Month: May 1761

1761 May 1 (Friday).  Mr. Baldwin leaves us to go home.  Has orders to let Ebenezer have Serge 2 yards 1/4 @ 45/, Shalloon 1 yard, Buttons and Silk and Hair, for Samme a Coat, and Leather for a pair of Breeches.  Miss Betty.  Visit old Mrs. Fay.

1761 May 2 (Saturday).  Miss Betty still.

1761 May 3 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 13 and 14 and Gal. 6.  Preached a.m. on Joh. 14.15.  Administered the Lords Supper, after admitting Mrs. Molly Hills and Miss Persis Rice.  N.B. Shrewsbury destitute.  Mrs. Miles (Deacons Wife) and Mrs. Jemima Allen, wife of Mr. Obad. Allen of Shrewsbury, dined here; as did Mrs. Parker and Miss Betty Johnson.  P.M. I preached on Rom. 13.13.  N.B. Read James Bellus’s Confession.  And I added an Exhortation to him and to the young people.

1761 May 4 (Monday).  Mr. Samuel Forbush ploughed a.m. at the Cook Field.  P.M. it was too rainy to work.  N.B. Mr. Jonah Warrin brought home my Chair which was lent him last Saturday to carry his Wife to meeting yesterday.  Miss Betty Johnson.

1761 May 5 (Tuesday).  A very remarkable Morning.  For the Ground is covered with Snow, and it continues to snow hard.  It is Somewhat unhappy with us as to Hay, our English being all gone, and as to wood, for we have no Small wood left.  But God Careth for us!  The Lord Pity those that are in greater Straits than we are!  P.M. Deacon Tainter came for me to go to the private Meeting at his House.  I went.  My Daughter Sarah with me.  A greater Number were present than I expected.  I preached on Jam. 1.22.  An handsome Entertainment followed, but our main Concern Should be to profit by the word of God, This last being the principal Food.  Miss Betty here making Leather Breeches for Alex and Breck.

1761 May 6 (Wednesday).  Bright.  The Snow goes as fast almost as it came.  Miss Betty makes Leather Breeches for Breck.

1761 May 7 (Thursday).  Nathan Kenny with a Pair of Steers and Capt. Woods Oxen helps Alex get out Muck.  P.M. Mr. Samuel Forb. plows at the Island.  Miss Betty makes me a Pair of Knit worsteed Breeches.

1761 May 8 (Friday).  Ebenezer Forb. plows at the Island.  Miss Betty leaves us.  Owe her 4£ 1/ old Tenor for 13 Days and 1/2 at 6/.  Alex had Mr. Nathan Maynards Mare to wait on her to Coll. Brigham.  At Eve Mr. Beton informs that Capt. Maynard has Sent over word to the Street that my Sheep are pounded.  It appears to have been done by Neighbour Barny Newton and without having informed me of their Getting in upon his Grass Since the Fence was mended.  I went up to his House and expostulated with him.  N.B. Miss Hannah dined with us to Day.  I paid her in full 3£ old Tenor.

1761 May 9 (Saturday).  Sent for my Sheep out of the Pound, and sent ‘em up to Neighbour Newton to be yoked and fettered.  I provided yokes, viz. 7 and 3 more soals and Crotches.  He accordingly does the work.  I viewed both Newtons and Betons Fences.  Found Betons very Defective and Newtons part of it very bad, and Newtons outer Fence mended but newly.  Capt. Woods was mended since Tuesday last.  N.B. Alexander worked for Mr. Samuel Forb.

1761 May 10 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 15 and 16 and Eph. 1.  Preached a.m. Expos. on Mat. 12.30 with many Alterations.  P.M. On Rom. 13.13.  Mr. Stone being gone to preach at Providence, sundry people of Southborough were at our Meeting.  Capt. Taplin and wife, and two of Miss Betty Johnsons sisters, dined here, as did Mr. Joseph Bowman likewise.

