Author: Anthony Vaver

1746 August 14 (Thursday).  Thanksgiving on account of the Suppression of the Rebellion in Scotland.  May God prepare our Hearts! Honourable Colonel Chandler coming from Boston and bound for Worcester came in the morning — was at meeting with us and din’d with me.  I preach’d on Ps. 132.16. May God accept our Offering! and bless His Holy Word to His People! N.B. Having Sung 100th Psalm Tune and Com’t Tune, and not willing to Sing either of them again, I propos’d and Set 100 New, or Anthem.  Colonel towards Eve went to Worcester. News of the King of Spains Death.

1746 August 15 (Friday).  Cloudy a.m. — but not raining to hinder, Ebenezer to the Meadow.  More sorrowfull News from No. 4 that besides 2 men Shot by the Indians, one at No. 4 another at Northfield our Troopers Horses most of them kill’d.  Mrs. Caruth and her son here and din’d with us: Mrs. Hayward^[1] and Mrs. Billings,^[2] all of them want their Dismissions from our Church.  Towards Evening with Joy (viz. Mr. Ebenezer Phillips of Southborough) I saw a Number of our Westborough Troopers return from No. 4 — but on foot, their Horses being of them that were lost in the late Encounter.  They handed me a paper containing an Account of Several Particulars — which I Soon copy’d — and afterwards Sent Mr. Kneeland.^[3]

^[1]Mrs. Simon Hayward.

^[2]Mrs. Thomas Billings.

^[3]Samuel Kneeland, the printer at Boston, and publisher with Timothy Green, Jr., of The Boston Gazette or Weekly Journal.

1746 August 16 (Saturday).  Ebenezer and Thomme again to the Meadow, and brought home a Load of Swamp Hay which I have of Mr. Eliezer Rice.

1746 August 17 (Sunday).  On Consideration of the Singular Mercy and Goodness of God to Such a Number of my nearest Neighbours, in Sparing them in the late Engagement against the Indians at No. 4, and not having been able seasonably to finish my propos’d preparations I repeat’d a. and p.m. Sermon on Ps. 68.20.  The widow Woods din’d with us. N.B. Neighbour How and his son Daniel Sick of Fever and Flux.

1746 August 18 (Monday).  Mr. Dowsing here in the Morning.  The Boys to the Meadow. I rode there myself but they rak’d up but little of the Hay before the Rain prevail’d, and they return’d.  Was at Mr. James Maynards and at old Mr. Whipples in the Rain.

1746 August 19 (Tuesday).  A very rainy Time.  Yet Mr. Cushing and Morse being come I rode to the Meeting of the Ministers at Southborough.  But there were no more than Two come Besides — Messrs. Barrett and Smith.  N.B. I intimated that we had been too Partial in the late Times; particularly against Mr. Whitefield — this Somewhat rais’d Mr. Barrett and Mr. Smith.  This produc’d a Challenge to me to show if I were able any one Instance — with Impatience they heard me read an Extract from Bishop Halls Meditations and Vows,^[1] wherein he calls an Evil Man half a Beast and half a Devil, page 35 Folio Edition. N.B. Mr. Morse ask’d advice touching their Ministerial Lands — viz. what was his Duty now that his precinct had seiz’d upon them and sold them.  I ask’d their Advice also, respecting the Dismission of our North-precinct sisters who had been delinquent, and some of them frequently absent from the Communion but not Sent their requests to have their Relation transferr’d to the Second Church.  N.B. Mr. Smith Concio from John 8.12.

^[1]Joseph Hall, successively Bishop of Exeter and Norwich wrote Mediation and Vowes, Divine and Morall (London, 1609).  It appeared also as Newly Enlarged with 10 Vows and Meditations (London, 1609).  Still another enlarged edition was published in 1621.

1746 August 20 (Wednesday).  Mr. Loring came. Mr. Morse preach’d on Ps. 144.15.  N.B. Mr. Loring has lately been at Worcester and convers’d freely with New-Light People and he is wondrous Charitable respecting them, and in his Trial fears that under the Notion of New-Light all true Religion is in Danger of being exploded — An Enigma of the Devil!  says he.

