Author: Anthony Vaver

July 10, 1746

1746 July 10 (Thursday).  Fast on account of the Expedition to Canada.  I consider’d the Business of the Day in these Two Lights — First to humble ourselves under God’s Sore Judgment (viz. the Sword of War) and then his Message to us to Repent etc.  Accordingly preach’d on Jonah 3.5 to 9. Secondly to beseech a great Mercy of God — such wisdom and Direction as was now needed, and success in so great an Enterprise as was now propos’d — but yet it was what we did not deserve, but might rather expect that God would be against us and therefore it concern’d us to look into our Case and endeavour to remove what might be a just Ground of Fear that God would not be with us nor prosper us — and therefore p.m. I preach’d on Ezek. 5.5 to 9.

July 11, 1746

1746 July 11 (Friday).  Rain. Yet Mr. Prentice and Mr. Ebenezer Wadsworth of Grafton came with a Boy to drive their Team and had 6 Barrells of Cyder of me; and Considering how late in the Year, yet it was boil’d and the Barrells were fill’d up (which took another Barrell) they agreed to give me 25 Shillings per Barrell even though it was not of the Best.

July 14, 1746

1746 July 14 (Monday).  Considering the Extremity among people on account of the Scarceness of men to Labour I did what I could abroad which yet was but very little for I was soon worry’d.  My work was chiefly turning some Hay, and raking up and poling in Barley which lay greatly expos’d to a great storm of Rain which came up suddenly and pour’d down most heavily.

July 15, 1746

1746 July 15 (Tuesday).  Had a poor night after my Labour.  Lent my Mare to Mrs. Barns to send to her Father in Law for Help to Hill their Corn. I went to her House and to Neighbour Rogers’s.  William, John and Jonathan (as well as Neighbour Barns) being out in the Service. Lieutenant Ward din’d here. He brought Molly the second volume of Pamela from Colonel Chandler.  Towards Evening my wife and sister to Captain Maynards. My wife bought and paid for 20 lbs. of wool of Mr. Thomas Ward, at 8/6 per pound. I walk’d down there to see Old Christian as well as to wait on them back.  N.B. Captain Maynard not in the best Humour.

July 16, 1746

1746 July 16 (Wednesday).  Captain Maynard Came and said why he was ruffl’d yesterday — viz. He had another Warrant (or Order) to press 4 more men — and he believ’d Thomas Winchester must now go.  I work’d several Hours a.m. in turning, opening and raking Hay. P.M. Catechetical Exercise. I repeated from Isa. 1.9.

July 17, 1746

1746 July 17 (Thursday).  Thomas and Ebenezer went to the Meadow.  I walk’d down to Captain Maynards to see what he had done in pressing Men.  He told me he had press’d several men but that one of them had paid his money; and therefore he Sees no way but that Thomas must go.  So difficult as it was with reference to Cutting my Meadow, I resign’d the Affair — return’d soon, din’d, and Sent Thomas Word to come Home.  I hasten’d to Mrs. Joslins[1] where I had appointed to Catechize.  She was troubled and disappointed that I did not dine there.  Thirteen Children was my whole Company — but I hope they will increase both in Numbers and Qualifications.  Visited old Mr. Garfield[2] who had been Sick — and return’d home a little after Sundown.  Thomas came home at noon Time, and is gone to Grafton to prepare to go away to the Colonel’s tomorrow.

[1]Mrs. Joseph Joslin.

[2]Benjamin Garfield.

July 18, 1746

1746 July 18 (Friday).  Ebenezer and Thomme are gone to the Meadow.  A little before noon Thomas Winchester came preparing to sett out upon his Journey.  It was very difficult as to my Business to part with him, but so it must be and I desire to committ myself to a Mercifull and faithfull God.  It was also Somewhat difficult to part with one that had been of my Family so long and had endear’d himself to us by his good Conduct. The Lord go with him and give him to return to us again in Safety!  I went after him to Captain Maynards and Saw him Still again at Mr. Chamberlins.

July 19, 1746

1746 July 19 (Saturday).  Late in the forenoon came Elijah Warrin and afterwards Mr. Dunlop came and reap’d my Winter Rye, and bound it and got it in to the Barn.  Exceeding good Rye for the bigness of the Piece. Blessed be God! The Girls also pull’d the Flax — which was more than ordinarily thin. Yet its more that I deserve.  Ebenezer brought home one Load of Hay from the Meadow.

July 21, 1746

1746 July 21 (Monday).  Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlins Wife here with a present of String Beans.  My Sons at the Meadow to Day. I went over to Mr. Whipples who informs me that the Petition of the Select Men pass’d in the Lower House but was not granted in the Upper, which is directly Contrary to the State of Things heretofore: the Board being ready to grant and the House not.  As he was going down this Eve I deliver’d him a Paper which I directed to him for his own Reading.

