Month: August 1772

1772 August 1 (Saturday).  Mrs. Spring brought my Watch from Mr. Cranch of Boston.  Breck helps Phinehas Sometimes; when his Shop will allow, and his Mother often keeps Shop for him.  Mr. Bradshaw and Sophy return.

1772 August 2 (Sunday).  I Spent my Self so much on my Preparations on Hosea 12.13.14, which I made my p.m. Exercise, that I could not finish a Discourse I endeavoured to compose on Eph. 5.2 for the Communion.  I read Ps. 50 and took a sermon which was chiefly on v. ult.  Altered and made Additions to it for the forenoon.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Miss Mary Steward, Mrs. Dunlop (with her Sister Kelly, who now lives here), Mrs. Maynard, Mrs. Bradford, Mr. Bradshaw, and Ruth Bellows dined here.  P.M. Read James 3.  Preached ut Supr. on Hosea.  At Evening family Exercise read a part of Mr. Mitchel on the Glorys of Heaven.  I would be humble for my Leanness and Dryness; but bless God for Assistances afforded.

1772 August 3 (Monday).  Mr. Bradshaw has Mr. Thomas Bonds Chaise and waits on Mrs. Bradford to Boston.  Messrs. Crosby and Taylor, going to Boston, dined here.

1772 August 4 (Tuesday).  Read chiefly Mr. Joseph Fish of Stonington’s Examiner Examined: or Answer to Mr. Backus’s Examination of Mr. Fish’s Nine sermons on Mat. 16.18.  A Seasonable, judicious Piece.  Mr. [sic] Dorothy Maynard, widow of the late Mr. Phinehas Maynard, here — was examined and accepted.

1772 August 5 (Wednesday).  Phinehas not well — Sophy also: both take Emeticks.  P.M. Mr. Arnold here, was examined and accepted.  Breck, on Mr. Samuel Fays Horse, goes a Journey to Boston.  At Night I began to read again in the Family, Dr. Doddridge’s Family Expositor, Vol. 1.  It belongs to my Cousen Winter.

1772 August 6 (Thursday).  Phinehas and Sophy are comfortable.  I rode to Hopkinton to see Mr. Barrett.  He is very weak in Body, but his Mind is somewhat free, and comfortable on Spiritual Accounts.  He took an Opportunity to speak directly to me, and with great Seriousness.  He Said, Mr. Parkman, “From the very time of this Stroke upon me (meaning the numb Palsey) I resigned my Self wholly to God; and I have trusted in Him — ever since — all along — and do.  Want above all things in the whole world, that God may be glorifyed.  When the night comes, that He may be glorifyed — and when the Light returns, I want He Should be glorifyed with it.  And I want to continue no longer than He may have Glory by me.  Every Moment may He be glorifyed!  I have the Light of his Countenance Shining upon me.  I am ready, when He shall see Cause, to go.”  This Discourse very much rejoiced me.  I dined there.  I was a while at Mr. Fitch’s, but he was not at home.  Met him as I was going to Capt. Clarks.  We went there together.  I returned home by Southborough, but neither was Mr. Stone at home.  Their Family much better.  Arrived in Safety.  D.G.  N.B. One Mrs. Johnson dyed Suddenly in Hopkinton yesterday.  May the Lord make us Sensible how frail we are!  And help us to get and keep ready!

1772 August 7 (Friday).  My Chief attention is to my Preparation, in which Mr. Burroughs on Hosea is very useful.  Though I was obliged to assist Phinehas in unloading Hay; and Read part of the Life of Old Mr. John Welch, minister of Air.  Phinehas was not well in the Morning but he grew better afterward and worked pritty well.

1772 August 8 (Saturday).  Messrs. Crosby and Taylor from Boston.  Breck we hear has met with Trouble, for his Horse sickened and Suddenly dyed at Boston.

1772 August 9 (Sunday).  We have had most terrible storms of Thunder, Lightning, Rain and Wind.  One Clap of Thunder especially was very amazing, as if it would rend us to Destruction.  O the majesty, the Glory, the mighty Power, and the Goodness of God!  For we are preserved, and Safe!  Glory to His great and glorious Name!  O what a fearful Thing it is to fall into the Hands of the living, omnipotent God!  We find this morning that the Thunder Struck one of the Stables, Mr. Andrews’s, and rent off the face board at the East End, and in some measure Shattered the Posts at each Corner.  Mr. Aaron Crosby came this Morning to breakfast, and also dined with us.  I read Job. 38 and preached on Hosea 4.15.  P.M. I read James 4 and Mr. Crosby preached.  His Text was Eph. 2.8.  May God grant His Blessing!  And make the Dispenser a great Blessing particularly among the Indians to whom he is Sent.  At Eve I was in a great deal of Care about Breck, and how to get an Horse to him at Boston for his Return home.  But after Bedtime he returned.  He had got Mr. Loyds Horse, and so came up in the Chaise which he went down in.  This delivered me out of much perplexity.  Mr. Crosby lodges here.