1746 August 21 (Thursday).  Mr. Martyn din’d with me and preach’d my Lecture on Ps. 63.8 — an Excellent Discourse!  I pray God to bless it to me and all that heard it. I stopp’d the Church after Lecture and obtain’d a Vote for the Dismission of 12 North-side sisters. N.B. Mr. Wheeler, Daniel Hardy and David Maynard junior were against it and some others did not Vote for it.

1746 August 22 (Friday).  Visited Mr. Cooks and Barns’s Familys, and William Rogers who are ill of Fever and Flux.

1746 August 23 (Saturday).  Ebenezer brought home about 7 Cocks of Hay from the Meadow, which was all that was worth bringing since the Storm — the Rest lying out in swarth — and ‘its grown too late to cut any of the North-side of the Brook, the Grass is so dead.  So that we now finish at the Meadow for this Year.

1746 August 24 (Sunday).  Sacrament. I preach’d a.m. on Luke 24.46.  P.M. on Habac. 3.17.18. Mr. Benjamin Rugg of Northfield din’d with us.  Captain Fay absent from Dinner. P.M. Mrs. Whitney cry’d out in the middst of the sermon. I pray’d her to be as compos’d as possible; and she was not long a Disturbance.  At the Evening I was at the Funeral of a Child of Mr. Cook (his Lydia) which dy’d of the Fever and Flux. This Distemper begins to Spread among us; one of Mr. Barns’s Children also is Dead.  The Lord prepare His People for His holy Will!

1746 August 25 (Monday).  My wife and son Ebenezer undertake their Journey to New-Haven.  Ebenezer setts out presently after Dinner to get some Things in order at Mr. Parkers in Shrewsbury, but my wife tarrys a while, till I go to the Burial of Mr. Barns’s Child which is one of his Twins: — and behold the other Twin is also deceas’d, and they bury both in one Coffin!  Mrs. Barns is also ill and another Child. Mr. Cook and Several of his Children are sick. Some other Familys are visited. May God be mercifull to us in a Day of Such Distress! As to my wife, she set out after 3 o’Clock and propos’d to lodge at Worcester tonight; Dr. Breck and his Wife to be Company as far as Mr. Devotions in Windham.  May they have a prosperous Journey by the will of God! N.B. Abraham Batchellor help [sic] Thomme get up a Load of Hay from the Swamp, which was the Finishing Load.

1746 August 26 (Tuesday).  Catechetical Exercise. I deliver’d the latter part of the sermon on Isa. 1.9.  Am greatly concern’d for my poor Neighbours who are sorely afflicted. Another of Mr. Cooks Children dyes — his little Sarah of about [blank] years.

1746 August 27 (Wednesday).  Went to the Funeral of Mr. Cooks little Daughter; and such was the will of God his little son Solomon is dead also!  Deacon Newton and some others seem desirous to have ‘em both bury’d to Day, though the latter dy’d but this morning.  It was, however, deferr’d till tomorrow when they Saw that I was not free to Countenance it.  It might soon have caus’d evil Report of Mr. Cook that he Should so soon hurry his Children into the Grave, as if having many of them and being an odd man he was afraid they should come to life again.  I visited Mr. Barns’s, as I have been also at Neighbour Rogers’s, where there are Two Children sick; and Neighbour Hows, where most of them are out of Case: but especially their grandson Jonathan.  N.B. Last night there was a Third Frost, and in Some places more destructive than the preceeding.  N.B. Deacon Moore^[1] of Worcester din’d with me.  He had been to Mr. Stone to see whether he could not administer the Lords Supper to them but he is design’d for Harwich.

^[1]Nathaniel Moore, an early settler, was often elected selectman.

