Month: May 1767

1767 May 1 (Friday).  Busy in preparing, as I was requested, to preach at Northborough.  Mr. Fish and Cushing return from Andrews’s, and bring me a Letter from those Brethren respecting a Church-Meeting.

1767 May 2 (Saturday).  Mr. Barrett dined with us.  My Wife rode with me, Capt. Wood carryed Sarah, and Mr. Cushing Susanna to The Funeral of Mr. Martyn.  A woful Day!  Mr. Loring and Mr. Gardner, Mr. Barrett and I, Mr. Stone and Mr. Goss, were Pall Bearers.  The Corps was carryed into the Meeting-House.  Mr. Gardner Prayed.  Mr. Loring Stayed to preach and I am, as is fittest, to take my turn in Course: notwithstanding what had been desired of me, for next Sabbath.  Mr. Barthol. Kneeland assists about the Character and takes the Care of the Printing it.  Mr. Steward comes home with me — and lodges here.

1767 May 3 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 54.  Mr. Steward preached on Joh. 3.19 a. and p.m.  P.M. I read Joh. 19.  Mr. Cushing dined with us.

1767 May 4 (Monday).  Mr. Steward to Marlborough.  Read Visitor Vol. 2.

1767 May 5 (Tuesday).  Preached at the Widow Newtons on Ps. 119.136.  Few attended!  I returned home soon, without staying to Eat.  My Heart very heavy.  May the Lord look upon me, pardon, and prepare for His Will!

1767 May 6 (Wednesday).  I rode, though twas somewhat rainy, to Upton; dined at Mr. Fish’s.  Preached the Lecture on 1 Cor. 11.20.  Which may God bless!  Saw the Sorrowful Effects of the late riotous Rage in breaking the Windows, Sashes etc., of the Meeting House there.  I rode to Mendon to See Venerable Mr. Dorr who is now much confined by his Infirmitys and by sickness.  Mr. Fish accompanyed me, but returned home; but I lodged at Mr. Dor’s.  Our Conversation was very much upon the great Difficultys now subsisting in each of our Parishes.  But chiefly whether we shall hold Communion with Mr. Cleavelands, against so many Testimonys born by a great Number the [sic] Pastors of that Neighbourhood, and our own?

1767 May 7 (Thursday).  Took leave of Mr. Dorr.  His Sage Mot to me was, that “the present dark Cloud on our Ecclesiastical State portends some very remarkable Event to be coming.”  Called at Mr. Fish’s, who rode with me part of the way from thence homeward; but I said no word further about our Andrews Affair.  Dined at Deacon Bradishs, where his Mother now lives.  Arrived in safety, and my Tabernacle in peace.  D.G.  Mrs. P________ goes with me to Mr. Solomon Bakers — solemnize his Marriage to Miss Hannah Hardy.  Sup there, with a Number of grave Neighbours and their wives, as well as young people.

1767 May 8 (Friday).  Am preparing my Funeral Sermon (or adding to what I had prepared) for my late Brother Marytn.  Mr. Moore p.m. from North-Shrewsbury.  He tells me Mr. Frink has So conducted towards his Friends that they have, in a Body, left him.

1767 May 9 (Saturday).  Mr. Moore.  Mr. Barrett in his Way to Northborough.  Mr. Steward going to Hopkinton.  Returned Mr. Steward his Visitor Vol. 2.  Master Cushing is going to Southborough, his Brother and Sister Stone being there.  Mr. Moore to Marlborough.  Sarah has my Mare and rides with Mr. John Forbes to Brookfield.

1767 May 10 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 55 and preached a. and p.m. on 2 Tim. 4.6.7.8.  Read p.m. Joh. 20.  After the Exercises I stayed the Church and read to them a Letter from Seven Brethren requesting a Church Meeting to consider whether Mrs. Andrews shall be admitted to transient Communion.  N.B. Richard Temple’s Brother Josiah, and old Mrs. Morse dined here.

1767 May 11 (Monday).  I had writ by Mr. Moore to Mr. Smith, consider and also confer with Mr. Stone about my Case.  I hoped also to meet him at Southborough.  I expected also Mr. Barrett to go — but he did not come here last night (at least in season).  He lodged at Capt. Woods.  I went to him this morning but he went to Hopkinton.  I rode to Mr. Stones and dined there, in Company with Messrs. Smith, Steward, Moore, and Cushing, whose Mother and sister Bridget were with us.  Mr. Stone and Smith consult and advise etc. etc.  Called at Lt. Nathan Brighams.  Mr. Cushing takes Elias behind him, to carry him to Capt. Jonathan Fays to board and go to school.  My Hay being short, Mr. M________ takes Care of his Horse himself.