1772 August 10 (Monday).  Several Load of Hay at the Interval drenched.  Dr. Crosby and his Brother.

1772 August 11 (Tuesday).  Sister Martyn made us a visit after Dinner.  Breck goes to Mr. Samuel Fay about his dead Horse.  Submitts to Arbitration.  They who judge upon the Case are Capt. Wood, Mr. Joseph Green junior and Mr. Thomas Whitney, but they do not determine it.  Sophy rides to Capt. Maynards and lodges there.

1772 August 12 (Wednesday).  Mrs. Kelly is poorly.  Read Burroughs on Hosea.  Am obliged to have Breck to help us, p.m.  He brings home two Load from the Interval, and his Mother keeps Shop for him.  [Nat.?] works to day but I did not know it.

1772 August 13 (Thursday).  Mrs. Kelly Still indisposed.  My Young hands are earnestly bent to our Business (haying).  I am forced to leave my Study (my Sermonizing, reading etc.) and assist them in taking away (as Breck unloads) 3 Load of Hay.  A Fourth is brought, but this Stands till Morning.  N.B. Mr. Morse came from Boston, chiefly loaded for Breck but with Something for Mr. Bass, upon mention of which he falls upon me for my not visiting him Since he came to Town.  I made my Defence.  He Said the people grew uneasy at my neglecting him etc.  I told him, the least said was Soonest mended.  I heard well of Mr. Bass; and believed, by what I had Seen, he was a good Penman.  I was willing to do him any Kindness that he Should Stand in need of.  But it was not fit to play the Hypocrite, and go and congratulate him and bid him welcome, when his coming here to trade was So much to my Dammage, as it was to mine if it was to my son’s, inasmuch as I was obliged to provide for him, and could not do it any where else as I could here.  And it would be doubtless to the Hurt of both, perhaps Several hundred pounds.  And Breck had made a Business of informing him of his own Designs, and entreated him not to come; and this was so Seasonably as that it was before he brought any Goods here.  But I did not want to have any Contest with him: and thought it best to let him alone.  Mr. Thomas Twitchel was present and heard what I said.  I also prayed Mr. Morse that he would rather promote peace, than be the means of any Misunderstanding among us.

1772 August 14 (Friday).  Mrs. Kelly better, and follows her Business again.  I am again forced to assist in the Mowing of Hay.  I find it worrys Me much.  But I return to my Study again.  May the Lord Sustain and assist me!

1772 August 15 (Saturday).  P.M. came my Son Samuel and with him Miss Sally Shaw, from Boston.

1772 August 16 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 60.  (I did not proceed in the Course of publick Reading, because I have not finished my Exercises on Hosea 4th.)  Preached on Hos. 4.16.17.

1772 August 17 (Monday).  Mr. Samuel Fay came with warm Resolutions and Threats, to my son Breck — demanding 5£ lawful Money for his dead Horse.  I endeavoured to pacify him, and entreated some Forbearance, which he condescended to.  My Argument with him to perswade him to Lenity was, my being obliged to go to Grafton immediately.  Dined at Mr. Hutchinsons and Attended the Church meeting at Grafton.  Prayed — and then we proceeded to the Business of the Meeting, viz. to see whether they did accept of the Result of the Venerable Council of June 9th last.  Which was voted in the Affirmative.  Then voted to keep a Day of Fasting etc. on Wednesday next come 3 Weeks: and to request the 4 Ministers which had been recommended to them by the Council to perform the Services thereof.  And finally this Meeting was adjourned to the Monday preceeding the Fast.  The Meeting was concluded by Prayer.  I designed to have returned home but night came on, and the Rain increased, so that I tarried at Mr. Hutchinsons and lodged comfortably there.

1772 August 18 (Tuesday).  It was rainy but I designed home after Breakfast — In which I was notwithstanding prevented by my Horse being gone.  This detained me till noon.  Mr. Hutchinson borrowed his Neighbour Shermans mare, confining her Colt that She might the more certainly go back.  Though we entertained hopes my Horse was gone home, yet it was not so — much perplexed, searched round about in vain.  Nigh night Mr. Hutchinsons son Samuel brought the Horse to me.  N.B. My Son Samuel and Miss Sally left our House Yesterday 2 p.m. in returning to Boston.

1772 August 19 (Wednesday).  Wrote to Mr. Forbes of Brookfield by John Arnold, concerning my Great Coat, which probably Mr. Forbes, or Mr. Merick of Wilbraham carryed away when they went from hence.  Old Mr. Arnold here.  Shews much Gratitude for my Pains at Grafton.  P.M. Mr. A. Crosby and his Brothers Son Samuel.  They are now leaving us to go to Onoquage.  He gives me the Names of the Indians who inhabit there.  They take leave.  Mrs. Kelly to Capt. Maynards.

1772 August 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Abraham Taylor of Ashby here to take Advice concerning a preacher (particularly Mr. Bradshaw).  At Breakfast with us.  Breck is engaged about the building a New Store, and has employed Nathan Caruth to do the work.  Old Mrs. Kelly returned here.

