Month: April 1769

1769 April 1 (Saturday).  Wrote to Mr. Whitney (who consented with Difficulty to my proposal to Change) of Mr. Stones Message.  Sent John to Shrewsbury for Hay-seed, and he brings some from Deacon Miles.  P.M. Ruth Bellows goes to Southborough.  Wrote by her to Mr. Stone, of what I had done.  Alexander returns from Framingham and tarrys.

1769 April 2 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 44.  Preached on Luk. 9.62.  Master Rice dines with us.  P.M. Read and preached on 1 Cor. 1.  Appoint Contribution for Mr. Mellen.  [Alexander is with us.  At Eve hear his Wife has a Daughter — now 12 Days old.]  Mr. Tainter carrys Mrs. P_____ to his Wife’s Labour.  Receive from Rev. Gleason NOAH Vol. 1.  Read Book 1.

1769 April 3 (Monday).  Alexander left us very early to return to Sturbridge.  Ebenezer Maynard junior comes to live with me and work for me for Six months, and I am to pay him 10£ Lawful money.  Old Mr. Charles Rice and Lt. Bruce here, to whom, one after the other, I read my Account of the Captivity of the Rice’s, and they testifyed to the Truth thereof.  At Eve Mr. Daniel Forbes was here, and is very earnest against a Contribution for Mr. Mellen.  I answered that he should have objected before.  It was now too late.  He Said he knew it.  I told him I had taken every Step that is fit in Such Cases.  He reply’d that he did not pretend to lay any Blame on me.  I added that He was much to blame.  He answered that he knew it, and was Sorry.  Yet must have some thing done to prevent it, because Such a Multitude were against it.  I told him that no Soul had been here to object.  He wondered at it; he thought every Thing was So plain against it that he took it for granted there would be none.  I rejoined that all was on the Contrary with me: and if there were so many against it, they Should let me know it.  I must know their minds by Fast forenoon: Seasonably to Speak to the Congregation at noon.  He Said I should know seasonably.

1769 April 4 (Tuesday).  Mr. Collins Moore from Oxford — is going to Rochester.  I write by him to his Brother.  At Eve Mr. Batheric here, and Shews himself against the Contribution.

1769 April 5 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer Maynard is cutt in his Ankle by Johns Ax flying out of his Hands, as he was driving a Post, and glanc’d with great force to Ebbe on t’other side the Fence.  It happened about 11 o ‘Clock a.m.  P.M. Deacon Wood here.

1769 April 6 (Thursday).  Publick Fast.  Preached on Judg. 10.6.7.9.10 and 16; and p.m. some passages selected thence.  N.B. before I went into Meeting Mr. Daniel Forb. met me and told me it was agreed that Deacon Wood Should come to me and acquaint me with the minds of a Number that had been together and that they were against having a Contribution.  Nay, Says he, Deacon himself is against it.  Mr. Batherick being by, and hearing this from Forb.  I bid him take Notice of it.  Now although the Deacon was with me on Wednesday, and Said that Mr. F. had been at his House, yet he Said nothing of his being appointed to come in their name to me.  Before I went up into the Pulpit, I acquainted the Deacon and asked him whether he had rather I would put it by? And he said that Since Things were so, he had.  Accordingly after the Exercise, at noon I told the people it was waved, at least for the present.  But after the last Exercise, I desired those who were for the Contribution to carry, whether money or what they could best Communicate, to one or Other of the Deacons.  Dr. Hawes dressed Ebbe’s wound yesterday p.m. and to Day a.m.

1769 April 7 (Friday).  The Doctor dresses it again.  Was at Deacon Wood’s.  Mr. Whitney and Wife, Child, sister Allice, together with Mrs. Martyn make us a Visit — dine, drink Tea.  Sorrowful news from Shrewsbury of Miss Bridget Cushings being very ill, her Case desperate and has Sent several Times for my Daughter Sarah to go to See her.  John goes up with her; and leaving her there, he returns.

1769 April 8 (Saturday).  Mrs. P_____ dresses Eb’s Leg.  Neighbour Arnold brings word from Mr. Stone that he does not come to change with me tomorrow.

