Month: November 1775

1775 November 1 (Wednesday).  Rose early and sat out for Concord, to hear Dr. Langdons Dudleian Lecture.[1]  When I got to Mr. Gershom Biglows [the] Sunbeams first appeared: At Coll. Weeks at 8 o’Clock.  [Prayed?] with his Sick Daughter in law — extreme [torn] the temper and they have lately [buryed two] Child[ren] [torn] [same.]  I got into Concord about [torn] Minots [torn] to meeting at [torn].  A fine Anthem for a conclusion.  Dined with the Doctor at his House.  Where as I had conceived there was to be a public Dinner.  Dr. Winthrop and his Lady, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Bridge etc. dined there.  After Dinner I headed a paper for Subscriptions and subscribed for two Books.  I am informed that the Rev. Mr. Joseph Emmerson of Pepperrell is dead: And that Mr. Swift of Acton is almost gone in a Consumption.  I went to my son Williams and lodged there.  I have taken Cold, and go to Bed indisposed.

[1]Samuel Langdon (1723-1797), The Co-Incidence of Natural with Revealed Religion (Boston, 1776; Evans 14,822).

1775 November 2 (Thursday).  Have a bad Cold, yet designed to go and See Mr. Swift, but my Horse was taken lame, and prevented me.  I rode up to Coll. Weeks and dined there.  His Daughter in law yet alive, at their request I went in — Discourse but very little.  Prayed with her.  Called at Miss Mary Shermans — brought Assemblys Confession of Faith.  Arrived at home some time before Night: but my Cold very irksome.

1775 November 3 (Friday).  Very much Oppressed last night and to day with my Cold — my Throat is very sore, and am confined.  May God sanctifie it!

1775 November 4 (Saturday).  Aaron Warrins time which he has to make up for his Absence, from my Business will not to be out till next Monday noon (as I conceive); but he is earnestly desirous to go home to day.  I paid him 3 Dollars only.  He left off work at 3 P.M. and went to Up [torn].  At Eve came Mr. David Flagg of North Shrewsbury with a Letter of the 2d from Rev. Mr. Morse, requesting [blot] be at his House next Tuesday, on Consideration of a Counc[torn] in that parish at that time.  But I wrote Answer [blot] not — by reason of great Indisposition.  Mr. Bowen came — and lodged here, to my Comfo[torn].

1775 November 5 (Sunday).  Mr. Bowen preached a. and P.M. on Ps. 4.6.7.  I we[torn] Meeting; prayed after the Sermons, and Officiated in [torn] Solomon Batherick and admitting him into the Church.  I also mentioned to the Church the Affair of Such Persons as have come out of Boston and by vertue of their Right, desire Baptism for their Children, though they can’t obtain Certificates from their Pastors: and had no [Objection?].  N.B. Billy How, a scholar of Mr. Goddards School, dined [blot].  Both Mr. Bowen and he lodge also.  N.B. a Letter from M[torn] W[torn].

1775 November 6 (Monday).  Ha [torn]h us a.m.  [torn] Mr. Bowen after Din[torn].  P.M. [torn] Ebenezer Ch [torn] to inform me of the Death of [Reuben Bellows?][torn] [Child?] [torn] last year Warm Discourse upon [torn] year and their withholding my [Support?].

1775 November 7 (Tuesday).  It was so rainy, and no Horse sent me as was agreed, therefore I conclude there was no Expectation of me, and I did not go to the Funeral of Mr. Reuben Bellows’s Child:[1] but attended to the Bus’ness of my Study — which may God be pleased to direct and Succeed!

[1]Death not in Westborough Vital Records.  Reuben’s marriage not in WVR, Southborough VR..  Other children of Reuben and Elizabeth are recorded, starting 1776.

1775 November 8 (Wednesday).  This Day (but according to old stile the 28th of October), one and fifty years ago, the Church of Christ in Westborough was founded, and I, though unworthy, was ordained the Pastor.  This I endeavoured to take a religious, grateful Notice of, a.m. Thanking and praising God for His great Goodness and longsuffering, humbling my self deeply before the Lord for my Great Defects and Miscarriages, and on Consideration of the holy Frowns of God upon me in the Course of the last year, Especially by the withdraw of my people’s Affection from me, Religions dwindling and decaying, withholding from me Support, Wood etc. except the Slender sallery, granted in the beginning — and the sore Displeasure of God in the Death of my dear son John: On Consideration also of the Public Calamitys — Petitioning and Pleading Pardon through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ — Resolving, by the Grace of God to endeavour after New-Obedience and [Faith?].  P.M. Mr. Fitch of [Hopkinton?] dined here and preached for me on Heb. 9.14.  Master [Waters?] dined here and was ready to preach if Mr. Fitch had not come.  After the Exercises came to my House, one in the Garb of a [Minister?], and with Recommendations from Mr. Shaw of Nantucket, and Mr. [Tuttle?] of [Wells?], to Charity: but Mr. Fitch gave such Account of him that I would not lodge him, but sent him to Deacon Woods.  His Name was Charles Warnsdorff, a Saxon.  Squire Shaw and his Lady came at [9] at night, from Brookfield and lodged here.

