Month: January 1777

1777 January 1 (Wednesday).  I have now fresh Occasion, O that I might have an Heart to praise the Lord for His Goodness, and for His wonderful Works, in particular in sustaining and Supporting me through the many Vicisssitudes of another Year, and granting me the Beginning of this, which I am allowed to behold the Light of.  Bless the Lord O my Soul and forget not His Benefits!  I employed myself much in Reviews of the year past — renewed my Covenant Engagements to God Great God.  And O that I might have Grace to fulfill them accordingly!  I desire to Committ to God the Changes and Accidents of this Year; and the more peculiar the Dark Aspects, by the holy Judgments of God upon us, the more devoutly and penitently would implore the divine Pity and Compassion and that the whole Land may be prepared for the Great Events of this Year!

 

Mr. Belknap and Miss Elizabeth Beals dined here.  P.M. Mr. Edwards Whipple came about my Debt to him for Indian Corn nigh a year ago.  It was 4 1/2 Bushels at half a Dollar.  N.B. Mr. Whipple, in speaking of the public state, condemns all that is doing — calls it Rebellion against lawful Authority — that we cannot prosper — but shall be overthrown.  Deacon Wood and his son John here at Evening.  The latter has come from New York and the Jersies, and gives me Account of the state of the Armies, and sundry Engagements there: and upon the whole that the Kings Forces are much too successful in those parts; and that the [Liberty?] Army is but illy provided for.

1777 January 2 (Thursday).  Mr. Belknap and a small Number attending took me with them to the Widow Kendals, where I dined, and p[illegible] [marryed them?].[1]  I pray they may live together as heirs of the Grac[torn] they manifesting as that they may never repent of what has now been [torn].

[1]John Belknap mar. Joanna Kindal, Jan. 3, 1777; Westborough VR, 122.

1777 January 3 (Friday).  Disappointed of Neighbours coming to get Wood by [torn]oads.  Elias studys a little p.m.

1777 January 4 (Saturday).  Miss Nabby goes home at Eve.

1777 January 5 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on 1 Chron. 29.15.  Its being the First Sabbath of the New Year.  Messrs. Hall and Stone dined here, as did Mrs. Ruth Godfry.  At Noon Deacon Wood delivered me a paper containing an Account of a Battle at Trenton (New Jersey) Dec. 16 last, by General Washington with 300, and General Howe’s Forces, of 1600.  The latter were routed.  Preached p.m. on 1 Joh. 3.21.

1777 January 6 (Monday).  Elias goes to and Mendon for what cloths etc. Breck left after his Inoculation.  Hannah goes with him as far as to Mr. Fish’s at Upton.  At Eve came my son Baldwin who is returned from Ticonderoga — confirms the Account of General Washingtons success over the King’s Forces at Trenton.  Lodges here.

1777 January 7 (Tuesday).  Col. Baldwin as chief Engineer in the northern Department, is charged with Affairs of great importance from General Schuyler, and goes to Boston etc., etc.  Elias and Hannah return home.  Finished a Letter to Mr. Quincy.

1777 January 8 (Wednesday).  Visited Mr. Reuben Bellows under his Lameness, his Well Leg heretofore now broke by a Fall and prayed with him.  Called to see young Estis also.  Brought up Mrs. Godfry to our House to assist Mrs. P________ in preparing for the morrow.  P.M. I attended the funeral of Mr. Nehemiah Maynards Child which dyed of Canker Quinzy, in its 3d year.  The name Elizabeth.  At Evening Breck becomes very ill and goes to Bed.

1777 January 9 (Thursday).  None of my Children from New Braintry, etc. are come though Sent to.  Messrs. Hall, Stone, and Crosby come a.m.  They, with my Daughters accompany Breck (who is better) to Col. Brighams.  I went with them.  Mr. Whitney of Northborough there ready.  We dined sumptuously.  P.M. Mr. Whitney prayed and administered the marriage Covenant to Breck and Suse.  I prayed after.  My son Alexander Came from Leicester and attended the Solemnity.  In closing the solemnity the Bridegroom, Bride, Mr. Whitney, the young Gentlemen, Winslow Brigham, Edward (son of Captain Jonas), two or three young women came to my House, where we supped.  Mr. Whitney returned home.  And part of the Company did so.  Alexander, Messrs. Hall and Stone tarried.  May God grant His special Blessing!  Pardoning all amiss and grant the Joy may never Cease!  O that we may all be espoused to Jesus Christ!