1769 April 9 (Sunday).  Rode to Northborough and preached there a.m. on Luke 12.19.20.  P.M. on Prov. 1.28.  At Eve I rode to Shrewsbury to visit Miss Bridget Cushing whom I found very low.  Mr. Sumner came.  We prayed together.  I lodged there.  Mr. Whitney preached here on [blank].

1769 April 10 (Monday).  Breakfast at Mr. Sumners.  Return to Miss Bridget and converse with her.  In returning home called at Capt. Allens, buy a Pair of Stone Buttons of Master Lewis, for Mrs. P_____.  Jonathan Maynard works here.  Do something in gardening.  At Eve Mr. Beeton pays me 48£ old Tenor for Capt. Maynard.

1769 April 11 (Tuesday).  Was much disappointed by Mr. Newton who brings me no money though he knows I am going to Boston — and what I have got can’t answer my present Necessity.  Yet I undertake my Journey.  Call to take old Mrs. Bradishs Testimony to what I have drawn up concerning the Captivity of the Rices.  Call also at Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlains (junior), at Mr. Moses Parkers that I might see and talk with Mary Beeton, who has fled from her Fathers House: found her and talked with her at Mr. Duntons.  Old Mrs. Phillips being ill at Mr. Collins’s, at his earnest Request Stopped and prayed with her.  Dined at Mr. Stones.  P.M. Urge my way — called at Mr. Bridge’s at Framingham and at Mr. Nat. Goddards at Weston.  Reached Mr. Cushings at Waltham but he was gone to a Council at Concord — Yet I lodged there.

1769 April 12 (Wednesday).  Rode to Mr. Bemus at Waterton.  Payd him Ten Dollars.  Cambridge.  Requested Mr. Thomas Barrett to take my Son John as an Apprentice; but don’t succeed.  Proceed to Boston.  Visit Mrs. Holbrook: dine at Mr. Surcombs, who is full of trouble about his Daughters Conduct.  My Horse is put up there.  Visit divers of my Relatives, especially my Brother.  Was at His Honours this Eve, and read him my account of the Captivity of the Rice’s.  Lodge at Capt. Bradfords.

1769 April 13 (Thursday).  Attended the Public Lecture preached by Mr. Turner of Duxbury, on 1 Tim. 1.11, those words — “the blessed God.”  Dined at Mr. Richard Salters.  P.M. Was at Mr. Quincy’s, at Mrs. Holbrooks, Procters, at Dr. Chauncys but he was not at home.  Viewed the Exercises of the Regulars in the Common.  Visit Venerable Dr. Sewal.  At Mr. Surcombs — he has had so great affliction respecting his Daughter that it Shocks him.  In the Eve at Mr. Moses Gills.  N.B. The Town is moved greatly by the Copys of a Number of Letters wrote by Governor Barnard, and one of General Gage’s.  Went down to my Brothers and lodged there.

1769 April 14 (Friday).  Breakfast at Loyds.  At Mr. Hopestill Capons (where my Son Samuel lives).  Mrs. Capon is in Grief at her Husbands being a Sandemanian.  Prepare for my Journey home.  Dine at Mr. Mathers.  N.B. have settled with Capt. Bradford and paid all.  Towards Evening rode to Mr. Jacksons of Brookline, who was not at home.  I proceeded to Mr. Thomas Harringtons at Watertown and lodged there.

1769 April 15 (Saturday).  Rode home, having called at Mr. Woodwards.  Dr. Robys (where was Mr. Lock of Sherb. and we dined together), at Mr. Bridge’s, and at old Mrs. Darlings, who is above 90 Years old, and Stood in Need of Assistance in her great work.  Found my Family in Comfort.  D.G.  Mr. Cushing here.

1769 April 16 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 45 and 46 to v. 12.  Mr. C. preached a. and p.m. on Eph. 2.8.  I read p.m. 1 Cor. 2.  Master Rice dined with us.

1769 April 17 (Monday).  Mr. C. and Sarah rode to Southborough.  At Eve they brought me a Pair of Doves from Mr. Stones.  A Town Meeting on the Affair of making more room in the Meeting-House.  John does something in the Garden, but at length is not well, and retires into the House.

