Month: October 1781

1781 October 1 (Monday).  Training Again.  Can’t get Feed for the Fatting Cow.

1781 October 2 (Tuesday).  A.M. visited Mr. Daniel Warrin.  At his House were two young women who were Baptists — their Names are Lamb, and are come from Paxton: one of them (Martha) about 16 years old, is in a Languishment.  Several Neighbours kindly offer me a Barrel of Cyder apiece.  I thank God for this Token of His Goodness to me.  P.M. I preached at the private Meeting at Squire Bakers on Gen. 18.19.  All my Family (except John who was gone from home with the [Team?]) attended there.  At Eve Squire read a remarkable Hand-Bill containing fresh and important News of Successes in the south against the British Forces by Sea and Land.  God grant it may prove true and that we may be prepared for a compleat Deliverance!  This Evening a Letter from Elias at Northampton.  His Arm is better, but Still complains of Lameness in it.

1781 October 3 (Wednesday).  Wrote an Answer to Elias’s Letter.  The rather because he complains of his being Sorrowfully neglected.  I have writ also to Mr. Forbes upon his supposed Marriage — on what I have done about Sister Champney — and concerning the Wool I owe him; and have caused nine pound to be weighed out for him: which is ready for him.

1781 October 4 (Thursday).  At Ensign Aaron Warrins request I rode over to his House, and Mr. Fish and his Wife being there also, we dined together.  He told me Mr. Adams had been with him, but that he would not comply.  Mr. Fish preached a Seasonable and useful Sermon on the Occasion of the Ensigns Recovery, from Isa. “The Living, the Living,” etc.  When I returned home found my son Ebenezer and Grand Daughter Betsey Baldwin, who were come from Boston and from Cape Ann.  Mr. Jonathan Wilkins, a young preacher, visits Mr. Brigham and lodges.  Mr. Brigham took care of the Husking and of the Huskers.  N.B. Among the Letters which Ebenezer brought from Boston is Another Letter from Mr. Quincy, dated Sept. 27.  And a considerable Packet from Mr. Moore inclosing his Notes of his Anniversary Sermon at Plymouth, for the Year 1780.

1781 October 5 (Friday).  Mr. Wilkins left us.  My Son Ebenezer made a Visit to Mrs. Rebecca Warrin on behalf of his Aunt Champney: and to Mr. Fish but returned at Eve.  Capt. Edmund Brigham here, but refuses to make Confession before the Congregation.  I lent him Mr. Cottons way of Life, in which is contained Sins deadly Wound.

1781 October 6 (Saturday).  My Son and Grand-Daughter return to Brookfield.  At Eve came my grand-daughters Lydia and Sophy from Concord to tarry with us over the Sabbath.

1781 October 7 (Sunday).  Have had so many avocations this week past, that I could not finish what I endeavoured to prepare for one part of this day.  I therefore was obliged to preach a.m. on Rom. 13.11 and p.m. on v. 12.  May God grant His special Blessing on my poor Efforts!  At Eve Mr. Brigham read Mr. Flavells fountain opened and prayed.

1781 October 8 (Monday).  Mr. Brigham goes to Bellingham, to look after a Debtor, Arnold, a Quaker.  At 2 p.m. Lydia and Sophy sat out for Concord.  I was Sent for by the Widow Brigham — I went — her Throat is much Sweld: prayed with her.  Dr. Ball and her Nephew Grout, attend on her.  When I came home, found Mr. Aaron Crosby of New Glasco here, going to Cape Ann; and he lodged here.

1781 October 9 (Tuesday).  Sent a Letter by Mr. Crosby to Mr. Forbes.  Mr. Brigham to Bellingham.  This is the Day appointed by Mr. Daniel Adams for a Council of Churches to meet at his House — But I don’t hear that any came.  I tarried at home all the Day, employed partly in reading the excellent Mr. Crawfords Dying Thoughts; etc.

