December 2, 1755

1755 December 2 (Tuesday).  Lieutenant Tainter here and din’d with us.  He is so good as to come and see whether we had any service to be done at Boston, as his Custom has been, but I would not at this time trouble him with anything.  I am heartily thankfull to God for the affectionate Kindness of this Good Man, who whether he is at home or goes abroad he is ever caring for us.  This is to be noted before Thanksgiving.

December 6, 1755

1755 December 6 (Saturday).  It was very Cold, but having appointed to Change with Mr. Wellman I Set out upon my Journey a.m.  Call’d at Captain Bakers and deliver’d him a Paper containing a brief Memorial to be laid before the Town next Monday, when they are to meet to bring in Town Debts; desiring them to pay Me what they owe Me.  N.B. Captain Baker Said he would use his Best Endeavour to have it Succeed.  I therefore repose my Affair under God in his Care.  Din’d at Mr. Hutchinsons.  Lieutenant Tainter came to me there and din’d with us.  Met Mr. Wellman on the Road from Sutton to Grafton.  I lodg’d at Mr. Wellmans, Lieutenant Tainter at his Sons.

December 7, 1755

1755 December 7 (Sunday).  I preach’d at Sutton for Mr. Wellman, and he for me at Westborough.  My Text a.m. was Gal. 1, part of 15 and part of 16.  P.M. it was Heb. 11.16.  A fine Day, as to Weather; might God grant us divine Refreshment and Joy from His Word and Ordinances!  I baptiz’d Moses Son of Deacon Chase,[1] and having Consulted Mr. Wellman about it, who requested it, I appointed an Exercise in the Evening at Mr. Jonathan Fullers, where accordingly [I] preach’d to a crowded Assembly from Luke 12.36.37.  N.B. After Exercise came in two Soldiers — one of them had Plans of the Forts lately built by our Forces.  Fort William and Henry and Fort Edwards.  I lodg’d at Mr. Samuel Trasks.

[1]Abel Chase.

December 8, 1755

1755 December 8 (Monday).  Rode to Mr. Charles Richardsons who copy’d the Plans which I borrow’d last night, for me.  Mr. Wellman and Lieutenant Tainter came, and we all din’d there.  P.M. Lieutenant and I return’d home, calling at Mr. Wellmans where I borrow’d Henry on the Historical Books of Old Testament[1] and at Mr. Hutchinsons with whom both I and Mr. Wellman are somewhat disquieted that he would not change with Mr. Wellman and go to Westborough in his Stead.  I arriv’d safely through God’s Mercy, in the Evening.  Thus I have perform’d this long design’d Journey for the Sake of my dear Kinswoman, Mrs. Fuller (who is about 82).  And may God himself visit, Support and bless them and at last receive them to Himself!

[1]Matthew Henry (1662-1714), a noted English dissenting minister, wrote Exposition of the Historical Books of the Old Testament (London, 1708).

December 10, 1755

1755 December 10 (Wednesday).  Mr. Nathaniel Whitney here at Eve and tells me the Town Meeting on the 8th did nothing upon my Paper which I sent and was (he said) presented, by Captain Baker.  But he tells me that Lieutenant Tainter takes off the Force of any Such Petition, for he says that he has paid 20£ old Tenor towards that Debt — and Harrington has some pounds more: so that there is very little remaining now.  In answer to which I assur’d him (Mr. Whitney) that no Body had to my Knowledge paid a Farthing of that Debt but Messrs. James Ball, and Jacob Rice, and Captain Maynard.  Unless Lieutenant Tainter charg’d for keeping a Creature or two the Winter following the Drought.  But yet he never said so to me; nor is there any Thing behind in my account with him except for some few Things which Lieutenant has bought at Boston for us, this Year: for as for last Year I discharg’d all Debt to him Unto the Day when I gave him a Note to the Collector of 15£ old Tenor.  Mr. Whitney added that Lieutenant Tainter told him as above, yesterday.