1769 April 18 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1769 April 19 (Wednesday).  I rode to Marlborough Association Fast.  Mr. Loring, Stone, Goss and Bridge there.  Mr. Gardner and Barrett being absent, I preached a.m. on Judg. 10, particular Select Sentences from v. 6.7.9.10. and 16 v.  P.M. Mr. Goss prayed and Mr. Stone preached.  His Text was Jer. 8.6.  May God accept our Offerings!  A large assembly though it was a Foul, Cold, Cloudy Day, and p.m. rainy.  I returned at Eve.

1769 April 20 (Thursday).  N.B. Mr. Stone having lent me his late Thanksgiving Sermon on Ezr. 9.8. to read, he therewith wrapped up Mr. Moses Gills Letter of Jan. 30th last, containing Remarks upon it; which I read.  Mr. Beeton dines here, as does Mr. Ebenezer Maynard who works here.  At Eve I rode up to Mr. Artemas Bruce’s, their Infants remaining very low and weak.  Prayed there.  Mr. Simon Tainter of Sutton there, also.  Spoke to him about Mrs. Bruce’s Petition to the Church that She might have the Legacy his Father left to the Church and I think he seems disposed to let her have it; and yet he seems to agree with me that what is left to a public use, ought not to be disposed of to the private Benefit of any one person; which must put an End to That which appears designed for a perpetual Service and Emolument.

1769 April 21 (Friday).  Mrs. Maynard here.  Master Caleb Rice came, and Mr. John Burnaps Wife to get me to write her Relation; which She dictated, and I first took the Minutes of, and then transcribed and gave her.  We were all at Tea together.  Ebenezer Maynard rides to the Doctor’s.

1769 April 22 (Saturday).  A Letter from Mr. C. at Ashburnham inclosing etc.  Before night My Son William from Ashby.

1769 April 23 (Sunday).  Read, and preached on, Jer. 46, especially v. 27.28.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 3.  Deliver Sermon on Luk. 9.62 to page 17.  Appoint the Communion.  N.B. Mrs. Maynard dined here.  The Doctor in dressing Ebbe Leg, is damped.

1769 April 24 (Monday).  Eb.’s Leg is bad.  The Doctor is much discouraged.  Yet Eb. rode to his House.  Mr. Maynard Sends an Horse for his Son, and he goes home before noon.

1769 April 25 (Tuesday).  Send by Mr. John Maynard and Nurse to Boston for Sundrys.  Mr. Bruce’s Eldest Twin dies about noon.  Am reading Sale’s preliminary Discourse to the Koran.

1769 April 26 (Wednesday).  Mr. Whitney came and dined with me.  He preached my Lecture on Rom. 4.25.  Master Rice after Meeting here at Tea.  N.B. Ebenezer Maynard returned hither before Dinner, his wound ‘tis hoped not worse.

1769 April 27 (Thursday).  Deacon Wood here — wants I Should Sell him some Hay.  P.M. Attend the Burying of one of Mr. Artemus Bruce’s Twins.

1769 April 28 (Friday).  Mr. Ebenezer Maynard works for me.  Mr. Nurse has brought up from Mrs. Holbrook at Boston, Some Box Trees, and English Gooseberrys.  Dr. Hawes dresses Ebe’s wound.  There is no likelihood of his doing any work, of a great while.  Mrs. Ruhamah Newton here p.m. drinks Tea.  Asks me to preach at her House.  At Eve Mr. E. Maynard and I talk of his Sons sorrowful Case; and therewith the great Disappointment as to my Business.  Ebe says he has no prospect of doing my work.  Would have me hire another.  Richard Temple was in the House.  With Ebe’s free consent I proceed to Agree with Richard for four Months — to begin next Week; for 56£ old Tenor.  I am to allow him half a Day at Election, but he must be at home in season and to Observe Order.  I am not to pay him for Lectures, Fasts or Thanksgivings.  And seeing I pay him for foul weather he shall improve it as well as he can, contriving what may best be done for my Benefit.

1769 April 29 (Saturday).  The Doctor Daily Visits Eb. Maynard to dress his Sore.  Mr. John Maynard has brought me from Boston 6 Gallons of Rum.

1769 April 30 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 47 and 48 to v. 17.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Preached on Luk. 14.17.  Master Rice and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 4 and repeated the rest of sermon on Luk. 9.62.