Month: September 1776

1776 September 1 (Sunday).  Through divine Goodness I was better.  Preached on Isa. 64.1 [illegible] to 7.  P.M. on Occasion of the late sorrowful repeated Disasters I made an Exercise out of the Sermon on Ps. 103.14: and after the Public Services I attended the Funeral of Mr. Joseph Bonds Child, and prayed there.

1776 September 2 (Monday).  Mr. Samuel Hardy works for me: mowing at Interval.  Col. Buckminster and his Lady here in their Way to Rutland.  Read the History of Louisiana (translated) by M. le Page du Pratz, in 2 vol: London, printed 1763.  Visited Mrs. Andrews.  She is now so weak that She can Speak but little.  She seems to have Hope in God though Christ.  I discoursed to her, and prayed with her.  Elias Carts one Load of Hay.

1776 September 3 (Tuesday).  We have variety of Occurrences for One Day.  Breck brings Miss Suse Brigham to dinner, and then p.m. setts out with her to go to Providence; Commencement to be there tomorrow.  Mrs. Wilder of Ashburnham, her Sister Smith of Southborough and Miss Sally Wilder must needs, in their coming from Mendon hither, meet my son etc. on the Road.  They dine here, though late; and after Several Hours go to Southborough.  An Account by Capt. Morse last night from Worcester, that there had been a Battle at New York last Week, and many Slain is for the Substance of it confirmed by Mr. Smith from Mendon by two young Men, One of them Son of Maj. Smith, who were [newly?] come from New York, who relate the like.  May God the Judge of all the Earth, appear for our Help!  Elijah [Bruce?] (of 16 years) works for me p.m. in raking etc. and lodges here.  Elias carts home two load Hay.

1776 September 4 (Wednesday).  Mr. Nathan Maynard has not worked much for me of late, but Mr. Warrin has Stuck by my Business and to Day they cart home two load and therewith finish Haying.  N.B. last Year we made an End a Month sooner, viz. Aug. 5.  Nigh Evening I visited Mrs. Andrews, who is yet alive though very low and unable to speak much: She was not able even to bear much Discourse with her.  I prayed with her and took final Leave.  N.B. In going to Mr. Andrews Deacon Stow of Grafton accompanyed me.  Every body is full of the News from New York.  Capt. Morse having been last night here and requested I would write a Letter for him to Henry Marble, from whom he had received a notable one; which he brings to me, I wrote an answer and sent it by his Son Abner.

1776 September 5 (Thursday).  Mr. Reuben Maynard has lost a Child of about two Months old.  I went to the burying of it and prayed among them.  Wrote to my son Alexander at New York; and Send it by Mr. Henderson, the Post.  Mrs. Andrews (I hear) expired this afternoon about 3 o’Clock.  She was nigh 52.

1776 September 6 (Friday).  Miss Nabby Woods is still at work here.  She is now turning a blue broad Cloth Coat for me.

1776 September 7 (Saturday).  Mrs. Andrews was buryed.  I prayed on that Occasion.  Breck and Miss Suse return from Providence, Newport etc.

1776 September 8 (Sunday).  Preached a. and p.m. on 1 Cor. 15.51[57?].  Was led to this by Mrs. Andrews Death.  Suse dined here.  I read to the Assembly Dr. Stiles and Hopkins Address to the Publick for Contribution for propagation of the Gospel in [Africa?].

1776 September 9 (Monday).  Elias returns to Mr. Frost in order to his going with him to Cambridge to be examined.  P.M. Sir Stone of Shrewsbury (a new Graduate) and Crosby of College, were here.  The latter returns my Magnalia from his Mother.  I am reading the History of Louisiana.

1776 September 10 (Tuesday).  I desire to [illegible] the Wormwood and the Gall.  This day 12 months my dear son John dyed.  Am I in any [due proportion?] better?  Sister Cushing and her Sister Curtis visit and dine.  P.M. Old Mrs. Holloway came to see us, and brought a present of an handsome Cheese.

1776 September 11 (Wednesday).  Visit old Mr. Eliezer Pratt — discoursed and prayed with him.  Mr. Stone came, dined and preached the Lecture on Isa. 12.3, a serious, profitable Discourse, which may God succeed and prosper!  Mr. Stone returns home after Exercises etc.

1776 September 12 (Thursday).  Breck goes to the Hospital at Uxbridge to be inoculated.  Mr. P. Whitney (I hear) has appointed a Lecture to day on Occasion of reading the Declaration of Independency but my Affairs and Circumstances would not admitt of my attending it.  I could not have an Horse — had divers men to work — my Boy was needed to carry Rails and Posts, but could not without my Direction etc. etc.  At Eve came Mr. Solomon Parsons of Cape Ann-Harbour, and his Wife was with him.  They brought me a Letter from Mr. Forbes of 9 September informing that Mrs. Coffin has had another Daughter.  They also lodge here.

