Month: October 1767

1767 October 1 (Thursday).  Mr. Thomas Temple comes to work, joins Richard in Thrashing.  P.M. they go to drawing stones for Wall.  John fetches 4 Barrel from Mr. Nurse’s to put Rye into.  Am reading Governor Hutchinsons History and make Collections thence.  Towards Eve Visit Old Capt. Forb. and pray with him.

1767 October 2 (Friday).  Richard winnows Rye a.m.  Clears 13 Bushels.  P.M. Thrashes Again.  John p.m. gathers in Beans.  Richard says we have now carry’d in 50 bushels of Rye, which is cleaned up.  Send an Ox which I am fatting, to Mr. Jonathan Grout to Pasture.

1767 October 3 (Saturday).  Mr. Thomas Temple thrashes with Richard.  P.M. Mr. John Cushing came to preach for me.  Mr. Hawley also, of Mashpee, makes me a kind Visit, but is out of Health and declines preaching.

1767 October 4 (Sunday).  A.M. Read Jer. 4.  Mr. Cushing preached a. and p.m. on Deut. 32.29.  P.M. Read Act. 3.  Mrs. Abigail Lock desired something might be said to the Church concerning her Delaying to bring her Child to Baptism and her purpose to bring it as soon as she could.  I therefore communicated her Mind to the Church from a written paper, which I framed as near to her Intention as I could.  Besides the Gentlemen aforesaid Mrs. Wilson (who was Patty Dunlop) dined here: and R. Temple is with us over the Sabbath.  At Eve Read part of a Sermon in the practical Preacher, vol. 2, viz. on Act. 26.28 by Dr. Samuel Clark of St. Albans.

1767 October 5 (Monday).  Mr. Hawley goes no further.  He left us, and returns homeward by Mr. Stone’s.  Two Daughters of Mr. Bucknam, viz. Miss Katey and Miss Sarah, here and dined with us.  P.M. I visited Mr. Daniel Miller and called at Several Houses — at Garfields — widow Grows — Ebenezer Millers.  Temple thrashed, he says, Eight Shock.

1767 October 6 (Tuesday).  Temple winnows (as he has counted) 26 Bushel.  P.M. preached at Lt. Bakers on Ez. 9.4.  But this Text was but the Introducing the last Exercise on Ps. 119.136.  May God please to add His Blessing and revive His work among us.  Many were absent.  At Night was the Marriage of Daniel Stockwell and Rebecca Warrin junior.

1767 October 7 (Wednesday).  Read Mr. Tucker of Newburys Remarks on Mr. Hutchinsons Sermon, and on Mr. James Chandlers late publications.  At Eve Mr. Joseph Willard and his Brother Benjamin here.

1767 October 8 (Thursday).  Mr. John Wood invites me to supper at his House this Evening after their husking in the afternoon.  I visited old Capt. Forbush.  Followed my studys as usual till Evening and then went to supper at Deacon Woods.  Master Jameson there.  N.B. We Sung Ps. 4 in Mr. Barnards Version.  N.B. Richard Temples has finished thrashing my Rye.  I think it amounts to 72 shocks.  He leaves me at half after 2 p.m.

1767 October 9 (Friday).  Richard lodged here, last night.  We reckoned.  I owe him for both the last turn here, and this; both which amount to 12 Dayes (he throwing in two pieces of Days), @ 13/6 per Day £8.2.0.  I payd him four pounds and ten shillings: there remains due to Richard £3.12.0 Old Tenor.  P.M. Deacon Wood, Lt. Baker, Neighbour Zebulun Rice, Lt. Baker [sic], Mr. Nathan Maynard, Neighbour Seth Morse (who brought a large Cheese) and a Number more (between 30 and 40 in all) got in and husked out my Corn.  The Crop proved but indifferent.  For entertainment Mrs. P. instead of the usual hot Supper, baked Applepyes and agreeable Cakes, which with Cheese proved an Acceptable [Reflection?] to the Company.  N.B. Master Jamison here likewise.  We sung part of the 4th Ps.  Mr. Seth Morse set the Tune.

