1771 April 25 (Thursday). Mr. Cushing comes, tarrys till after Dinner — and then he and his wife leave us. Mr. Forbes and Crosby Sat out in the morning for Boston, in their way to Beverly Ordination (of Mr. Hitchcock). P.M. Catechetical Exercise to 25 young Women. The Questions were 101, 102, 103. Begin next at Question 104. At Eve Breck comes home and with him a young man, a Taylor, Joseph Hancock, as he says, of Derbyshire in old England. N.B. Mr. Ithamar Bellows’s House was burnt down to day; The Fire broke out from a Crack in the Oven — about 9 o’Clock a.m. They saved their Meat chiefly, but lost a great Quantity of Corn — great part of their household Goods — Apparrel, Linnen etc. A very sorrowful Loss! May the Lord sanctifie this Dispensation to them, and to us all![1]
[1]“On Thursday sen’night the Dwelling House of Mr. Ithamar Bellows, of Westborough, was consumed by Fire, together with most of the Furniture and about 100 Bushels of Grain. The compassionate, generous neighbours, are in great forwardness in their work to get up another building, for the unhappy sufferers.” Boston Evening-Post, May 6, 1771, p. 2.