1776 September 13 (Friday).  Another Letter from Mr. Forbes acquainting me more particularly with the Birth of my grand-Daughters 2d Child, on the 20th of August.  Mr. Parsons and Wife leave us to go to Sutton and round about [blot] Leominster etc. before they return to Gloucester.

1776 September 14 (Saturday).  Elias returns from Cambridge and has passed Examinations.

1776 September 15 (Sunday).  [Marginal notation: New York was entered and seized by the Kings Forces Sept. 15.]  When James Hicks went to the Cow yard for the Cows in the Morning, to drive them to the House to be milked, a young Cow (called the White Face) was fallen down dead, out Side the Cow Yard, an upper Rail down not far from the Place where she lay.  Sent for Deacon Wood, who with Joseph Chamberlin came [and bleed?] her.  Preached before the Communion on 1 Cor. 15.55.6.7, carrying on, with Additions, Sermon on v. 57 begun lately on Occasion of Several Deaths.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Mrs. Maynard and Miss Suse Brigham dined here.  P.M. on Isa. [illegible] May God accept and succeed!  I was [mindful of its being the?] Conclusion of my 73d Year.  May God grant [illegible] [and affected herewith.  O that?] I might close the Year as I might wish to close my Life!  Exercising true and living Faith in God and in Jesus Christ, [repenting?] and mourning truely and bitterly for [illegible] and depending on the [Blood?] and Merits of [torn] Christ for Pardon, Justification [illegible] Sanctification, Committing my Soul and Body for Time and Eternity [illegible] [to him who made,?] redeemed and would humbly hope has received me May his Work be perfected, that I may be prepared for, and Admitted to His heavenly eternal Kingdom!

1776 September 16 (Monday).  This Day I improved mainly in Reviews and Recollections — in Gratulations, Humiliations and Petitions: having abundant Cause for all of these.  But I am astonished at the Longsuffering of God and my own Ingratitude to Him; who has endured me through so many Years; and now allows me this Day to begin my 74th.  I ardently wish it may be to the divine Glory; and that I may be indeed ready for the Awful summons hence!  Apprehending there would be Opportunity to Send to Cape Ann I wrote to my Son Forbes; and was up till past 12.  N.B. The Companys of Militia assemble, Orders being come for 23 men to hasten away to Horseneck N. York.  But men are not voluntary because no Time is set for their Return.

1776 September 17 (Tuesday).  Attended Ministers Meeting at [illegible].  Only Messrs. Bridge, Whitney and Biglow, there.  Mr. Stone prayed, and delivered a Concio, on Mat. 6.10, first part, “Thy Kingdom come.”  Next Meeting Marlborough.  When I returned home Mr. Daniel Forbes junior came here having killed and Sold my fat Steers which he drove to Maj. Whittemores; he delivered me 9£ lawful and 9/ old.  N.B. He informs me that his uncle Forbes was (as he [illegible] conceives) marryed last Lords Evening to the Widow Saunders, where he once boarded.  But his [illegible] Law Coffin, does not like.  The new marryed have Set out by Land for [Falmouth?] Coffin and wife with [illegible] try again and Succeed.

1776 September 18 (Wednesday).  Our Men are certifyed of their Term — to tarry 2 Months.  I visit, and prayed with old Mr. Eleazer Pratt.

1776 September 19 (Thursday).  Hannah [illegible] for Trimmings for Elias’s Cloths [illegible] entitled “The Fall of British Tyranny and America Liberty triumpant” — which Mr. Whitney Sends me to read.  Received a Letter from Mr. [Quincy?] of the 6th instant.  I am much indebted to him for his Friendship.  Marryed Mr. Isaiah Fairbank to Mrs. Ruth Eager.

1776 September 20 (Friday).  Mr. Bradshaw comes in the Morning to Breakfast.  He is going to Byfield, or Newbury about his Brother Parkman Bradshaws going to New-Haven College.  Elias helps me part of the Day, in mending the Fence joining to Mr. David Maynard at the Interval.  Hannah rides to Marlborough on Elias’s Account Still.  We took up but one Hive of Bees, there being but little Honey in it — have but little profit in keeping them.