1767 October 10 (Saturday).  R. Temple and Jonas Kenny came from Mr. Nurse’s and pitched up the Husks.  John carrys up the Hog Corn.  Am called to Capt. Forbush, but he expired before I got there.  Prayed with the Survivers.  I rode to Southborough (at Mr. Stone’s Request), and he hither.

1767 October 11 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough on 2 Thess. 111.1 a. and p.m.  Mr. Stone went home at Eve.  I lodged at Southborough.

1767 October 12 (Monday).  I rode to Marlborough to see Mr. Smith — dined at Squire Brighams.  Mr. Smith was not at home — called at Coll. Williams where I hear that though Brother Breck has been ill, he is recovering.  Returned home.  N.B. I rode Dr. Hawes Horse, he having mine to go to Ashburnham.

1767 October 13 (Tuesday).  Am reading Mr. Joseph Fish on Mat. 16.18, a useful piece.  P.M. Attended, and prayed at, the Funeral of old Capt. Samuel Forbush in his 92d year.

1767 October 14 (Wednesday).  I had a plad and Calamanco Gown, of Mr. Moores buying, which cost me £13.15 old Tenor and Suse has made it.  It may be the last.  God grant I may be clothed with the Righteousness of Christ — that I may be ready to put off my Garment of Mortality, and to be enrobed with Glory.  P.M. Miss Kezia Adams from Ashby — and lodges here.  Mr. Joseph Harrington at Eve, is Examined — and I am to propound him.

1767 October 15 (Thursday).  A shock of an Earthquake about 11 a.m.  I rode to Mr. Joseph Harrington’s (his Wife being in such Circumstances that She could not well come here): examined her — at least in part.  Dined there.  P.M. after further Discourse with her, left her that She might take further Pains with her self.  I called at Mr. Whitneys to see Miss Love, who is got about again — went to Capt. Jonathan Fay’s, about Cyder.  Visit old Mrs. Byles, and prayed with her.  When I returned at Eve, was informed that Mr. Peter Whitney had been here.  He has brought a Letter from the Church and people of Northborough, desiring assistance in his Ordination.  Miss Kezia dined here and then returned to Medfield.

1767 October 16 (Friday).  Mr. Townsends (Smith’s) Shop on Fire this morning about 2 o’Clock — but was timely discovered and put out.

1767 October 17 (Saturday).  Mr. Tainter was lately at Brother Brecks at Springfield, says Brother Breck is so ill as to keep his Room, yet is somewhat better than he had been.  John with my Oxen and Deacon Woods and his plough, and Henry Marble (from Mr. Barnabas Newtons) to drive, plows in the hither Part of the Island Field.  Mr. John Woods kills a Lamb for me, out of the Flock which Lt. Baker keeps for me.

1767 October 18 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 5.  Preached on Ps. 86.5 a. and p.m.  P.M. read Act. 4.  May God forgive what has been amiss; and graciously vouchsafe His Concurrence and Blessing to what was agreeable to His Will!

1767 October 19 (Monday).  Mr. Woodward of Weston and Master Cushing here p.m.  At Eve I was at Mr. Williams, Mr. Pratts and Mr. N. Maynards.  Received 14£.  When I returned Deacon Wood made me a Visit.

1767 October 20 (Tuesday).  Mr. Jacob Rice came from his F’s, and accompanyed me to Hopkinton, it being Ministers Meeting there.  Mr. Loring came there, but was taken ill — was disordered in his stomach, vertiginous etc.  Mr. Rice was examined — delivered an Exercise on Rom. 6.14.  I lodge with Mr. Loring at Mr. Barretts.  John brought 53 posts from the ministerial Lot, got out by Mr. Phinehas Maynard.

1767 October 21 (Wednesday).  N.B. Mr. Lorings Discourse while in the Chamber concerning Evidences of Grace.  Mr. Bridge of Sudbury preached the Lecture on Mat. 13.39, “the Harvest is the End of the World.”  Dr. Wilson dined with us.  N.B. I last night paid him 4 Dollars.  Mr. Rice my Company home — met my Son and Daughter Forbes who with their Eli came last night.  Sarah is gone to Boston With Mr. Wood and Mr. Jamison though in a Chair by her self to bring up Polly Forbes.

