Month: May 1747

May 1, 1747

1747 May 1 (Friday).  A.M. I rode to Shrewsbury after my Two Yearlings which yesterday follow’d Moses Brigham’s Drove — but stopp’d at Shrewsbury by Major Keys’s.  I obtain’d of the Major to take em in his pasture till I could send for ‘em. Din’d at home. Noah How at work for me.

May 3, 1747

1747 May 3 (Sunday).  I preach’d at Shrewsbury a.m. on 2 Cor. 3.15 and p.m. 10.14 and 17.  It rain’d at Eve yet both Mr. Cushing and I return’d home. Mr. Cushing preach’d at Westborough and propounded my Daughter Mary to be join’d in full Communion with the Church.  Blessed be God for such Tokens of his Grace as are appearing in her! O that they might be increas’d more and more!

May 5, 1747

1747 May 5 (Tuesday).  Mr. Jonah Warrin had my mare for his son and they drove up my young Cattle (seven of them) to Sutton.  Mr. Smith[1] came this way in going to Shrewsbury, where the Association met this Day.  I rode Noah Hows mare, Ebenezer using mine daily in ploughing.  N.B. a long and warm disputation with Mr. Buckminster of Rutland, he affirming (if I could understand him) that men who are of Shining powers and Advantages, and that are in a Natural State, do not contract Guilt according to the Talents they are entrusted with and their abuse of them.  N.B. This Debate arose from some passages which Mr. Seccomb had inserted from Cruttenden[2] concerning John Taylor’s Book of Original Sin.[3]  N.B. Most sorrowful News from Brookfield, Captain Buckminsters[4] Negro Girl having murder’d her Bastard Child last Lords Day.[5]  N.B. Lodg’d at Mr. Cushings.

[1]The Reverend Aaron Smith of Marlborough.

[2]‘ Robert Cruttenden may have commented on Taylor’s work in one of its several editions, or Parkman may have had reference to The Experience of Mr. R. Cruttenden (London, 1744).  This was reprinted in Boston in 1744.

[3]John Taylor, The Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin Proposed to Free and Candid Examination (London, 1740).

[4]Thomas Buckminster.

[5][Additional note: “We hear from Brookfield, that on the third Instant, in the Evening, a Negro Woman belonging to Capt. Thomas Buckminster, was deliver’d alone of a Bastard Child, which she put into the Fire and cover’d over with Coals and Ashes, and it was almost entirely consumed when discovered.”  Boston Evening-Post, May 11, 1747, Issue 613, p. [2].]

May 6, 1747

1747 May 6 (Wednesday).  Mr. Martyn and Mr. Maccarty came.  The former tells us that Mr. Goss under his Lameness by a late Fall from his Horse, was now gone home to Bolton.  At a Motion of mine to have the Association bring their Answers to any particular Questions which any member Should desire to have consider’d, the ministers voted to prepare their answers to this following, viz. What Shall best be done by us to prevent the Degeneracy and Back sliding in Religion which now awfully Threatens?  N.B. This is not at all to hinder the Collections as usual.  N.B. Several Gentlemen seem’d to think hard of my having the Collections repos’d with me; and therefore rested not till they obtain’d a Vote to have ‘em from henceforth distributed: and those which were brought at this Meeting were accordingly distributed.  When we were going out to meeting (and Mr. Barrett[1] to preach) came Joshua Townsend and presently after him Jason Badcock from Mr. Wheelers (of Westborough) who request’d me to make all haste to visit him before he dy’d, so that instead of going to meeting I went there.  Mr. Wheeler was very low, but he wanted me more to assist him in drawing his Will over again than to help him in his Spiritual Work; which greatly engag’d my Thoughts — to See a man So apprehensive that he was going into Eternity So easy and quiet about it — saying that if he was not ready before now, it was now too late to do anything.  N.B. I drew over his will, and made the Alterations which he desir’d.  And as my office was, I conceiv’d it suitable to recommend some Charitable or Pious Deeds, to a Man that was able to leave such an Estate: I mention’d his leaving something to the Church — a good Bible — a Flaggon — or if he would he might leave something to the poor of the town.  He pitch’d upon the first Thing, a Bible, which was accordingly inserted, his wife being by and several Times declaring she was heartily free for it.  N.B. Jason accompany’d me through the Barrs and humbly ask’d pardon for all his old ill Behaviour and seem’d very penitent.  Upon which I gave him my Hand, and we were reconciled.  He ask’d my prayers and was full of good Resolutions.  I call’d at Mr. Martyns, where Messrs. Loring,[2] Stone and Smith had stop’d.  My Family in peace.  Blessed be God!

[1]Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

[2]The Reverend Israel Loring of Sudbury.

May 7, 1747

1747 May 7 (Thursday).  Preach’d at Captain Fays the remainder of sermon on Mat.  16.26. May God write these moving Things upon our Hearts.  N.B. Mrs. Whitney crying out in the Orchard after Meeting. My Daughter Molly rode with Nabby How.  I was at Captain Bakers at Eve. He not at home.

