Month: April 1746

1746 April 1 (Tuesday).  Visited Brother Barrett who has been infirm ever since he came from Cape Briton, but now is very low and wasting.  The Lord grant both him and Me a lively Sense of our frail and perishing Nature, and prepare us for our Dissolution!  Heard that Mrs. Miriam Cheever is Dead.  O that Every Death of those I knew and Convers’d freely with might be a new quickening to Me!  I was with Edmund Trowbridge Esquire^[1] to consult him upon my Case with reference to the arrears of the Town of Westborough, and with respect to our Precincts Votes for my Sallery etc. — and some other Affairs of Difficulty with me at this Time.  Proceeded to Boston; din’d at my Honoured Mothers, who through the Tender Mercy of God is yet Living, though Very feeble and not able to get up to Day till 3 p.m.  Sister Betty much better than when I left her last.  Lodg’d at Brother Alexanders.  N.B. He is hot in Courtship already to Mrs. Rebecca Jarvis — but the Circumstances of his Family are very Urgent.  The God of infinite Wisdom direct him and prevent his too soon forgetting the Great Design of the Sore Chastisement he is under!  N.B. Sent my Horse to Cambridge by Mr. Larkins son.

^[1]Lawyer of Cambridge.

1746 April 2 (Wednesday).  Din’d at Cousen John Parkmans.  N.B. Her Fervency for Children. But Lodg’d with my Kinsman Elias, who is yet with Dr. Delhonde.  N.B. I was at Mrs. Martyns. Here was her son John — with whom I also took a long walk and talk with him about his telling of great and Strange Storys, etc.

1746 April 3 (Thursday).  Visited Mrs. Carns of whom I had (gratis) an old Greek Lexicon, which with my Table Bible I consigned to Mr. Nathaniel Procter to be new bound.  Visited Mr. Gee^[1] who is much impair’d in his Health.  The Lord be gracious to him and restore him!  Such worthy men being (alas!) too scarce.  Was at the Public Lecture. Mr. Webb preach’d on Eph. 4.18.  Din’d at Mr. Quincys^[2] — where was also the Honourable Mr. Danforth^[3] and Mr. Josiah Quincy.^[4]  Was also at Mr. Hubbards.^[5]  At Mr. Daniel Henshaw’s, with Captain Samuel Waterhouse. At Evening Brother Alexander and his Mistress (Mrs. Rebecca Jarvis) at mothers, till late. Lodg’d at Mothers.  I had Sent for my Horse, but kept him this Night at Brother Alexander’s Stable.

^[1]The Reverend Joshua Gee.

^[2]John Quincy (Harvard 1708) of Boston.

^[3]Councillor Samuel Danforth.

^[4](Harvard 1728).  Sibley, VIII, 463-475.

^[5]Nathaniel Hubbard (Harvard 1698), Justice of the Superior Court.  Sibley, IV, 406- 408.

1746 April 4 (Friday).  My Honour’d Mother Decays and I fear whether She will Continue any Long Time.  Her Discourse last Evening whilst Brother Alexander was there, very Noticeable.  Behold I die (Sayd  She) — but God Shall visit you (directing herself to us her Children and having respect to our Children also in Case, that is, that we and ours Should keep the way of the Lord, as She had taught and Commanded us) and Shall be with you, etc. etc. with many Such like words, as the old Patriarch when solemnly taking leave of his Posterity.  The Lord Let these weighty Sayings home upon my, and upon all our Hearts, that they may be ever duly observ’d and kept by us and ours!  I took leave with Great Affection, and with Hearty Gratitude to God and Her.  And O that God most Gracious and all-sufficient would be with her to Support and Comfort her, and safely conduct her to his heavenly and Eternal Kingdom!

 

I broke fast at my Kinsman Hearseys.^[1]  Din’d at Brother Alexander’s.  Improv’d Mrs. Stoddard to buy me a Calamanco Jacket and Breeches.  N.B. Mr. Abbot of Andover at Mrs. Stoddards.  N.B. Kinsman John Parkman presented me a Wigg of Considerable Price.  Sett out upon my Journey from Cousen Procters — it began to Rain, after a drie Time.  Storm increas’d So that I turn’d in at Captain Winchesters — and again at Mr. Richard Gardners^[2] during the Time of Terrible Thunder and Lightening. Lodg’d at Mother Champneys.

^[1]Tabitha Parkman, the Reverend Mr. Parkman’s niece, married Israel Hearsey, Nov. 13, 1740.

