Month: January 1780

1780 January 1 (Saturday).  If I have heretofore had great Cause to bless and praise the Name of God for his Wonderful Mercy and Goodness in my and my Families’ Preservation, What have I now!  to be permitted to begin a New Year.  I would celebrate His Praises, with all Hearty Gratitude.  And in Special in so difficult a Season, of so Much cold and Snow and tedious stirring, I am favoured in divine Providence, with the Necessarys and so many of the Comforts of Life.  But in peculiar for the protracting the Day and Means of Grace, and the blessed Influences of the Holy Spirit.  I would magnifie the Lord and hope in His Salvation.

 

People are chiefly employed in making Roads, providing for the Fires, taking Care of Cattle, etc.  But the Lord pitty the poor and exposed!

1780 January 2 (Sunday).  Exceeding Difficult getting to Meeting.  A.M. I went  on with the discourse on the Everlastingness of God, begun on the last Year first Sabbath, from Ps. XC.2.  Master Hazzletine dined here.  P.M. I repeated part of Disc. on Ps. 39.4.  O that God would awaken us, and teach us to profit hereby!  At night, another Snow storm.

1780 January 3 (Monday).  The Storm is very severe, much more snow has fallen.  It was higher than the Red Fence before my House by the Storm last week: it is now higher, and the Front Gate is not to be seen.

1780 January 4 (Tuesday).  God has his Treasures of Snow and Hail and Wind.  POWER belongeth unto GOD!  How distressing to the Poor!  Read Biographical Dictionary, Cicero, etc.

1780 January 5 (Wednesday).  Through Divine Favour this was a bright, pleasant Day.  Both my Sons and my Steers join with a number of the Street Neighbors with Cattle and Shovels to break the Roads.  Tis difficult to compute the Heighth or Depth of it.  I am almost ready to conclude that there has not been so much Snow upon the Ground at a Time ever since the GREAT STORM in year 1717.

1780 January 6 (Thursday).  The great God has his Treasurers of Snow and has supreme Command of all the Meteors.  It is very stormy again, and the Snow deeper, and though the Sun was visible a little while in the p.m., yet it was soon clouded, and the Storm rages at night.

1780 January 7 (Friday).  An astonishing morning — for the dreadful Storm rather increases.  Besides the snowing and blowing with violence the cold is very intense.  This is thought to be the most tedious of any that has come hitherto.  May God most compassionate pity and relieve me, and also support and provide for the poor!  Who can stand before Thy Cold!  N.B. All the Pains taken about breaking Roads, in great Measure frustrated.  Very few persons can stir abroad at all.

1780 January 8 (Saturday).  Hardly ever was the Sun more welcome — but yet the cold is so Sharp and the Wind so high, it is very difficult to undergo the Hardships we are called to.  But what becomes of the poor who have not the Favors which through the great goodness of God I enjoy!

1780 January 9 (Sunday).  Though I had prepared an exercise, and it was a long one, yet it not being calculated for the Season, I did not use it.  I was in Doubt whether there would a Meeting.  But a few came upon Racketts: and I repeated what remained from last Sabbath’s Entertainment upon Ps. 39.4 a. and p.m. for I was obliged for my own Sake and for the Sake of the People to be exceeding brief.  A number of men came to my kitchen at noon, and I shortened the Intermission.  Mr. D. Forbes is extremely bad, and desires Continuance of Prayers.  At eve I read to the Family part of Mr. Shepherd’s Doubting Christian drawn to Christ, in my study the Life of Susanna, Countess of Suffolk.

1780 January 9 (Sunday).  Though I had prepared an exercise, and it was a long one, yet it not being calculated for the Season, I did not use it.  I was in Doubt whether there would a Meeting.  But a few came upon Racketts: and I repeated what remained from last Sabbath’s Entertainment upon Ps. 39.4 a. and p.m. for I was obliged for my own Sake and for the Sake of the People to be exceeding brief.  A number of men came to my kitchen at noon, and I shortened the Intermission.  Mr. D. Forbes is extremely bad, and desires Continuance of Prayers.  At eve I read to the Family part of Mr. Shepherd’s Doubting Christian drawn to Christ, in my study the Life of Susanna, Countess of Suffolk.