1746 August 28 (Thursday).  A Rainy Day, yet in the Rain I went on Foot to Mr. Cooks little Solomon’s Funeral: having Catechiz’d the Boys at Meeting House a.m.  No Girls p.m. it was So Wet and stormy. Captain Warrins Young Child (I hear) very bad.

1746 August 29 (Friday).  A very Wet stormy Day again. This Day was appoint’d for a Fast at the Widow Rice’s at Hopkinton on account of her youngest son, Samuel Whood, who has a grievous sore in the lower part of his Back, has lain long and is thought to be consuming away.  Mr. Barrett has sent also to Mr. Stone to assist him with me. I walk’d to Mr. Williams’s afternoon. He had offer’d me his Horse to go to the Fast. I rode over. Mr. Stone in his last prayer of the former Exercise. Mr. Barrett was not return’d from Boston.  I carry’d on the Latter Exercise: preach’d on Isa. 38.2.3. The poor young man very grievously afflicted, and in a Dangerous Condition. The Lord accept our Offering! I return’d at Eve to my Family.

1746 August 30 (Saturday).  At the Funeral of Captain Warrins youngest Child.  My Daughter Molly ill and full of pain. Ever since Wednesday Night. She seems to have the Same Distemper with my Neighbours.  N.B. I was at Neighbour Ebenezer Maynards in the morning and pray’d with his wife who is Sick also. Neighbour Rogers’s Betty dy’d last night.

1746 August 30 (Saturday).  At the Funeral of Captain Warrins youngest Child.  My Daughter Molly ill and full of pain. Ever since Wednesday Night. She seems to have the Same Distemper with my Neighbours.  N.B. I was at Neighbour Ebenezer Maynards in the morning and pray’d with his wife who is Sick also. Neighbour Rogers’s Betty dy’d last night.

1746 August 31 (Sunday).  Could not prepare my Discourse design’d for to day, by means of my many Hindrances all the Week long.  Preach’d on Rev. 6.8 a.m. without any material Alteration except a few Passages omitted, respecting the Distemper.  P.M. On Eph. 5.6. A great deal of the Beginning without more writing than a few broken Hints; the body of the sermon was from Page 19 to 28 of sermon on Eph. 2.3, latter part.  O that God might sett home on the Hearts of all, especially on Children those fervence Exercises! Mr. Jenison din’d with me. At noon the Church was Stopp’d to lay before them the Consideration of a Day of Fasting and Prayer in this gloomy Time.  They freely and readily came into it and seem’d glad of it. A Vote pass’d and Thursday next (by Divine Leave) appointed herefor. After sermon p.m. I recommended the Same to the Congregation and published the Church’s Vote and Purpose. And O that God would please to prepare all our Hearts thereunto!  At Eve I attended upon the Funeral of Neighbour John Rogers’s Daughter Betty. Rainy Evening. N.B. Ebenezer Maynard went to Dr. Gott for his wife and brought physick for Molly which she took.

1746 September 1 (Monday).  Wrote a Letter at the fervent Desire of his Wife to Mr. John Rogers (now a soldier at or near Winchester) to inform of the distress of his Family and the Death of his Child Betty, and the sickness of little Persis. I wrote also a Number of Letters to Neighbouring Ministers to desire their Assistance at the propos’d Fast.  Lieutenant Tainter here. Kill’d my old Ram. Molly took another part of her purge, and I hope she is better. Deo Soli Laus!  A long Time of Foul Weather.  Tis not a little dull without my Dear Consort — but how is it with them who part for 5 nay 10 Times so long?  How lonely soever I am, yet how happy is She in the Embraces of her dear Pierpoint? She has so many articles to reveal and to hear that She can have little Leisure to think of what she has left behind.  But how Ardent and United were we this Day Nine Year ago! when our Nuptials were Celebrated at Mr. Pierpoints at Boston. The Lord has pleas’d to overlook the many miscarriages and Defects which we have been chargeable with since, especially my own!  and make us Mutually Blessings, and Helps to the Kin of God! O how soon the Time will come when there will be neither marrying nor giving in Marriage, but the Saints shall be as the Angels of God!

