Month: May 1752

1752 May 1 (Friday).  Through the great Goodness of God we have had a rainy Night, and it showers this Morning to the great reviving of the Earth.  Granny Forbush is gone by, to Mr. Stone’s, his wife being in Travail.  In the Mount, may the Lord be seen!  The Day proves chiefly a rainy Day; though it rains not hard, yet, it wetts steddily.  Mr. Joseph Gambel diggs in my Garden p.m.

1752 May 2 (Saturday).  It was too cloudy to view the Eclipse which occurs to Day.  At about Sunsetting Mr. John Rogers brought 6,000 of Shingles.

1752 May 3 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 8.  Preach’d on Deut. 5.19.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 9.  Preach’d on Phil. 1.27, A Sermon which was first deliver’d in the Year 1725, now with many alterations and additions.  At Night, 9 o’clock came Mr. Ezra Taylor of Southborough to desire me to go to the Funeral of Mr. Jonathan Brewer[1] of Framingham who Yesterday Morning cutt his own Throat with a Sickle.

[1]Brewer, who was in his 64th year, had lived in Framingham since 1717.  Temple, Framingham, p. 481.

1752 May 4 (Monday).  I din’d at Mr. Stone’s at Southborough.  His Wife (who had newly lain in) was exceeding Weak and low.  P.M. I attended the Funeral of Mr. Brewer at Framingham.  A most Solemn Time!  Mr. Barrett there also, and pray’d.  N.B. Mr. Bridge[1] gone to the Ordination of Mr. Haven[2] at Portsmouth: and Mr. Stone to the Funeral of the Widow of old Mr. Daniel Newton.  N.B. Whilst I was gone to Framingham Mr. Martyn came to our House and had 28 lbs of Sugar which I got for him at Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s at 22£ old Tenor per Hundred.

[1]Matthew Bridge of Framingham.

[2]Samuel Haven (Harvard 1749) had been reading theology with Ebenezer Parkman, keeping school and preaching in numerous pulpits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  He was ordained in the South Church of Portsmouth, May 6,1752.  Sibley, XII, 382-392.

1752 May 5 (Tuesday).  Mr. Solomon Baker with my Cart, but his own Oxen brought me 40 Rails from Rody Smiths: and Mr. Simon Tainter 45 from the same.  The former of those was gratis: for the Latter Mr. Tainter ask’d 15/ old Tenor.  My Wife went to Mr. Jonas Brighams, and met Patty Pannell there.  Mr. Zebulon Rice here, and we agree upon the Time of beginning to Frame my Barn.  Mr. George Bruce of Mendon and Mr. Hall of North Sutton here.

1752 May 6 (Wednesday).  Richard Kelly work’d here instead of John Dunlop.  He setts up the Fence from the Meeting House, Northwest.  I visited the Widow Rogers who is going to leave us: and the Widow Hannah Rice, Sister of that Mr. Brewster, bury’d on the fourth.

1752 May 7 (Thursday).  Richard Kelly work’d again (for John Dunlop) in Setting up Fence for me etc.  Cornelius Cook (on Mr. Hezekiah Pratt’s Account) work’d for me in carting out some Muck and ploughing at my Island.

1752 May 8 (Friday).  Mrs. Mary Johnson, Stay-maker, came to work here.  Old Mr. Joseph Sever[1] of Framingham came to me about the Cancer in his Leg, that he might know how to use Mechoachan or Poke Weed.  He din’d here.  Mr. Phinehas Hardy setts up Fence for me: and he and his son Elijah (together with my son William) Planted the Grounds at the Island.

[1]Joseph Sever or Seaver, a long-time resident, had been a town officer.

1752 May 9 (Saturday).  Mr. Robert Claffland, with my Oxen and a Yoke of Mr. Jonah Warrins, brought 50 Rails from Mr. Elijah Rice’s.  P.M. Mr. Warrin himself with the Same Team, brought 50 more.  Mr. Forbush here — goes to preach at Southborough.

1752 May 10 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 9.  Preach’d on Deut. 5.19.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 3.  Repeated with many Alterations another sermon on Original Sin (from Rom. 5.12) in the Discourses on 1 Cor. 15.22.  O that God would please to add his special blessing!

1752 May 11 (Monday).  Was early at Mr. Whipples.  Lieutenant Tainter and Mr. Samuel Harrington drive Cattle into the Woods at Leicester.  They take 3 of mine, 4 other Young Creatures of Mine cannot be found this morning that they might go.  Perswaded Mr. Edwards Whipple to Send his Boy with 22 of my Braces for My New Barn, Saw’d at Mr. Maynards Saw Mill.  Mr. Zebulun Rice and Samuel Bumpso came; and they began to Frame my Barn.  I went over to Mr. Hows and din’d there.  Mr. David Maynard assisted with my son Ebenezer in cutting Principals.