^[2]Of Cambridge.

1746 April 5 (Saturday).  Return’d home.  N.B. din’d at Mr. Patersons at Sudbury.  Mr. Cook’s^[1] wife very low — thought to be in a Consumption.  The Lord prepare her for his holy Will!  Found my Family well.  Blessed by God our preserver!  N.B. Thomas Winchester came to work for me last Wednesday noon to make up the month which he fell behind in our Agreement last Year.  N.B. Mr. Stephen Maynard return’d home from the scout to Lake.

^[1]The Reverend William Cooke of Wayland.

1746 April 6 (Sunday).  On Hosea 13.9. Old Sermons which I had too Little Time to Correct, as it happens likewise in many of my Repititions — for though I am not well pleas’d with the Composition of many of my sermons after I have deliver’d them yet am oblig’d to repeat them with too little Alteration.  O that God would pardon my many and great Defects and Miscarriages; and bless my imperfect, mean Endeavours!

1746 April 7 (Monday).  Thomas at work — ploughing stubble.  P.M. Mr. Davis^[1] of Holden lodg’d here.

^[1]The Reverend Joseph Davis.

1746 April 8 (Tuesday).  Mr. Davis and I rode over to Association at Hopkinton.  Mr. Loring,^[1] Mr. Cushing and Mr. Stone^[2] were all (except Two Young Gentlemen) that came besides.  Mr. Seccomb, who was to have deliver’d the Concio, did not come.  Mr. Barrett repeat’d his sermon at Mr. Millens Ordination. Mr. Bridge of Framingham told us a Council call’d by the Dissenting party, was to sit at that place tomorrow, and he desir’d advice.  The advice given him was not to concern himself with them.  The Council which had ordain’d him having sufficiently Examin’d him already.

^[1]The Reverend Israel Loring of Sudbury.

^[2]The Reverend Nathan Stone of Southborough.

1746 April 9 (Wednesday).  Mr. Davis preach’d the Public Lecture on Acts 5.31.  Mr. Loring and Mr. Davis came home with me and lodg’d here.

1746 April 10 (Thursday).  Mr. Davis went home a.m. Mr. Loring preach’d my Lecture on Jer. 23.6.  An Excellent Savoury Sermon. The Lord be pleas’d to make it Savingly usefull and Beneficial to us!  At Evening Mr. Loring went to Marlborough, not without my hearty gratitude for his kind assistance. Lieutenant Tainter came and offer’d to Cutt my Colt which by the Help of Some Persons here he Effected.

1746 April 11 (Friday).  Captain Maynard returns from Boston and brings word that my Honoured Mother grows worse.

1746 April 12 (Saturday).  Fine weather. Thomas Sow’d Barley.  Might Grace Spring in our Hearts!

1746 April 13 (Sunday).  Sacrament. Preach’d a.m. on Luke 24.46.  P.M. Hosea 13.9.  N.B. At Communion we sung Rev. 5.10, at which Mrs. Whitney cry’d out — but we went on without stopping to the End of what was propos’d — and she was still at the Blessing.  O might it please God to give us all a lively sense of his infinite Love and our great Obligations to him therefor!  O that we might walk worthy of him to all well pleasing!  N.B. Deacon Fay, Widow Woods, Mrs. Collister^[1] and Mrs. Bowman^[2] din’d here.  N.B. Many of the North side were absent from Communion.  We were in much Expectation that Mr. Martyn would have brought his wife over to us this Evening — but he came not.

^[1]Mrs. John McCollister of Westborough.

^[2]Mrs. James Bowman.

1746 April 14 (Monday).  Thomas sowing Rye.  Isaac Amsden sues William Rogers junior before Nahum Ward Esquire.  Ebenezer Graffing.^[1]  Mr. James How of Worcester here to buy Cyder.  N.B. his smart Arguing in behalf of the Arminians.^[2]  N.B. My Wife rode over to Mr. Caruth’s.

^[1]Graff is an old variant of graft.

^[2]Believers in the doctrines of Arminius.

1746 April 15 (Tuesday).  Rain a.m. Catechetical Exercises to Young Women — The fore part of what I deliver’d was (without writing) on the Moderator and his Offices in general.  The Latter part on the Office of a Prophet in particular and under that Head improv’d a Considerable part of my sermon on Isa. 61.2, viz the Beginning to Page 7 and the Heads of Application in page 25 and 26, omitting many of the particulars under those Heads.  P.M. My Daughter Sarah taken ill.

