November 2, 1771

1771 November 2 (Saturday).  Mr. Chadwick of Hopkinton came to acquaint me with the Death of old Mr. Freeland (in his 94th Year) and to desire me to attend the Funeral next Munday [sic] at 9 a.m.  Mr. Joseph Caryl came here also afterwards on the Same Errand.  N.B. Mr. Jonathan Grout had been here to inform me of the Death of one of his Child[ren] and the Burying to be on the same Day — but the Hour 2 p.m.  I was in Expectation of Mr. Fitch from Hopkinton or Some Message respecting my going there to preach and administer the Lords Supper.  But neither came.

November 4, 1771

1771 November 4 (Monday).  A.M. attended the Funeral of old Mr. Freeland and prayed.  Mr. Fitch was there.  N.B. Yesterday at Hopkinton the administration of the Lords supper was deferred to another sabbath and I was again requested to be there to officiate.  Dined at Mr. Joseph Caryls.  P.M. attended the Funeral of Mr. Jonathan Grouts Child.  Dr. Haws here at Tea with us.

November 8, 1771

1771 November 8 (Friday).  O how amazing the Patience and Longsuffering of God!  It is 47 Years since our Church was gathered, and I was ordained.  The Lord humble me for, and pardon my great Defects and Transgressions!  And Quicken me to serve Him agreeable to His Will!  Mr. Taylor gives me some Account of Mr. John Eliot.  Master goes to his school.

November 10, 1771

1771 November 10 (Sunday).  Preached at Hopkinton on Heb. 6.12 and mentioned the Death of old Mr. Freeland, aged 93 and the worthy Mrs. Barrett in her 70th Year.  Mr. Barrett was too feeble to go out.  Attended at the Funeral of a Negro Child at the Widow Newmans.  I returned home at Eve, calling in to see the Widow Biglow.  Mr. Fitch went to Grafton, in his way home, to Windham.  He Preached on Luk. 17.32 and on [blank].

November 13, 1771

1771 November 13 (Wednesday).  Rode to Hopkinton Fast previous to their Calling a Minister to be Colleague with Mr. Barrett.  Mr. Frost pray’d and Mr. Fish Preached on Act. 20.24, latter part.  P.M. Mr. Fish prayed and I Preached on Joh. 12.35.  Several Gentlemen came after Meeting, and asked Advice, viz. Capt. Joseph Mellens, Mr. Israel Walker, and Mr. George Caryl.  Came Home at night, and earnestly wish our Labours may be followed with Success.

November 16, 1771

1771 November 16 (Saturday).  My Grandson Ebenezer came up from Cambridge to tarry over the Sabbath.  Am interrupted in my Studys and called to go down to Mr. Adonijah Rice’s, one of his new-born Twins being ill.  I went, and prayed — the woman but weak also.  Capt. Clark and his Daughter Cotton from Hopkinton came to keep Sabbath here, there being no Body to preach in their Town.

November 17, 1771

1771 November 17 (Sunday).  Young Mr. Barrett came also.  I omitted Reading, and not having carryed on my preparations and there being a Number of Strangers who [illegible] with us I delivered both a. and p.m. sermon on Heb. 4.9 to page 25.  Four sermons in the whole.  Capt. Clark, Deacon Burnett and Mr. Barrett, dined with us.  Read the Proclamation for Thanksgiving with an hint of Explanation.  Capt. Clark and his Daughter lodge again here.

November 19, 1771

1771 November 19 (Tuesday).  Joseph and Nathan Chamberlin returned from Monadinock.  They bring a Letter from my Cushing at Ashburnham and drive home the pied Cow which I had lent my Daughter Cushing for the Summer past.  William Sergeant, Prentice to Alexander came to inform of his Wife’s illness and great want of Help: in particular they want Ruth Bellows; who accordingly goes with William.  The Town Met, upon my Support.  I understand they voted to get my wood (besides 500£ old Tenor) but left if to every one to bring or do as they pleased.