1752 May 12 (Tuesday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice and Samuel at the Frame.  There came also Mr. Phinehas Hardy and Mr. Simon Tainter, and gave me a Day’s Work at it.  There has been some prospects of Rain; but the most was a Fog or Mist and went off the Cold Raw Weather.  Mr. Stephen Maynard here, but without his Account that we might reckon, though I have taken unwearied pains to obtain it.  Mr. Batheric and Benjamin How with Ebenezer hew the Principals and Thomas brings 10 of them over.

1752 May 13 (Wednesday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice, and Messrs. Phinehas Hardy, Simon Tainter and Samuel Bumpso work at the Frame, and to Day came likewise Mr. Jonah Warrin.  Receiv’d a Letter from Brother Parkman, dated April 28 or 29.  I visited Deacon Newton[1] who is much recover’d.  My son Ebenezer brought 10 more Principals.  My Wife went to Marlborough.  At Night came a Young Man Odoavdo Thomas for Mrs. Molly Johnson, but she went not with him.

[1]Josiah Newton.

1752 May 14 (Thursday).  This Morning came Mr. Zebulon Rice, and Mr. Simon Tainter.  Afterwards came old Mr. Charles Rice, and Mr. Jonathan Forbush to the Frame.  Mrs. Molly Johnson left us at Evening.

1752 May 15 (Friday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice at the Frame.  Added to him afterwards were, Mr. Batherick, Mr. Grow — old Mr. Graves, and Mr. Simon Tainter — who work’d and din’d with us.  In the afternoon by the help of a Sufficient Number of Hands (about 70 Great and Small) we rais’d the Barn.  30 feet long and 28 wide — and through the Goodness of God there was no Evil Accident.  I had provided only for about a Score, yet I hope no one went away without some refreshment.  It was only Cake and Cheese and Butter etc.

1752 May 16 (Saturday).  Billy works at t’other House so that I am alone to take Care of things and put all to rights after the Raising.  Wet myself and then took Cold.

1752 May 17 (Sunday).  Sir Forbush preach’d for me a. and p.m. on Jam. I, 5.  May God be pleas’d to Add to his Graces and accomplishments and make him an happy Instrument of Saving Good to Many Souls!  May he be abundantly fitted and prepar’d for the very awful and Solemn Charge he will (God willing) in a short Time receive!  At Night I was very much indispos’d.

1752 May 18 (Monday).  In the Morning much better.  Blessed be God!  The Day was lowery and Misty.  A great Favour after much drie Weather.  Town Meeting.  Chose Esquire Baker[1] representative.

[1]Edward Baker was a frequent office-holder of Westborough.

1752 May 19 (Tuesday).  Wettish Weather, but no great Matter of Showers.  Visit old Mrs. Dorcas Forbush.  Messrs. Bliss[1] and Hobby[2] at the Door, in their Journey to another Sutton Council.

[1]Daniel Bliss of Concord.

[2]William Hobby of Reading.

1752 May 20 (Wednesday).  The Reverend Mr. Fish[1] and his wife here p.m.

[1]Elisha Fish of Upton.

1752 May 21 (Thursday).  Samuel Forbush carted Two Load of Boards, Oake and Pine from Mr. Maynards Mill.  Disappointed of the help I expected I undertook to preach my Self the Lecture preparatory to the Lords Supper — from 1 Cor. 11.26.  Having no Watch I preach’d too long.  Solemnized the Marriage of Mr. Daniel Adams[1] to Mr. Daniel Hardys only Child, at Mr. Hardys.  The Weather Exceeding Cold.  N.B. Our Kinswoman Mrs. Sally Brigham[2] here and din’d with us.

[1]Daniel Adams of Shrewsbury married Abigail Hardy of Westborough.

[2]Mrs. Parkman’s sister, Sarah Gott, married Uriah Brigham of Marlborough, July 12, 1750.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 373.

1752 May 22 (Friday).  Sir Forbush Sends his Chest (containing a number of Valuable Books which I have sold him, viz. Hammond,[1] Saurin,[2] Edwards[3]) by one Ball to Brookfield.

[1]A work by the English divine and Canon of Christ’s Church Oxford, Henry Hammond, D.D. (1605-1660).  None of his numerous writings had been published in America.

