Month: January 1758

1758 January 1 (Sunday).  Surely great is the Mercy and Goodness of God that not only continues my Life but the Day and means of Grace.  It is yet an Accepted Time and Day of Salvation.  O might I know and improve the Things of my Eternal Peace before they are hid from My Eyes!  Blessed be God for another Christian Sabbath!  Read 1 Chron. 23.  Having had no Time at all to prepare, repeated Sermon on 2 King. 20.1 which I composed in the Year (26).  I chose this Subject partly on Consideration of the New Year, and partly Mrs. Maynards Death.  P.M. read Luk. 12 — v.30.

1758 January 2 (Monday).  Capt. Wood here — recommends an Horse of Ensign Willards of Grafton — and he goes for him.  At Eve Billy, from Brookfield.

1758 January 3 (Tuesday).  Capt. Wood brings the Horse and leaves him for me to try him, would have me keep him a Week or fortnight.

1758 January 4 (Wednesday).  I rode to Mr. Jonathan Bruce’s and I hire of him 30£ old Tenor to Send to my son Baldwin to whom I owe so much upon Note.  I proceeded as far as Mr. Martyns.  N.B. his sons Wife is in Travail.  I also went to Lt. Maynards to visit him in his Sorrows — but he was not at home.

1758 January 5 (Thursday).  Mrs. Anne Brigham came from Marlborough.  I payed her 20£ old Tenor.  Judge Ward here.  P.M. I preached at the Widow Joanna Forb. on Ps. 51.11 from page 9 to 16.  Sarah with me.  Visited at Mr. Hammonds in my Return.  N.B. I had Sent an Earnest Note to Mr. Ebenezer Forb. the Collector for money, while Mrs. Brigham was here; but without Success.  But at Evening when She was gone he came and brought £22.10.old Tenor.

1758 January 6 (Friday).  Sent Billy to Capt. Eagers to try to Send Money to Brookfield both to Ebenezer and to Baldwin — but in Vain, except that my Letters to them were left.  At Eve gave my old Mare to Lt. Rolf.

1758 January 7 (Saturday).  Sent Breck with the old Mare to Lt. Rolf.  Mr. Batherick, who takes Care of the New Horse comes on purpose to acquaint me with the Character the Horse has for a breachy and troublesome Creature.  Neighbour Barney Newton has brought up Word that my dear Brother is living, and like to recover.  Mr. Tim Warren here with Wood, and tells me a grievous Story of his Disquietment with the School-Mistress, Mrs. Mary — but I am not willing to take any further notice of it at present, though, it Seems, it makes a great Noise in their Neighbourhood.  N.B. Mr. Cornelius Biglow junior here to acquaint me he is going to carry Mrs. Grace Barns 50£.  And I wrote to her by him.

1758 January 8 (Sunday).  Read 1 Chron. 24.1-19 and gave a general Account of the rest without reading it.  Preached a.m. on 2 Cor. v. 4.  P.M. read Luk. 12 from v. 31.  Preached on 1 Cor. 1, former part of v. 23 and latter part of v. 24.  Used chiefly Sermon on this latter v. made in 1746/7.

1758 January 9 (Monday).  I have Still Ensign Willards Horse in keeping; and rode him to Mr. Tim Warrins where I left him, and took a Young Mare of his to ride upon Trial to Marlborough.  Went to the Widow Barn’s, and hired money of her, viz. the 50£ Old Tenor of which I wrote to her on the 7th.  When I returned home Mr. Joseph Gilbert of Brookfield came with an Horse he led down (viz. Mr. Forbush’s) to wait upon Mrs. Lydia Champney — whereas She has not been conducted here yet.

1758 January 10 (Tuesday).  I delivered to Mr. Joseph Gilbert 56£ 5 S. in one parcell: 50£ in another — both old Tenor for my son Ebenezer and 10 Dollars more for my son Baldwin.  When he left us, he left Mr. Forbush’s Horse here, for Thomas to go to Boston and wait upon Miss Lydia Champney.  I rode to Mrs. Mary Stewards, and dined there — to Mrs. Dunlops and engaged Mrs. Patty to nurse my Wife.  Visit old Mrs. Wood who is confined by reason of a Fall from her Horse.  Visit Mrs. Miller who is also Sick.  Returned in the Evening in a snow Storm.

