Month: November 1750

1750 November 1 (Thursday).  Thanksgiving.  How numberless, and how vast the divine Benefits!  O for a Truely devout and grateful Sense of them and that we might be able to attend to the Obligations we are under to our glorious Benefactor!  Rain’d hard especially in Meeting Time and when we came home from the worship.  Text was 1 Thess. 5.16.  May God grant the Joy of this Day may not go over with the Day, but that we may long protract it — nay rejoice evermore, both in this world and the future!

1750 November 2 (Friday).  I went early to the New House.  Mr. Newton and Forbush came to the Chimneys.  Mr. Newton brought Sam Bumpso to tend — and Ebenezer was there also.  The Parish meet to consider my Support — grant the Same as last Year, but do it chearfully, which gives me the much greater pleasure.  May God enable me to improve to His Glory what he is pleas’d to vouchsafe!  At Eve rode down to See Mr. Daniel Warrins Son Daniel who is sick.

1750 November 3 (Saturday).  Messrs. Newton and Forbush.  Samuel Bumpso helps my Son in tending them but I was not over to See what they are doing to Day.  My Son Thomas (Mr. John Rogers affording Some assistance, and dining here) finished the making up of Cyder, from our own Apples — but Neighbour David Maynard has brought a parcel of Apples from his Sister Tomlins, which are partly for our Supply with Cyder is[?] not making enough ourselves to fill our Casks.

1750 November 4 (Sunday).  On Jer. 6.8 (the Subject I design’d for October 28th).  May God be pleas’d to add his Blessing!  Din’d at Justice Bakers.  Snow’d very fast, so that the whole Earth appears mantled for Winter.  I think I remark’d on Lev. 5 and 6th and John 18, read.  (This was writ sometime after).

1750 November 5 (Monday).  Was early at the New House.  Messrs. Newton, Forbush and tended as before, but by reason of the Cold make Slow Work.  Rode over to Mr. Jonathan Forbush’s to see his Sick Children.  Widow Newton gave me Alpheus’s digging and Carting Six Load of Clay: and this afternoon he goes with a Yoke of Oxen and assists Ebenezer in digging and Carting 3 Load more.  Towards Eve I visited Mr. Beeman who is very bad.  Was also at Mr. Warrins to See Daniel — in returning home I call’d at Mr. Bathericks.

1750 November 6 (Tuesday).  Was early at the New House.  Messrs. Newton and Forbush — Ebenezer and Sam at the Chimneys.  The Weather more Moderate.  A.M. Cloudy and Cold p.m.  P.M. I visited at Mr. Eliezer Rice’s, who though the last Time I was there parted with me in very good Friendship, yet has Seem’d to be in very great Disgust — by his absenting himself from our Meeting Two or Three Days — had warm Talk at first — but were calmer afterwards, and he walk’d with me to Mr. Whipples and back.  Parted also in peace.  His Disgust was rais’d from a misapprehension of my Discourse the last Visit.

1750 November 7 (Wednesday).  Messrs. Newton and Forbush at the Chimneys.  Ebenezer lyes by great part of the Day.  Thomas goes to the New House and by the help of Samuel Bumpso tends the Masons.  Towards Evening Set out to visit Mr. Beeman: but when going heard he dy’d in the forenoon.  Nevertheless I proceeded to visit the widow and the distress’d Children.  Was likewise at Mr. Daniel Warrins, whose son Daniel dyed also this afternoon.  When I came home in the Evening found Mr. Prentice[1] of Easton here and lodg’d with us.  Martha Pannell return’d here from Mr. Rice’s.

[1]The Reverend Solomon Prentice, the former minister of Grafton.

1750 November 8 (Thursday).  Messrs. Newton and Forbush at the Chimneys.  Ebenezer though not Well, and Thomas tended.  Mr. Prentice left us.  N.B. Lieutenant Bruce[1] here before Mr. Prentice went away.  N.B. Mr. Hutchinson[2] sent his Desire (By Letter last Night) to me to preach his Lecture to Day: but I could not go, being oblig’d to look after my workmen, and to wait for a message concerning the Funeral of Mr. Daniel Warrin; not knowing but it would be to Day; Mr. Beemans being also appointed to be tomorrow, So that I Should have little Time to prepare for the Sabbath.  Nor could I well go because of Lame Leg, which was bruised yesterday, and I suppose have got Cold in it.  Besides that my Horses are smooth, whilst the Roads are slippery.  At Night Nigh 11 o’Clock came Mr. Harrington to call me, Mr. Bowman being apprehended near his End.  I went with him.  Got there about midnight — found him alive, and a little reviv’d, but very low — discours’d and pray’d with him and them present.  Lodg’d at Ensign Millers.  N.B. Revd. Mr. Curtis[3] (who marry’d a Bass) having attempted to go to Poquoag Ordination but without Success, call’d here in his way to his aunt Buckminsters at Framingham.

