Month: April 1758

1758 April 1 (Saturday).  Mr. Asaph Rice consents to preach for Mr. Barrett but desires me to change with him — accordingly p.m. I rode to Hopkinton and lodged there.

1758 April 2 (Sunday).  I preached at Hopkinton a.m. on Ps. 46.1.10.  P.M. on Ps. 78.34.35.36.  After meeting Lieutenant Wood acquainted me with the Desires of Mrs. Bethiah Parminter, formerly Tyler, who lies in a very low Condition, that I would go and see her: which I complyed with (taking Mr. Barretts Advice and Concurrence) and the said Lieutenant accompanyed me.  She seemed very low indeed; and fears She shall live but a few Days.  I prayed with her — returned to Mr. Barretts — where I lodged.  N.B. very Cold season.  While I was at Mrs. Parminters it snowed.

1758 April 3 (Monday).  Returned home.  Mr. Rice preached for me yesterday on Ps. 119.155.  Capt. Wood here at Evening.

1758 April 4 (Tuesday).  Closely Sermonizing.

1758 April 5 (Wednesday).  The general Talk and stir is about ‘listing, but I am close confined to my study.

1758 April 6 (Thursday).  Public Fast.  A. and p.m. on Ps. 80.  Young Mr. Barrett and his wife here at noon.  They came to Capt. Woods last night, and return to sup and lodge here again.  Capt. Wood, Mr. Rice and Mr. Barrett here at Evening.

1758 April 7 (Friday).  Granny Maynard being sick and prayed for Yesterday, I went to See her — found her very ill.  Doctors Greenleaf and Crosby there.  N.B. Mr. Hezekiah Pratt goes with his Family to the Funeral of his Daughter Rachel Noyes — her Death much lamented especially as it was somewhat sudden — the Day before yesterday.  Mr. Joseph Bowker of Simsbury here.  Mr. Barrett and his wife and Master Rice, at my Request, dined here, and the former stayed and drank Tea; but returned towards Evening to Hopkinton.  N.B. Extraordinary Flocks of Pidgeons.  Mr. Ebenezer Rice and his sons go over to work on my old place.

1758 April 8 (Saturday).  Mr. Zebulun Rice comes early in the morning to inform me that Old Mrs. Gashitt is Dead and they desire me to go to her Funeral, and I accordingly went.  Mr. Gashitt burys his mother in his own Ground, about 1/2 a mile south East from his House.

1758 April 9 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 5, Luk. 22.  Preached on Joh. 15.5.  P.M. repeated on Ps. 73.24, last Clause.  N.B. At Eve of the 6th, viz. of the late Fast, Mrs. Dunlop came and tarryed with us over night, having Some Special Affair, that she desired to speak with me about in the morning.  This was about her Husband being rated — but I referred her to Deacon Bond and the rest of the Assesors.

1758 April 10 (Monday).  It was Training Day, but they did not Send to me to pray with them though I tarried at home till 2 p.m., then visited Granny Maynard — who is in a low and dangerous Condition.

1758 April 11 (Tuesday).  Mr. Ebenezer Rice and two of his sons work over at my other place.  They are splitting out Rails.  I dined at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards.  N.B. Alexander goes with Deacon Tainter to Mr. Cutlers at Sudbury and brings home nigh 6 Bushels of Malt.  I read Thompson of the Spring.

1758 April 12 (Wednesday).  I visited Mrs. Ruhamah Pratt.  N.B. Mr. Winchester (who dined with me) went up with me.  Visited Mr. Moses Brigham and his Wife.  Mr. Jeduthun Fay likewise (whose wife lies in).  I am grieved for their miserable Condition, living without Gods Ordinances.  I went in to See the old People.  Mrs. Blanc and her Daughter Mary there.  At Capt. Woods, where Alphy Newton gives me a Narrative of the Marriage and Death of the late Charles Rice junior.

1758 April 13 (Thursday).  Old Mr. Dunlop in my Garden — Sows Carrot Seed.  P.M. rode to Deacon Bonds, paid her [sic] the remainder of a Note given him by me for two Dollars which was to pay Mr. George Crossman for a Wigg he has made me a few Months agoe.  Visited at Mr. Jonah Warrins.  N.B. having my Gown on and thereby my Right Legg prevented extending over the saddle when I mounted, and my Mare briskly Setting out as Soon as I was upon her, I was thrown off to the Ground, but through divine Goodness received not much Hurt by it.  D.G.

1758 April 14 (Friday).  The newly enlisted Soldiers for the designed Expedition are this Day mustered by Coll. Williams at his House in Marlborough.  Among those who ride to Marlborough a young man calls here occasionally who says his Name is Ebenezer Trask of Mendon, Son of Robert, Son of Nicolas Trask.  My Son Thomas goes as one enlisted under Capt. John Ward.  He returns at night, not having been called.  His Captain not there; nor Lieut. Dunlop who enlisted him.

1758 April 15 (Saturday).  An unusually fine, warm Day!  Mustering Business is continued.  Thomas goes again — carrys a Letter from me to Coll. Williams containing a Representation of my sons Case, who has been ensnared in the enlisting by most vain promises, and that he is subject to Such indispositions of Body as render him incapable of the service.  Upon which the Coll. excuses him.