1781 October 10 (Wednesday).  Visited Patty Lamb in her Consumption, at Mr. Daniel Warrins.  P.M. My wife rode with me to Visit Several Neighbours, viz. Neighbour Nathan Maynard and Mr. Isaac Parker.  Drank tea etc. at the latter.  At Night came Rev. Daniel Fuller of Gloucester and his Wife, from Middleton in Connecticut, and lodged here.  Mr. Jonathan Batherick brought a Confession from Mr. Enoch Rice and Wife now living at Brookfield.

1781 October 11 (Thursday).  Mr. Fuller and his Wife left us to return home through Billerica.  Messrs. Benjamin Stone and Samuel Crosby came, dined here.  Mr. Stone informs me of Mr. Fairbanks public Marriage last week, in the Meeting House, Solemnized by Rev. Sumner.  I wrote to Rev. Appleton by Mr. Crosby, concerning Mr. Enoch Rice and his Wife, their penitance and Confession.  Capt. Morse brought me a large Cheese, which weighted 25 lb.  May God reward him for his Generosity!  and may I be enabled to make a good Use of this and of every other Bounty bestowed upon me!

1781 October 12 (Friday).  Miss Patty Fish brought me a Letter from her Brother which informs that he has been to Stoughtonham to See Mr. Parkman Bradshaw, and found him in a deplorable Condition emaciated in Body and benighted in Mind; disconsolate and despairing.  Oh that God would commiserate!

1781 October 13 (Saturday).  Mr. Aaron Crosby from Cape Ann.  He was at Coffins, but not at Mr. Forbes’.  Sister Champney at Mr. Forbes; his New Wife not yet there.

1781 October 14 (Sunday).  I read Hosea 6 and preached a. and p.m. on v. 4.  Appointed Communion and Lecture.  At Eve Mr. Brigham read in Flavell on Christs Intercession.  Alas!  for our Inconstancy!  May we have Right and part in the Great Attorny!

1781 October 15 (Monday).  Mr. Wolcott has preached at Southborough yesterday — dines here to day, and returns to Oxford by Mr. Chaplins.  Dr. Gordon came p.m. to Tea.  He lodges here.  He communicates a long Letter from a Friend of his in London on our American Affairs.

1781 October 16 (Tuesday).  Dr. Gordon goes on his Journey to General Gates in Virginia.  Mr. Brigham to Boston.  I wrote by him to Mr. Moore, and Sent my Watch to have a New Chrystal.

1781 October 17 (Wednesday).  Lecture.  Expected Mr. Fitch.  But he did not come.  I preached myself on Hos. 6.4, from page 16, bottom to the End, which may God graciously bless!

1781 October 18 (Thursday).  Benjamin Harrington being returned from the Camp, Sick and low, I visited and prayed with him — visited at Fortunatus Millers, and at Mr. Eli Whitney’s.  P.M. Mrs. Sarah Harrington (Neighbour Calebs Wife) was here and was examined.  At night Mr. Brigham returned from Boston, brought a new Christall for my watch, 3/.  Informs me that Mr. Cranch’s 6th Volume of Biographical Dictionary (which I had been much concerned about) was at my son Samuels.

1781 October 19 (Friday).  Mr. Joseph Harrington brought me a Barrel of Cyder and a Bag of Apples.  He also brought a Barrel of Cyder from Mr. Simon Forbes.

1781 October 20 (Saturday).  My Son William came up to keep sabbath with us.  John Moultons Time is out at Eve.

1781 October 21 (Sunday).  This was Sacrament Day.  Preached on Luk. 22.15.  My Son William at Communion.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  At Eve Mr. Brigham read in Flavels Fountain of Life and prayed.

1781 October 22 (Monday).  I went up to Squire Bakers after Money for my Oxen: but did not succeed.  P.M. I rode with William as far as Marlborough.  Lt. Uriah Brigham goes with me to see Mr. Hezekiah Maynard who is Sick.  Prayed with him.  Lodged at Uriahs.

1781 October 23 (Tuesday).  Rode to Stow.  Call at Mrs. Gardners.  Mr. Newell is in his New House and has brought home his New Wife, who was Miss Lucy Rogers.  The Association was small.  Mr. Bridge and Mr. Biglow — add two Candidates, Damon and Pip[er?].  I lodged at Mr. Newells.

