Month: January 1746

1774 January 11 (Tuesday).  Write Several Letters: particularly to Mr. Daniel McAllister: his Dismission with his Wife’s, to the Society of Myrifield (as he writes it), and at his Desire a Copy of our Church Covenant.  I inclosed them in a Letter to Rev. Jones of Western, requesting Some Account this Mr. Isaac Jones, who preaches to my Neighbours.  Read part of Dr. Watts of the Glorys of Christ.  At Eve Breck and John ride in the sleigh to Shrewsbury, and return.

1746 January 2 (Thursday).  Continued my Review of my old Journals, for my deep Abasement and Sorrow before God.  Lord, remember not against me the sins of my Youth and my Transgressions. After thy Mercy remember me, for they Graciousness sake, O Lord!

1746 January 3 (Friday).  Thomas Winchester and Ebenezer gett out Flax. More moderate weather.

1746 January 4 (Saturday).  Thomas and Ebenezer thrash’d Rye.  Ebenezer was hurt on his Eye and Cheek Bone by the breaking of Thomas’s Swingill, or beating his own against him.  Little Suse begins to go alone. Weather Pleasant.

1746 January 5 (Sunday).  On Heb. 9.27, former part.  May God be pleas’d to add his Special Blessing, that this Serious Subject may suitably affect both me and the people!

1746 January 6 (Monday).  Mr. Martyn came to see me; din’d with me and spent the Afternoon.  Tells me has not determin’d what he shall do with regard to our North Side, purposes to Visit the disaffected, and particularly Mr. Wheeler,^[1] that he may know the better what to do.  N.B. Lieutenant Thomas Forbush and Mr. Simon Goddard of Shrewsbury here.

^[1]Joseph Wheeler.

1746 January 7 (Tuesday).  Sent a Letter by Ebenezer Maynard to Messrs. Rogers and Fowle for December Magazine, and to let them know that I would have them Sent no longer.  Another Letter by the Same Hand for my Portmantle at Cousin Proctors, in which I expect Cloth for a great Coat, provided for me, by Brother Alexander.  Sent 5 Musk Squash Skins to Mr. Eaton, Hatter at Boston, by Noah How. Thomas Winchester breaking Flax and Ebenezer Shingles. Moderate and bright, but Exceeding high winds, p.m.

1746 January 8 (Wednesday).  Mr. Hall of Sutton preach’d a Lecture to Young People on 1 K. 18.12.  Several from other Towns at Meeting.  After Meeting Ward^[1] (Colonel Nahums son) from College with his Two sisters, viz. Mrs. Eager and Mrs. Patty Ward, here.  Mr. Hall went home. Mr. Benjamin Burnap and Mr. James Fay spent the Eve here.  N.B. Mr. Fay has not been at our Meeting for a number of sabbaths (I think 3) but that I might have no Jarr at this Time I Said Nothing to him about it.  Thomas Winchester thrash’d a.m.  Bright though Somewhat Cold.

^[1]Artemas Ward, the future general.

1746 January 9 (Thursday).  I read various Things — Dickinsons Letters — Magazine — Tillotson — Hopkins^[1] — Richard Taylor^[2] on Eph. 2.8.  Thomas Thrashing.  Receiv’d a Blue Great Coat from Brother Alexander at Boston per Ebenezer Maynard.  Stormy.  Snow — Rain.

^[1]Probably a work by the English minister, Ezekiel Hopkins (1633-1690).

^[2]A work by the English Dissenter of London who died about 1717.

1746 January 10 (Friday).  Thomas Thrashing Rye Still.  Ebenezer daily with him. Thomas and I reckon’d up the Loss Time which he had agreed to make up, and there is due to me (on that Account) 26 this Evening.  That is, 6 more of these Winter Days. Exceeding Cold Night.

