Author: Anthony Vaver

October 23, 1746

1746 October 23 (Thursday).  Ebenezer fetch’d 4 1/2 Bushel Turnips from Mr. Hezekiah Pratts which with 1 1/2 receiv’d already was my 6 propos’d Stock of him (at 3/6 per Bushel) but he afterwards sent Me a Bag more which were his present to Me.  P.M. my Sons gather’d the rest of the Corn. I rode to Shrewsbury upon Several Small Affairs, but perceiv’d that people were gone to Lecture (which I had heard nothing of) whereupon I Snatch’d the Opportunity and went also.  Mr. Martyn preach’d on John 8.23. Those words — Ye are of this World. N.B. His Wife with him. We return’d to the parting of our Roads together. N.B. I was with Colonel Ward and Requested his Chair to wait on my sister Willard to Boston; who Consented to it without Difficulty.

October 24, 1746

1746 October 24 (Friday).  Wondrous pleasant weather from Day to Day. As I last night had Some Discourse with Deacon Newton and Mr. Elisha Ward about my Circumstances with relation to the Town and this Precinct, so I had to Day with Captain Warrin.  But I find no likelihood of a precinct meeting presently — unless I am my Self more Strenuous. N.B. Mr. Tinney was a work here in the Morning, mending the roof of my House.

October 26, 1746

1746 October 26 (Sunday).  On Tit. 2.12, those words, “So live soberly,” and repeat’d on p.m. the last part of sermon on Job 22.21.  At Eve came Mr. Grindal Rawson[1] a School Master and preacher at Worcester, who had preach’d at Southborough the preceding Day, and he lodg’d here.

[1]Harvard 1741).  Later the minister at Ware, 1751-1754, and of Yarmouth, 1755- 1760.  Sibley, XI, 58-64.

October 28, 1746

1746 October 28 (Tuesday).  What Patience and Longsuffering of God are we call’d to Celebrate and magnifie Since we have been indulg’d now Two and Twenty Years in Church State and Relation.  The Lords Name be prais’d with my whole Soul, and by all his people of this place!  But may we be truely humbl’d for our Shamefull unprofitableness!  And O that we might obtain the Quickening Grace of God that we may become More fruitfull and faithfull under our Sacred Bonds and Obligations and unspeakable Advantages!  I endeavour’d to take some Notice of the Way — but alas with much Brokenness and Interruptions.  Towards Eve Mr. Millen[1] of Chauxit here.  My Wife rode to Mr. Grouts.  Ebenezer to Colonel Wards of Shrewsbury for his Chair.  I walk’d at Eve to see Ensign Newton again, who seem’d a little reviv’d and Easy — was in at Deacon Newtons.  May God fitt us all for sickness and Death!

[1]The Reverend John Mellen of Sterling.

October 30, 1746

1746 October 30 (Thursday).  Rode to Boston in the Morning.  Sister Betty very ill. She was brought home from Lieutenant Williams’s (of Lynn End) last Saturday.  Was much griev’d as were all her Friends to see her so much concern’d about her Daughter Eliza’s having her design’d Share of the Estate; and was in agony to have Elias to take his Pen and Ink and Sett down what Eliza should have.  I din’d at Mrs. Keggells, and rode with her over to her Brother Bass’s at Dorchester. Return’d at Eve. Horse kept at Procters. Visited sister Betty, who had been yet more uneasy in the afternoon before a multitude of people in her Chamber, about her son Elias — but was now calmer. Methinks she apparently grows worse.  I made opportunity to talk freely with her alone. She took it thankfully. Mr. Joseph White (her uncle) came to see her also and he talk’d in a savoury Manner. I Lodg’d with my Kinsman. Sent Mr. Tinneys Horse home with Mr. Phinehas Hardy.

October 31, 1746

1746 October 31 (Friday).  Took my Final Leave of Sister Betty — being convinc’d that I should never see her again, for the Season of the Year obliges me to return home, and we know not but she may lye so several Days.  Din’d at Brother Alexanders — and having dispatch’d my Business rode with Molly in the Same Chair I came down in, to Cambridge.

