Month: August 1768

1768 August 1 (Monday).  Alexander Stimson and my Son John, with Mr. Thaddeus War[illegible] go to my Maynard swamp to mowe.  I went to carry ‘em their Dinner; but John has cut himself with his scyth and taken off part of the Ball of one of his great Toes.  Was at Mr. David Maynards and at Mr. Pratts, by reason of the Rain.  Read Dr. Burnets Theory Vol. 2, Book 3, Ch. 12, and am much impressed with it.  May God grant the Impressions may be yet Stronger, and abiding!  O how Stupid the world, but especially I my self am, though Such vast, awful and terrible Things are coming; and all Earthly Things are so empty and so transitory.  Ruth Bellows Lodges here.

1768 August 2 (Tuesday).  John too lame to do any Thing about our Haying.  Jonas Kenny invalid, goes to Mill (to Northborough) for Neighbour Nurse and for us.  Mr. Thaddeus Warrin is to work for me by the Week.  Tis proposed also that he take some Grass to the halves.

1768 August 3 (Wednesday).  In my preparations from Day to Day.

1768 August 4 (Thursday).  Rode up to Thomas Temple’s for Richard to reap for me.  P.M. my old Neighbour Mr. John Green of Brookfield here.

1768 August 5 (Friday).  Have great pleasure in Logans Cicero Of Old Age.

1768 August 6 (Saturday).  Mr. Steward here.  Dines with us.  Acquaints me with the sitting of a Council last week at Harvard.  They were the Churches of Stow, Littleton, Chelmsford, Bolton, 2d in Lancaster, and Groton.  The Result advises to the Dismission of Mr. Wheeler, if the people pay him the sum of 200£ Lawful for his Damages, which they vote, so that he is dismissed.

1768 August 7 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 30.  I found it necessary and expedient to preach again, though now in one Exercise, and with Alterations sermon on Act. 2.42.  Administered the Lord’s supper.  Master Jamison dined here.  P.M. read Rom. 3.  Preached on 1 Tim. 3.16.  “Preached unto the Gentiles.”

1768 August 8 (Monday).  It is a Time of Trouble and Loss with me by the frequent Rains.  Several Acres of Rye reaped and exposed not only to the Weather, but Cattle, my Oxen and Cows have unhappily broke in upon the Stukes and torn them to Pieces.  About half a Dozen Load of Hay at the Maynard Swamp, much of which we Should have got in before the sabbath: also what was lately mowed in my own new Swamp was fit to be carryed into the Barn, but is soaked by the heavy Showers — and to Day the Weather is such that none of it can be touched — but Richard Temple goes to reaping down more, though its showry and cant be gathered.  Yet all is good which God Sends!  Ruth Bellows works here to Day.

1768 August 9 (Tuesday).  Have finished Maynard Swamp.  I have 13 Load and let Mr. Warrin have one.

1768 August 10 (Wednesday).  A great stir about altering or adding to the County Roads through this Town.  A Committee, viz. Squire Steel, Henshaw and Davis, are viewing the Roads from Wor’ster Meeting House and South of Wor’ster Pond, down by Capt. Brooks, and that by Squire Whipples; And Capt. Brooks, Lieutenant Baker, and Ensign Asa Brigham are measuring.  They proceed as far as Mr. Nurse’s Corner.  Squire Whipple is also with them that Measure.

1768 August 11 (Thursday).  Ruth came to work here for Some Time.  By Reason of so much Rain both Rye and Hay are put into the Barn too Damp; so that there is reason to fear they will mould.

1768 August 12  (Friday).  Have been much applyed to my preparations for Several Days, and this in Special.  May God grant I may feel, what I prepare!

1768 August 13 (Saturday).  Much interrupted and hindered, So that although my designed forenoon-sermon in forward, my afternoon is not.  Neighbour Nurse is here and helps me about my Hay at the Barn.  Alex and J. Sorrowfully belated in bringing home a Load of Hay at Night.  The Lord forgive us!

1768 August 14 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 31.  Preached on 1 Tim. 3.16.  May God grant His Special Blessing!  N.B. In the Close I was fervent and raised my Voice on Occasion of citing Act. 13.48, but instead of our glorifying the word of the Lord many Seemed to be Sound asleep.  Mr. Thomas Twitchels weakly wife dined here.  P.M. read Rom. 4 and preached upon it, especially had the 16 v. in view.  In the Night a storm rose.

1768 August 15 (Monday).  Between 1 and 2 o’Clock called up Alex. and John who with a Lanthorn went to the Barn to take Care of some Hay that lay exposed — but they could not do much, the Storm came on and we went to Bed again.  Send by Elisha Forbes, two of Mr. Forbes’s MSS., viz. on Act. 17.23 and on Mat. 22.42 to be conveyed to him from Capt. Wolcotts.  P.M. had purposed to go to Northborough but am prevented — go only as far as Mr. Jonathan Hows to get him to hew Timber for me.  And visit Mr. John Maynard who is Sick of a Fever.  I discoursed with him of the most serious Concerns.  They treated me well but did not ask me to pray.

1768 August 16 (Tuesday).  Mrs. P________ and Sophy to Marlborough.  They had the Doctors Chaise: they return safe at Evening.

1768 August 17 (Wednesday).  I rose early and rode to Sudbury to the Association Fast.  Many attended of Ministers and Candidates, and of the people.  Mr. Loring prayed and Mr. Stone preached a.m. on Heb. 5.12, a very plain, pertinent, useful Sermon; which may God please to bless and prosper!  P.M. Mr. Smith prayed; I endeavoured to preached from Isa. 1.18.  The Lord pardon what was amiss!  Rode back with Mr. Smith, and lodged at his House.

