1768 March 1 (Tuesday). My Wife and I went to the Family Meeting at Mr. N. Whitneys, where I preached on 1 Cor. 10.31. We called at Capt. Fays going and returning.
Month: March 1768
March 2, 1768
1768 March 2 (Wednesday). Visit old Deacon Forb. who wastes away. I prayed with him. Was at Mr. Jonah Warrins at Eve. N.B. his son Jonas there — acquaints me with Mr. Fish’s selling his place and buying Capt. Jonathan Woods.
March 3, 1768
1768 March 3 (Thursday). I made a visit to Mr. Samuel Forbush, his Mother and Family, in their present Circumstances, So changed from what they formerly were. At Eve Alexander from Brookfield — but last from Oxford.
March 4, 1768
1768 March 4 (Friday). Alexander much engaged about one Mr. Conants (Clothier) Works at Oxford, and wants to have me help him buy them; and [he?] goes over to Northborough, to look at Mr. Woods works there.
March 5, 1768
1768 March 5 (Saturday). [No entry.]
March 6, 1768
1768 March 6 (Sunday). Read Jer. 11. Preached upon Rom. 10.17. Dr. Wright dined here. P.M. by reason of the Cold omitted public Reading. Went on with the Repetition of the rest of the Discourse on Eph. 4.17.18. Have delivered the 5 Exercises in 3, on this Text.
March 7, 1768
1768 March 7 (Monday). Town Meet. They Send for me to pray with them. I did accordingly. Capt. Maynard came to dinner here. Numbers of Persons for Notes. Mr. James Maynard brings me Don Quevedo’s Visions to read, which I am sorry for; and that such corrupting Trash are among my people.
March 8, 1768
1768 March 8 (Tuesday). Visit divers Neighbours — old Mr. Williams in particular. Mr. John Marrett (preacher) from Mendon, here. He goes to Northborough.
March 9, 1768
1768 March 9 (Wednesday). My Wife rides with me to Northborough Lecture. Dined at Mrs. Martyns. I did not preach; but obtained of Mr. Marrett to preach. His Text Act. 4.12. Mr. Sumner came also. We returned safe at Eve. D.G.
March 10, 1768
1768 March 10 (Thursday). Much engaged in my Study — on the Mysterys of the Christian Religion. Have reason to be humbled that I bring so little to pass! May God forgive, and graciously assist me! Mrs. Lock, Joshua’s Wife, here with me, in many Troubles — chiefly about her Brother Amasa.
March 11, 1768
1768 March 11 (Friday). Alexander came from Framingham last night. He is earnestly desirous to buy Mr. Conants place and Works at Oxford. Have Occasion to look over many of my old papers, Collections and Letters of many Friends to me — not a little affecting. Pursue my Studys, preparing for the sabbath — but alas too lamely and scantily. Am much interrupted by my intruding and pressing Thoughts on Alexander’s Case. Committ the matter to God who cares for me and mine. Thomas Temple at Eve.
March 12, 1768
1768 March 12 (Saturday). Alexander at work for me some part of the Day. My self closely applyed.
March 13, 1768
1768 March 13 (Sunday). Read a.m. Jer. 12. Preached a. and p.m. on 1 Tim. 3.16, former Clause. Read p.m. Acts 14. May God accept and succeed my broken Endeavours! Mrs. Maynard dined with us.
March 14, 1768
1768 March 14 (Monday). A.M. visit Deacon Forbes and pray with him. P.M. Mr. Seth Morse, the Captain Sends for me to pray with his Artillery-Company nigh the Meeting-House. Am escorted by Drums, Serjeants and a Number of Musketeers. It was very Cold, and I invited in to my House Lieutenants John and Michael Martyn. And here were Master Goddard, Capt. Williams of Northborough etc. N.B. Mr. Goddard at Eve tells me he was at Mr. Andrews’s when the Deacons of the Church went there with the Churchs vote and he heard them read it to Mr. Andrews, and her Answer by which he understood that She accepted it as I had expressed — namely that She was to be admitted as a professor in General and not as a Member of one particular Church nor another.