1758 April 16 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 61, Luk. 22 to v. 39; preached a.m. on Exod. 31.12.13.  Improved chiefly the Exercise on [that?] Text — but with frequent alterations.  The Occasion was, I spent my Time chiefly in preparing a Discourse on Isa. 57.1.2, which I delivered on occasion of the Sorrowful News of the Death of my much esteemed Brother in the Ministry, the Rev. learned and pious Mr. Jonathan Edwards — March 22, last who dyed at Nassau-Hall, being lately removed from Stockbridge to be President of that College.  An inexpressible Loss!  The Lord Sanctify it to me for my greatest Quickening!  The Lord Pity His Churches, the again so Suddenly bereaved College and Family — especially His Mournful Handmaids Edwards and Burr!  N.B. Mrs. Steward, the Widow (of Mr. Bezaleel) Smith, and Mr. Noah Hows wife dine with us.

1758 April 17 (Monday).  I rode to Mr. Daniel Millers to See his wife under Spiritual Griefs — and I dined there.  Brother Forbush there also.  Adam Rice works for me — ploughed stubble at the Island — with my Ebenezers Steers, and Capt. Woods Oxen.  At Eve Billy from Brookfield and acquaints me he listed and was mustered last Friday under Capt. Samuel How, hired by Lt. Adams, and is to wait on Lt. Joseph Stone.  This throws me into fresh Trouble; but may God Himself Support and direct me!  Yet I am easier than in the Case of my Son Thomas because he is sturdier for his age; and I can’t be utterly Opposite to some one or other of my sons going.  But still he is alas too young, and Small: a mere stripling!  but most of all, I fear going in the paths of irreligion!  The Lord grant he may have a New Heart and lead a New Life.

1758 April 18 (Tuesday).  My Son Baldwin came here in his Journey from Brookfield to Boston.  We ride down the Road together till I turn to Marlborough where is the Ministers Meeting to Day.  Present Messrs. Cushing, Martyn, Stone, Buckminster, and Davis.  Mr. Davis’s Concio, a good, serious Discourse.

1758 April 19 (Wednesday).  Have not time to visit my Wife’s Relations.  At Meeting was unusually Cold by reason of the wind of the Front Doors blowing fresh upon me as I sat at the Table under the Pulpit.  P.M. in returning home called at Mr. Ephraim Hows and Settled my Account of Interest with him and over paid 20/ of principal — took up my old notes, but gave him a new one for £10.13.4 L.M.  Called at Mr. Joseph Brighams who is sick, confined by Indispositions.  At Evening arrived at Home under Disadvantages for the keeping my Mare: for though I have English Hay enough (as I hope) at my old Barn, and have great plenty of Meadow Hay here, I have now no English Hay at all here.

1758 April 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Martyn preached my Lecture on Heb. 13.9 middle Clause — it is a good Thing to have the Heart established with Grace.  He was much indisposed, but delivered a good sermon; which may God be pleased to bless to our great Quickening.  N.B. Sent this morning to t’other Barn for Hay for Mr. Martyns Horses.  N.B. Mrs. Miller (Daniels wife) here in her Distresses — chiefly on Account of her prayers.  N.B. Mr. Ebenezer Rice moves Some goods into my other House and he and his sons are at work there.

1758 April 21 (Friday).  Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s sons lodged in my House at t’other place, last night; and to Day He carts over more Goods.  N.B. had my Sons Steers part of yesterday and the whole of to Day.  Mrs. Rice and the whole Family are now moved over and live at t’other House.

1758 April 22 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1758 April 23 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 7.  Luk. 22 from 39 — preached a.m. on Song V.1 and administered the Lords Supper.  P.M. repeated Exposition of Mat. 6.24, having no Time sufficient to prepare a Second Discourse for to Day.

1758 April 24 (Monday).  I went over to my other House — dined at Capt. Maynards.  P.M. visited old Mrs. Hannah Rice, and most of the other Familys that way.  Reckoned and Settled with Capt. Maynard.  Returned home Wet at night.

1758 April 25 (Tuesday).  Adam Rice worked for me — ploughed etc., only p.m.  N.B. In deep plunge respecting money for Mr. Jonathan Bruce and Mr. Moses Brigham, both of them in immediate necessity of what they have lent me.

1758 April 26 (Wednesday).  Rode to Southborough Lecture which was a.m.  I preached on Ps. 78, v. 34-37.  P.M. Mr. Stone and I walked to Coll. Brighams — of him I borrowed £32.8.11 old Tenor and of Capt. Ezra Taylor borrowed two Guineas to pay as aforesaid.  Mr. Stone accompanyed me to Mrs. Gordow’s.  In the Evening marryed Thomas Hardy and Hephzibah Rice and after them went through the service again for Jonathan Cook and Mary Biglow.  N.B. This last gave a Dollar.

1758 April 27 (Thursday).  I have several Times tryed to move my Billy from his purpose of going into the War, if he could get off; or to See whether he would repent of his ‘listing — but he remains fervent.  He is also so desirous of my Gun that I yield to please him.  Alexander goes with him as far as Leicester with my mare to help him along; he intending to go to Brookfield to Night.  Alexander returns well.  N.B. I walked to Mr. Jonathan Bruce’s, and took up my note with him, paying him 30£ old Tenor principal and 10/ (of like money) Interest.  P.M. I attended a Catechetical Exercise to young Women.  Begun the Catechism again and repeated my first Exercise in Explanation of it.  N.B. there were 28 young women and Girls there.  N.B. Adam with his Uncle Adonijah Rice work p.m. mending Island Fence.

1758 April 28 (Friday).  Paid Mr. Moses Brigham 25£ old Tenor.  Mr. Hall of Sutton here.

1758 April 29 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1758 April 30 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 8.  Luk. 23.  Preached a. and p.m. on Isa. 57.1.2.  Capt. King of Sutton at meeting — I took him home with me to dine here.