Month: December 1777

1777 December 1 (Monday).  Breck sets out for [Hartford?] on public Business, employed by squire Baker.  The Town Meets by adjournment on the Affairs of the Soldiers money.  [Miss illegible Jones?] came to work here.  Mr. Belknap here about the Barrells he has made and sent me; [illegible] Barrells; but have so bad joints that they are [somewhat?] [illegible] and two more are [torn] Barrells, [illegible] I dont [illegible] [torn] me: yet his Price, instead of [torn] Dollar, [torn] or to 14 shillings.

1777 December 2 (Tuesday).  [torn] Preached [torn] Widow Mehitabel Brighams [torn] Phil. 4.7 from page 9 to 16, which may God graciously bless to us!  It was [torn] windy, rough weather [torn] there were but few [torn] but [illegible] willing to [torn]rage these Meetings [illegible] am sorry none of my own were there.

1777 December 3 (Wednesday).  Suse, having an Horse from her Fathers, and Sophy with Brecks Mare rode away (though a Cold season) to Leicester, and designing to visit further.

1777 December 4 (Thursday).  My Son Moore came by the way of Providence and Uxbridge to make us a Visit.  He knew Nothing of the Death of his sister Hannah till he heard it here.  He lodges here.

1777 December 5 (Friday).  Mr. Moore had designed to go to Oxford, but his mare is too ill to go any further.  I rode to Mr. William Woods, and took Miss Eunice Jones with me as far as her uncle Gale’s.  At Mr. Woods lay the poor young stranger [William Haden?], Sick of a fever and Flux, and dangerously ill.  I went on purpose to see him, but he was delirious.  I prayed with him, but fear his Death is nigh.  I called to see poor Garfield.  Breck returned from Lebanon.  A Letter from Mr. Quincy at Lancaster via Worcester dated [blank].

1777 December 6 (Saturday).  Mr. Moore tarrys to dine with me but can’t keep sabbath here.  He leaves us to go to Oxford.  Towards Eve came Mr. Corn. Waters to preach for me, and therefore lodges here.  He came from Grafton.  He found Mr. [Pratt or Brett?] was to preach there.

1777 December 7 (Sunday).  In the morning came from Southborough Mr. Jeremiah Barnard to assist me.  Mr. Charles [Stearns?] being there to preach for Mr. Stone.  Mr. Barnard a.m. prayed, and Mr. Waters preached from Cant. 5.1, on those Words, “He is altogether lovely.”  P.M. Mr. Waters prayed, and Mr. Barnard preached from Gen. [24?].12 and first Clause of v. 13 on Jacobs Dream of a Ladder.  I baptized several Children and read the Congress’s Proclamation for a general Thanksgiving.  The abovementioned Gentlemen lodged here.  N.B. The Widow Eunice Cook dined here.

1777 December 8 (Monday).  Those Gentlemen left me [torn] William Hadan at Mr. [torn] His [torn] Mr. William Hadan of old Braintree [torn] Mother, [torn] far happy as to be there; and purpose to remov[torn] Corps to their own [House?].

1777 December 9 (Tuesday).  On Mr. Nurse’s Horse (and [torn] very rough) I rode to M[torn] Woods, the House of mourning to see and Symp. with [Mr. and?] Mrs. Haden before the removing the Corps of their [torn].  We prayed together and took solemn Leave.  I dined at Mr. Gales.  Went up to Mr. Beetons to see old Mrs. Kelly, and Thomas Beeton.  The last is very Sick of Fever and Flux.  I returned by Mr. Nurse’s.  Many of the [?].

1777 December 10 (Wednesday).  Read Robinsons History of Scotland, in part.

1777 December 11 (Thursday).  Wrote to Mr. Quincy and Sent Sir William Temples Works, Vol. 1.

 

It was by Moss Lois Sawyer, who was with Miss Comfort Bellows going to Lancaster.  I visited

 

dined there with Dr. Flynt.  I prayed with them.

 

At Eve Suse and Sophy returned from Brookfield.  They inform that my Son Baldwin is at home.

1777 December 12 (Friday).  My son Alexander           brought his son

 

with him and leaves him here whilst he himself goes to Framingham.

1777 December 13 (Saturday).  [No  entry.]

1777 December 14 (Sunday).  Preached on Rom. 6.  Read only two first verses,

 

but are

 

strictures on many other verses, of the Chapter.  Molly Pratt

 

P.M. repeated one of my sermons on Job 14.1 on occasion of the Death of the young stranger, Mr. Hayden.

1777 December 15 (Monday).  Town Met again by adjournment.  Samuel Brigham from

 

Dartmouth College here.  Deacon Wood.

1777 December 16 (Tuesday).  Sophy rides to Upton.  Miss Molly Harrington here – Exam

 

She informs me that Rev. Taylor of New [Fane?] has lost his House by Fire, and Saved but little of his Goods.  May it be Sanctifyed and duely improved!