May 8, 1747

1747 May 8 (Friday).  Rode over to see Mr. Wheeler, having many things lying very heavy upon my mind respecting his Case.  I went first to see Betty Ball (daughter of Mr. James Ball) who lyes very Sick of a Fever. She was very thankfull to me and behav’d with a great Deal of Decency.  She confess’d her Youthful Vanitys on the Lords Day especially, and pray’d me to Exhort and Charge her Brothers and sisters — which I did — pray’d with her and them.  Din’d there and went from thence to Mr. Wheelers. Found him very weak and low. Dealt as freely as I could with him — ask’d him plainly what his sentiments were about the Doctrine of Election, and Original Sin, whether he believ’d them and he said he did etc. etc.  Pray’d with him and the rest of his Family. O that God would graciously afford me Courage, Wisdom, and assistance to discharge my Ministerial Duty to particular persons with faithfullness! N.B. Stephen Maynard was so kind as to come with a Team and a Boy, and plough’d in my Field, a.m.  Ebenezer furrow’d out p.m.

May 11, 1747

1747 May 11 (Monday).  Ebenezer ploughing. Captain Maynard kindly sent Rodney Smith and his brother Jonathan to help him and they finish’d before they din’d.  P.M. Training. Captain Maynard himself came and view’d my Arms etc. which I expos’d to him, to his Satisfaction. Mr. Jenison was with him, and I walk’d out with them (at the Captain’s earnest request) and pray’d with the Company.  After which we went down to Captain Maynards — where was (among others) Captain Buckminster of Brookfield. News of the Mohawks taking 6 Scalps near Crown Point.

May 17, 1747

1747 May 17 (Sunday).  On Mat. 13.24, and p.m. before the admission of my Daughter Mary into full Communion with the Church, I repeated (with many alterations) my sermon on Mat. 19.10.22, the drift of which is to remove objections which are wont to discourage young people from being early religious.  And Blessed be God, who I humbly hope has taken hold of the Heart of my dear Child, and engag’d her to Himself! O that the work of Divine Grace may be carry’d on in her Soul, and that she may have Divine Strength, Comfort and Establishment. And O that He would please to impart His Heavenly Grace to my other Children! This being infinitely the most Valuable and precious Gift for me to desire for them.  Nor can anything give me such joy as to see my children walking in the Truth. O how Cutting was it to Samuel when it was Said to him, Thy Children walk not in thy Ways! and how wounding is the Thought to me if any of mine Should forsake the way of the Lord and finally miscarry!

May 18, 1747

1747 May 18 (Monday).  I rode to Grafton to Speak with Mr. Joseph Batchellor — met with him at Mr. Winchesters.  Rode with him up to Mr. Prentice’s.  Spent a great part of the afternoon with Mr. Prentice and his wife.  She declar’d herself a Separate.  I endeavour’d to discharge my Duty to her, to convince her of her Error; (especially Knowledge of the Spiritual Status of Persons, looking on the Church in Grafton no Church of Christ.  Her irregular Separation, She having never laid anything before that Church or Christian society esteeming themselves a Church of Christ, for their Conviction).  I endeavour’d also to warn her against Defect in Relative Dutys in the House; and giving occasion to others to suspect criminal Freedoms with the other sex, under the splendid Guise of Spiritual Love and Friendship.  I bore my Testimony against Visions and Revelations — and with Mr. Prentice, as to his appointing the Communion to be next Lords Day, whilst there is so great Confusion among them by the Vote of only of 8 or 9 members, the Body of the Church were against it, I told him it would not do; there could be no Validity nor propriety in it.  Parted very brotherly.  A great storm seem’d to be rising.  I got to Mr. Winchesters before it pour’d down.  N.B. Mr. Brooks,[1] Mrs. Willard and a number of them there, going to Market to Boston.  After the shower I went to Phinehas Hardy and thence home.  N.B. Town Meeting at Westborough, chose Mr. Francis Whipple again their Representative.

[1]Ebenezer Brooks of Grafton.

May 19, 1747

1747 May 19 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer plough’d the lower south side and planted little Beans.  P.M. Mr. Charles Brigham[1] was here to talk with me about their sorrowful State in Grafton.

[1]An original proprietor of Grafton, a frequent office holder, and sometime Representative in the General Court.  Pierce, Grafton, pp. 463-464.

May 21, 1747

1747 May 21 (Thursday).  Rain yet Mr. Martyn came and preach’d my Lecture from John 7.17.  N.B. though Mr. Martyn preaches very well yet some of my people are so disgusted with him that they will not hear him.  James Maynard and Eliezer Rice when they came so near the Meeting House as to know who preach’d they turn’d back and went their way.  This I am heartily griev’d for. May God give them a better Mind!

May 22, 1747

1747 May 22 (Friday).  Rode over and attend’d (with Mr. Martyn whom I went to, and took with me) the Funeral of Mr. Joseph Wheeler, who is the seventh of the 12 original members who have deceas’d.  I pray’d abroad with the people — the Corps being Set before us. The Lord Sanctifie this Death to us all! After Prayer, Mr. Martyn accompanying the Corps to the Grave, I rode over to see Betty Ball who is very low and dangerous and pray’d with her.  Thence to Captain Eagers where the mourners in their Return halted and retir’d to have me read the will of the deceas’d Mr. Wheeler. O that God would truely awaken us, and fit us for our own Turn!