March 15, 1768
1768 March 15 (Tuesday). Alexander left us early to go to Framingham to Mr. Brown’s and carrys a Letter from me to him, desiring his Advice about Mr. Conants place and works at Oxford. John went to Mr. Flagg, Maltster at Grafton. Pays for and brings 4 Bushel of Malt. The price 1/2 a Dollar per Bushel. P.M. Mr. Mellen here, in his way to Hopkinton. Mr. Forbes came from Brookfield and lodged here.
March 16, 1768
1768 March 16 (Wednesday). Mr. Sumner preached my Lecture on Eph. 1.7, which may God bless! Mr. Forbes had visited his F. who is exceeding low. He was here after dinner and Mr. Goddard after Lecture. Mrs. P________ prepared to go to Boston, but it proved too cold, and therefore tarrys another Night.
March 17, 1768
1768 March 17 (Thursday). Mrs. P________ accompanyed by John, in Lt. Bakers Chair, sets out early for Boston. Lt. Uriah Brigham here. A Number of Hands are clearing in my swamp, viz. Richard Temple, Nathan and Jonas Kenny and Jonathan Maynard.
March 18, 1768
1768 March 18 (Friday). Mr. Forbes has been with his Father; but has taken Leave. Calls here in his Way. Says his F. is in a comfortable Frame. He expects that though he goes Home, he Shall Soon return, viz. to his funeral.
March 19, 1768
1768 March 19 (Saturday). Mrs. P________ and John came home from Boston, and have had a good Journey. Thanks be to God! but sorrowful News that my Friend Holbrook is Sick.
March 20, 1768
1768 March 20 (Sunday). Storm of Snow. Deacon Wood Sends before Meeting to know whether I will put by the Sacrament. I choose to know the Mind of the Church. When I went to Meeting, there were but few Members. Brother Chamberlain advised that we begin, and we might judge better after prayer. I complyed. After Prayer and Singing (having omitted Reading) I addressed the Church, and observed to them that there being so many present, both of men and Women, and they having taken such pains to come expecting the Administration, I conceived it would not be best to disappoint them and therefore, without further Difficulty, should proceed. I preached on 1 Tim. 3.16, former part. Mrs. Andrews at Meeting and at Communion. I directed Mrs. P________ to invite her to Dinner, especially as it was Such a Storm. She did, and She accordingly came. I asked Capt. Brigham to go to my House. So did my Wife, but he came not. Master Goddard dined here. He preached p.m. on Isa. 55.7. May God graciously accept our Offerings, and bless His Word to us!
March 21, 1768
1768 March 21 (Monday). A young Man, [blank] Walker of Hopkinton and his Sister, going to Ashby, call here and dine. Sarah and Suse ride in my Sleigh, to Marlborough, but returned at Evening. Wrote to Mr. Holbrook in his Sickness. Read Chronicle, and other Papers.
March 22, 1768
1768 March 22 (Tuesday). Mr. Joseph Willard dines with us: tells me they have called him at Bedford. I visited aged Deacon Forbes: found him more Comfortable in his Mind: thinks he has good ground to hope he has Interest in Christ, and that his foundation is Sure. I prayed with him; and he told me he could attend — but he is now extremely worn away: his Dissolution is surely nigh. I visited also Mrs. Wheelock, who is in a great Affliction by a bad Breast — which was lanced to Day. Mr. Hutchinson (though he calls not at our House) was there. Said something to him of his Reply to Mr. Tucker — viz., his mixing what was sarcastical and Jocose or ludicrous with what is Spiritual and sublime. He seems not to be willing to take it.