1746 January 11 (Saturday).  Thomas and Ebenezer dressing Flax. Pleasant but Cold Day.  Lieutenant Tainter here — he brought the Journal which contains Father Patrick Graham, Almoner and Confessor to the Young Pretender, his Letter to Father Benedict York, giving an account of their proceedings, successes and Designs.

1746 January 12 (Sunday).  Pleasant. A.M. on John 17.15.  Repeating from page 15 to 19 of Sermon on Jer. 2.19.  P.M. on Eph. 2.8. My Wife not well — could Scarce tarry at Meeting during the forenoon Exercise, but was not able to go to Meeting at all p.m. At Eve Very much of a Fever.

1746 January 13 (Monday).  My Wife somewhat better a.m. (having been sweated the Night before).  I rode to Mr. Jesse Rice’s at Marlborough to talk with him about the Bond which I gave his Father (now deceas’d) for £50 Old Tenor.  Borrow’d of him Fenner on Conscience.^[1]  At my Return home found my Wife was grown Very ill again, the Fever strong upon her.  Mrs. Maynard here and took Suse down to their House, her daughter in law being able to suckle.  N.B. Mr. Brown^[2] of Cambridge (young Preacher) from Worcester here whilst I was gone to Marlborough, as was also Mr. Millen^[3] of Chauxit.  They inform that Mr. Morse^[4] of North Shrewsbury carry’d home his wife last Tuesday.  N.B. At Eve came Esquire Williams of Stockbridge and Mr. Lydius of Albany and lodg’d here.  And Captain Ephraim Williams junior and his Brother Thomas at Captain Maynards.  Sent for the Latter to Visit my wife, who accordingly came.  He thinks She is going to have the long Fever.  The forenam’d Gentlemen are going to Boston to promote an Expedition against Crown Point.

^[1]William Fenner, The Soul’s Looking-Glasse . . . tvith a Treatise of Conscience (Cambridge, 1640).

^[2]John Brown (Harvard 1741), later the minister of Cohasset, 1747-1791.  Sibley, XI, 12-17.

^[3]The Reverend John Mellen of Sterling.

^[4]The Reverend Ebenezer Morse of Boylston.

1746 January 14 (Tuesday).  Our Company prosecuted their Journey to Boston.  Sent Thome to Dr. Gotts and Mr. Britons.^[1]  Dr. Gott came, but my Wife was better.  Thanks to God!  Neighbour Samuel Hardy came late a.m. to Swingle Flax.  P.M. he join’d with a Number that were here to get me some Wood, for Lieutenant Tainter and Neighbour Samuel Harrington were here yesterday while I was absent, and rigg’d up my Sled, and they Two, with Neighbour Hezekiah Pratt (who brought a Team of Oxen), Beriah Rice, and Eleazer Rice, came and got me a Pile of Wood.  N.B. Neighbour Sam Hardy join’d them.  P.M. At Eve we sent for Suse home from Captain Maynards.

^[1]John Britain of Marlborough.