1776 September 21 (Saturday).  Received Mr. Frost’s Letter of the 19 containing an Account of his going down to Cambridge with Elias and Hastings, their Examination and being Accepted by the President and Fellows: also his Accompt of Board and Tutoring; which latter amounted to 3£ 6.8 Lawful Money.  N.B. Capt. Morse who is going with 20 Men to Horse-neck, came to me yesterday to request in his own Name and of Others, that I would preach to them tomorrow.

1776 September 22 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. from Ps. 2.8 on Occasion of our Contribution to day.  Suse Brigham dined here.  P.M. preached on Prov. 23.14, latter part, with an Address to the Soldiers.  Contribution for propagation etc. in Africa which amounted to £4.7.10 Lawful Money, which may God graciously accept!  Received a Letter from Col. Baldwin at Ticonderoga, dated Sept. 15.  In the Evening wrote to Alexander at New York.

1776 September 23 (Monday).  Send a Letter per Mr. John Beeton to my son Alexander at Chelsea, New York.  Received one this same forenoon from Him at Chelsea, in which he informs that he has been sick 3 weeks of the Dysentery; but is better.  By [Other?] Letters from Soldiers [near New?] York it appears that they have a very hard time of it, and are sadly [gained?] upon; are nigh giving up the [illegible].  Mr. Nathan [Fisher?] writes that [illegible] what Soldiering meant till now.  At Eve Mr. [illegible] Gleason was here, and gave me 3/6 lawful for his Contribution to the African Cause, which added to the above is £4.11.4.  Add 8d more, £4.12.0.

1776 September 24 (Tuesday).  Mr. Thaddeus Warrin [here.  I?] reckoned with him for his Work in getting my [torn] paid him all.  Also Mr. Nathan Maynard was here, and I reckoned with him.  I Paid him likewise in full.  P.M. rode to Capt. Maynards who upon mention of Mr. Fessenden and the Counterfeit Bill told me that if I would let him, he would manage that whole Affair and he would give me as much as I was in danger of loosing by the Bill.  I told him I would not deliver the Bill as a good Bill, because It had been already [illegible].  He replyed that he did not desire I Should nor would he bring me into any Snare.  He gave me a thirty Shilling and a ten Shilling Bill L.M.  I went to Mr. Maynards and told him I was ready to deliver him his Money but he rather [inclined?] that I Should give it to Mr. Jotham Maynard.  Therefore I did not deliver it to him.  Called to see Mrs. Godfry and also old Mrs. Kelly.

1776 September 25 (Wednesday).  A Chest, and Sundry utensils are provided for Elias to keep Chamber in College.  Letters arrive from the Camp near New York, of Sorrowful Struggles there, and Reports of a Smart Battle — that the City N.Y. is given up, and many lives lost.  Capt. Davis of Concord dined with me.  Visit old Mrs. Sarah Forbush and Prayed with her.  Was at Frosts and paid him for his son Jonathans work 17/6 old Tenor.  N.B. 2/6 yet due.

1776 September 26 (Thursday).  Walked up into the Street, anxious for the public state.  Sent a verbal message to Alexander by Mr. [illegible] Mixer, a Suttler from Framingham going to the Camp.  Was with Squire Baker and acquainted him that Capt. Maynard had undertaken to Settle my Difficulty with Fessenden.  N.B. Elisha Forbes has disappointed Elias in going to Cambridge without taking his [blot] Table etc. as Elias says he had promised him.  Mr. [Gleason?] of Leicester and his Wife, dined here.  At Night marryed Eliezer Pratt junior to Mary Druce of Grafton and John Beeton junior to Eunice Hill.

1776 September 27 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1776 September 28 (Saturday).  I was prepari[torn] for the Lords Day; but unexpectedly Mr. Stone [torn] Change with me.  I rode his Horse to Southborough.

1776 September 29 (Sunday).  I preached at Southborough a. and p.m. on Rom. 8.34; to the End of p. 20.  Mr. Stone (as I was informed) a. and p.m. on Isa. 26.10.

1776 September 30 (Monday).  Mr. Stone came home in the Chaise in which my son Elias rides.  He takes me in (it is Mr. Barnabas Newtons Chaise and Squire Bakers Horse) and we go to Newtown.  Called at Coll. Buckminsters, and refreshed.  Dined at Deacon Browns.  Called again at Mr. Woodwards (where I saw Mr. Roberts and his Sister How).  Went over the Bridge at Waltham.  Called at Mrs. Hastings’s — but she was not at home, and her Son Aaron was at College: I proceeded to Mrs. Gibbs’s, She having often Sent me her Request, and we very agreeably lodged there.  N.B. Mr. Eddy there, having lived there these Seven Years.  Thus closes this Month — “So teach us, Lord: th’uncertain sum of our short Days to mind etc.”