December 13, 1755

1755 December 13 (Saturday).  Much interrupted by the Coming of Captain Thomas Stoddard from Fort Edward.  He tells me he supposes Mr. Bowes, late of Bedford, one of the Chaplains in the army, to be by this time dead, he having been struck suddenly with numb palsey, and speechless when he was with him, as he came down upon his Journey.  May God grant that I may myself be always ready!  Since we know not the Day nor the Hour.  O that I might wait for my Lord!

December 14, 1755

1755 December 14 (Sunday).  Captain Stoddard having lodg’d here, his son in Law, Mr. William Boardman came from Marlborough this Morning (from Boston Yesterday) to wait upon him.  They tarried with us over the Sabbath.  Reverend Mr. Bowes[1] Death is Several Ways confirm’d.  I read 1 K. 4.  Preach’d on Mat. 16.24.  P.M. read Mat. 7, and on Occasion of Mr. Bowes Death, repeated the remainder of what I began on Occasion of Deacon Newtons sudden Death last February, viz. from Deut. 32.29.  N.B. Deacon Bond, Mr. Cornelius Biglow and others return’d.  N.B. After Meeting Captain Maynard came in to see Captain Stoddard — and took home his Horse.  Which I took in very kind, good Part of him and wish it might please God So to Change his Heart as that he might be reduc’d to some Freeness and sweetness again.

[1]Nicholas Bowes (Harvard 1725) had been the minister of Bedford, 1730-1754.  After being dismissed he taught school and served as chaplain at Fort Edward.  He died at Western (now Warren) on his way home in December, 1755.

December 17, 1755

1755 December 17 (Wednesday).  Bright and Clear.  In the great Storm yesterday Captain Maynards etc.  Stables were wholly turn’d over so as to stand upon the Roof.  At Eve Lieutenant Tainter here and I had some Talk with him about his having said that he had paid me some considerable Part of the North side Debt.  And we had some considerable altercation but parted in Love and Peace.  A Frosty Night which we have not had of a great while, nor anything severe.

December 22, 1755

1755 December 22 (Monday).  Rode Mr. Nurse’s Mare to Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlins to see his son who is dangerously Ill.  I din’d there.  Dr. Brigham also.  At Mr. Jonathan Bellows — Mrs. Bellows extremely Clamorous.  At Mr. Snows where I talk’d with Comfort Bellows in the hearing of Mrs. Snow and her son and Daughter.  At Mr. Amsdens, Bruce’s — Bathericks.  N.B. Breck (the first time) went to Mill.

December 23, 1755

1755 December 23 (Tuesday).  Pleasant Day, but grows Somewhat Cold.  Mr. Edward Marrit[1] of Cambridge here.  At Eve Lieutenant Forbush who having writ something for Mrs. Judith Bellows, wanted to apprize me of it (for she had clean worried him out to do it) but said he did not think would do much good.  Mr. Daniel Warrin here and paid me 10£ old Tenor.  Lieutenant Tainter, here and we retir’d and talk’d over our whole Affair, concerning the Northside Debt to me and what he had done towards it.  He brought me from Esquire Baker, my Paper which I put in to the Town, with the Record on the back of it, of the Towns refusal to do anything about it.  Lieutenant Tainter (now first of all) acquainted me with the Articles which he had given me with Design in his own Heart, towards defraying the Northside Debt; Except that he had hinted to me somewhat of his keeping a Cow for me the winter after the Drought, and which at the Time, as I remember I manifested my Dissent to.  Through divine Restraints we kept from being angry — supp’d together and parted in peace.

[1]Marrett was a tailor who later served as selectman of Cambridge and as a captain of militia.  Paige, Cambridge, p. 605.