1746 January 15 (Wednesday).  Rode to Neighbour Cooks on purpose to talk with him, but I found Neighbours Josselin^[1] and Belknap there, for which Reason I proceeded further to visit the South East Corner.  N.B. Mr. Belknap walk’d with me and we had Some Conversation about Mr. Cook.  He told me Mr. Cook had desir’d him some Time ago to go up with him to my House.  I pray’d him to meet me towards Eve at Mr. Cooks — he consented.  He told me likewise that he himself had been admitted into the Southborough Church.  I went to Mr. Bradish’s and pray’d him to meet me at Mr. Cooks by and by (he being also a Man that I knew Mr. Cook would ken to).  Visited Mr. Jonathan Bellows Family; he was not at Home.  I din’d at Mr. Chamberlains.  At Parting he told me that Mr. Cook had heretofore desir’d him to go up with him to discourse with me, and upon that I told him I Should be glad to see him at Neighbour Cooks this Very Evening.  Visited Neighbours Ithamar Bellows and Family and Josselin’s.  Afterward I return’d to Mr. Cooks, found the Three Men aforesaid there.  I acquaint’d them with my Conduct towards Neighbour Cook in my proceedings with him; and intimated what his had been towards Me.  He also made his Replys; in his own boisterous and coarse manner, and the Brethren mediated and endeavour’d to bring him to a right Understanding and Submission; but (whilst I was there) in Vain.  I lamented my unsuccessfullness in my Attempts: and at Parting offer’d him my Hand in Token of my readiness to be reconcil’d if he would Comply; but ineffectually.  When I was mounted on my Horse to return home, he came out and seem’d to express his desire of Forgiveness; and thereupon — giving him my Hand told him I was willing if he acknowledg’d, and was Sorry for his undutifull Conduct towards me in Time past, and would Carry it (by the Help of Grace) in a Suitable Manner becoming his Relation to me, for the future.  This he seem’d once to Consent to, but afterwards drew back from it; and Seem’d to expect an acknowledgment from Me also with regard to my Carriage towards him — which I could see no ground for; and ask’d whether it could be expected when I admonish’d those under my Pastoral Care whom I found defective, if it came Close to them and they should frett at it if it was no more than was necessary for them, and my own indispensible Duty?  I left him with the Brethren, hoping that if he was truely Sensible, and reform’d I Should know it; but any thing that was only Sudden and Strain, would (I conceiv’d) not last long.  N.B. his unaccountable ways of Softening his Several harsh allegations against me, and heavy Complaints of me from Time to Time.  Exceeding great his Explanation of his Saying “I had abus’d him more than any Man in the world — why,” he said, “one word from me, from Mr. Parkman was worse than any body else could Speak.”  Again, when he told me that a main Thing he had against me was “That I was an Enemy of the Work of God.”  This he said he meant thus, that we all had naturally an Enmity against God and his work: and the minister being at Variance one with another was a great Hindrance and discouragement, and that I had taken Such ways and methods as he could not judge were so prudent and fit to promote the Work of the late Times: and he likewise endeavor’d to enervate and interpret away his Strange Message by Noah How to me, “that he felt So towards me and Sometimes that he could Bite Me.” Nothing being effected, nor much prospect of it, and my wife being ill at Home, I came home.

^[1]Joseph Joslin.

1746 January 16 (Thursday).  My Wife took Physic, though unsuitable Wett Weather.  At Eve Jonas Brigham was marry’d to Persis Baker.  Have read out Fullers Church History of Britain.^[1]

^[1]Thomas Fuller, The Church-History of Britain (London, 1655).

1746 January 17 (Friday).  My Wife continues ill, her Physic does not cease Working.

1746 January 18 (Saturday).  I thought to have writ Something respecting our Controversie with the Church of Rome, and reasons against the Pretender — but my incumbrances etc.

1746 January 19 (Sunday).  Lieutenant Tainter came and inform’d Me that Sister Esther, my Brother Alexanders Wife dy’d on the 12th at Night, and was bury’d on Wednesday following.  The Lord sanctifye his holy Hand to us all, but especially to my poor Brother and his only Child as they need Special Grace at Such a Time! A.M. on Eph. 2.8. P.M. on Ps. 90.1, because of the Troubles in England. My wife somewhat Better.  Mrs. Kimball of Hopkinton din’d with us.

1746 January 20 (Monday).  Thomme to Mr. Barretts for Dr. Edwards Exposition on the Commandments.^[1]  Old Mr. Maynard here and wants I Should write his will over again a Third Time, which displeas’d me.  Neighbour David Maynard junior, John Rogers, and Richard Barns kill’d Two Hoggs for me — one weigh’d 242.  The other 224 when they were warm.

^[1]A work of the great English Calvinist divine, John Edwards (1637-1716).

1746 January 21 (Tuesday).  Very moderate weather. My wife not well yet, by reason of a Blister on her ankle, which does not heal up, but makes her very Lame.  Captain Maynard at Evening.