1777 December 17 (Wednesday).  Sophy returned from

1777 December 18 (Thursday).  Continental Thanksgiving.  Preached from Ps. 72.4.  verses        May God                  to

 

Young            Elisha Fish and Samuel Brigham dined with us.  Brigham tarried to sup with us and lodged

1777 December 19 (Friday).  I sent, by him for

 

of dear            sickness           )

 

Deacon Thomas of

 

still.  Miss Mindwell

 

Cousen Molly Pratt dined here.  P.M.    and Sophy go with them

 

Brighams

1777 December 20 (Saturday).  Candidate

 

the South of Worcester, dines here.  At night came my Son William.

1777 December 21 (Sunday).  I preached again on Ps. 124 but this Exercise was chiefly on v. 50.  Many persons at noon according to Custom flock to my House, but we are not accommodated with Wood to make them a Fire in the Kitchin.  P.M. preached another

 

of my Sermons on Job 14.1.  Which may God graciously succeed!

1777 December 22 (Monday).  Breck sets out before Day for Boston.

 

William goes to Capt. Maynards to visit there but dines here, and p.m. he goes to Noah Hardys and Sells him (Hardy)                 for

 

23£ L.M.  Mr. Bullard returns from [fort?] [Beggachadge?]

 

and goes                                  I settle with my Son William

 

He takes up his note by paying me only £

 

For I remitt          him

 

N.B. I delivered him Sixty Dollars of my Money which Mr. Hardy is to deliver me when he takes the Mare which he has bought of William

1777 December 23 (Tuesday).  Mrs. Dolly Rice makes us a Visit

 

shop.  Mr. Noah Hardy is here: gives a Note of Hand to my son William for 23£ L.M. for his Mare; which Note is lodged with me, Billy have gone home early in the morning: but thus it happens that I do not receive the 60 Dollars [aforesaid?] instead of those which I lent Billy last Eve.  Harrington brings some Pine.

1777 December 24 (Wednesday).  Old Mr. Richard Barns wants to be marryed to Miss Jemima Maynard; and they unhappily need to be.  I marryed them in my Study, by reason of Strangers below.  Suse, Elias etc. were present.  Breck returned from Boston.  I had sent a Sum of Money to be changed by the Treasurer, but unhappily an Eight Dollar Bill comes back as being Counterfeit.  What I received from the Treasurer was a Note of 10£ 14 shs. signed by Henry Gardner.

1777 December 25 (Thursday).  I went up to Deacon Woods, Capt. [Fishers?] and Mr.

 

at the first visit the Wife of Mr.          at the

 

received        John Woods         of Connecticut

 

viz. Mr. Newtons I visited the Wife of Mr. Graves

 

At Eve came my Son Forbes from Cape Ann          lodged here

1777 December 26 (Friday).  Breakfast with Mr. Forbes       He goes to

 

Sorrowful Accounts of our Continental Soldiers [sufferings?]

 

for want of shooes, stockings etc.

1777 December 27 (Saturday).  Elias is forced to go to the       Lot

 

picks out and brings home a Load of Maple

1777 December 28 (Sunday).  Stormy, Snow etc.  Few at Meeting.  Preached again

 

on

 

2-8    Master Fish dined here   and dined in the Study

 

people who                themselves               Dining Room

P.M. I went on with the Discourse concerning Afflictions — but used, for a Text, Ps. 34.11, former part.  N.B. Mr. Sick of a Fever and Prayed for.

1777 December 29 (Monday).  So very Cold I could not go to Mr. Beetons, Yet Mr. B. Bradshaw is journeying to Boston.  He came from Shrewsbury this morning to Breakfast here, and tarrys to dine with us, Molly Pratt came to spin, and is to live a while here.

1777 December 30 (Tuesday).  It being more moderate, I rode over to Visit Capt. Maynard and his Family, they have been exercised with sickness, with the Meazles, a number of them and Geoffry falls into a Waste.  I dined there.  Capt. tells me that Brother Smith of Marlborough has moved with his Goods to               P.M. Visit Mrs. Beeton and prayed with her.  Elias went to the Ministerial Lot, and Mr. Caleb Harrington to help him.  They bring home a Load of Wood.  Deacon Wood brings a large Load; as does Lt. Harrington — both of their Wood.  I am reading Dr. Robinsons well writ History of Scotland.  James Hicks is exceedingly exercised with chapped Feet and Hands.

1777 December 31 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer junior and Daniel Chamberlain bring Two Load of their own Wood.

 

Mr. Jonathan Child here — brings a Spare Rib — a great Rarity.

 

Through the Patience and Longsuffering of God I have arrived at the Conclusion of another Year!  Blessed be His glorious Name for all His Goodness.  May the various Providences, Changes, [Disquietments?], Losses, I have been exercised by in the Course of this year, be sanctifyed to me and mine!  And O may I be prepared for the Day, the Hour, which is to Close my Life!