[2]Jacques Saurin (1677-1730), a celebrated French Protestant preacher, had been the minister of a Walloon church in London, and after 1705 a minister in The Hague.  His work had not appeared in an American edition.

[3]Some writing or writings of the great Jonathan Edwards of Northampton.  [Additional note: This may be a reference to the English minister, John Edwards (1637-1716), several of whose works Parkman owned or borrowed.]

1752 May 23 (Saturday).  I find it impossible under my incumbrances to prepare two Sermons in a Week, in the Manner I conceive they ought to be compos’d and written.  But I have, I hope, Some sincerity towards God in what I have done.

1752 May 24 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 11.  Preach’d on Mat. 1.21.  Somewhat long but I chose to deliver it all (that I had prepar’d) at once.  Administer’d the Lords Supper.  Mrs. Molly Johnson here with us.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 5, and on Consideration of a number of persons being rais’d from Sickness, and brought to the divine Worship again, Not less than 6 within these 8 Days, I preach’d Eph. 5.20.  After Sermon read Letter Missive from Brookfield, second parish respecting Mr. Eli Forbush’s Ordination.

1752 May 25 (Monday).  Messrs. Batheric, Phinehas Hardy and Daniel Adams work’d on the Covering my Barn.  Mr. Gashitt Sollicits me to go with him to Mr. Ross Wymans[1] to bind Henry Gashitt, which we did — din’d at Wyman’s.  P.M. visited Mr. Cushing who was not able to preach yesterday.  When I return’d, found Mr. Martyn and his wife here; and that Mr. Stone and Madame Thatcher[2] (his Mother in Law) had been here likewise, having come before Dinner.  Mr. Forbush to Brookfield.

[1]A blacksmith of Shrewsbury.

[2]The Reverend Nathan Stone of Southborough had married Mary Thacher, daughter of the late Reverend Peter Thacher of Middleborough, May 16, 1751.

1752 May 26 (Tuesday).  Mr. Adams all Day.  Mr. Batheric p.m.  I went to Mr. Rogers and talk’d with him about the Narrowness of the Shingle which I have had of him.  N.B. Mr. Edmund Greenlead of Newbury call’d at the Door, in his Journey to Sutton.

1752 May 27 (Wednesday).  The General Election is at Concord, because of the Small Pox at Boston.  At Mr. Martyns Importunity I din’d at his House.  I rode home in Mr. Martyns Chair which I borrow’d for Ebenezer to go to Watertown.  Ebenezer and Thomas plant our South Field over again, it having been rooted up by young Piggs.  At Eve it rain’d: Billy did not return from his play at Mr. Martyns.  I rode to Mr. Jonah Warrins and brought home my Molly and Mrs. Molly Johnson (who is still at Work here) but Lucy lodg’d there.  At Night came old Mr. Fuller of Sutton, in his return home from Middleton and lodged here.  N.B. Mr. Winchester from Boston; he has left my Watch still with Mr. Atkinson.

1752 May 28 (Thursday).  Mr. Fuller goes home.  The We[?]

1752 May 29 (Friday).  Ebenezer brought Mrs. Eliza Harrington to dinner here.  She was not well.  They rode to Watertown in Mr. Martyns Chair.  Tis thought he courts her.  I earnestly pray that God may be Guardian and Director of my Dear Son in this important Matter before him!

1752 May 30 (Saturday).  I was not So well as usual: and have Such a Weight of Care and Trouble but chiefly on account of my Ministry and Great Account that I am much Sunk.

752 May 31 (Sunday).  Was much indispos’d last night and to Day.  The Weather Cold and Rainy.  I notwithstanding went to Meeting both Parts of the Day.  A.M. read Deut. 12.  Gave some Observations.  Preach’d on the eighth Commandment from Eph. 4.28, first part.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 6, and although I had preparations for the p.m. sermon yet such person or persons as the Discourse would more immediately concern, being absent by the Rain I deferred it — and preach’d on 1 Cor. 15.22, latter part!  being sermon 6 from page 28 to 33.  N.B. Mr. Eli Forbush and Mrs. Hannah Fish dismiss’d.[1]

[1]“Parkman entered in the Westborough Church Records, May 31, 1752: “The Church was Stop’d and Voted Dismission of Mr. Eli Forbush to the work of founding and Settling a Church in the North East Part of Brookfield, or to the Church there, if there be one gather’d; in order to his being ordain’d the Pastor thereof.  And the dismission of Mrs. Hannah Fish (heretofore Hannah Forbush) to the Church in Upton.”