1776 May 6 (Monday). We are informed that a Number of great Ships are come near to Boston, and many thousand Troops on board of them. I attended the Funeral of Mr. Bellows’s two little Boys, Asahel, of nigh 5 Years; and Eli about 7 or 8 Months. Prayed there — and visited Mr. Seth Woods’s two Sick Children: and prayed with them. Returned to Bellows’s and dined there. P.M. went in to Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain junior to See a sick young woman, viz. Miss Lucretia Bellows of Southborough and prayed with her. Confirmation of the News so far as induces my son Samuel to hasten to Boston this afternoon. Capt. Morse here in the Evening to Speak of the public Distress, and of the Churches proceedings Yesterday. Mr. Caleb Wilder lodges here.