1761 May 11 (Monday).  I took a Walk to Capt. Maynards and Mr. Hows, to my other House (the first time since Artemas Bruce lived there), to Mr. Frosts, Bathericks, Barns’s etc. nor dined till I got home.  P.M. Miss Dilly Fay here in Humiliation and under Examination.

1761 May 12 (Tuesday).  Under Difficultys and Perplexitys about preparing our Ground for planting.  But I obtained of Mr. Batheric to send his Son and his Oxen, and Mr. Samuel Forb. Oxen, to plough in the forenoon.  We had a Scheme for harrowing p.m. but it fell through.  I was Obliged to go to Shrewsbury to carry Interest money to Mrs. Cushing of a 200£ Note given last Year.  Was forced to borrow 5 Dollars of Mr. Hill to enable me to pay it, because I could neither go nor Send to Mr. Bellows.  I rode to Dr. Crosby and gave him 6£ old Tenor to deliver to Mrs. Cushing.  Visit Lt. Rice and his wife, both of them Sick.  Visit Mr. Joseph Miles, who is rather worse.  Dined at Mr. Benjamin Willards in Grafton.  Obtain Mr. Abraham Temples Horse for my Journey to the Election and Convention.  As Soon a I came home, and designing to engage in my Study, was forced to go about the Neighbourhood to prepare for harrowing tomorrow, Since we were so sorrowfully Disappointed for to Day.  Mr. Bowman keeps School at Mr. Nathan Maynards.

1761 May 13 (Wednesday).  Mr. Nathan Maynard with his own Mare and Steers, and Pratts Steers with them, furrowed for me at Cook-Field.  P.M. Sheep Washed.

1761 May 14 (Thursday).  My Boys try to strike out a.m. in Vain with Neighbour Zebulun mare.  P.M. John Wood at 3 o’Clock Strikes out.

1761 May 15 (Friday).  Mr. Samuel Forbush Strikes out and p.m. old Mr. Rice, his Son Zebulun and Grandson, Capt. Wood and John and Wheelock, Neighbour Barney and Batherick, came and planted my whole Ground at the Island.

1761 May 16 (Saturday).  Almost all of us much indisposed with Colds — as many people are.

1761 May 17 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 17 and Eph. 2.  Preached a.m. on Rom. 13.13.  P.M. on Mat. 12.33.34.35.  Deacon Miles and his Sister Miles (Josephs wife) dined with us.  P.M. Mrs. Allen, her sons and Negro Boy here.  There being no preacher at Shrewsbury.

1761 May 18 (Monday).  I had Mr. Beetons Horse and Visited Mr. Moses Parkers Wife and prayed with the Family.  My wife and I dined (by invitation) at Mr. Hills on spare Rib.  N.B. old Capt. Clark of Framinghams Wife Dead.

1761 May 19 (Tuesday).  I finished my Convention Sermon a.m. if Such a Thing may be said to be finished, which needs continual Alterations.

1761 May 20 (Wednesday).  Alexander attempts Somewhat of Shearing.  P.M. Mr. Artemas Bruce finishes.  I rode on his mare to See the Widow Whitney and Mr. Ebenezer Miller, both of them Languishing.  N.B. Mrs. Maynard Sends John for her Aunt, who goes to her Groaning.

1761 May 21 (Thursday).  Mrs. Maynard has a Son.  Rev. Ebenezer Martyn of No. 4 here.

1761 May 22 (Friday).  Town Meet to choose a Representative.  Capt. Eager chose.  Send to Mr. Martyn to change next Sabbath and at Night have his Consent by a note from him.  Mr. Ithamar Bellows brought me 20£ old Tenor.  Brother Breck waits upon Mr. Williams, from Springfield hither.  They lodge here.

1761 May 23 (Saturday).  Mr. Williams leaves us for Boston.  Mr. Breck goes to Marlborough and Returns here before night.  N.B. Mr. Martyn having Sent me a Line last Eve that he consented to my proposal to Change next sabbath, I Sent Alexander to him with a Line to inform him that Mr. Breck was here etc.  But that I would rather go over and preach for him than that he Should be disappointed.  He sent me a Line which shewed him, though quite unreasonably, vexed.  For I dont know at what.