1746 April 16 (Wednesday).  A Dark Morning by means of the Storm of Rain — but far darker by means of the Most Sorrowfull Message Receiv’d by Letter from my Brother Samuel Parkman by the Hands of Mr. William Ward of Southborough (My Brother having given Ten Shillings to Convey me the Letter) That last Lords Day Evening about 6 o’Clock our Honoured and dear Mother departed this Life: and that tomorrow was appointed to be the Funeral.  Though we have long had warnings yet O how shocking when at last it comes!  An Excelling Woman, as acknowledg’d by all that I have heard speak of her: Friends or Foes; especially in wisdom and steadiness and Piety.  God was pleas’d to Bless her with a Tenacious Memory, which she had to the last, and remembring recent Facts as well as antient.  God made her a great and rich Blessing to us all, and we had much Happiness in her.  She was one of those Vertuous Women whom her Children think themselves in Duty Bound to rise up and call Blessed.  The Lord be with us in the Great Duty of holy Mourning now incumbent!  We waited while the Rain Slacken’d; and p.m. My Wife and I set out and rode to Marlborough.  At Esquire Brighams^[1] we borrow’d a Chair, and Lodg’d at Dr. Gotts.^[2]

^[1]Joseph Brigham.

^[2]Benjamin Gott, the physician.

1746 April 17 (Thursday).  Just after sun rise we rode from Marlborough to Boston and din’d at Mrs. Keggells.  Hasten’d to Brother Alexanders where we put up our Chair and Horse. The Funeral was put by because of the Fowl weather Yesterday which was thought would prevent my Coming. I went to my Brother Samuels to consult him about Necessary Preparations but hasten’d to take a View of the Dear and much Esteem’d Remains — which though So long breathless were not greatly alter’d from Life.  The Lord Convince Me of my own Frailty, Since most certainly I am the Same as she from whom I came! The Lord prepare me for the awfull Time! In the Evening my Brethren were together at Mothers and we pray’d together. My wife and I lodg’d there.

1746 April 18 (Friday).  Was much engag’d the fore part of the Day in buying black Cloth for a Coat — at length Suited myself at Mr. Lawtons £8 and 5 shillings per yard: improv’d Mr. Owen to make it — but because it was not possible to get it ready for the Funeral, my Brother Samuel was So Friendly as to lend me a Black Coat till my own could be made.  This Eve The Remains of my Honoured Parent were decently interr’d. Mr. Gee not able by reason of illness to be there; but Mr. Webb and Mr. Eliot were. The Bearers were Deacon Procter and Elder Baker, Deacon Hunt and Deacon Townsend, Deacon Larraby and Dr. Archibald. After we return’d and the Company, except near Relations, gone, we again pray’d together.  And O that now both Father and Mother Forsake us the Lord would take us up! N.B. Mr. Gee (by means of Deacon Larraby) Sent to me to preach for him next Sabbath — which I was not against if I did preach any where in Town. Lodg’d at sister Bettys.

1746 April 19 (Saturday).  Din’d at Brother Parkmans. Mr. Eliot Sent me a Messenger to Desire me to preach for him one part of the Day tomorrow, upon which I made him a Visit — and declin’d preaching for him at this Time because I felt but feeble and doubted whether I should be able to preach all Day for my Brethren expected me to give them some Exercise at Evening.  I also Visited Mr. Gee who was in a low state of Health. Lodg’d at the Same.

1746 April 20 (Sunday).  I preach’d at the Old North a.m. on Rom. 6.13, middle Clause.  But yield themselves unto God, etc. Mr. Maccarty p.m. there on [blank].  N.B. din’d at Mr. Gees — and my wife there with me after meeting at Eve, From whence we went to sister Willards, where my late honoured Mother dwelt, and I had an Exercise to my Brethren and other Relatives on John 3.23 latter part.  May God make these Exercises usefull to us in our Sorrow and Mourning under our sore Bereavement! We lodg’d there. N.B. Brother Alexander brings Cousen Rebecca Jarvis freely among us, and she was with us this Evening.

1746 April 20 (Sunday).  I preach’d at the Old North a.m. on Rom. 6.13, middle Clause.  But yield themselves unto God, etc. Mr. Maccarty p.m. there on [blank].  N.B. din’d at Mr. Gees — and my wife there with me after meeting at Eve, From whence we went to sister Willards, where my late honoured Mother dwelt, and I had an Exercise to my Brethren and other Relatives on John 3.23 latter part.  May God make these Exercises usefull to us in our Sorrow and Mourning under our sore Bereavement! We lodg’d there. N.B. Brother Alexander brings Cousen Rebecca Jarvis freely among us, and she was with us this Evening.

