Month: April 1772

1772 April 1 (Wednesday).  Visit Mrs. Spring who mends apace, through the great Goodness of God.  Mr. Hezekiah Maynard of Marlborough returns the Vol. of Mr. Baxters works which he borrowed of me some time Since.  P.M. Deacon Wood and his Wife, Children and Maid, having been to See the Indians at the Wigwam, come here.  I love to see my Friends and Neighbours but the Interruption it gives me in my Studys is a great Trouble and Disappointment.

1772 April 2 (Thursday).  Publick Fast.  I preached a.m. on Deut. 31.17.  P.M. gathered an Exercise out of my Sermons on Isa. 42.23.24.25 but with variations and additions that might suit the present Occasion.  May the Lord pardon and graciously accept us and His People in these Humiliations!  The Roads very difficult.

1772 April 3 (Friday).  One of the most Violent and impetuous Storms of Snow!  Blessed be God for the Protection and the Comforts which I and mine are favored with!  May it please God who is a present Help in the Time of Trouble, to extend Compassion to all Such as are at this uncommon season, in Distress and Extremity, if Such there be, and mercifully relieve them!  O may I fear the Great God!  And may I be delivered from the Storms and Tempests of Eternal Wrath!

1772 April 4 (Saturday).  It is a Time of extraordinary Difficulty in travelling: but the Weather being fair, many Neighbours from North and South are trying to break ways through the Snow, not with yoked Oxen and sleds, as before; but they are driven single by reason of the heigth [sic]  of the Drifts, which are Some of them above the Tops of Fences.  I am deeply engaged in my preparations.  May the Lord assist, Strengthen and Succeed me!

1772 April 5 (Sunday).  The Day being bright we went on with Communion Exercises: not thinking it best to put off the Sacrament any longer.  Read Isa. 53.  Preached a. and p.m. on 1 Cor. 6.20, first part of the v.  Administered the Sacrament.  N.B. Mr. Silas Warrin of Grafton desired leave to partake.  I told him I consented if he was in Charity, especially if he was with his Minister.  He bowed as if consenting, and I proposed it to the Church, and none objected.  But after prayer he spoke out, and Said he did not know whether he understood me.  I replyed, that we must all be in Charity.  We could not now debate.  If he was in Charity he might — but he thought best to withdraw.  Deacon Bond dined here.  P.M. I read the Epistle to Philemon.

1772 April 6 (Monday).  In the Morning the Snow froze so as to bear, I accompanyed my Wife and Kinsman Bradshaw, to Ashbo’s wigwam.

1772 April 7 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer Claffin of Hopkinton calls to tell me that Capt. Joseph Mellen dyed last night.  Though the riding is very bad, yet I went to private Meeting at Lieutenant Bruce’s, where I preached on Ps. 139.23.24.

1772 April 8 (Wednesday).  Visit Mrs. Grout and pray with her.  N.B. Mr. Silas Warrin met me.  He was going to my House on purpose, he said, to ask my forgiveness of his Conduct on Sabbath Day, which I was freely willing to do, he being to all Appearance very penitant.  Lieut. Baker and I p.m. rode over to Lieut. Martyn, he being brought very low; consuming away.  Dr. Wilson, Ball, Joslyn etc. there in Consultation.  Sister Martyn at Brookfield, but Mr. Richard is gone for her.  I went to Mr. Whitneys, where was the Widow Eager, who came to me and delivered me 25/ old Tenor to get a Cover for the great Bible which her Father Wheeler gave to our Church.  I returned to Lieut. Martyn, and though I was not without some thoughts and Purpose to have tarryed all night, yet I perceived there might be little Opportunity to be Serviceable, and the great likelihood of a Storm; Mr. David Maynard happening to be coming over, I Sorrowfully took, as I suppose final, Leave and came home.  N.B. The Deliverances of this Day and Evening were noticeable.  When I was going to mount Mr. Bradshaws Horse, he was So merry and nestling that he pushed me down backward over an Hog-Trough and Stood over me, helpless, and it was wonderfull that being so over me and full of Motions he did not trample me to Death.  May God be magnifyed and may I have a proper Sense of His Sparing Mercy!  In going over to, and returning from Northborough when the ways were So very bad, by the Depth of the Snow and Hollowness of the Earth, So that I was in Difficulty Several Times; yet there was no Such Evil Occurrent as to grieve me.  D.G.

