Month: January 1772

1772 January 1 (Wednesday).  I have Still more and more cause to bless God for His Long suffering towards me.  I am astonished at this unmerited Goodness!  May I have Grace to glorifie God as He justly expects from me!  Having obtained help from Him I continue to this Day.  It is matter of Grief and sorrow that I have done so little for the Honour of God and the Benefit of His People!  Master Taylor takes my Horse and rides to Rev. Mr. Morse of Shrewsbury to deliver him for Mr. Glazier, of whom I bought my Horse, 95£ old Tenor.  At night he returns and tells me he has done so.  Dr. Crosby made me a Visit.  At Eve I married Nathan Fay to Persis Harrington.  Two foolish, unhappy young Creatures who have fallen into Transgression.  She is in but her 15th year.  I could not go through the Service without Pain and Distress.  The Lord grant them true Repentance and the Restraints of His Grace to the rest of our young people!  And O that my own sins might be blotted out!

1772 January 2 (Thursday).  Several Indians are the worse for Drink.  Betty Ashbo comes here at Eve, and is so bad She can’t be trusted to go home.  Stays here all night.  A young man, Robert Osmer, lodges here.

1772 January 3 (Friday).  He sets out for Concord — and carrys Letters to my Son William.

1772 January 4 (Saturday).  Mr. Barnabas Newton and Mr. Nathan Townsend kill a large Swine for me: and do it gratis.

1772 January 5 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Act. 26.22.  Deacon Burnet dined here and gave me a Letter from Hopkinton Church, but by reason of very few Members of the Church being at Meeting I did not read it.  Mrs. Hannah Rice dined here also.  P.M. preached again on Joh. 3.7, repeating on the Same subject as last sabbath, from p. 48 to 53, and broke off because of the Cold.

1772 January 6 (Monday).  Rev. Fessenden of Walpole New Hampshire and his Wife here and dine with us.  Leaves a Petition for Contribution (having been burnt out in Nov. last).  I went to Mrs. Kendals and preached on Prov. 4.18.  Had Special regard to Aged Mrs. Woods.  N.B. Mr. Spring carryed home his little Billy.

1772 January 7 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1772 January 8 (Wednesday).  Mr. Stone made us a visit and dined here.  Mr. Taylor came and first tryed my young Horse in my sleigh and has no Trouble.

1772 January 9 (Thursday).  Dr. Joslyn dined here and Spends part of the afternoon here.  By reason of Difficulty and Disappointment in getting Shooes made and mended, employ Neighbour Newton, and Send my Leather to him.  Breck to Mrs. Kendals, with the Sleigh to bring home Sophy and Hannah, who went there  in the morning.

1772 January 10 (Friday).  Mr. Francis Whipple junior paid me 43£ old Tenor.  Cousen Nanny Brigham visits — lodges.

1772 January 11 (Saturday).  Received 10£ Old Tenor from Mr. Wheelock.  Mr. Jonathan Lamb of Hardwick came with Mr. Daniel Warrin.  Acquaints me with his House being burnt.

1772 January 12 (Sunday).  Preach a.m. on Tit. 3.5, latter part, on Regeneration.  Finished on Joh. 3.3.  P.M. Preached on Luk. 15.17, “when he came to himself.”  N.B. The Widow Sarah Smith who had for some years been in Melancholly and kept from Meeting, was out to Day and dined here.  Master Taylor also dined with us.

1772 January 13 (Monday).  Was at Mr. Beetons.  I dined at Capt. Maynards.  John Arnold paid me money for my pork which he lately carryed to Marblehead.  Weighed there 14 Score and 16 lb.  He paid me 30£ 17 s. and 8 d.  He had 2/4 per pound and took 3 d. per pound for Carriage, for his Brother.  I returned 4 Dollars in part for a Steer coming 4 Years, which I have traded with Mr. Arnold for.  Mr. Francis Whipple also paid 38£ 6/ in full for oxen he bought of me and took his Note which he gave me in Sept. last, for them.

1772 January 14 (Tuesday).  P.M. rode over to Hopkinton.  In my way there visit Mrs. Hardy and pray with her.  Visit also a Stranger who lies Sick at William Pierce’s junior.  His name is George Pinkerton, a sailor.  Prayed with him.  Went to see Mr. Fitch that I might be better acquainted with him.  He read one of his sermons  to me.  Lodged at Mr. Barretts.