March 23, 1768
1768 March 23 (Wednesday). Visit Deacon Wood. Sarah and Suse to Capt. Maynards and lodge there.
March 24, 1768
1768 March 24 (Thursday). Deacon Wood and Mr. Tainter kill two of our Hoggs (nigh 11 Months old) and at Eve they came and cutt them out. N.B. they weighed, one 201, and 216. They were at Supper with us. Mrs. Tainter also. But what was chiefly remarkable to Day was, Deacon Forbes expired about 8 o’Clock this Morning, having just compleated his 84th Year. When his sister Byles and Brother Samuel were living, their Ages, together with their sister Grow’s, amounted to 348. And indeed as the 3 first were far advanced in their Year it might be accounted 351. Miss Mary Steward, half sister to the two last, is now in her 80th year also. May the Lord sanctifie this Death to us, and quicken us to, and assist us in our preparation for our own Decease!
[Marginal notation:] 93
91
83
81
348
March 25, 1768
1768 March 25 (Friday). I am much employed upon the great Mystery of the Trinity — the importance of it, and Necessity of believing it: consulting various Authors upon it — but confess I make but too little way a Head. May the Lord open it to me! At Eve Mr. Edmund Chamberlain and his wife here to talk with me; but they came too late and when it was a great Interruption to me — but I gave way to it, and attended upon ‘em awhile. Mr. Forbes came from Brookfield and lodged here. Mr. John Wood brought me 2 1/4 Yards of blue broad Cloth from Samuel which I buy of Mr. Forbes, and take it for Money delivered him ([or which he received?]) for my son Ebenezer, a year agoe, per Capt. Maynard — at 5£ old Tenor per yard. Mr. Wood brought also a Letter from Mr. Holbrook informing me that he was grown better.
March 26, 1768
1768 March 26 (Saturday). Am not very well, but attend (with my Wife) the Funeral of aged Deacon Jonathan Forbes — and prayed. Tis our Duty to “mark the perfect Man and behold the upright; for the End of Such is Peace.” Lt. Daniel Steward dined here with me.
March 27, 1768
1768 March 27 (Sunday). My son Forbes came to preach for me, though, he tells me, his Brother Fish was displeased with him that he would not at Upton. Read Jer. 13 and Act. 15. Mr. Forbes a.m. on Job 30.23. P.M. Prov. 16.31. The Lord sanctifie the Word and providence to our effectual awakening! The aged pair, Mrs. Dunlop and Mrs. Kelly, dined here. Mr. Forbes lodges here.
March 28, 1768
1768 March 28 (Monday). Mr. F. setts out for Brookfield.
March 29, 1768
1768 March 29 (Tuesday). Mr. William Brown came p.m. with Alexander[s] Desire that I would go up to Mr. Asa Conants at Oxford. I sat out with him at 3 p.m. Rode up to Mr. Stacys at Grafton and viewed, as I could, his Mill and other works. Thence we rode to Mr. Jonas Browns in Sutton, and lodged there.
March 30, 1768
1768 March 30 (Wednesday). Mr. Brown and I rode through Sutton North Parish (calling at Mr. Chaplins Door, having Met with him on the Way; and [lit?] at my Kinsman Trasks). Lt. Trask shews us the way up to Mr. Conants. Dine there. View his Works and little Farm of about 50 Acres. Spend the Eve and Night there. N.B. Capt. Elijah Moore’s Farm put up to Day (as we are informed) at Vendue.
March 31, 1768
1768 March 31 (Thursday). Make and write and Sign, an Agreement with Mr. Conant for his Mill, Tools, Farm and Apprentice, John Millen, in behalf of my son Alexander. Esq. Henshaw informs that Mr. Maccarty was yesterday taken with a Fit etc. Dine at Mr. Bowmans. Visit and drink Tea at Mr. Halls — his Daughter Lucy very ill. Return at Evening. My Mare stumbled and threw me just by my House — but received only Slight Hurt, through divine Goodness; Mr. Brown with me. In the Business and Journey of the Day, Mr. Brown accompanys me. He Says the mortgaging the Premises was what he had thought of and was designing to advise to and recommend for Conants security. He lodges here. How manifold the divine Mercys! How exciting to Gratitude, praise and Obedience!