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.