November 25, 1771

1771 November 25 (Monday).  A number of Teams brought me Wood from the ministerial Lot.  I rode to Cornet Brighams about his son Elijahs going to Monadnock, and helping Breck in his Journey home.  Mrs. Mary Harrington, Wife of Mr. John Harrington, was here, was examined and approved.  The Teams which brought Wood were Capt. Maynards drove by Solomon Maynard and Came three times.  Deacon Wood, Messrs. Ebenezer Maynard, Phinehas Maynard, Benjamin Warrin, Ebenezer Forbush, Seth Morse, George Andrews, Timothy Warrin, Abijah Gale, Benjamin Tainter, Thomas Bond, Joseph Bond, Lt. Harrington, Lieutenant Baker, and Abraham Beeman, all came twice; and Abraham Bond once.  The Cutters were Joseph Harrington, Eli Harrington, [blank] Davis, Antipas Maynard, Edward Gay (for himself), John McCullock for Deacon Wood; Benjamin Ball for Mr. Morse, Mr. Timothy Warrin junior, Samuel Andrews, Jonathan Maynard, Benjamin Tainter, these three (I suppose) for their Fathers, and Nathaniel Chamberlin for Lt. Baker.  They cutt in and carted from the Ministerial Lot.  They Supped here at Evening except a few, viz. Messrs. Abraham Bond, Abraham Beeman and Benjamin Ball, that went home with their Teams.  Seven Quarts of Rum were sent and given.  Capt. Brigham sent a Loin of Mutton and Capt. Maynard 22 1/2 lbs. of Beef.

November 26, 1771

1771 November 26 (Tuesday).  Early at Mr. Tainters to get his Chair for Mrs. P________ to go to Boston, and had it brought here.  Was at Mr. Nurse’s for Money, but got none — had his Mare to be rid up to Monadnock by Elijah Brigham for Breck to ride home and bring his Tools.  N.B. I told Nurse that till he got my Money and paid me I Should use the Mare as my own: and I received her so.  Capt. Jonas Brigham brought a Load of Wood — and his son Eli (for him) another.  Mr. George Smith dines here.  Mr. Hananiah Parker who was to go with Mrs. P________ sends word that he can’t go till tomorrow.

November 28, 1771

1771 November 28 (Thursday).  Mrs. P________ with Mr. Hananiah Parker Sat out early in Mr. Tainters Chair, for Boston, the weather being Moderate.  I rode, by request from Mr. Stone, to his House at Southborough, found Mr. Smith there.  Dined there.  After dinner Mr. Jonathan Barns was examined and approbated for Preaching.  Mr. Barns delivered a Discourse on Eph. 2.8, “For by Grace” etc.  And Mr. Solomon Ward was examined and approbated as a legal School master.  I returned home at Eve — when Ebenezer and Elias (my Grandsons) came back from Brookfield — informs that my Kinsman Bradshaw began to preach last Sabbath at Oakham.  Master Taylor was here.  He has begun to day to keep School at the New School House beyond Deacon Bonds.  We have now five School-Houses, yet none near the Meeting House.

November 30, 1771

1771 November 30 (Saturday).  Though yesterday was a good Day for travelling, it is far otherwise to Day, and especially in the Morning which was very Stormy; and by the heavy Rain Ebenezer is obliged to tarry here over the Sabbath.  As to Mrs. P________ I gave up expecting her, and set my Mind to prepare to do without her.  It was not indeed so rainy p.m. as in the morning yet it was wet, cloudy and uncomfortable — But, unlooked for, Mr. Parker and she came; and got here before Night, to my great Joy — and in a Peculiar manner considering She was So well and comfortable, and had been favoured with a prosperous Journey.  They had Coll. Buckminsters Chaise from Framingham to Boston, and in returning got as far as Brewsters, Waltham to lodge, and this morn to Coll. Buckminsters to Break fast.  D.G.