1772 August 21 (Friday).  Am closely engaged and have been the greatest part of the Week.

1772 August 22 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1772 August 23 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 61.  Preached a. and p.m. on Hos. 4.17.  P.M. Read 1 Pet. 1.

1772 August 24 (Monday).  Made a Visit to Mr. James Maynards Family.  He was not at home.  His Wife asked me to pray — which I did.  Visit at Mr. Childs.  Dined there.  Prayed with them.  Was at Mr. Nurse’s and at Mr. Eleazer Pratts.  Mr. Nathan Caruth and his ‘Prentice, Nathan Champney, begin to frame.  They diet and loge [sic] here.

1772 August 25 (Tuesday).  I leave Breck and the Carpenters to go to their work and Set out early to go to Ministers Meeting at East Sudbury.  Call at Capt. Ezekiel Hows, and at Mr. [blank] Wheelers, who keeps Tavern.  There was their poor sister Manson, who was disordered in Body and Mind.  At her Request prayed with her.  At our Meeting at Mr. Bridge’s were Messrs. Smith and Stone, and Mr. Goss.  I was moderator and prayed.  Candidates there also were Messrs. Marrit and Abraham Wood.  Gave the latter a further Approbamus.  See minutes of Association.  Mr. Stone and I rode to my son Williams and lodged there.

1772 August 26 (Wednesday).  We rode, by Special Request, to Bolton.  Called to see Mr. Gardner (who yet preaches).  Dined at Mr. Goss’s; and Messrs. Zadiel Adams and Whitney of Shirly.  At the Lecture in Mr. Goss’s House, I prayed.  Mr. Adams preached a seasonable sermon on Ps. 133.1, “Behold how good” etc.  After the Lecture the Church desired the Ministers would return in among them.  We went in accordingly and the Substance of the Conference was first to Settle which was really the Major part of the Church when the important Vote of the Dissatisfyed was passed.  The Brethren present asserted them Selves to be, and Shewed how the Number stood.  Then they considered and took Advice upon a Proposal Mr. Goss made about his Dismission, on these Terms with the Aggrieved, viz. their retracting their Extraordinary Measures and granting Such Consideration for Dammages as Indifferent Persons chosen from other Towns should See meet and reasonable.  But it was feared they would not comply.  Could not get away till about sunsetting.  I had Capt. Edward Johnson for Company some part of the way.  Lodged at Mr. Whitneys.  N.B. Mrs. Whitney was delivered of another Daughter, last night.

1772 August 27 (Thursday).  I returned home.  Hear that Mr. Samuel Fay has a 24th Child, and that Mr. Bass’s Wife is brought to Bed also.  Hear that My Kinsman Bradshaw is gone to Brookfield to wait on his Aunt Winter to Boston, Mrs. Bailey being dangerously ill.  A Cellar under the floor of the store in Digging.

1772 August 28 (Friday).  The Proprietors of the Stables nigh the Stoore [sic], generally for the moving the stables, except Mr. Andrews and Mr. Richard Barns.  I went to them and made ‘em Offer, to their Satisfaction.  P.M. a Number of Hands (to 40) came together and moved the Stables aforesaid — and the Shop — and raised a store 35 feet long; but 8 feet post.  No Disaster.  D.G.  I made a Visit to Mr. and Mrs. Bass, in her new Circumstances, and am reconciled to them.  Consent to Baptise the Child.  Mr. Winter waits on his aunt Bradshaw here from Brookfield, and lodge here.  Mr. James Maynard junior here, complaining of Deacon Bond and Capt. Jonas Brigham, as being Instruments of greatest Dammage to him.

1772 August 29 (Saturday).  Mr. Bradshaw and his Aunt Set out before Breakfast for Boston.  Mrs. Kelly visited her sister on the 27.  Returns to Day.

1772 August 30 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 62.  Preached on Hosea 4.17.  P.M. read 1 Pet. 2.  Preached on 2 Cor. 2.16.

1772 August 31 (Monday).  Elias goes to Leicester to his Brother Alexander for my Steers.  I sat out on my Journey to Brookfield.  Mr. Bangs of Hardwick my Company part of the way.  I called at Mr. Maccarty’s, who was not at home.  Mrs. Maccarty acquainted me with the sad News of Complaints at Holden against Mr. Davis, and that he had made a Confession of Some imprudent Behavior but nothing Vile.  Refreshed my Self at Alexanders.  Called at Mr. Conklings, where were Col. Joshua Henshaw and a Number of his Family.  Engaged Mr. Conklin to preach at Westborough next Lords Day.  Arrived at my son Forbes’s Some time before night; and lodged there.  N.B. Mr. Forbes came home at Eve from Pelham.  N.B. The Confirmation of Mr. Davis’s Case (so far as the Common Reports) fills me with sorrowful Reflections.  Let him that thinks he stands etc.  Ah!  What a wound to Religion!  How our Hands are weakened, and multitudes hardened in Sin!