1768 August 18 (Thursday).  I returned home a.m.  In my way, called at Coll. Williams’ and received a plan of an acre and half of Land, granted to me by the proprietors above a Year ago.  At Eve came Mr. Moore from Rochester, but last from Oxford.  Read Mr. Moses Hemenway on Joh. 6.27.

1768 August 19 (Friday).  Mr. Moore and Mrs. P________ ride to Capt. Maynards.  John Maynard is Still very Sick.  My Mare gives great Trouble in plowing.  Alexander Stimson finishes.  Paid him 4 Dollars and gave him a Note for 4 more.

1768 August 20 (Saturday).  Mr. Willard of Grafton (Candidate) here.  Preaches at Mendon.  P.M. I rode to Marlborough and Mr. Smith came here.

1768 August 21 (Sunday).  Preached at Marlborough a. and p.m. on Heb. 4.2.  After the Exercises Mr. Cyprian How carryed me in his Family Carriage, to Mr. Ebenezer Hagars to attend the Funeral of a Second Child which has dyed by Fever and Canker.  Prayed and took leave.  Capt. Ephraim Brigham brought me back in his Chaise to Mr. Smiths.  Conversation was upon the great instability of young Candidates who turn to the episcopal party, and the gross imprudence of Laity of New England occasioned by Mr. Willard Wheelers lately returning from England, and preaching at Hopkinton.  I returned home at Eve, as did Mr. Smith to Marlborough.  His Texts were [blank].

1768 August 22 (Monday).  Alexander came home from Framingham.  Put in my Mare into the Team to plow, but at Eve She is turbulent.  I have revived Agreement with Lt. Baker about his Templeton mare.  Rode to Mr. Levi Warrin for Barn Boards.  Mr. Hannaniah Parkers Wife here p.m. at Tea.

1768 August 23 (Tuesday).  P.M. walked to Mr. Edwards Whipples to get him to frame for me, my designed addition to the Barn.  Thence to Several Neighbours as I walked to Capt. Maynards to see John who remains bad.  Capt. Jonas Brigham there.  N.B. No request for prayer.  Went to Mr. Benjamin How to get him to hew for me, and Succeeded.

1768 August 24 (Wednesday).  Went a.m. to visit Mr. Daniel Miller who remains low in a Consumption.  Conversed and prayed with him.  P.M. Sarah and Susa visit at Mr. Andrews.  Mr. Benjamin How, Alex and Benjamin Warrin go to the Ministerial Lot to get Timber for my Barn.  At Eve with Lt. Baker about the Mare.

1768 August 25 (Thursday).  Catechized Children at the Meeting House.  40 Boys a.m., 19 Girls p.m.  Mrs. Martyn visits us and brings her sister Holyoke.  They dine, and drink Tea, with us.  Mr. How, Thad Warrin and my sons, hewing etc. Timber at the ministerial Lot.

1768 August 26 (Friday).  Mr. How, Alex., and Jonathan Maynard at Ministerial Lot a.m. and finish the hewing.  Deacon Wood and Neighbour Newton brought, each of them a Load of the Timber from the ministerial Lot; and dine with me.  My sons with my own Team bring home two more Load, and a small Stock of Oake Boards from Mr. Fessendens, but which I buy of Mr. Levi Warrin.

1768 August 27 (Saturday).  Alex. was indisposed — and did little besides preparing for his Journey.

1768 August 28 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 32 and Chose v. 23 to discourse upon, with assistance from sermon on Mat. 20.6 from p. 13 to 16 with omissions and alterations.  Master Jamison dined here.  P.M. read Rom. 5, and preached on v. 1.  Read the Brief for a Contribution to relieve the People of Montreal who were burnt out last April.  Read to the Church the letter from the first Church of Rochester, requesting Assistance in the Ordination of Mr. Moore.  There was a good Majority for it, but Mr. Daniel Forb. said it was needless.  Mr. Batheric much the Same.  Several others did not vote.

1768 August 29 (Monday).  Alex goes to Sturbridge.  Capt. Maynard pays Me £115 Old Tenor and I Sett off 400£ old Tenor by Mr. Ebenezer Maynards Note (in part of pay for the Swamp).  P.M. Mr. Morse’s Training.  I prayed with the Company, but refused to go to the Tavern.  Payed Alexander Stimpson 4 Dollars which was in full.

1768 August 30 (Tuesday).  I was Sorry when informed that the Company were late last night at Deacon Woods.  It is pretended to be excused by Saying that a great Number of Wrestlers from Hopkinton came swaggering and challenging.  Mrs. P________ had the Doctors Chaise and my old Mare; at Sunrise sat out to go to Boston.  Gave her £105 old Tenor.  [Marginal notation: My Barn enlarg’d.]  Messrs. Edwards Whipple and his son Samuel, Zebulon Rice and Rich. Temple, began to frame the designed addition to my Barn.  At 9 a.m. I took the Mare which I am buying of Lt. Baker, and rode to the Burial of Mr. Daniel Miller.  P.M. I rode to Capt. Maynards — visit John, who is still sick.  But though I have been three Times, have not been asked to pray with him.  Had 3 thousand of Shingle Nails of Mrs. Maynard.

1768 August 31 (Wednesday).  Rode to Mr. Jonah Warrins and buy of him a parcel of Boards.  Some oak — some pitch pine, amounting to 447: and a parcel of slit work, about 30 feet.  Thence to Forbes’s Saw Mill for more slitwork which I buy of Mr. Zebulon Rice.  They were 80 feet.  Mr. Whipple and son, Mr. Batherick and Rich Temple work at the Frame.  We p.m. 3 or 4 o’Clock Summons Hands to help raise, Mr. Whipple Supposing he shall be ready, and that 14 or 15 Hands can accomplish it.  But we make it night before we begin.  25 persons are waiting — 28 or 29 in all, to entertain; but got the Frame up.