December 24, 1755

1755 December 24 (Wednesday).  A Great Frost: and the Day proves an exceeding Cold Day.  Am disappointed of all Carpenters coming, and by these Means my design’d Kitchin remains unclos’d, and my Cellar consequently greatly expos’d to the Frost notwithstanding all I have done in making a Partition between the New Part and the old.  We now batten and Partition and carry down Coals, and all little enough; for the Frost is very great.  Master Gardner, having been to Boston, brought me Several Letters, among which one from my worthy Friend Simon Frost[1] Esquire of Kittery, who inclosed Mr. Benjamin Lulls Deed of the 70 Acres; which Judge Frost had got recorded for me at Portsmouth.  My Son William much indispos’d.

[1]Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

December 25, 1755

1755 December 25 (Thursday).  The Frost has got very much into the House: But the wind not so high abroad.  Blessed be God for my preservation and many Comforts — and I would praise Him.  My Heart is in some Measure tender — I hope choosing and yielding to Him.  Had some serious Thoughts on the Day, as kept by many in Commemoration of our Lords Nativity.  And I desire to be one with all of them that are one with Christ, and who avoid the Superstitions and Excesses of this Day, and Serve the Lord in sincerity.  May I and mine have part in the glorious Logos[1] who was made Flesh and dwelt among us!  At Eve Dr. Joshua Smith here — receiv’d the News Paper in which have a frightfull Account of the terrible Earthquake at Cadiz and Seville; but especially Lisbon, St. Woes and Agazira.  O may we learn Righteousness!  fear God and give Glory to Him: and in peculiar since we are so mercifully Spar’d!

[1]See John I, 1-18.

December 26, 1755

1755 December 26 (Friday).  Somewhat moderater.  My Son Ebenezer came and with Thomas’s Help kill’d two Swine; which were but Small, one 126, the other 119, our Corn having been so cut off by the Frosts, both late in the Spring and early in the Fall.  The Negro Gosport, Mr. Gardners Servant here, and din’d here.  At Eve I walk’d to the widow Newtons and reckon’d with her — gave her a Note to Constable Forbush and reckon’d with Mr. John Beeton — Paid him 20 shillings old Tenor for Captain Drury[1] of Grafton, and gave a Note for the Shop work to the Collector Forbush.  N.B. Several Returning from the adjournment of the Town Meeting came in to my House — viz. Deacon Jonathan Forbush junior, Messrs. Solomon Woods and Benjamin Tainter — afterwards Ensign Harrington.  Tis observable that Ensign Harrington never said one word of his having paid me any of that Debt: though so much has been Said by others of his having declar’d he had.  Some of them cut out my pork.  All of them supp’d with me.  Our Discourse was partly of the awful providences of Late in the Earthquakes — and likewise of unhappy Controversie of the Town with me, who refuse to pay their just Debt to me, or to settle with me.  N.B. receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Charles Richardson of Sutton inclosing the Plans of the Forts lately built by the Army.

[1]Thomas Drury.

December 28, 1755

1755 December 28 (Sunday).  Read 1 King 6, preach’d a.m.  on Mat.  16.24.  P.M. on Occasion of the Earthquake and Inundation at Cadiz, Seville and especially at Lisbon preach’d on 1 Pet.  4.7, repeating the first Sermon on that Text, with divers alterations and additions, and may God forgive my great Deficiency, and add His efficacious Blessing!  N.B. after Meeting at Eve two Soldiers returning from Oswego, viz. James Johnston of Shirley, the other Timothy Canniston of Pepperrells Regiment here and desir’d Refreshments, which we chearfully gave ‘em.

December 31, 1755

1755 December 31 (Wednesday).  Captain Wood, return’d from Albany, was here with his Brother Jonathan in their Journey home; feeble and weak yet; and complains of Dizziness — but we are much rejoic’d to See him again, and so well as he is, we having heard he was Dead.  Thus this Year ends with nothing peculiar accomplish’d against Niagara or Crown-Point — the building of Some Forts — but the Troops are exceedingly wasted by Sickness and by their great Fatigues and hard Fare.  We must now wait the Will of God in what is to follow.  And may God fit me and mine for His holy Pleasure!