1767 May 12 (Tuesday).  Mr. Moore carrys Suse in a Chair to Mr. Morse’s at North Shrewsbury.  At Eve Daniel son of Mr. Phinehas Hardy came for me to visit his sister Rachel.  She thinks she is dying.  I went, conversed, prayed, returned.  Abigail Rice returned from Brookfield on my Mare.

1767 May 13 (Wednesday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice works for me a.m. and a little while p.m.  He puts up the Gate which Deacon Tainter made for me.  Am my Self employed upon the Court-Miscellany for last Year.  Mr. Moore and Suse.

1767 May 14 (Thursday).  Temple and John plant Indian Corn.  Court-Miscellany.  Mr. Moore left us.  Hear that my son Baldwins Case about the Road West of his House in Brookfield is to be tryed at Worcester to Day.  Mrs. Johnson here.  Says She hears her Husband is dead.  Suse took Physick, and is very ill with it.  Paul Biglows wife examined.

1767 May 15 (Friday).  Am sent for to go to Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlins junior — his Wife being in Travail and can’t be delivered — went — found she was delivered but the Child dead.  Prayed.  Dr. Ball accompanyed me back.  Deacon Mellen of Hopkinton (I hear) is to be buryed to Day.  N.B. Lt. Baker here — wants my Mare to go to Mendon or rather to Cumberland.  I complyed.  T. and J. finish planting Indian Corn.  P.M. Temple and John with the Oxen at Mr. Nurse’s.  Mr. Daniel Miller here and gives up all further Hope of my Oxen.  We are still at Times doing something about Gardening.

1767 May 16 (Saturday).  Mr. Steward comes to Supply my Place tomorrow.  He dined here.  P.M. I attended the Burial of Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlin junior’s Infant.  Mr. Daniel Mellen of Holliston has brought from Monadnock a Letter from Caleb Winch for Money.

1767 May 17 (Sunday).  My Mare is returned; but I rode Mr. Stewards Horse to Northborough and I preached there on 2 Tim. 14.6.7.8.  I remained over Night, that I might look over some Books and [papers?] etc.

1767 May 18 (Monday).  Returned home.  Visit Mr. Timothy Warrin and prayed there.  N.B. Mr. Stewards Text yesterday, a. and p.m., was 2 Pet. 2.15, “Yet [sic] have forsaken the right way.”  Town Meet and choose Capt. Maynard Representative.  Capt. Benjamin Fays old House burnt.  N.B. Sent a Letter etc. per Capt. Wood to Billy.  Received of Mr. Nathan Maynard Six Dollars.

1767 May 19 (Tuesday).  Church Meeting to See Whether Mrs. Andrews may be admitted or rather, what is this Churches Duty respecting the Society She is come from.  A Difficult Day!  Capt. Brigham very rough both in the Meeting House and afterwards when we came out.  But we were not ripe for a Vote to admitt her, thought it seemed to be the Expectation of Some Number of the Brethren that this was to be our next Business.  But Squire Whipple proposed that there might be a Committee chose who might draw up Something for the Church to Act upon.  This we came into, and we adjourned to this Day fortnight — and then also to choose a Deacon, instead of Deacon Tainter deceased.

1767 May 20 (Wednesday).  Suse has been worse ever since She took Physick, and evidently grows worse from Day to Day.

1767 May 21 (Thursday).  Temple and John digg Stones in the middle Pasture.  Elias goes to Capt. Jonathan Fays to board and go to School at Mr. William Nurse’s.

1767 May 22 (Friday).  Visit at Capt. Fays on consideration of the sorrowful Burning of their old House, it having been very useful to them and much was lost in it.  Visit Mrs. Pratt (Eleazers wife) who is sick of a Fever.  Was at Mr. William Nurse’s to see Master Cushing and dined at Mr. Joseph Grouts with him.  P.M. at Capt. Jonathan Fays; visit also Mrs. Rachel Hardy, Mrs. Twitchell etc.  When I returned at Evening found Brother Breck, and his Son Robert here.  They lodged with us.  N.B. Mrs. Maynard invites Brother to dine there tomorrow.