1772 April 9 (Thursday).  This, though it proves So very Stormy Day and most difficult Travelling, is the Time appointed for the Burial of Capt. Joseph Mellen at Hopkinton and when probably Mrs. Martyn is on the Road from Brookfield to See her son John before he dyes.  The Lord be with all the Distressed!  Mr. Bradshaw is much indisposed.

1772 April 10 (Friday).  He continues not well.  I am Sermonizing.  Mr. B. is desired to preach for Mr. Whitney; but I fear lest he Should not be able to go to Northborough and then I must go there and change with Mr. Whitney.  At Eve Mr. Daniel Forbes and talks over Mr. Silas Warrins late Conduct, but goes away Satisfyed.  Mr. Taylor came, informs of the remarkable Occurrence at Squire Whipples of a Ewe’s yeaning two Lambs which dyed soon, and then in three weeks wanting 3 Dayes bringing three more, two of which live.  Mr. T________ lodges here.

1772 April 11 (Saturday).  Rev. Mr. Eden Burroughs came in the morning, prays and breakfasts with us and then goes on his Journey to New Hopkinton.  Mr. Bradshaw takes physic, So that I must go to Northborough.  P.M. Rode to Lieut. Martyns to See him and lodged there.

1772 April 12 (Sunday).  Went early to Mr. Whitneys.  Preached at Northborough a. and p.m. on Act. 16.29.30.  Mr. Whitney on Mat. 16.26, what is a man profited etc. and he returned early.  I tarried there.  N.B. Mr. Briggs at Eve.

1772 April 13 (Monday).  Visit Lieut. Martyn in my returning home.  Mr. Bradshaw still drooping.  Read Toogood on Infant Baptism.

1772 April 14 (Tuesday).  A Letter from Mr. Cushing — all Well.  Breck finishes a Desk for himself.  Send Samuel 40£ old Tenor by Mr. Hannaniah Parker.  Messrs. Hicks of Cambridge here at Dinner.

1772 April 15 (Wednesday).  Breck in Some perplexity about Mr. David Hills, his Coming to Sett up Trading in this Neighbourhood.  Mr. Benjamin How removes the Partition in the middle of the front Gallery of the Meeting-House, to the End.  Mr. How at Eve takes the Great Bible to cover it.  Read Dr. Gill against Mr. Toogood.

1772 April 16 (Thursday).  Sermonizing.

1772 April 17 (Friday).  Breck’s perplexitys increase.  He hears of one Mr. Gillam Bass of Boston, his being at Deacon Woods, who having hired part of the Deacons House (where Mr. Spring lives) designs to open a Shop of Goods there.  Breck goes up to Speak with him, but he is gone to Hopkinton.  My Son is So uneasy about it that he borrows Mr. Bradshaws Horse and rides to Hopkinton.  Mr. Spring and Wife with Billy here.

1772 April 18 (Saturday).  Breck returns without much Satisfaction concerning Mr. Bass, for he persists in his Resolution to come.  Mr. Bradshaw rode over to Northborough to preach for Mr. W.  Messrs. Hickss return from Sutton, but dont light.  N.B. Mr. Hicks has informed me that Cousen Thomas Barrett being married, Brother Champney and Sister Lydia have Set up Housekeeping together in the House where Mr. William Fessenden dwelt.  Mr. Benjamin How brings the great Bible handsomely covered.

1772 April 19 (Sunday).  Read Dan. 8.  Preached on 1 Cor. 6.20.  P.M. read Heb. 1.  Repeated the last Sermon on Ps. 119.57.  N.B. My Exposition in the morning required reading and Pains.  N.B. Cousen Betty Gott dined here.  I appointed a Catechizing to be next Thursday.

