nexte in sewing.”

[2]John McCollister.

1745 February 20 (Wednesday).  I rode to Mr. Matthias Rice’s, and to Mr. Thomas Goodenows but neither of them at home, I convers’d a while with the women at each House, and then proceeded to Mr. Allen’s,[1] Mrs. Allen continuing in a Very disquieted, disorder’d State.  I also visited at Captain Eagers to discharge my Duty to both Parents and Children under their Sad Fall, their Daughter Oake having lain in already and got about again.

[1]Ephraim Allen of the northside.

1745 February 21 (Thursday).  My wife very hardly able to be about.  Read Dr. Prestons Life.[1]

[1]Thomas Ball, The Life of Doctor Preston (London, 1641). John Preston (1587-1628) was the master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge University.

1745 February 22 (Friday).  Mr. Upham[1] of Sturbridge here — din’d with us.  Trundle Bedstead from Mr. Hows.  Was Strenuous to have my preparations for the Sabbath in good Season, yet by Various hindrances much taken off.

[1]Ezekiel Upham.

1745 February 23 (Saturday).  Mr. Matthias Rice here to take my Advice about a Preacher for the North Precinct.  N.B. Our Conversation about Mr. Jenison, whom I could not recommend to them because of diverse Complaints in Neighbouring Towns.  See January 1.  Ensign Josiah Rice has been here to request my advice about his and others (Captives as they are Call’d) petitioning the General Court again that they may be Excepted out of the North Precinct.  Ebenezer came home.  Thomme brought 49 lb. of cheese from Mr. Jabez Rice’s.

1745 February 24 (Sunday).  On Luke 12.15.  P.M. on Isa. 5.4.  Old Mr. Bellows and Granny Forbush din’d here.

1745 February 25 (Monday).  Captain Daniel Ward of Worcester here.  Further talk with Mr. Cornelius Cook who remains very disorderly and under bitter prejudices.  Ebenezer at Home.  Mr. Jenison gone to Watertown.  The Committee appointed by the Town to make answer to the North precincts Second Petition to the General Court, went to Boston.  I wrote by them to my Brother Parkman.

1745 February 26 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1745 February 27 (Wednesday).  Very Cold.

1745 February 28 (Thursday).  Public Fast on Occasion of the Expedition to Cape Briton, as well as the Ensuing Spring.  On Joshua 7.4.13.  P.M. on Isa. 1.19.20.  Mr. Jenison (Schoolmaster) was not at meeting, being not well.