1761 May 24 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 10 to v. 27 and Eph. 3.  Mr. Breck a.m. on Luk. 13.24.  P.M. on Mat. 5.47, what do ye more than others.

1761 May 25 (Monday).  Mr. Breck and I set out for Boston.  I visited Mr. Joseph Joslin who is very bad and it is doubtfull whether I shall ever See him again.  Prayed with him before I left him.  Refreshed me at Mr. Stones.  Overtook Mr. Breck at Coll. Buckminsters about noon.  We rode together to Boston.  I went to Mr. Procters at the Alms House and prayed with the members in the Hall.  Put up at Brother Samuels and lodged there.

1761 May 26 (Tuesday).  A.M. Visited my Brother and other Relatives at the North End: and dined at my Brothers.  Visited Mrs. Breck in her Widowhood.  P.M. was at Capt. Storer’s Funeral.  Lodged at Brother Samuel’s.

1761 May 27 (Wednesday).  Mr. Benjamin Stevens preached on 2 Cor. 3.17, latter part.  Governor Barnard not well; and was not at Meeting.  Dined with the Lt. Governor and Council etc. in Concert Hall.  After which I repaired with the Ministers to Dr. Sewals.  Dr. Sewal Moderator of the Convention.  Mr. Williams of Longmeadow prayed.  Mr. Mather chose scribe and to preach next Year.  Mr. Lowel Second.  Visit Mr. Foxcroft.  My Evening at Cousen Winters where I lodged.

1761 May 28 (Thursday).  My Concern about to days Service was great but not distressing or especially overwhelming.  I early committed the whole Affair to God imploring Remission of my Great Offences former and later.  Fervently besought the gracious Presence of the Spirit of God to purge and purifie me, especially to deliver me from the sinful Fear of Man and raise up in me the true Fear of God; and to Save me from Seeking my own Glory; to help me to seek sincerely the Glory of God and to Enable me to aim At the Approbation of the most High rather than human Applause.  O might I have the Grace of holy Faith and humble but firm Trust in God who is able to Carry me through.  Thus I cryed to God most high, to God that performeth all Things for me: And Said, What Time I am afraid I will trust in Thee!  The Convention were late by reason of preparing Addresses, particularly to the King and to the Governor.  It was almost half after 11 when we went to Meeting.  Through divine Favor I had good presence of mind.  Preached on 2 Cor. 5.14, former part, For the Love of Christ constraineth us.  Preached just an Hour.  Dined at Dr. Sewals.  My Friend Mr. Edmund Quincy there.  The Contribution was £139.18.0 Old Tenor.  P.M. at the Convention I was appointed one of the Committee to wait on the Governor with the Address.  The Others were Dr. Sewal, Chauncy, Mayhew, Messrs. Barnard, Appleton, Storer, Bridge, Stevens and [blank].  The Governor received us very agreeably, and returned an Obliging answer.  At Eve at Mr. Mathers.  Lodged at Cousen Winters.

1761 May 29 (Friday).  At the North End a.m.  Dined with Dr. Mayhew.  Undertook my Journey p.m.  Rode to Mr. Nathaniel Williams at Weston and lodged there

1761 May 30 (Saturday).  Pursue my Journey.  On my Way heard Mr. Joseph Joslin is dead and buryed.  Arrived Safe and home about 1 o’Clock p.m.  Alexander went home with Mr. Abraham Temple of Grafton’s Horse, which I had rid to Boston.  Whilst I was gone Alexander and Breck mowed Bushes at the Island.  On the 27th Brother Champney and his wife came here late in the Night, lodged here, and on the 28th went to Brookfield.

1761 May 31 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 18 from v. 27 and Eph. 4.  Repeated sermon on Gal. 1.15.16.  When it pleased God to reveal His son in me.  May God grant His almighty Grace to us; and that we may have the Comfortable Evidence of it!  At Eve read Religious History of Miss Alice Prince.