1777 January 10 (Friday).  Alexander tarrys to dine, leaves us p.m.  Sent by him a Letter to Mr. Quincy and to Mr. Maccarty for a Receipt [illegible] Money sent by young Master John Barrett last Sept. 2[8?], being the Contribution for pr[torn]g the Gospel in Africa .  Young [torn] and Henry Marble dine with us.

1777 January 11 (Saturday).  The [torn] making Alterations in the East room; viz. removing out C[torn] etc. and [sealing?] up Suse’s.  The same thrashers here, and dine with us.  Miss Elizabeth Harrington with her Relation.  Breck purchased a large fresh Cod-fish of 3 lb. weight, and cost £3.2.6 old tenor on which we sup with much Satisfaction.

1777 January 12 (Sunday).  Preached again on 1 Joh. 3.21, which I pray may be profitable to us!  Messrs. Hall, Stone and Crosby, also Miss Molly Pratt and [blank] Brigham (from Coll. Brighams) dined here.  P.M. with Some regard to my son Breck’s new Circumstances I preached on Prov. 2.1 to 5.  Admitted Elizabeth Harrington and baptized two Children.  May God graciously accept and bless what has been done!

1777 January 13 (Monday).  Billy Spring comes to live with Breck at his store.  I read Mr. Howe’s Excellent Book of the Blessings of the Righteous.  Jonas Sartle of Groton, an Invalid from the Army, came in, and lodges here.  N.B. I had been at Deacon Woods — his grand-Daughter Polly is Sick — at her Desire, prayed with her.

1777 January 14 (Tuesday).  I went over to see old Mrs. Kelly.  In my way called in to Mr. Hannaniah Parker.  When I returned expected to see Deacon Wood and Mr. Nathan Maynard junior who had been killing two large swine for me, but the Deacon was gone home, and Joseph Culloch, who came with him, and assisted — but Maynard stays and dines here.  P.M. Mr. Stone of Southborough Visits me.  And at Eve came Mr. Thomas Kendal from Ticonderoga, and lodges here.  At Eve also Joseph Culloch and his Brother James came and weighed, cut out and salted up my Pork.  One weighed 274, the other 259.  N.B. Breck keeps House.

1777 January 15 (Wednesday).  Messrs. Nathan Maynard junior and Nathaniel Chamberlin went to the ministerial Lot and cutt wood for me.  Elias went with 3 Cattle (as men speak) and sledded home two load.  Mr. Kendal has given me Account of his Endeavours to obtain Ordination but was frustrated in his whole Attempt.  I dealt plainly with him, and I hope he received it well.  May God Sett it home on his Heart!  N.B. I payd him 7 Dollars for a Gun, Cartooch Box and Ammunition.  He dined and p.m. left us to go to Framingham.  Mrs. Hawes and her sister Hill made us a Visit, and drank Tea here.

1777 January 16 (Thursday).  We have the News of another Victory which General Washington has obtained over the Regulars 3 miles from Prince Town, in the Jersys; 500 killed and taken prisoners; January 10.  At Eve came Masters Hall and Stone.  Supped and lodged here.

1777 January 17 (Friday).  Mr. Isaac Miller came to excuse his not coming to thrash.

1777 January 18 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1777 January 19 (Sunday).  Preached on the same Subject of Self Judging, The 4th Article, of Love of the World.  Used for the Text Ps. [27.6?] last Clauses of it.  P.M. delivered the latter Sermon on Prov. 2.1-5 [torn] [reading?] verses to the 9th.  May the divine Energy accompany it [torn].  N.B. At dinner, besides our own Family, and [torn] Suse and Billy Spring, had Winslow and Mindwell Brigham, Miss [May? illegible]; also Master Hall and Dr. Crosbys Wife.  Sixteen in all.