1746 September 2 (Tuesday).  Very Rainy the greatest part of the Day.  Clear’d off late p.m. Mr. Daniel Maynard of Marlborough informs me that Captain Moses Rice is gone down the Road from Boston, a post from Deerfield to inform that Hoosuck (or Massachusetts Fort) was lately Burnt and Destroyed by the Indians.

1746 September 3 (Wednesday).  Visited Mr. Hows^[1] Family again, they being all ill.  Their son Benjamin also is taken.  Was at the Funeral of another of Mr. Barns’s Children and visited Mr. Cooks Family.  There heard of Madam Shirley’s^[2] Death, a great Loss to our Province because of her influence with the Duke of New Castle.

^[1]Parkman’s neighbor and old friend, Hezekiah How.

^[2]Frances Barker Shirley, wife of Governor William Shirley of Mass.

1746 September 4 (Thursday).  This Day was observ’d by us in this Parish as a Time of Solemn Humilliation Fasting and Prayer on account of the great Mortality among us.  I Sent to all the Neighbouring Ministers, but Mr. Barrett and Mr. Stone only came. Mr. Martyn had appointed a Lecture on this Very Day, and had engag’d Mr. Cushing to preach it.  A.M. I pray’d and Mr. Stone preach’d on Heb. 3.7.8. P.M. Mr. Barrett both pray’d and preach’d: his Text, Ps. 37.2. A Considerable assembly. Some Number of Strangers. O that God would accept our Offering and answer our fervent Supplications — that He would pardon our Defects and grant an abiding Effect of his Word upon us!  May our Souls be heal’d, the Hand of God sanctify’d and when it Shall be best, the Affliction removed! May this Day be Some Suitable Preparatory for the Special Work before me tomorrow also — the Lord give Me wisdom and Instruction!

1746 September 5 (Friday).  Vide Natalitia.  P.M. I visited both Family of Hows, widow Tomlins^[1] Grand Daughter (Mercy Wait) who is sick, and Mr. John Chamberlins son John in a Dangerous Condition.

^[1]The widow of Deacon Isaac Tomlin.

1746 September 6 (Saturday).  Captain Winchesters Troop return from No. 4. Nathan Maynard help’d with the Women and Children.  Thomme mended up the Partition Fence against the North lower orchard.

1746 September 7 (Sunday).  On Ps. 90.5.7. May God give an Effectual Blessing to these Exercises that both old and young may receive Saving Good and Benefit thereby.

1746 September 8 (Monday).  Visited divers Sick.  Neighbour Tomlin^[1] came and desir’d me to go to Mr. Chamberlins to See his little son who was near his End, they fear’d.  I went, but he had gasp’d.  I minister’d to them as I was able, in Exhorting etc. Pray’d with them and proceeded in my Visit to Meeting with Messrs. Howe. At Eve Eli Forbush borrow’d Tully’s Orations — and having heard that Mr. Barns has lost their Fourth and last Child, I improv’d Eli to go to Mr. Barns and acquaint them that Mr. Chamberlin had fix’d the Time for his Son’s Funeral to be (God Willing) tomorrow at 2 o’Clock; and that therefore they must avoid appointing their Child’s to be at the Same Time.

^[1]Isaac Tomlin, Jr.

1746 September 9 (Tuesday).  I expected word from Mr. Barns’s but none came.  I attended the Funeral at Mr. Chamberlins.  N.B. Dr. Smith there, their Daughter Betty being ill.  He brought Ebenezers Hatt from Mr. Cushings.^[1]  N.B. Mr. Winchester a Letter from Joshua Winchester a Soldier at Deerfield, who informs that Thomas is not well — is posted at Pelham Fort.  The Lord graciously preserve him and defend him!

^[1]Reverend Job Cushing of Shrewsbury.

1746 September 10 (Wednesday).  At Eve I visited Mr. Barns and his wife, whose House lately a place of great Joy and Life, is now become a solitude and a Desert.  Mr. Jenison pray’d at their Child’s Funeral yesterday.