1772 April 20 (Monday).  A Strange Sight this Morning.  Winter is returned with  Violence.  The Earth is covered with Snow, and the storm fierce.  Phinehas Forbes came, but by reason of the Storm returned home.  P.M. cleared off.  My Son William at Eve from Concord.

1772 April 21 (Tuesday).  Phinehas came to work.  Breck takes down the Chimney of the Shop.  Sold Billy a two year old steer for 14£ old Tenor because he was urgent to have him to mate another.  Billy returned.  I went to Marlborough to Ministers Meeting.  Was moderator and prayed.  Mr. Smith poorly again.  He has fears of a Cancer in his Lip.  William Henderson rectifies the movement of the Day of the month in my Watch, and pay him.  I return home at Eve and Mr. Bradshaw with me.  N.B. Mrs. Vashti Hardy dyed last night about 11 o’Clock, aged 73 last Month, having gone through a long Tryal by her Cancer.

1772 April 22 (Wednesday).  Mr. Sumner has writ to me to preach his Lecture to Day.  Dr. Hawes was So good as to find me an Horse: and as he was going to Worcester I had his Company to Mr. Sumners — where we dined; and Mr. Bradshaw went with me also.  There I met besides, my Son Cushing, who preached the Lecture at my Desire; I prayed before Sermon.  N.B. Mr. Whitney of Northborough, his Wife and Miss Peggy Lambert were there with us likewise.  Returned at Evening.

1772 April 23 (Thursday).  A.M. Catechized at the Meeting House.  Had only 23 Boys.  Had no Exercise for the Girls p.m. by reason of the Funeral, viz. of Mrs. Vashti Hardy, which I attended upon and prayed at.  Mr. Cushing here, dines and lodges.  I am Somewhat concerned for my Son Breck, undertaking to prepare for Shopkeeping when Such a Number besides are purposing and preparing for the Same.  N.B. Mr. Luke Brown of Worcester lately dyed there of the Small Pox.

1772 April 24 (Friday).  Mr. Cushing leaves us.  Mr. Hannaniah Parker here under Disquietment concerning Brecks trading.  One Mr. Partridge of Medway here to engage Mr. Bradshaw to preach there.  P.M. Mr. Bradshaw Sets out for Brookfield.  A Petition of Mr. Samuel Smith of Grafton for Contribution, he having suffered by Fire.

1772 April 25 (Saturday).  Breck is preparing the Shop — putting up Shelves etc. to receive Goods.  Mr. Taylor here.  Wrote by him to Mr. Hutchinson.

1772 April 26 (Sunday).  Read Dan. 9 and could not but take  up time in Some expository Exercise upon it.  Preached on 1 Cor. 6.20.  P.M. Read Heb. 2.  Delivered two of my Expository Exercises on Mat. 4 from v. 18 to v. 22.  Baptized Mr. Hannaniah Parkers Son Pierpont.  Appointed the Communion and Lecture.

1772 April 27 (Monday).  Breck sat out early for Boston.  Mr. Morse goes down for him with a Team.  Mr. Spring with my Team, brings a Barrell of Cyder from Mr. Abraham Bond, for which I am to give a Dollar.  Rev. Mellen of Chauxit, going to Hopkinton, calls here.

1772 April 28 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1772 April 29 (Wednesday).  Mr. Mellen came from Hopkinton, dined here, and preached my Lecture from Luk. 13.28, “There shall be Weeping” etc.  May God bless this awakening Discourse to our highest Benefit!  After Exercise he went on his Way home.  Breck returned.  At night Mr. Morse brought Brecks Goods.  Breck informs that My Kinsman Nathaniel Parkman dyed last Saturday Night or sabbath morning and that my Brother is more and more lost and broke.  The Lord Sanctifie His holy Hand!  And extend Compassion to the Widow and fatherless!  Sorrowful News increases.  Am informed that Lt. John Martyn dyed this morning.  The Lord be gracious to the bereaved and comfort them!

1772 April 30 (Thursday).  Breck is Settling his Shop, marking his Goods etc.  P.M. Mrs. Arnold came to see us and brought with her, her Sister Elizabeth lately come from Providence.  N.B. Mrs. Arnold in much Spiritual Concern, which I hope will be cultivated.