June 5, 1751

1751 June 5 (Wednesday).  Mr. Martyn and his Daughter rode with me and my Daughter Lucy and son Thomas to Upton Ordination.  The rest went their respective ways.  But by means of So much Company I was later in setting out than I had appointed.  The Churches met and Mr. Dor[1] was chose Moderator.  N.B. My Enquiry, in the Council, whether Mr. Fish had been at the Shepards Tent?[2]  which was Satisfy’d by Mr. Owen,[3] his Pastor who gave a good Testimony of the Candidate.  N.B. Mr. Fishs having sign’d an agreement with the people about Church Government which I could not approve of; yet did not think it sufficient to break Communion and therefore proceeding.  Mr. Hall[4] open’d the public Exercise with Prayer.  Mr. Owen preach’d on Eph. 4.12.  Mr. Dor the Charge.  I pray’d after the Charge.  Mr. Barret[5] gave the right Hand.  N.B. our Entertainment was at Lieutenant Woods.  We return’d to Westborough at night and Mr. Martyn and his Daughter lodg’d here.

[1]The Reverend Joseph Dorr of Mendon.

[2][Additional note: See Richard Warch, “The Shepherd’s Tent: Education and Enthusiasm in the Great Awakening.”  American Quarterly 30 (Summer 1979), 177-98.]

[3]The Reverend John Owen (Harvard 1723), the minister of the First Congregational Church of Groton, Conn., 1727-1753.  Sibley, VII, 244-247.

[4]The Reverend David Hall of Sutton.

[5]The Reverend Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.