May 24, 1747

1747 May 24 (Sunday).  The Lords Supper was administer’d — Preach’d on 2 Cor. 13.5, repeating with omissions and alterations sermon on 1 Cor. 11.28 to page 10.  P.M. on Mat. 13.25 to 30.  Captain Fay, the widow Thurston[1] and old Mrs. Tabitha Fay[2] din’d with us.  O that God would graciously quicken us!

[1]Mrs. Joseph Thurston.

[2]Mrs. Samuel Fay.

May 26, 1747

1747 May 26 (Tuesday).  Visited Mrs. Joslin[1] in her sickness — proceeded to Mr. Stones of Southborough.  He was not at home — pursued my Journey to Framingham.  Visited Mrs. Farrar[2] (formerly Swift).  From Weston had Mr. Rice[3] (of Sturbridge) his Company to Watertown.  Lodg’d at Mother Champneys.  She herself Still very weak and wasting.

[1]Mrs. Joseph Joslin.

[2]Major John Farrar married Martha, the daughter of the Reverend John Swift.  See Temple, Framingham, pp. S44-S4S-

[3]The Reverend Caleb Rice.

May 27, 1747

1747 May 27 (Wednesday).  Rain in Early Morning.  When it slack’d I rode to Boston.  N.B. My Brother Alexander never mention’d my little Boy, when with so much affection I nam’d after him.  Dr. Chauncy[1] preach’d on 2 Sam. 23.3.  Din’d at Brother Samuels with Captain Maynard.  My Brethren Seem desirous to take this Opportunity to consult together respecting the settlement of Mothers Estate — but Brother Alexander seems very unquiet and unmanageable and will consent to nothing, but what is in his particular Scheme.  To this Disturbance and Ruffle about the Estate, I attribute his Disregard to my little son.  But I am not willing to take any Notice of it.  Was at the Convention — Dr. Sewal[2] Moderator and pray’d, Mr. Checkley[3] Clerk.  Mr. Josiah Cotton[4] desires to be remov’d from Providence.  Letter of Dr. Avery[5] on the Subjects of his presenting the Address of the Convention of Ministers last year to the king and the Affair of Mr. Torrey, read — voted Thanks to Dr. Avery for his Pains and Care.  At Eve at the North End.  Lodg’d at Dr. Parkmans[6] (who was marry’d some months ago) and his sister Eliza just by it, to one Mr. Cowel, a Cooper.  N.B. Mr. Winget,[7] Mr. Chase[8] and Mr. Wellman[9] lodg’d there also.

[1]Charles Chauncy.

[2]Joseph Sewell of the Old South Church.

[3]Samuel Checkly of the Second Church of Boston.

[4]The minister of the First Congregational Church in Providence who later served the third church in Woburn, 1747-1756.

[5]John Avery (Harvard 1706) was the minister of Truro, 1711-1754.  He was also a physician. Sibley, V, 302-305.

[6]Elias Parkman, a physician of Boston, was Ebenezer Parkman’s uncle.
[Correction: This was Parkman’s nephew, Elias Parkman, son of his brother Elias.  The nephew married Abigail White, Jan. 1, 1747.  Sibley, X, 223-224.]

[7]The Reverend Paine Wingate (Harvard 1723), the minister of the West Church in Amesbury, 1726-1786.  Sibley, VII, 287-289.

[8]The Reverend Stephen Chase of Lynnfield.

[9]James Wellman (Harvard 1744) was the first minister of Millbury, Mass., 1747-1760.

May 28, 1747

1747 May 28 (Thursday).  Mr. Prescott[1] preach’d to the ministers on Rom. 3.28, an Extremely long sermon.  The Contribution 304.19.0.  I din’d at Mr. Foxcrofts.[2]  N.B. the late renowned Mr. Pembertons Relect, now Loyd,[3] and her Daughter Mrs. Vanns[4] din’d here.  At Eve to Cambridge.

[1]Benjamin Prescott of Peabody.

[2]The Reverend Thomas Foxcroft of the First Church of Boston.

[3]The widow of tutor Ebenezer Pemberton (d. 1718) married John Campbell and then Henry Lloyd of Long Island.

[4]Mary, the daughter of Ebenezer and Mary Pemberton, married Hugh Vans.

May 29, 1747

1747 May 29 (Friday).  Rode over to College and smok’d a Pipe with Mr. Mayhew.[1]  Talk’d with him about Eli Forbush.  In returning call’d at Mrs. Bekky Walkers shop.  Rain and Thunder whilst I stop’d at Baldwins.  N.B. Mr. Cheney[2] and his Brother Samuel Cotton,[3] and Mr. Seccomb of Harvard came there.  The two first came home with me and lodg’d here.

[1]Joseph Mayhew (Harvard 1730), a tutor and later minister at Nantucket, 1761-1766.  Sibley, VIII, 730-734.

[2]The Reverend Thomas Cheney of Brookfield.

[3]Brother of Cheney’s second wife, Mary Cotton.