Month: November 1748

1748 November 1 (Tuesday).  Mr. Pierpoint to Boston.  Visited Mr. John Rogers’s daughter Suse who is sick.  Dr. Gott etc. here.

1748 November 2 (Wednesday).  Visited Captain Maynard[1] who is still confin’d by sickness.  At Mr. Hows.  Ebenezer a Load of Pine.

[1]John Maynard.

1748 November 3 (Thursday).  Visited Mr. D. Warrin and his wife again — and Mr. Samuel Crosbys son, and din’d there.  P.M. to the private meeting at Lieutenant Tainters — on Mat. 26.14.  N.B. My Daughter Mary with me.  Supp’d there with divers Men and Women from Waterton and Waltham.

1748 November 4 (Friday).  Very Cold Morning.  Rain p.m.  Ebenezer making a Bee-House.

1748 November 5 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1748 November 6 (Sunday).  On Jer. 3.15 all Day.  N.B. I have been wont to take some Notice of the first Sabbath after October 28 (the Day of my Ordination A.D. 1724) to treat of some Ministerial or other proper subject; but was detain’d from home last Sabbath.  No preaching at Grafton.  Mr. Isaac Richardson[1] who was to have preach’d there to Day having been taken sick and dy’d.  Captain Willard[2] din’d here.

[1](Harvard 1726).  An itinerant schoolmaster, who preached occasionally at various places.  Sibley, VIII, 92-95.

[2]Benjamin Willard of Grafton.

1748 November 7 (Monday).  Neighbour Rogers here and tells me his little Daughter is something better.  At Captain Maynards at Evening.

1748 November 8 (Tuesday).  Neighbour Rogers assist’d my son in killing a Cow (brindled which I some Years ago bought of Mr. Aaron Forbush).  P.M. I rode to Mr. Bathericks and Mr. Cooks.

1748 November 9 (Wednesday).  At Eve Mr. Abner Newton and wife made us a Visit; and this Eve also came Mr. Cotton[1] of Newtown who informs me that his Daughter Cheney was married last Thursday to the Honourable Joseph Pyncheon Esquire.

[1]The Reverend Mr. John Cotton of Newton.

1748 November 10 (Thursday).  Mr. Cotton for Newton.  N.B. his son and Mr. Cook, his Neighbour at Newtown, with him.  Mr. Grow and Batherick at work a.m. on my back porch.  They din’d here, as did Reverend Mr. Stone,[1] Two Tainters and their Kinswoman Joanna Tainter[2] of Watertown.  Mr. Stone preach’d the Lecture on Phil. 2.8.  I Stopp’d the Church to read the Rutland Result and a Letter from Lancaster.  N.B. Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain brought me two living Ducks to keep.  At Eve Mr. Nathaniel Whitney here to ask me whether if they should gather but a small part of the Money due to me from the North Side, among them in their South Neighbourhood, I would give a Receipt in full?  (They having heard from Lieutenant Tainter that I would.)  I told him I was not ready to make any direct answer to it.

[1]Nathan Stone of Southborough.

[2]The daughter of Captain John Tainter.

1748 November 11 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1748 November 12 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1748 November 13 (Sunday).  Read the ninth of Genesis and preach’d on Mat. 22.37.38.  Administer’d the Lords Supper.  Deacon Newton, old Mrs. Tomlin and Mrs. Patience Woods din’d here.  P.M. read ninth of Matthew.  Preach’d on Mat. 25.46, last part.  Deacon Newton requested the Church before the Congregation to excuse him from the service of Delegate, and nominated Brother Baker, but no sooner was the Matter propos’d than Ensign Bruce objected and said it was not according to Custom to propose such Things before the Congregation.  I gave him the Reason — viz. it was So late and Cold — but immediately I stopp’d the Church, and then dispatch’d it.  I perceiv’d afterwards that Lieutenant had some Disgust with the Captain about their Military proceedings.