1780 January 10 (Monday).  The Life of Mr. Daniel Forbes is much doubted of, but I cant get to him by reason of the deep snow, and difficult stirring.  I am chiefly reading lives of eminent Persons.

1780 January 11 (Tuesday).  Mr. Forbes still alive, but no Horse can go in the deep snow, but I have no Racketts nor Strength to go far, as to visit him.  Send my Love and Sympathy by those who (eight of them) draw on an Hand Sled his two Daughters Forbush and Bond to see him before he dies.  My Heart is much with him, and to God for him.  Mr. Hannaniah Parker returning from him comes in at eve to let me know he is yet alive, though with signs as they think of Death upon him.  May it please God to be almightily present with him!  His Brother Fisk has been on Racketts there.

1780 January 12 (Wednesday).  Fair, but too rough and severe for me to go abroad, and therefore cant visit Mr. Forbes, who I hear is yet alive.  Read the lives of several remarkable persons, particularly in Biogr. the Life of Oliver Cromwell, and in Clark’s Lives, the Life of Rev. Mr. Vine.  Elias reads Earl of Chesterfield.

1780 January 13 (Thursday).  A very cold day — we think the severest of any that has come.  May God almighty support us through these Extremities!  but especially the poor and destitute!  P.M. Mr. Elisha Forbes came and informed that his Father was dead!  that he expired last evening about 8 o’clock.  He was 69 years old last October.  It was conceived that his Distemper was bilious: had his senses to the last, and was calmly resigned to the Sovereign Will of God.  The Funeral proposed to be tomorrow, and he, Elisha, will take effectual Care of my comfortable Transportation.

1780 January 14 (Friday).  Squire Baker and two or three hands with him, which soon increased to half a dozen, drew me on a sled to the House of Mourning.  It was sharp cold, the Wind piercing, the sled goes over the Tops of Walls and Fences.  Though it was very difficult to get there, yet there were many People — as it is said by them that were with him most he dyed happily; so he was buried honourably, and great Respect shown to his Remains.  May God graciously Support the Widow, who solidly mourns the Loss; may the Fatherless find Mercy with Him that was their Father’s God.  Mr. Forbes has left, of Children, Grandchildren, and one Great grandchild, about 60.  His Brother, his Sister, his oldest Son were not could none of them be notified and therefore were absent.  There were so many Persons with Snow Shoes that there was a good Path and the Corps was carried on a Bier, on Men’s Shoulders.  I was drawn by a number of Rackettmen, in a very handsome Sleigh, with the Widow, Mrs. Abigail Forbush, and his sister, Mrs. Daniel Bond.  It was too tedious for me to stay at the Grave.  I came away before the Coffin was let down — by that time I got to Breck’s Store, I was nigh overcome, by one means and another.  The Mourners, Bearers etc. came to my House, to hear the Will.  Dr. Hawes read it.  At request, I in the Evening wrote a Letter to Mr. Forbes of Gloucester.  I wish ardently that I may truly profit by the Providence!  Elias finishes the first Vol. of Earl of Chesterfield’s Letters.

1780 January 15 (Saturday).  It holds an uncommon cold, difficult season.

1780 January 16 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Zech. 6.13.  P.M. on Ps. 92.12 and mentioned the Death of Mr. Daniel Forbes, with some short character of him.  N.B. The Widow Forbes, Mr. John Forbes of Otter Creek and Master Hazzletine, dined here; as did Breck and his family: also Mr. Winslow Brigham.  May God graciously add his Blessing!  Breck etc. attended here in the Evening.

1780 January 17 (Monday).  I am reading the Life and Letters of Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield.  The Letters to his son Philip Stanhope Esq.  Deacon Wood here with a Spare Rib.

1780 January 18 (Tuesday).  As no Team of Oxen or Horses can pass, people are obliged to go to Mill with Hand Sleds.  Elias went today with a Bushel of Indian.

1780 January 19 (Wednesday).  Mr. Timothy Parker, his Wife and Child came a while ago in a Sleigh from Templeton, to visit their Friends here, but are not able to go back, except himself, who returns on Racketts.  His wife and her sisters Newton and Wheelock visit at Breck’s and I was desired to drink Tea with them.

1780 January 20 (Thursday).  Elias goes again to Mill and Breck with him and carry of Rye Indian and Oats, Six Bushel.  Mr. Eli Harrington of [Alstad?] makes me a long Visit.  He dines here.  Discourse of Church Covenant and Church Government etc.