1775 November 9 (Thursday).  Mr. Shaw and Lady are with us still; dined here.  P.M. Mrs. P________ and I in the Shaw Chaise, rode to Mr. Hannaniah Parkers, to his Wedding.  It proved a very rainy time, and we were detained there, till into Evening (though not more than [blot]).  Mr. Parker was marryed by me, to Mrs. Hephzibah Warrin, Daughter of Capt. Stephen Maynard, and widdow of the late Mr. Joseph Warrin of Brookfield.  N.B. Miss Sally and Miss Nancy Wilder came [blot] about 3 P.M. and tarry over night, as doth also Squire and [torn].

1775 November 10 (Friday).  Miserable [Warnsdorff was?] hereabouts, and is [torn] to be in Drink.  Mr. Shaw etc. are here and dine with us: But towards Eve the two young women go from us to Southborough.  We have news of an Attempt made by the Regulars yesterday at Lechmores Point, in Order to take off Some Cattle from thence; but that the Americans drove ‘em off; but they carryed away Some Cattle, and they have killed two men.

1775 November 11 (Saturday).  Squire Shaw and his Lady leave us, and go on their Journey towards New-bury — but aim at Cambridge to day.

1775 November 12 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. (with some alterations) Sermon on Mat. 26.29.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Master William May and Master [Th.?] Rice Willard, Mrs. Maynard and Suse Brigham dined here.  P.M. went on with my Subject on Ps. 130.1.  May God accept and bless my poor Offerings and Labours!

1775 November 13 (Monday).  I walked to old Lt. Forbushs, his Wife being not well — rode from thence to Mr. Rumbly’s, who lives at Mr. Haskills — thence to Mr. Andrews’ — his son George being Sick of a Fever.  Exhorted, prayed and dined there.  Called at Mr. Daniel Warrins, his Mother in Law lies there sick and lame yet, and her son Daniel ill of a Fever.  N.B. The Town Met, among many other Things, to see what Addition they Should make to my Sallery, and whether they Should provide my Wood.  At Eve came the Captains Benjamin Fay, Stephen Maynard and Mr. Batherick, a Committee from the Town to acquaint me that the Town had granted £11.13.4 addition and 6.13.4 for my Wood, for this Year.  At Eve also came Masters May and Willard.

1775 November 14 (Tuesday).  Mr. Thomas Fairweather, his Wife and Child[ren?], are returning to Oxford.  The News is, that more Troops are come and coming — and more still are expected.  That St. Johns on Lake Champlain, is taken.  P.M. I visited Mr. William Pierce of Hopkinton ill by a Fall.  Prayed with him.  At Eve Mr. Abraham Bond, having been kicked by a [stallion?] and his Leg broke, is carryed along home in a Cart.  Received a Letter from Cousen Bradford of the 10th dated at Warren, Rhode Island.  She informs me that her Husband is gone a Voiage, perhaps to Messasipi.

1775 November 15 (Wednesday).  A.M. my Son Ebenezer came from the Camp at Roxbury where his son Elias is; He is detained here by the storm — and lodged here.

1775 November 16 (Thursday).  My Son left us, to go home.  Old Mr. Nathaniel Whitney came [in?] to warm himself and after some friendly Communication and Serious Refections on the Times and the Causes of our Calamities, he said the Affairs of the Church were as bad as those of the State upon which [there?] followed many uncomfortable and grievous [Contradictions?], in which he manifested strong Prejudices, groundless Jealousies, and a very bitter spirit.

1775 November 17 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1775 November 18 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1775 November 19 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Ps. 130.1.2.  P.M. on Isa. 55.5 to the end of p. 124.  The widow Judith Bellows dined here.  Mr. May here after Meeting — and tarried over night.  May God grant us the Grace to cry to Him out of the Deeps of our Present both private and public Distresses!  and may we be excited to prize and improve the outward Advantages we enjoy by means of Grace; — the Calls of God by His Word and Providences to His Glory and to our own eternal Benefit!  Received from my son Cushing Mr. Ortons sermons to the Aged.[1]  Began to read it.  They are very Natural and profitable.  May the Blessing of God accompany my use of them!

[1]Job Orton (1717-1783), Discourses to the Aged (Boston, 1774; Evans 13,510).

1775 November 20 (Monday).  Visit again George Andrews junior and prayed with him.  Visit also Mr. Abraham Bond under his broken Bones.  Prayed with him also.  To this day was the Adjournment of Town Meeting about the Town-Debts, and to provide for the Poor.