1748 November 14 (Monday).  Mr. Batherick here to work upon my shed, or back porch.  At Eve I visited Captain Maynard who has of late grown Worse.

1748 November 15 (Tuesday).  Bright fine Day.  Captain Baker and Ensign Miller accompany’d me to Lancaster to the Installment of Mr. Timothy Harrington.[1]  We din’d at Mr. Nathan Balls.  I lodg’d at Colonel Willards.[2]  Mr. Maccarty[3] my Bedfellow.

[1]The minister of Lancaster, 1748-1795.

[2]Aaron Willard of Lancaster.

[3]The Reverend Mr. Thaddeus Maccarty of Worcester.

1748 November 16 (Wednesday).  The Council form’d at Captain Willards.  Mr. Hancock[1] Moderator and pray’d.  Mr. Harrington was examin’d by Mr. Loring respecting his principles.  Mr. Storer[2] pray’d publickly.  Mr. Hancock preach’d on 1 Cor. 9.19.  Mr. Loring[3] gave the Charge, Mr. Gardner[4] pray’d after it; and Mr. Appleton[5] the right Hand of Fellowship.  Were entertain’d at the Colonels and at his son’s.  At Eve visited Madam Prentice[6] and the Doctor,[7] but lodg’d as Last.  Mr. Trowbridge[8] of Groton lodg’d with me.

[1]John Hancock of Lexington;

[2]Seth Storer of Watertown.

[3]Israel Loring of Sudbury.

[4]John Gardner of Stow.

[5]Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge.

[6]The widow of the Reverend Mr. John Prentice.

[7]Stanton Prentice, the physician of Lancaster.

[8]The Reverend Mr. Caleb Trowbridge.

1748 November 17 (Thursday).  Went to Mr. Martyn and his wife, at Mr. Townsends; and we all and a Number more din’d at Mr. Goss’s.[1]  Mr. Martyn and his wife in their Chair my Company homeward as far as their House.  Found my family safe at Evening.  N.B. I understand that Esquire Baker is about buying at Bolton.

[1]The Reverend Mr. Thomas Goss of Bolton.

1748 November 18 (Friday).  Mr. Charles Rice here.  Tells me Lieutenant Ward has laid out his Land for me, that he has 16 acres upon that plain.  Ebenezer digging a Vault.

1748 November 19 (Saturday).  A very bright moderate Day.  The Earth open yet, and a fine Opportunity to provide for Winter.  N.B. Mr. Stephen Maynard brought me from Major Henchman, a New Folio Bible which the late Mr. Joseph Wheeler presented to the first Church in Westborough to be at the Dispose of the Pastor thereof for the time being.  The price I understand in 20£ old Tenor.  At Eve came Mr. Bridge of Framingham.  Mr. Buckminster[1] is to preach for him.  Mr. Maccarty to go to Rutland, Mr. Martyn to Worcester and tis propos’d I Should preach for Mr. Martyn.

[1]Joseph Buckminster of Rutland.

1748 November 20 (Sunday).  Mr. Bridge on Eccl. [blank] and on [blank].  I rode over to the North Side and preach’d a. and p.m. on John 5.28.29.  Baptiz’d Elizabeth of Jonathan and Sibyl Green.  Return’d at Eve.  Mr. Bridge supp’d with us and then left us to go home.

1748 November 21 (Monday).  I rode down to Mr. Cooks Shop.  Was inform’d there that it was proprietors meeting at Marlborough, but I could not go, it being precinct meeting here, about my Support (So they are pleas’d to call it again) and they voted 180£ old Tenor, to be added to the 220£ which they call my Sallery.  Justice Baker brought the Return to me of it and said it was chearfully voted.  And they have voted also to build another Meeting House.  N.B. Mr. Buckminster here.