[1]Abijah Bruce of Westborough.

[2]The Reverend Aaron Hutchinson of Grafton.

[3]Philip Curtis (Harvard 1738), the first minister of the First Congregational Church of Sharon, 1741-1797.  He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Joseph Bass of Dorchester, Sept. 6, 1744.  Sibley, X, 282-284.

1750 November 8 (Thursday).  Messrs. Newton and Forbush at the Chimneys.  Ebenezer though not Well, and Thomas tended.  Mr. Prentice left us.  N.B. Lieutenant Bruce[1] here before Mr. Prentice went away.  N.B. Mr. Hutchinson[2] sent his Desire (By Letter last Night) to me to preach his Lecture to Day: but I could not go, being oblig’d to look after my workmen, and to wait for a message concerning the Funeral of Mr. Daniel Warrin; not knowing but it would be to Day; Mr. Beemans being also appointed to be tomorrow, So that I Should have little Time to prepare for the Sabbath.  Nor could I well go because of Lame Leg, which was bruised yesterday, and I suppose have got Cold in it.  Besides that my Horses are smooth, whilst the Roads are slippery.  At Night Nigh 11 o’Clock came Mr. Harrington to call me, Mr. Bowman being apprehended near his End.  I went with him.  Got there about midnight — found him alive, and a little reviv’d, but very low — discours’d and pray’d with him and them present.  Lodg’d at Ensign Millers.  N.B. Revd. Mr. Curtis[3] (who marry’d a Bass) having attempted to go to Poquoag Ordination but without Success, call’d here in his way to his aunt Buckminsters at Framingham.

[1]Abijah Bruce of Westborough.

[2]The Reverend Aaron Hutchinson of Grafton.

[3]Philip Curtis (Harvard 1738), the first minister of the First Congregational Church of Sharon, 1741-1797.  He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Joseph Bass of Dorchester, Sept. 6, 1744.  Sibley, X, 282-284.

1750 November 10 (Saturday).  Rain.  About 10 at night my Wife went to Mrs. Ann Maynards[1] Groaning and return’d not till after we were gone to Meeting (this) Next Day.

[1]Mrs. David Maynard, Jr.

1750 November 11 (Sunday).  I read and gave (as I usually do) some observations upon Levit. 7.  Preach’d on Lev. 19.30 repeating from my sermon on that Text page 25 to the End of 31 with alterations and omissions and additions.  Din’d at Justice Bakers.  P.M. Read John 19.  Preach’d on Exod. 31.13.

1750 November 12 (Monday).  My sons make Cyder of Apples brought from Widow Tomlins[1] by Mr. David Maynard.  At Captain Bakers Request I pray’d with his Company and din’d at Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s with the Officers.  After which the Captain accompany’d me in a visit to Mr. Bowman who is still sick.  N.B. Proprietors Meeting at Marlborough.  Sent a Plan of 5 Acres and 36 Rodes of Land lying South of Chauncy Meadows and west of the Cedar Swamp to be accepted; but it was objected against by Neighbour Richard Barns as what he Should claim a part of.  N.B. I sent the plan by Neighbour Eliezer Rice.  N.B. Mr. Martyn here and din’d with my Wife while I was with the Officers.  He brought the Answer of the Association to my Question Sent to them respecting the Baptizing of the Children of Justice Charles Brigham.

[1]The widow of Deacon Isaac Tomlin of Westborough.

1750 November 13 (Tuesday).  Mr. Maynard had Two Barrells and we have Two, of the Cyder made from his Sister Tomlins Apples, but were it not so Cold weather there had Perhaps been another Barrell.  At Eve Mr. Benjamin Tainter[1] brought his wife to visit us.  Their Brother Bowker[2] and sister Elizabeth were then come from Sommers.  They (except Bowker) supp’d here: as did Neighbour Obadiah Newton (who this Eve, plaster’d my Study Jaums anew; and pointed the Jaums in the Kitchen) and Samuel Bumpso.  Reckon’d with Mr. Newton who tells me he must be paid for nineteen Days, 20/ old Tenor per Day.