1767 October 22 (Thursday).  Mr. More and Miss Beckky Hill from Boston; Miss Bridget Cushing and her Brother Jobs Daughter, Mr. Forb. Wife and son dined here.  Mr. Forb. preached my Lecture on 1 Cor. 11.28.  May God grant success to this seasonable sermon!  Miss Bridget and her neece went home, but the rest lodged here.

1767 October 23 (Friday).  Mr. Moore and Miss Beckky leave us to go to Worcester and Oxford.  My Daughter Sarah has been to Boston to bring up Polly Forbes, and they are come.  At Eve Mr. Zebulun Rice here, and is very full of Disquietment about Deacon Wood’s marriage to Mrs. Johnson.  Mr. Forbes and his wife go to the South and return to us at Evening.

1767 October 24 (Saturday).  They go to Northborough.  By many Avocations, by the Various Exercises of this Week, Company, etc. I am very much prevented preparing my sermons.  Am disappointed also of the Help I hoped for.  Could get but one sermon ready; and that not seasonably.  The Lord pity and pardon and assist me!

1767 October 25 (Sunday).  Mr. Forbes preaches at Northborough for Mr. Moore who engages for Brookfield.  I read Jer. 6.  Preached on Ps. 86.5 and administered the Lords supper.  All the members who have Shewn Disquietment were there.  P.M. I omitted reading.  Carry’d on the Discourse on 1 Pet. 2.9, but from 2 Tim. 1.9 and using part of the Discourse on Rom. 8.28, page 5 to p. 18.  N.B. Mrs. Maynard and my grand Daughter and little grandson, Forbes, dined with us, as these latter also lodge here.  At Eve their Parents return hither from Northborough.  My son Forbes has (in part) inform’d me of the great Troubles he meets with among some of his people, particularly from Lt. Joseph Stone, and Rufus Putnam.  We have reason mutually to Sympathize — the Lord be with us under these bitter Tryals!  N.B. Mr. F. Yesterday acquainted me with his F’s Desire that he would preach at their House (fearing he shall never have another Opportunity), but Mr. Forbes wants to return on Tuesday; therefore I appoint it on Monday 2 p.m.

1767 October 26 (Monday).  A.M. attend the Funeral of the infant Child of John Kelly in Northborough and prayed.  After Dinner I attend the Exercise at Brother Forbes’s.  (Mr. Forbes and his Daughter go with me in a Chaise.)  He preached from 2 K. 20.1, a very profitable sermon.  May God bless it to us all.  At Eve Mr. Jacob Rice of Northborough here and asks me and Mrs. P________ to afford our Company at his Wedding tomorrow.  Received a Cask with Pewter brought up from Boston by Mr. Nurse.

1767 October 27 (Tuesday).  Mr. Forbes, his Wife and Children leave us.  He rides my mare and the rest ride in a Chaise.  After Dinner Mrs. P. and I rode to Miss Hannah Maynards and Solemnized her Marriage in her own Room to Mr. Jacob Rice.  Thence we rode over to his House in Northborough.  Mr. David Maynard and his Brother Nathan — and Capt. Maynard and his Wife, were the rest of the Company.  Supped there and returned in the fore part of the Evening safely.  D.G.

1767 October 28 (Wednesday).  The Divisions among us and other Reasons induce to jej. and prec. [illegible].

1767 October 29 (Thursday).  John has brought home with my Oxen, 6 Bushels Turnips from Mr. Elijah Hardys at 7/6 but one Bushel is given: and one Barrel Cyder from Capt. Jonathan Fays (gratis).  Mr. Moore came at Eve.

1767 October 30 (Friday).  Mr. Moore dines here, and at Tea p.m., then goes to Marlborough.  Lieut. Baker kills another Sheep for me.  Mr. Joseph Harrington and his Wife here at Evening with their Relations.  John has (with my Oxen and Deacon Wood’s) fetched home from Ministerial Lot 500 Posts; being the rest that Mr. Phinehas Maynard has got out for me.  Deacon Wood raises (what I am told is) a Bake-House.

1767 October 31 (Saturday).  Mr. Forbes Sends my Mare from Brookfield by Antipas Bruce (son of Joseph).  Deacon Livermore here and Seems to be under much Anxiety about the settling Mr. Whitney.  Says he understands he has been questioned about his Principles; though he hears nothing but that he is of Sober Life.