1780 January 21 (Friday).  Mr. Solomon Batherick and his Brother came and killed my principal Hog, which weighed 190.  I read in Capt. Bell’s and Mr. De Lange’s Travels to Ispahan, Peking, [Derbeni?] and Constantinople and finished the second Vol. of that work.

1780 January 22 (Saturday).  Elias goes on Racketts to Mr. Gershom Brigham’s.  A newspaper of Dec. 30 is the Last.

1780 January 23 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Zech. 6.13.  P.M. on Ps. 92.13.14.15.  Ephraim Parker dined here.  A considerable Congregation, though very cold.

1780 January 24 (Monday).  An urgent message from Mr. Antipas Brigham to go to Capt. Edmund Brigham’s, with request to marry him.  I went, but with great Difficulty, by reason of the deep snow.  My sons Breck and Elias drew me on a light sled as far as Mr. Haskill’s, nigh which a number of young men, Brighams accompanied me on foot to the House, where I performed the Solemnity.  After the Supper they brought me to Mr. Gale’s, who kindly obliged me to lodge there.  Mr. G. Andrews there and invites me to dine tomorrow.

1780 January 24 (Monday).  [There are two entries for January 24.]  Mr. Gale and his wife, also Capt. Edmund accompanying me to Mr. Andrews, where I was kindly rec’d and entertained.  Capt. Brigham and Mr. Gale went to Deacon Woods, on an Arbitration.  The Subject was a Difference between Mr. Pierce and Mr. Joseph Smith, both Blacksmiths, where many are assembled to hear William Stearns of Worcester, Esq. advocate for Smith.  N.B. Mr. Andrews waited upon me home.  By the way visit old Lieut. Forbush.

1780 January 25 (Tuesday).  Elias leaves his Studys and helps those who are breaking the Roads with a yoke of Cattle.  I read Lord Chesterfield’s Letters.

1780 January 26 (Wednesday).  Squire Baker is so engaged in breaking Roads that he has got Elias and a yoke of my Cattle, on the Road again.  Ephraim Parker being at work for me in dressing Flax for me, brings in a quantity of it on a Pole and  hangs it before the Fire to drie it.  I had a good deal of Reluctance at it, remembering that Capt. Gouge’s House at Hopkinton was, some years ago, burn’t down by Flax taking Fire.

1780 January 27 (Thursday).  As the Flax aforesaid hung before the Fire, notwithstanding the Distance it was placed at, a Coal was snapped out from the Fire, and began immediately to burn in it, which had it occurred last night, while we Slept, what would have been the Event!  All hearty Thanks to our great Preserver!  Elias is gone again with the Cattle today to break and shovel the Road.  Mr. Andrews and Mr. Gale, generous to them, have got to the crotch of the Road, below Mr. William Wood’s.  The northern Neighbors have tryed to plough their Road today.  I read Lord Chesterfield’s Letters.

1780 January 28 (Friday).  The latter part of this was the most remarkable Cold Day that we have had (as every body is free to allow) and Elias goes again with Squire Baker, and drives two pair of my Steers, to breaking the Road down to Taplin’s in Southborough; The evening and night were so extremely severe that I was much concerned for him till he returned; and did survive though he had been in Danger of being overcome with Cold and Fatigue.  N.B. Miss Mary Bradish came p.m. and lodged here.

1780 January 29 (Saturday).  The morning was the most severe and sharp.  Elias thinks some of his Limbs are froze, but (God be thanked) he is about with usual Currency.

1780 January 30 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Zech. VI.14.15.  P.M. on Joh. 18.18 with some Alterations and Additions.  May God bless His Word to us!  At Eve, read Fleming’s Confirming Work of Religion.

1780 January 31 (Monday).  Read in Fleming and Chesterfield’s Letters.  Mr. Nathan Maynard borrows several of Mr. Prince’s Sermons.  Hear that Sue Bimeleck was lately frozen to Death.  This whole month has been Cold to admiration.  We have scarce ever known its Equal.  The Cold of this Day is to high Degree of Extremity.  May God Almighty sustain and support us, protect and supply us, and extend Compassion to all the Indigent, the aged and the Exposed!