[1]The son of Deacon Simon Tainter.

[2]Sarah, the daughter of Deacon Tainter, married Joseph Bowker, Nov. 21, 1749.  Her sister, Elizabeth, married Stephen Sadler of Upton, Nov. 19, 1750.  Dean W. Tainter,
A History and Genealogy of the Descendants of Joseph Taynter (Boston, 1859), pp. 23-24.

1750 November 14 (Wednesday).  Mr. William Rogers makes Cyder here, and dines with us.  Mr. Larkin Williams[1] of Marlborough likewise.  He tells me that Lieutenant Beeman lyes dead.  A very observable providence!  P.M. I visited Mrs. Beeman (widow of the late Eleazer) and her son Abraham who is Sick, but grows better.  Visited also Two Children of Mr. Adams which are taken sick.  At Lieutenant Bruce’s in the Eve.  Rode home accompany’d by the widow Smith, alias Devereux.

[1]The son of Colonel Abraham Williams of Marlborough, Parkman’s brother-in-law.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 470.

1750 November 15 (Thursday).  Went down to Mr. Stephen Maynards to view a large Quantity of White Pine Boards there.  P.M. Church Meeting on the Affair of Robert Cook.  There were but Eleven Members came, and those very late.  We adjourn’d to Monday next.  My Son Thomas went to Concord to fetch up the rest of his Cloths etc.  My Legg is full of Smart and gives me great Trouble.

1750 November 16 (Friday).  With much ado Study at all[?], my Legg So very bad.  At Eve Brother Hicks here.

1750 November 17 (Saturday).  Brother Hicks to Sutton.  Thomas return’d from Concord.  Dr. Gott call’d and dress’d my Legg.  Dr. Smith also came here, by Billys Means at Mr. Whipples.  P.M. Captain Maynard here, having been to Boston, and bought sundrys for us.

1750 November 18 (Sunday).  So bad with my Legg in the Morning that it was with Difficulty I rode to Meeting.  Omitted Reading publickly a. and p.m.  Preached a.m. on Exod. 31.13.  My wife and I din’d at Esq. Bakers.  P.M. I preach’d on Zech. 1.4 repeating Sermon on Ps. 119.60 to page 13.  In returning home at Eve one Felly of a Chair Wheel broke out and oblig’d me to stop at old Mr. Maynards till an Horse was brought for me.

1750 November 19 (Monday).  We kill’d a Steer of 5 past-21 score.  Mr. Jonathan Rogers assisted.  P.M. Church meeting according to adjournment, exactly at 2 p.m. on the Affair of Robert Cook.  Both he and his wife declare their Innocence.  After all that we heard from them and the witnesses, the Number of Members of the Church who declar’d themselves unprepar’d yet to vote, the Church Meeting was again adjourn’d to Thursday next after Lecture.  At Eve my Wife and I at Lieutenant Tainters at the Marriage of their Daughter Eliza to Mr. Stephen Sadler.  N.B. Mr. Fish (who preaches at Upton) and Captain Sadler there.  Those last came home with us and lodg’d here.

1750 November 20 (Tuesday).  Snowy morning but the Earth soon appear’d again.  Captain Sadler and Mr. Fish to Upton.  P.M. old Mr. Maynard here.  Anna Bradish with her Relation.

1750 November 21 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer went to Bolton.  Thomas a.m. carts wood; p.m. husks.  William to Mr. Britons with a Piece of Cloth to be full’d for Riding Hoods.  My wife visits Mrs. Ann Maynard.  My Legg very full of Smart, especially after the dressing: and continues very painful till Night.  Fear I have got Cold in it, or else it might be too plentifull use of the precipitate.

1750 November 22 (Thursday).  A Storm of Snow.  Mr. Cushing came and preach’d my Lecture.  I did not go out by reason of my Lameness which is very bad.  Mr. Cushing in my Name mention’d the deferring Anna Bradish’s Admission into the Church till Lords Day notwithstanding the Vote at the Church Meeting — and the Adjournment of the Church Meeting till next Monday come Sennight.  Ebenezer return’d home at late Evening.