1746 September 11 (Thursday).  Captain Maynard here to inform me from Dr. Breck that his Sister and my son were well last Friday was Sennight at Hartford: and he tells me he Saw a Copy of a Letter Sign’d by Mr. John Norton late preacher at Hoosuck Fort^[1] which informs that the French and Indians besieg’d their fort, slew Thomas Knowlton and captivated all the rest.  Read the account of Canada in six Chapters with an appendix lately published.  Thomme by the help of Nathan Maynard made Cyder.  One of my Oxen still very mischievous.

^[1]Reverend John Norton (Yale 1737) was serving as chaplain to the soldiers in various forts in western Massachusetts.  At Fort Massachusetts, within the present township of Adams, Norton was taken captive, Aug. 20, 1746.  He later published the narrative of his captivity and release.  John Norton, The Redeemed Captive (Boston, 1748).  See Dexter, Biographical Sketches, 587-88.  [Was this related to John Norton, Narrative of the Capture and Burning of Fort Massachusetts by the French and Indians, in the time of the War of 1744-1749, and the Captivity….  Written at the Time by One of the Captives (North Adams, Mass., 1933; originally published 1748)?]

1746 September 12 (Friday).  Neighbour Edwards Whipple helped Thomme bring Home Two Barrells of Cyder.  Mornings have been foggy and some Days of late misty — but yesterday and to Day pleasant sunshine. Hear of Several Deaths in our North Precinct, viz. Mr. Jacob Rice^[1] has bury’d one — and now Mr. Matthias Rice’s little Foster son which they Set their Hearts much upon.  Receiv’d (per Hand of Mr. Ebenezer Johnson of Southborough) a Letter from my Wife, when She was at [illegible], brought by Dr. Brown.

^[1]Eunice Rice died Sept. 5, 1746.

1746 October 13 (Monday).  Mr. Bass, who had kept Sabbath with us, return’d to Lancaster, a Sober modest young gentleman, and I perceive is something observably Skill’d in the Hebrew. May God be pleas’d to make him a great Blessing in his Generation!  P.M. was at the Funeral of Mr. Edwards Whipples Daughter.  Visited his Brother Francis’ Daughter Abigail who is taken sick.  We have observ’d that the Child bury’d to Day is the 24th that has died in Town since August 23, when Mr. Cook’s first (which dy’d) expir’d.  Our Children Billy and Suse are somewhat indispos’d with Flux, but (through Divine Goodness) run about yet.  Ebenezer made Cyder at Mr. Hows.^[1]  At Eve had a Quarter of Beef from Mr. Jonah Warrin.  Stormy and some snow.

^[1]Neighbor Hezekiah How.

1746 September 13 (Saturday).  Wrote a Letter to my Wife but had no Opportunity to Send it.  My sister is so indispos’d that She is afraid She is going to have a Distemper

1746 September 14 (Sunday).  On Habac. 3.17.18 and p.m. repeated sermon on Mat. 10.29.30.  Mr. Jenison and Mr. Dunlop din’d here.  N.B. A Letter from my Wife (per Hand of Mr. Daniel Forbush^[1]) Dated at New Haven.  Most truely welcome.  I grow not a little uneasy at their Absence.  God be pleas’d to protect both her and my son and return them in Safety!  Dull weather now and then Showers.

^[1]Son of Deacon Jonathan Forbush.

1746 September 15 (Monday).  Mr. Tainter here to see my Sister and invited my Sister to spend a few Days at their House.  Mrs. Fay (Captain’s Wife) here, with a large Present, viz. a Cheese, 3 pounds Butter and Two Considerable pieces of Salt Pork.  Visited Neighbour Chamberlin’s Daughter Betty.  Had Mr. Tomlins Mare to go to Mr. Eleazer Bellows to see his Daughter Forbush^[1] in her great Trouble by her Husbands Captivity and sickness of her Child.

^[1]Sarah Bellows had married Phinehas Forbush.