1746 April 21 (Monday).  Mr. Owen finish’d my Coat at Evening.  After Sundry Visits in the Day I met my Brethren at sister Willards to read our Honoured Mothers Last Will and Testament, and attend upon the Duty Consequent, Particularly we valued the negro Pito: and as my Mother had given him leave to choose which of us should be his Master, he chose Brother Samuel — who took possession of him.  N.B. p.m. we were at Mr. Eliots and Mr. Robert Brecks, etc. etc.

1746 April 22 (Tuesday).  We din’d at Brother Samuels and Mr. Jabez Fox^[1] of Casco with us, who informs us of the Mischief done by the Indians at Gorham Town.  4 killed and 3 carry’d Captive.  At Eve we Supp’d at Brother Samuels with Brother Alexander and Mrs. Rebecca Jarvis — and lodg’d there.

^[1](Harvard 1727).

1746 April 23 (Wednesday).  My Horse for several Nights kept at my Kinsman Procters.  We mounted from Brother Alexanders — din’d at Mrs. Keggells — made a visit at Judge Dudleys,^[1] and proceeded to Cambridge before Night.

^[1]Paul Dudley, Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature.

1746 April 24 (Thursday).  Brother Hicks Set out from Cambridge with us.  We rode to Dr. Gotts, and to Esquire Brighams, where we left our Chair.  Captain Maynard there. Sorrowfull News of Mr. Antipas Brighams Death at Grafton.  Some bad News also from our own Family at Westborough That a few Days agoe my Young Cow (whose Calf was newly kill’d for the sake of the Milk) was a few Nights agoe drown’d in Mr. Barns’s Swamp.  We ourselves got home well, and found our Children and Whole Family Well; Sarah whom we left not well, comfortable, and Suse well wean’d. Blessed be God!

1746 April 25 (Friday).  Mr. John Brown^[1] from Cambridge here and lodg’d here.  Tells us the sorrowfull News of upper Ashuelot besett by the Indians, and several Houses there in Flames.  May God be mercifully present with them and save them and especially with Mr. Bacon^[2] in this distressing time.

^[1]John Brown, Jr. (Harvard 1741), was later the minister at Cohasset, 1747-1791.  Sibley, XI, 12-17.

^[2]The Reverend Jacob Bacon.

1746 April 26 (Saturday).  Mr. Brown to Worcester where he preaches.

1746 April 27 (Sunday).  On the Occasion of the Death of my Honoured Mother, and Several other Bereavments (Ex. gr. Captain Forbush and Mrs. Byles mourn for the Loss of their sister Bruce and Ensign Bruce and Mrs. Miller the Loss of their Mother; Captain Baker and Captain Maynard and their wives the Death of their Brother Antipas Brigham, and Bezaliel Smith and wife the Loss of one of their Children) I preach’d a.m. on Rev. 14.13, and p.m. on Ps. 27.10.  May it please God to Concurr with both the Word and the Providence.

1746 April 28 (Monday).  Mr. Martyn^[1] here.  He tells me the Day for his Ordination is appoint’d, and Church to assist are chose.  N.B. he asks me to preach on that Solemn occasion.  He din’d here.  P.M. he was to meet a number of Brethren who are preparing Letters to be Sent to the Churches, and he is about his Trading for a place to live on.

^[1]The Reverend John Martyn of the north precinct.

1746 April 29 (Tuesday).  I Catechiz’d at the School House — about 45 Children.  Visited at Mr. Childs, at Mr. Whitneys, Mr. Millers (whose wife is Sick yet) and at Mr. Daniel Forbush’s.

1746 April 30 (Wednesday).  A Number of Brethren from the North side here, viz. Messrs. Townsend, Allen and his Son, Matthias Rice and Silas Fay: and with them Mr. John McCollister desiring to be dismiss’d and recommended to the building a Church of Christ in the North part of the Town.  I mention’d to them their Delinquency on Communion Days, their Injustice towards me respecting the arrears which were due to me from the Town, and the securing to me the Material [ministerial?] Rights. At Length came Mr. Wheeler, James Ball and Jacob Rice, who were opposite to the former and to their proceedings.  Mr. Ball mention’d his Desire of a Church Meeting in order to have Some Conference and to sett all Things to Rights before we Divide and his proposal of a Meeting was agreed to.