1758 January 11 (Wednesday).  Sent back to Capt. Wood the Young Horse which he bought of Ensign Willard of Grafton; having understood that he was too breachy for me to keep.  Mr. Smith of Marlborough came up to See us though it rained — and knew not of our Lecture.  Mr. Stone and his Brother Thatcher came also.  They dined with us.  Mr. Thatcher preached on Luke 13.3.  This Lecture was appointed as a Special — on Account of the peculiar Situation of our Public Affairs both in Europe and America: For we may now apprehend the states and Powers which have the management of our public Affairs, are engaged in their Consultations; on which the important Events of the Ensuing Year will, under God, depend.  We ought therefore to wait upon God in the way of Devotion and Endeavours of Reformation.  And To be sure it is not unapposite in me to promote these Things, when my lately printed Discourse is about this Time more generally in the Hands of people.  May God Himself be pleased to quicken and assist and Succeed me a poor worthless insufficient Creature!  And prosper his Ministers and all His Servants engaged in this great Work!  Particularly what we heard this Day in the Serious, pungent Sermon delivered by his Servant Thatcher!  The Rain prevented the Ministers returning home till past nine at night.  Mr. Thatchers Horse had broke away to Southborough.  He therefore rode Mr. Smiths, and Mr. Smith lodged here.

1758 January 12 (Thursday).  Thomas obtained Mr. Benjamin Tainters mare, and on Mr. Forbushs Horse Sat out for Cambridge or Boston to wait on Miss Lydia Champney up here.  I was very much engaged in my preparations.  Billy is cyphering.  The Lesser Boys write.  Sarah begins to cypher.  My wife in daily Pain.

1758 January 13 (Friday).  I was glad to See Mr. LeBlanc and his Son Joseph (from Cambridge) who made us a Visit and dined here, but it was so great an Interruption through the principal part of the Day that I could heartily wish that they had taken another Time.  Old judge Ward, also came.  Billy undertakes Something of building a Stable in the Barn.

1758 January 14 (Saturday).  Billy at the Stable — putts up the Rack and boards up the Partitions.  Thomas returns from Boston (having lodged at Framingham last night) but with an Empty Horse as he went, his Aunt Lydia being too ill to ride.  But if She had been ever so well had sent word to Brookfield that She could not ride on Horseback.

1758 January 15 (Sunday).  A Cold Day.  Read 1 Chron. 25.8 or 9 v. and gave account of the rest, making Some Remarks on what was read.  P.M. read Luk. 13.  Preached a. and p.m. on Prov. 1.28.  And may God be pleased to add his Blessing!  At Eve my wife in much pain — drinks an infusion of wild Cherry Tree Bark.

1758 January 16 (Monday).  Billy finishes at the Stable a.m.  A great Snow Storm, But through Gods Goodness we are favoured with Health and with all Necessarys and many of the Comforts of Life.  All Hearty Thanks to Him.  May it please God to appear for all that are in Distress, and that are indigent at this Time!

1758 January 17 (Tuesday).  Stormy Still and there having been rain sometimes as well as Snow, the Snow is very compact and close.  Capt. Taplin here to desire me, in Mr. Stones Name, to preach a Special Lecture at Southborough tomorrow.  Billy cyphering.  N.B. The Storm goes over.

1758 January 18 (Wednesday).  I rode on my son Forb.’s Horse to Southborough and preached on Jer. 7.2.  N.B. This a further carrying on the Subject of my printed Discourse: not having preached at Southborough I think, since I delivered that.  I returned at Eve and yet it was exceeding bad travelling by reason of the Snow.

1758 January 19 (Thursday).  Rode to Grafton to See an Horse of Mr. Nat. Flagg.  Dined at Mr. Hutchinsons.  Visited DuGas, the French mans Family.  And Mr. Hutchinson and I visited Mr. Prentice.  Mr. Flagg (being Sent for) brought his Horse, and Charles Brigham Esq. came with a Mare of his to be sold.  Supped at Winchesters and returned home.  N.B. visit widow Grout and Mr. Jonathan Fay.

 

1758 January 20 (Friday).  This important Day for Studying was greatly interrupted by both Mrs. Tainters who came to make Cake and Biskitt for my Wife.  Deacon Tainter and his Daughter Warrin here at Evening.  Their Kindness and service very acceptable had this been at another Time.  Judge Ward was also here.

1758 January 21 (Saturday).  At Eve came Dr. Gott and William Wood from Brookfield who bring me Letters from my Son Ebenezer who tells me he has received the Money which was sent by Joseph Gilbert; that he has bargained for the Gilbert place and received a Deed of it.  I was greatly perplexed about my preparations and obliged to give up my attempts on the 2d Sermon.  Went to bed in much sorrow and Grief under So unsupportable a Burden.  Was grievously exercised in my Sleep — especially in a Dream of the assaults of Satan.  N.B. My Wife in great pain.