1767 May 23 (Saturday).  Cousin Robert to Boston.  Dined at Capt. Maynards with Brother Breck.  Capt. was not there.  P.M. Capt. brought me £60.15.  My son Ebenezer came from Brookfield and my Son Alexander from Framingham.  Hear that Brother Harrington was bury’d yesterday.

1767 May 24 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 56 and Joh. 21.  Mr. Breck preached on Prov. 1.20 to 23.  Which may we savingly profit by!

1767 May 25 (Monday).  Mr. Nathan Maynard here and pays me in Cash and Notes 71£ old Tenor.  Mr. Breck and Ebenezer Set out for Boston and Watertown.  Mr. Bucknam journeying to see his dying Daughter Clark at Rutland, calls here.  I undertook my Journey to Boston.  Dine at Mr. Joseph Brighams in Marlborough.  Called at Coll. Williams and committed to him the Affair of a small plat of Land to be laid before the Proprietors at their Meeting to Day, and which Plat Mr. Bradish is to deliver.  Was at Mr. Smiths — at Mrs. Baldwins in Sudbury — visit Mrs. Lock (Joshua’s wife) in her Distress.  Lodged at Mr. Bridge’s.

1767 May 26 (Tuesday).  Proceed to Mr. Adams’s at Roxbury and dine there.  Mr. Rand of Kingston and Mr. Hooker of Northampton.  At Boston, visit Cousen Procter at the Alms House — but they have resigned that Trust and begin to move.  Brother Samuel is gone to Cases.  Deacon Sayward, from York and his Wife lodge at Brothers.  My Son Samuel grown wonderfully, in Stature and Thickness.  Mr. Loyd very kindly puts up my Horse.  I lodged there.

1767 May 27 (Wednesday).  Mr. Ebenezer Bridge preached the Election sermon on Deut. 33.29.  I dined in Fanuel-Hall.  P.M. attended the Convention.  Mr. Appleton Moderator and Prayed.  A Plan was laid before the Convention by the Committee appointed for that purpose a year or two before, for a Fund for the Support of Ministers Widows and Children.  This takes up the Time chiefly.  N.B. I have taken Opportunity to talk with divers Ministers about what is best for us in Westborough to do about Mrs. Andrews.  All advise to admitt her as all Circumstances are; bearing Testimony against the Disorders in Chebacco.  Visit my Relations.  Lodge at Brother P________s.

1767 May 28 (Thursday).  At Mr. Eliots and talk with him and Sundry others, Messrs. Diman, Checkley, Tucker — upon the Andrews Affair.  They advise as above.  Attend the Convention.  Mr. Eliot preached on Jam. 5.19.20.  The Collection amounted to [blank].  Dined at Mr. Pembertons.  P.M. attended the Convention.  N.B. the Corporation for the Fund yesterday was voted to be 15 Lay and 15 Clergymen: to Day 5 More of Each are added; so that the whole Number is enlarged now to 40.  Mr. Pemberton Prayed at the Conclusion.  At Mr. Meins and McAlpines.  Engage the latter to bind for me Popes Letters, and Brainards Journal.  Visit Mr. Foxcroft and divers Friends.  Sup and Lodge at Brother Samuels.  Breck also is come from Ashby and lodges there.

1767 May 29 (Friday).  To Roxbury — dined at Mr. Adams’s and preached his Lecture on Heb. 12.25.  Prosecuted my Journey — lodged at Mr. John Stearns’s at Watertown.  Mr. Thomas Harrington there, etc. etc.

1767 May 30 (Saturday).  Journey home.  In my way call at Mr. Nat. Williams who lends me a Number of his Fathers sermons.  At Mr. N. Goddards and at Mr. Woodwards.  Dine at Mr. Browns (Alexander returned home yesterday).  At Coll. Buckminsters and at Mr. Stones.  Arrive safe and the Family in Peace (except Suse’s indispositions).  To God be all Glory!  Am informed that Squire Adams was here in his return from Ashby — lodged here last Night and went home to day.

1767 May 31 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 57 and Act. 1.  Repeated a. and p.m. on Rom. 8.7.  Mr. Cushing dined here; as did Widow Cook and her Daughter Hill.  Mr. Cushing gave me the Report of the Committee on the Andrews Affair.