1772 January 15 (Wednesday).  Break fast at Capt. Joseph Mellens, where the Council met.  Received a Letter from Rev. Mr. Mosely of Canada.  Being chose Moderator I prayed in the Council.  Mr. Prentice of Holliston Scribe.  We passed two votes relative to Mr. Fitch’s Baptism, and that we were ready to proceed to his Ordination.  Mr. Fish began with Prayer, Mr. Leonard preached on Act. 16.17.  Mr. Frost prayed before the Charge; This I delivered; Mr. Bridge of Framingham prayed after; Mr. Webb gave the Right Hand, and Mr. Fitch appointed Ps. 118, latter part, to be Sung.  We returned to Capt. Mellens, where we supped and lodged.  N.B. Capt. Howard of Canada gave me some Account of Mercy Maynard, who lives, and has done for some years, at his House.  Subscription goes on for printing Mr. Leonards Sermon.

1772 January 16 (Thursday).  After breakfast, in returning home, a Number of us called at Brother Barretts, and seriously Saluted and took leave of him.  N.B. I paid Mr. John Chamberlain Four Guineas.  Mr. Stone of Douglass accompanys me home, and though late we dine here.  Breck and Sophy who went to ordination in a double Sleigh, with Elijah and other Brighams, returned — but Breck had by a Fall on the Ice, a grievous shock, especially on his shoulder.

1772 January 17 (Friday).  Read World displayed.  Transcribed the Charge, being repeatedly requested and urged.

1772 January 18 (Saturday).  Mr. Taylor here.  Has finished his School in the South.  I rode to Southborough, though it was a storm.  Mr. Stone came here.

1772 January 19 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough a.m. on Isa. 50.11, p.m. on Ps. 139.23.24.  Baptized Submit, Daughter of William and [blank] Winchester; and Timothy, Son of Joshua and Abigail Smith.  I came home at Eve.  Mr. Stone also went home.  His Texts were James 4.14 and [blank].

1772 January 20 (Monday).  Confined closely to my Study.  Too stormy for the Boys to go to School.  They give them selves to getting out indian Corn.

1772 January 21 (Tuesday).  P.M. visit Mrs. Hardy.  Her Face is wonderfully deformed and eaten away by the Cancer.  She apprehends She is in some good Measure of Readiness.  Prayed with her.  Call to see old Mrs. Warrin.

1772  January 22 (Wednesday).  Rode in my Sleigh to Northborough.  My Daughter Hannah with me.  We dined with Mrs. Martyn.  Visit at Mr. Whitneys.  Drank Tea there.  Borrow Wards Mathem. Guide for Breck.  Return at Eve  in Safety.  D.Gr.

1772 January 23 (Thursday).  Sermonizing — and finished the 18th Vol. of World displayed.

1772 January 24 (Friday).  Mr. John Maynard here.  Shews me a Certificate of his Wifes publication at Brattleborough.  He dines with us.  Mr. Batherick here: tells me his Trouble at his Daughter Anna’s marriage by Coll. Ward of Shrewsbury.

1772 January 25 (Saturday).  Sophy returns from Capt. Maynards (whither She went the Day before Yesterday) and says Isaac Davis has paid for 100 weight of Flax there for me at 5/ per pound.

1772 January 26 (Sunday).  A.M. on Luk. XV.17.  P.M. on v. 20 and appointed a Contribution for Rev. Mr. Fessenden.  N.B. The widow Smith dined here again.  Also her son in law Childs.  Breck came in the Morning and Ruth at noon.  Mrs. Spring very ill again.  Also old Mrs. Beeman.  At Eve I read in Mr. Fords Autocatac. part of the Application.

1772 January 27 (Monday).  Sent to Capt. Maynards for 100 weight of Flax and 25£ for it, to Davis — and receive the Flax.

1772 January 28 (Tuesday).  Have received an Invitation from Mr. Gale to visit there, and to Day was appointed but it was So very cold we could not go, and I Sent them word we could not.  Breck went and dined there.

1772 January 29 (Wednesday).  It being more moderate Mrs. P________ and I rode in the Sleigh first to Mr. Andrews’s and then to Mr. Gales where we dined.  In returning home, called again at Mr. Andrews’s and at Mr. Haskills.  Sophy goes to Mr. Springs to watch.

1772 January 30 (Thursday).  Unhappily the Chain of my Watch was broke last night.  Though it was rough weather I went to see old Mrs. Beeman at Mr. Jonathan Bruce’s.  Dined there.  Prayed with them.  N.B. Mr. Bruce Speaks of Mr. Jonathan Cook and that he had been dismissed from their Church.  I answered that I knew not that ever I received or ever saw, any.  Called to see old Mrs. Sarah Forbush.

1772 January 31 (Friday).  Mr. Ezra Baker and Daniel Chamberlin with a Load of Wood, each of them.