1775 November 21 (Tuesday).  Deacon Wood and Neighbour B. Newton came and killed my old Cow for me.  A Cow that had been more mischievous that ordinary.  Weighed 320.  Mr. Moses Brigham here, lately come from Dartmouth College.  Borrows Monis’s Grammar[1] and Leusdens Hebrew Psalter.  P.M. Miss Eunice Fish here — at the Shop and at Coffee.  Master Peter Stone was here also.

[1]Judah Monis (1683-1764), Dickdook Leshon Gnebreet.  A Grammar of the Hebrew Tongue (Boston, 1735; Evans 3931).

1775 November 22 (Wednesday).  Isaac Forbush has worked for me 5 Days at 1/4 Dollar per day and came early this morning and killed a shoat for me.  [asks reasonably and behaves?].  A soldier, one of the Riflemen, a German, who says his Name is John Parkman, came in to see me.  At Eve Mr. Bowen called and refreshed.  He had been trying to [blot] [this?] Town; but can’t succeed.  He took leave to go home, but thought fit to stay, and lodged here.

1775 November 23 (Thursday).  Publick Thanksgiving.  Preached on Ps. 101.1, mainly a new [blot] by reason of many Interruptions, too imperfect and broken a Compos[torn].  May God graciously accept our Offerings, and forgive the Iniquitys of our [blot]ing!  Master [May?], and [Mrs. Spring?] and her Children here at the late[blot] others were [blot] did not come.  [blot] above [blot] all, lodged here.

1775 November 24 (Friday).  Mrs. Spring and her Children tarry till towards Evening.  I visited again poor George Andrews — his Nerves are very much affected.  Conversed and prayed with him.  His Case is very dangerous.  May God prepare him for the Event!

1775 November 25 (Saturday).  P.M. Capt. B. Fay came, earnestly requesting me to go immediately to old Mr. Nathaniel Whitney, who has Convulsion Fits.  I was closely engaged in preparing a sermon for tomorrow, but was obliged to leave it.  I went — found him so convulsed as to be incapable of Speaking plainly.  He had his senses and could walk about.  I prayed with him.  Returned at Eve.  Mr. John Overlock from Ashburnham came with a Cow and two young Creatures to be kept here this Winter.

1775 November 26 (Sunday).  Mr. Overlock leaves us to go, being Sent for, to the Army, he being a soldier and obliged hastily to repair there.  I had prepared in part to preach on another Text, but by the providence of God was prevented.  Therefore preached a. and P.M. on Isa. 55.5 from p. 125 to p. 134, with what is in some loose papers, as Continuation of p. 130.  Which may God bless to us!  Mrs. Ruth Godfry dined with us.  At Night Breck went to Mr. Andrews’s and watched with George.

1775 November 27 (Monday).  Am Reading Mr. Job Ortons Discourses to the Aged.  May God grant me to profit by this useful Book!  P.M. as I was going out of the House to visit Mr. George Andrews, came a young man, a Messenger from thence, praying earnestly that I would hasten to him, as they thought he was dying.  I went — he was revived — Talked with him, instructed, cautioned, and prayed with him.  Hannah droops again.

1775 November 28 (Tuesday).  Read Mr. Ortons Sermons.  P.M. visit old Mr. Whitney who is Paralytic.  I saw one of the Fits come on, by the turning and twitching of his Mouth and his Eyes, rolling up, to one side (his right), but his whole Body was affected — and he was incapable of any thing, for a Short Space — But then came to; and Seemed rational again.  As I went in, Deacon Warrin of Upton was at Prayer.  After some time of conversing with the Sick, and on the Providences of God, to the Company, they requested me to pray.  I complyed — and endeavoured to improve the Opportunity for Spiritual profit.  Received a Letter from Mr. Bowen, that he has removed to [Mr.?] Taylors (or rather Coll. Taylors) and settles there.  Wrote an Answer the Same Eve.

1775 November 29 (Wednesday).  Rev. Mr. Hall of Sutton, calls herein his way to [blot].  Samuel Williams here to agree about Cutting Wood for me [blot] to cutt for Six shillings per Cord; and one shilling per Cord [blot], and I have told him to go to work at that Rate.

1775 November 30 (Thursday).  [blot] Though Samuel Williams had so fairly agreed to go to cutting to day, yet he went not.  But Nat. Chamberlain went, and cut there, and Nathan Maynard junior went with my Cart and Oxen, and a small pair of Cattle of his own, to the Lot, and brought two load home, but not quite a Cord.  N.B. I bought 50 weight of Tallow of Lt. Joseph Baker, rough, at 2/6 old tenor and Breck buys 30 lbs.  Do.  It is tryed up in the Kitchin.  Suse Brigham visits here.  Another Month has rolled off, and my Life so much the Shorter!