1748 November 22 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer to Sutton to assist in bringing Rebecca Warrin to her own Home at Upton.  My wife and I went to see old Mrs. Brigham who is sick; and call’d to see Several others.  Moderate Season.  At Eve Sir Henchman[1] and Mr. John Brigham of Sudbury (whose Arm Dr. Gott cutt off) Supp’d with us.  Rebecca Gott to Marlborough.

[1](Harvard 1747).

1748 November 23 (Wednesday).  Rain.  Thomas came home.  A variety of presents from my Neighbours.  But by means of the pressure of Family Cares, and many hindrances by my Circumstances, my mind was greatly confus’d — could make but little way in my preparations for the approaching solemnity.

1748 November 24 (Thursday).  I was in a great Deal of Confusion, and my Soul greatly bowed down, so that I was very unprepar’d for the solemnity of the Thanksgiving, and yet through the kind assistance of a gracious God I was mercifully carried through.  But I desire to humble myself before the Lord for my backwardness and unpreparedness; and may the Blood of the Great Saviour make Atonement!  I preach’d on Ps. 17.43.  O might I have the Grace wisely to observe the divine Dispensations towards the Children of Men, and might I come to understand and not only Speculatively, but Experimentally and sensibly the Loving Kindness of the Lord!  We invited Mr. Daniel Warrin (of the other precinct) and his wife and desir’d him to bring not only his wife but his Children to our House but none of them came.  Rebecca Warrin was at our Table.  At Eve Thomas Winchester was marry’d to Mary Pratt.[1]

[1]Of Grafton.

1748 November 25 (Friday).  Mrs. Brigham grows worse — her son Levi came in the Morning to call Me.  I went — convers’d with her, and pray’d (as I did also when I visited her on the 22).  N.B. Mr. Benjamin Carryll here with the Petitions of his Brother in Law David Woodwell for a Contribution that he may be able to redeem his Daughter from the Hands of the Indians.  At Eve came Mr. Jonathan Green and Mr. James Eager, sons in law to the late Mr. Joseph Wheeler, and approving of the Bible which Major Henchman had provided and sent, they presented it to the First Church in this Town according to the Tenor of the Testament of the Deceased; which I thankfully receiv’d of them in behalf of the Church.

1748 November 26 (Saturday).  A very fine pleasant Day.  The Earth yet open.  Sir Henchman brought up Bekky Gott.  He and I walk’d to Captain Maynards; the Captain lying Still in a weak and low Condition.  Molly rode yesterday to Mr. Warrins — returns to Day.

1748 November 27 (Sunday).  Read Gen. 11 and preach’d on Mat. 25.46, latter part.  P.M. read (the first Time in the Great Bible) Mat. 11. and repeated Some of my brief Sketches on the Mediator from Heb. 12.24.  N.B. A Nuisance from the Gallery over my Pew — Tobacco Spittle druling down upon my Daughter Mollys Hand.  Read to the Congregation the petition of David Woodwell of Hopkinton.  Molly and I visited old Mrs. Brigham at the Eve.

1748 November 28 (Monday).  Mr. Chapin[1] from Grafton din’d here.  Shews me a Letter which they had prepar’d to send to Mr. Hutchinson:[2] he wants to have the Neighbouring Ministers also to write to him; whereas I conceiv’d ‘em to be fervent enough themselves he insisted upon it — but I finally refus’d.  P.M. Mr. Martyn here.

[1]Benjamin Chapin.

[2]Aaron Hutchinson, who was to become the minister of Grafton.

1748 November 29 (Tuesday).  Held a Catechetical Exercise: only instead of explaining the Catechism I deliver’d ‘em another Sermon on Joel 3.13 (put ye in the Sickle), without reading that or any other Text previous to it.  A.M. at Lieutenant Tainters to see him in his Lameness.

1748 November 30 (Wednesday).  My wife attempted to ride with me — but she alighted at Neighbour John Rogers’s.  I went to see Mrs. Brigham[1] before She dy’s, and prayed with her.  Rode over to Mr. Martyns and din’d there.  Return’d at Evening.

[1]Mrs. David Brigham.