1781 October 24 (Wednesday).  I returned home.  In my way, called to take leave of Mrs. Gardner, and called at Mr. Micah Newtons at Marlborough.  I dined at Col. Blackneys, but the Colonel not at home.  Borrowed of his Mother the Alcoran and of his Sister Tomson’s Life and Seasons.  When I got home was informed that Mr. Fitch of Hopkinton was here yesterday, and that it was Supposed that a Council met then at Mr. Daniel Adams’s.  That Mr. Prentice of Holliston, Mr. Haven of Dedham and Mr. Brown of Sherbourn, were there.  My son Ebenezer was here also, having come yesterday under some very peculiar Difficulty, by reason of his being bound to divers Creditors for his son Bradshaw deceased: and was in danger of being sued.

1781 October 25 (Thursday).  I had Pity on my dear son in his Troubles, and gave him two Notes from the State, one of 10£, out last December, the other of 10£ 14, both upon Interest and Signed Henry Gardner Treasurer.  The last of them was out last March.  He left us to go to Brookfield.  P.M. Enoch Rice with Letter from Rev. Appleton, concerning his (Rice’s) Confession.  Neighbour Harrington and Pamela witness to Enochs owning his Letter.  Coll. Baldwin came from Boston and lodged here.

1781 October 26 (Friday).  Before Col. Baldwin left us, I requested him to do what in him lay to relieve his Brother — which he promised.  Mr. Winslow Brigham was yesterday marryed to Miss Alice Cushing, and they came home to their Father Brighams.  To day they dine at Brecks, and p.m. they drink Tea here.  A Rainy time to go home in.

1781 October 27 (Saturday).  I have neither Man nor Boy, except Billy Spring who can fetch the Cows and cut a little Wood.  But the Trouble of my Eyes is I think, increased.  At Eve a Great Noise of the taking of General Cornwallis.  Dr. Hawes brought me a Letter of General Cornwallis Defeat, from Mr. Quincy, with an Hand-Bill certifying it, and his Army with him made prisoners of War.  The Glory of God if So!

1781 October 28 (Sunday).  Mr. Waters came in the morning and preached for me a.m. on Job 23.3.4, p.m. on Phil. 3 and 4.  May God bless what was delivered, and reward his Labour of Love!  I stopped the Church, and read Mr. Enoch Rice’s Request and read his and his Wife’s Confessions, which was voted, that they Should be read to the Assembly, though they be personally absent, viz. at Brookfield.  N.B. Rev. Appletons Letter to me, on the Same Affair, was read also.  A Letter likewise which I received last Evening from Mr. Daniel Adams, to be communicated to the Church was read.  He was present.  In it he desires to come to the Communion.  I asked him (before the Church) Whether, particularly he was in Charity and Sweetness with Me?  and could receive the Sacrament at my Hands?  He answered with some Difficulty, that “he must, he thought.”  I told the Church that as the Letter came so late, but the Eve before, I was not prepared to make Remarks which were necessary upon it, or ask some Questions for right understanding Some parts of it, it must be left to further Consideration — then I gave the Blessing. At Eve Mr. Waters repeated Some parts of the p.m. Sermon.

1781 October 29 (Monday).  Wrote to Mr. Quincy per Mr. Waters, who after dining, left us to pursue his Journey to Boston.  Deacon Hawes delivered me from Mr. Cranch the 7th Volume of Biographical Dictionary, I, K, L.

1781 October 30 (Tuesday).  I catechized at the Meeting House.  Had 34 a.m. and 37 p.m.  May they all be Taught of God!  Cousen Maynard a Visit into Evening, and on foot.

1781 October 31 (Wednesday).  I visited Susanna Hardy who is sick — dined there — and prayed with her.  Visited at Capt. Jonathan Fays — talked with the Heads of the Family and with Molly [Brown?] under her Circumstances and others of them.  Went to Mr. Joseph Grouts.  Called to talk with Mr. Ben Fay of his Contention with his Neighbour Thomas Whitney, and talked him also: With Lt. Jonathan Grout and with Mr. Jonathan Forbes — Whitney says, if Fay will make him any Offer, if he will shew Bounds — he will do what is reasonable.