1750 November 23 (Friday).  Mr. Benjamin How and Ebenezer laying Floor in the Stable.  Thomas sledded Wood part of the Day.  William to Mr. William Goddards Mill.  My Legg somewhat easier.  Dr. Smith voluntarily called to see me at Eve.  We have Some Discourse about his Affair which was laid before the Council at Shrewsbury last Year.

1750 November 24 (Saturday).  It grows very Cold.  My sons variously employ’d — some bank the House.

1750 November 25 (Sunday).  My Leg is Still So Sore that I know not how to go out.  But the Consideration of the State of the Congregation if I Should not, and especially of the Church if I Should not administer the Lords Supper on the Day appointed therefor pressing me I resolv’d to do what in me lies, and accordingly under took with dependence on the Goodness of God to carry me through.  I omitted the public Reading to Day also, both a. and p.m.  Preach’d on 1 Cor. 11.20 latter part.  N.B. Before the administration of the Sacred Supper was taken suddenly with Such a Laxness in my Body that I was oblig’d to go out of the Meeting House.  When I return’d I proceeded to the administration without admitting Anna Bradish, but my wife came near and whisper’d it to me — upon which I stopp’d, and took her into the Church before I pray’d and then went on.  My wife and I din’d at Captain Bakers.  P.M. preach’d on Zech. 1.4, delivering the Chief of the rest of the Discourse begun last Lords Day p.m.  The Day was raw and uncomfortable, but guarded myself what I could against the Cold and hope I have receiv’d no Harm.

1750 November 26 (Monday).  The Parish met on the Affair of Treasurer Ebenezer Maynards not paying Revd. Mr. Price[1] of Hopkinton Mr. James Maynards Rates.  Mr. Job Cushing din’d here.  Billy brought 46 pounds of Salt Fish from Mr. Jonah Warrins.  Ebenezer work’d part of the Day for Mr. Benjamin How.

[1]Commissary Roger Price.

1750 November 27 (Tuesday).  Storm of Rain.  At Eve came Mr. Haven.  Patty Pannels father also and lodg’d.

1750 November 28 (Wednesday).  Storm of Snow.  Mr. Pannell return’d — but Mr. Haven with us.  To Day My Neighbour Ebenezer Maynard Treasurer for this Parish, was Sued by Revd. Roger Price of Hopkinton for the Rates of Mr. James Maynard, before Colonel Chandler at Worcester.

1750 November 29 (Thursday).  Mr. Haven, after dinner, went to Framingham.  My son Thomas much taken off from Business by Ague in his Face and Teeth, both yesterday and to Day.

1750 November 30 (Friday).  Billy as he was cutting Wood at the Door, cut his ankle.  The wound was Somewhat Cross-wise, and bled very much.  It was in the Forenoon and when his Brothers who were able to do any Thing were gone from home, Ebenezer to work for Mr. Rogers, and Thomas to Mr. Goddards Mill.  We try’d Puff Ball to Stopp the Bleeding, but to no purpose.  After some Time, the Blood running fresh Still, we took off the Bindings, and fill’d the Sore with Sugar — but neither did this Succeed.  We Sent about Noon for Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard.  Both the Captain and his Wife came.  It Seem’d to be Stanched for a while, but flow’d again.  He had now bled So much that we were much Concern’d at the Event.  Thomas was groaning with the Tooth Ach and wanted to go to Dr. Smith to get his Tooth drawn out.  I therefor hasten’d him, though it was past Evening, to bring the Doctor to Billy.  We having also try’d scrapings of Tann’d Leather and Scorch’d Cotton, and still fresh Puddles appear’d.  N.B. Several Times when it was open’d, the Blood Spurted out as in Phlebotomy.  While Thomas was gone and tarried long, our Fears arose higher, for Billy had lost so great a Quantity of Blood that he began to turn pale and we did not know but that it was still running.  I ardently committed him and his Case to God who is a present Help in Time of Trouble.  After a while the Blood ceas’d, as we conceiv’d, nor did any more appear throughout the Night.  Blessed be God for his Sparing Mercy!  Thomas did not come till past Nine o’Clock, and no Doctor with him; but got his own Tooth out, or rather part of it, for it broke in the Jaw.  Molly is also in great Anguish with Tooth ach So that with my own Lameness, we have no Small Trouble in the House.  But would humbly wait on God.  My wife watch’d with Billy.