1777 January 20 (Monday).  Read Antoninus Philosophus — that is, the Preliminary Discourse by Gataker; and part of the Life by D’Acier.  P.M. Mr. Lambson is at work repairing the sled with a New Tongue.  Towards Evening Mrs. P________ and I (by Invitation) drank Tea at the Store.

1777 January 21 (Tuesday).  Read Mr. Isaac Ambrose on Redeeming Time — and on Evidences — very useful by the Blessing of God.  In the Eve read Bishop Butlers Sermon I on Human Nature and on the Government of the Tongue, neither of which (as I conceive) breathe much of Christianity.  But he is a celebrated Writer.

1777 January 22 (Wednesday).  Isaac Miller was expected to thrash for me; but did not come.  Sermonize.  Read variously.  At eve Breck, his Wife and Boy sup with us.  Henry Marble, after thrashing in the Day, Shelled out Corn in the Evening.

1777 January 23 (Thursday).  Are in some Perplexity; being not able to get Supply of Wood or Meal.  It is a dry, cold, freezing season; the Roads Icy, Slippery, yet much bare ground; and poor sledding: In the woods the snow is too deep for a Cart.  And as to Grinding, the mills of this and the next neighboring Towns fail very much.  Some go to Sawyer Mill at Lancaster.  At Eve came Son Ebenezer from New Braintree, and lodges here.  N.B. Capt. (I hear he is now Major) Silas Bailey, came in to bring me a proclamation for a Fast.  In his talk inveighs against the Ministers of the Association who Aug. 20, 1771, declared against the Bolton people’s irregular proceedings with Mr. Goss.  N.B. Deacon Wood was present and heard him.

1777 January 24 (Friday).  A.M. Snow — p.m. the Storm turns to Rain.  Ebenezer tarrys with us.  The Wind rises, the Snow, all that has lately fallen and more, is carryed off — the waters flow, the fields are swept and drenched, the mills are going again, though for a long time they have been quiescent.

1777 January 25 (Saturday).  Ebenezer leaves us to go to Watertown.  Henry Marble comes and they winnows [sic] up Rye.

1777 January 26 (Sunday).  I carry on the Subject of Self-tryal from 1 Joh. 3.14 a.m. with Additions.  P.M. Still go on from 1 Joh. 3.21.  Used some parts of my Discourse on 1 Joh. 3.14.  Mrs. P________ went to meeting, after being kept at home for two months.  Thanks to God for His Goodness.  Mr. David Maynard junior dines with us.

1777 January 27 (Monday).  Master Hall and his Brother Jonathan here going to Hollis.  Marble and Ph. Brigham thrash — and Shock.  P.M. Col. Brighams wife and her sister Hitty here, drink Tea etc.

1777 January 28 (Tuesday).  Marble and Ph. Brigham thrash — by 1/2 after 10 a.m. make an End of thrashing.  Brigham goes away — Marble helps Elias load some wood at the Island, dines with us and leaves us.  They have been here Eleven Days besides this part of a Day.  They have thrashed nigh 50 shock.  They ask 2/ per Day.

1777 January 29 (Wednesday).  Fast [torn]out New-England, on account of the War.  I preached [torn] this Occasion from Zeph. 1.12. but p.m. was obliged to deliver [with some alterations?] sermon on Ps. 81.11 to 15.  May God accept our supplications, forgive our Sins and bless the word to us all!  Breck and Suse with us at Supper.  At Eve Ebenezer came from Watertown, having been to Boston.  He lodges here.

1777 January 30 (Thursday).  My son sets out for home though it is in a great storm of Snow.  We are unhappily very Short of Wood — but I would listen to the divine word: “I would have you to be without Carefulness.”[1]

[1]1 Corinthians 7:32: “But I would have you without carefulness.”

1777 January 31 (Friday). This day was pitched upon by some Number of Neighbours to cutt and cart Wood. But squire Baker could not come, and therefore it fell through so far as to appoint Monday — yet 3 Cutters went to the Lot, and worked — Elias Sledded 2 Load. Dr. Hawes Sent one Load of his own.