1758 January 22 (Sunday).  Another Snow storm, and Cold.  Read part of Ch. 26 of 1 Chron.  Preached on Rom. 8.28.  Those words especially — The Called according to His purpose.  P.M. read Luk. 14 and preached on 2 Pet. 2.4 of Evil Angels.  Used the sermon on Ps. 2.6 in the Discourses of the Government of Christ begun on Isa. 9.6.  O that God would pardon my great Defects, and accept and Bless my broken and imperfect Endeavours!

1758 January 23 (Monday).  Snow storm continues — a very difficult and distressing Time about Hay.  Finished the Earl of Orrery’s Life of Dean Swift.  Capt. Wood here at Eve and Supps with me.  N.B. Took some View of the Moons Eclipse, in my Telescope.  I would magnifie the Works of God which men behold!  Cold Night.

1758 January 24 (Tuesday).  Mr. Zebulun Rice works here, laying the West part of my Kitchin Chamber Floor.  Mr. Robert Cook here with a Confession.  They both dined here.  At Night Mr. Rice took his Brother Forb.’s Horse home — for I have kept him now a Fortnight.  My wife still greatly exercised with Pains.

1758 January 25 (Wednesday).  Billy left us to go to Brookfield.  He rode up Mr. Forb.’s Horse.  His Company were Thomas Hardy and William Wood.  We had the sorrowful Tidings of the Death of Mrs. Margaret Miller, wife of Ensign James Miller.  She was heretofore the Wife of Mr. Nehemiah How of Grafton, who was carried away Captive from the great Meadows.  Her maiden Name was Willard, Daughter of Capt. Benjamin Willard.  A Woman of many Vertues.  Her Death is not only a great Loss to me and mine, but to all the Place.  May the god of all Grace Sanctifie it to me and mine, to the bereaved Ensign (who is under great Infirmitys by the Palsey) and to all the Relatives and Neighborhood!  Mr. Oliver Carter from Leominster dined here.  He wants Copys of Several Papers, brought into our Council, viz. Number 9 and 14.

1758 January 26 (Thursday).  [No entry.]

1758 January 27 (Friday).  I have been daily engaged in my preparations for the Sabbath and with some Success.  D.G.  I dined early and walked to Capt. Wood and rode with him in his Slay to Ensign Millers, to the Sorrowful Funeral of his Wife.  May God Sanctifie to us these His holy Dispensations that all Survivers may be in a suitable Readiness for His Sacred Will.  Received a Letter from Robert Cook.

1758 January 28 (Saturday).  Have heard from Boston that my dear Friends there are variously exercised.  My eldest Brother Still in a low Condition.  My Brother Samuel has marryed his Daughter Elizabeth to Mr. Job Bradford, Mariner.  P.M. Esq. Charles Brigham here with his mare — but a Bargain is still postpon’d.  My wife much exercised with pain and greatly distressed.

1758 January 29 (Sunday).  Read 1 Chron. 27 and p.m. Luk. 15.  Preached a. and p.m. on Rom. 8.28.  O that we might be truely apprehensive of the distinguishing Favor and Privilege of the External Call!  And may we be obedient to it!  Above all the Dispensers of Gods Word are under peculiar Obligations to conform thereto them Selves.  May God grant me the Grace that I may!  N.B. On drawing near the Time of Travel desired Prayers.  Granny Maynard dined with us — and was here at Evening and lodged here.  Robert Cook here at noon and delivers me another paper.  At Eve stopped the Church and read it to them — he being present.

1758 January 30 (Monday).  Mrs. Maynard here through out the Day and lodges here, Mrs. P________ being in much Pain and Distress.  P.M. Mr. Eleazar Whitney comes with a Whirrey and carrys me to Deacon Tainters where a Number of the Brethren Meet with Robert Cook to confer with him about his Confession.  There were present Deacon Forb. and his Son Daniel, Mr. Nathaniel Whitney, Lt. Jonas Brigham, Messrs. Samuel and David Hardy, Mr. Solomon Woods, Mr. David Maynard, Mr. Eleazar Whitney, besides Deacon Tainter and his son; Mr. William Pierce was also there.  Cook was Seemingly very earnest in asking Forgiveness yet when some particulars were mentioned he had always reserves and alleviations.  When I came home, Mrs. Maynard here, Capt. Wood and his Wife and Deacon Bond here; my Wife in great pain and yet not near her Delivery.

1758 January 31 (Tuesday).  Mrs. Maynard carryed away by Mr. Moses Brigham.  A Cold Day especially p.m.  At Eve Mr. Daniel Forb. and Mr. Solomon Woods here to ask my advice about a Case which they put; not suffering me to know either person or particulars.  My Wife full of pain, but not so much of travail pains — as of other kind.