1746 January 22 (Wednesday).  Pleasant.  Wrote to my Brother Alexander by Captain Maynard.  Mr. Stratton^[1] of Waltham here: He and his son Harrington din’d with me.

^[1]Several Strattons lived in Waltham at this time.  Edmund L. Sanderson, Waltham as a Precinct of Watertown and as a Town (Waltham, 1936), pp. 138-140.

1746 January 23 (Thursday).  Sebastian Smith (the Spaniard) din’d here.  Mr. John Garfield^[1] came to acquaint me with the Death of one of the Twin Children of Mr. Daniel Warrin of Shrewsbury.  At Eve Mr. Bowker here, likewise Mr. Aaron Hardy of Grafton.  N.B. Reckon’d with Thomas Winchester and paid him all — and £4 old Tenor of Interest for his forbearance.

^[1]Of Shrewsbury.

1746 January 24 (Friday).  At the Funeral of Mr. Daniel Warrins Child.

1746 January 25 (Saturday).  Smart Storm — Snow, Wind, Rain, Hail, Thunder and Lightning.  Captain Maynard here.

1746 January 26 (Sunday).  On Ps. 68.1.  On Occasion of the Rebellion in Scotland.  Mr. Stratton of Waltham and Granny Forbush^[1] din’d here.  May we all be Convinc’d what Enemies of God We naturally are and may we obtain the renewing Grace of God that we may throw down our arms and submitt ourselves to Him!

^[1]Widow of Thomas Forbush.

1746 January 27 (Monday).  At Neighbour Hardys and Rogers’s in the Morning — rode to Eleazer Pratts p.m. and round by Bezaleel Smiths through a swamp over to Mr. Samuel Fay junior.  N.B. his wife after above Two Years Confinement got about again. But their Youngest Child sick. When I came home Mr. Stephen Fay here. He is Still disturb’d about my having Minutes of what pass’d between his wife and me May 3, 1744, and divers other Things came in.  ‘Tis Matter of Grief that we are so frequently in Jarrs. The Lord pardon us for his Names sake!

1746 January 28 (Tuesday).  A.M. at Ensign Bruce’s and Mr. Beeman’s.  P.M. sent for to go to Mr. William Nurse’s to see several Children Sick of the Throat Distemper.  In returning call’d at Mr. Stephen Fays — and (he being present) I put sundry close Inquirys to his wife offering to the oath that if She consent’d to the Substance of what had been written and did abide by that Reconcilement which was September 26 last I would blot out her name, but she would not make answer though repeatedly desir’d.  Her Husband and I more happy in our Agreement by far than I expected.

1746 January 29 (Wednesday).  Ante Meridiem: Recollections and Humilliations and [illegible] But was grievously interrupted by Dr. Gotts Mother (Mrs. Fairfield), Sally Gott and her Brother Benjamin as likewise Dr. Breck, all coming in a stormy Time (Raining hard) to see us, and I could not keep my Retirement.  But I remember the wormwood and the Gall this Day Ten Years agoe.^[1]  But how amazing the Divine Longsuffering towards Me who am most unworthy!

^[1]The anniversary of the first Mrs. Parkman’s death.

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1746 January 30 (Thursday).  They all lodg’d here. Dr. Breck to Boston.  Mrs. Fairfield and the rest din’d with us, and toward Eve they return’d to Marlborough.  At Eve Mr. Williams and Winchester here. Wrote Two Letters for Mr. Winchester. Late in the Evening came Captain Ephraim Williams junior — supp’d with me and hasten’d to Captain Maynards and he lodg’d there.

1746 January 31 (Friday).  Mr. Samuel Hardy and William Rogers junior Swingling Flax.  At Evening Mr. Phinehas Hardy of Grafton, who tells me that he and Mr. James Fay have exchang’d places.  N.B. Mr. Fay has left us for many sabbaths.