July 22, 1746

1746 July 22 (Tuesday).  My Interruption great by Cattle breaking into my Corn.  Ebenezer and Thomme at Meadow.  Read four Necessary Cases of Conscience of daily use by Mr. Thomas Shepherd,[1] in a Letter to a Friend of his — with a Discourse of that Friends added — viz. R. H. [blank], which the Lord make Spiritually useful to me!  Finish’d the second Volume of Pamela.  See some Remarks I would draw up, on this Latter Piece.

[1]This obscure work of the famous Puritan divine Thomas Shepard (1605-1649), was published under the title Four Necessary Cases of Conscience of Daily Use (London, 1661?).

July 25, 1746

1746 July 25 (Friday).  Rain. At length it clear’d off and instead of Ebenezers going to work for Elijah Warrin at his Fathers, I was oblig’d (though Friday) to go over myself to Mr. Warrins to begg his Patience with regard to our helping him this week for his sons reaping, who was ready to oblige me. Was also at Deacon Newtons as I return’d home.

July 29, 1746

1746 July 29 (Tuesday).  I Visited Mr. Tenney who is Settled with us in the room of Mr. Jedidiah How.  Proceeded up to Mr. Daniel Warrins to get him to reap — but in Vain. Rode up to Mr. Cushings where was Mr. Stevens (who preaches at Worcester) but Mr. Cushing not at Home.  I went to Serjeant Taylors to Speak with Mr. Parker the Shooemaker. At Mr. Robert Keys’s to have my Mare Shod. Din’d at Home. At Eve was at Mr. Amsdens to get Reapers.

August 2, 1746

1746 August 2 (Saturday).  Bright good Day. The Rye Cutt yesterday to be turn’d and taken up.  Considerable Hay lies in swarth at the Meadow — and what to be reap’d So that I have no little Care upon me to interrupt me though I can do none of the Labour.  Cattle and Hoggs often breaking in. How many Times my Soul is oppress’d in this manner!

August 3, 1746

1746 August 3 (Sunday).  A.M. on Micah 6.2.  P.M. on Ps. 145.17, and under this Text us’d Collections from Mr. Charnock,[1] made Some years agoe; and in the remainder of the Exercise repeated Several passages from sermon on Gen. 18.25, page 7 to 12.

[1]Stephen Charnock (1628-1680) was a famous English non-conformist minister, whose writings were published posthumously.  [Edward Veal and Richard Adams, editors].  The Works of the Late Learned Divine Stephen Charnock (London, 1683-1684).

August 5, 1746

1746 August 5 (Tuesday).  P.M. rode over to Mr. Martyn’s — the morning being Cloudy — but neither Mr. Martyn nor his wife at Home.  Their Daughter said they were gone to Mr. Matthias Rice’s — upon which I went there to meet with them but in vain, they were not there.  Therefore I return’d home without seeing either of them.

August 9, 1746

1746 August 9 (Saturday).  Mr. Chamberlin help’d Ebenezer get home a Load of Hay from the Meadow, and Ebenezer him a Load from his.  P.M. Abraham Batchellor and Noah How mow’d for me in my Meadow. Ebenezer and Thomme a Load in from the Low Ground at Home.  Thunder Storm arose partly over us and the Lightning very terrible, but bore away to North East and East.

August 10, 1746

1746 August 10 (Sunday).  On Habak. 3.17.18, and p.m. Repeated from Ps. 145.17, latter part of Sermon on Gen. 18.25, from page 12 to 18. Mr. Jenison din’d here.  N.B. Mr. Thaddeus Gale came to me and acquainted me with the wonderfull Mercy and Goodness of God in preserving him when Struck down by the Lightning yesterday.  It pass’d under him and plough’d the Ground for more than a Rod, yet was he unhurt.

August 11, 1746

1746 August 11 (Monday).  Ebenezer to the Meadow — Thomme at Home.  Rode to Mr. Cooks, Captain Warrins, and then visited Mr. Amsdens[1] Family, So marvellously preserv’d last Saturday in Time of most awful Thunder and Lightning.  The Effect very noticeable — a Furrow in the Ground of 30 feet — the Boards of their Bee House Shiver’d and plough’d — one Hive Split — Two of the Posts of the Bee House Splitt also — one of them from Top to Bottom etc.  May God sanctifie his providence to them!  May we all Truly Fear this Great Omnipotent Being and be ever ready for His Will.  Mr. Martyn and his Daughter here p.m.  N.B. our Conversation about the Ministerial Rights, he told me that he was not willing to make a formal Quit Claim, because he fear’d it would displease his mother and bring upon him the Odium of his Friends in his precinct; but that I might rest Easy for that he Should never Disturb me in the Improvement of them but we spoke especially with regard to the Meadow.

[1]Isaac Amsden of Westborough.