November 1, 1746

1746 November 1 (Saturday).  As we were going to mount in order to return Home, my Kinsman Nathaniel Parkman[1] came with Speed to acquaint me that Sister Betty dy’d this Morning.  My Daughter and I Set out upon our Journey, fearing the weather might change and my Limbs be more affected.  But upon second Thought we turn’d down the Road from Captain Wells’s.  I return’d to Boston to my mourning distress’d Friends.  May God Sanctify the Breach to us all, as to my dear Young Kinsfolk — Special may the Lord take them up!  may they have wisdom to Conduct!  may they live in Love and Peace!  Captain White kindly ask’d me to put up my Chair into his House and my Mare into his Stable.  Lodg’d with my Kinsman.

[1]Parkman’s nephew, the son of William Parkman.

November 6, 1746

1746 November 6 (Thursday).  My Horse has been kept till now at Captain Whites.  An Exceeding Cold wind in the Morning, yet Molly and I set out in the Chair and rode home, having stop’d and been kindly refresh’d at Mr. Thomas Dana’s,[1] Mr. Patersons[2] and at Mr. Darlings.[3]  Got home well and found my Family well.  Blessed be God!  But in my Absence It has pleas’d God to take away Ensign Thomas Newton and his wife, and one of their Son Abners little sons of the Fever and Flux.

[1]Of Cambridge.

[2]Joseph Patterson of Watertown.

[3]Thomas Darling of Framingham.

November 7, 1746

1746 November 7 (Friday).  Snow, Cold, Blustering — and yet Sun shine.  Sent Colonel Wards Chair Home by my son Ebenezer — who brought Monsieur Calmetts Dictionary[1] volume I from Mr. Cushings.  ‘Rody and Jonathan Devereux help’d my sons husk at Eve, but twas very Cold.

[1]Augustin Calmet, An Historical, Critical, Geographical, Chronological, and Etymological Dictionary of the Holy Bible (London, 1732), 3 vols.

November 11, 1746

1746 November 11 (Tuesday).  I rode to Grafton — din’d at Mr. Prentice’s — where was Mr. Thomas Harringtons wife of Waltham.  Mr. Prentice and I walk’d to Mr. Joseph Batchellors — at Mr. Brooks[1] — at Mr. Winchesters.[2]  Visited old Mrs. Tabitha Fay[3] who is taken very bad.  At my own house and Barn Elizer Rice and 4 or 5 more are Husking, it being very moderate Weather.

[1]Ebenezer Brooks of Grafton.

[2]Benjamin Winchester.

[3]Mrs. Samuel Fay.

November 13, 1746

1746 November 13 (Thursday).  A.M. I rode to Deacon Newtons.  Visited old Mrs. Tabitha Fay.  P.M. proceeded to Mr. Francis Whipples whose Family (a Number of them) is sick.  Thence I went to Mr. James Maynards and to Ensign Rice’s.  N.B. Mrs. Rice’s inveighing against Mr. Martyn; against his prayers at Ensign Newtons Funeral.  She is greatly displeas’d with me for assisting in his Ordination.  I rode up to Colonel Ward,[1] who was too generous to ask anything for his Chair to Boston.  Was also at Dr. Smiths[2] as I return’d.

[1]Nahum Ward of Shrewsbury.

[2]Joshua Smith, the physician of Shrewsbury.

November 14, 1746

1746 November 14 (Friday).  At Eve Mr. Noah Brooks[1] of Grafton here — being in much perplexity and Difficulty not knowing what was his Duty respecting their approaching Sacrament.  Since he and others had complain’d of Ezekiel Cole[2] for his preaching and the Church had condemm’d him as disorderly, yet had lately voted him forgiveness if he would reform, notwithstanding they have had no Signs of his Repentence — nay have reason to fear he has had not Conviction of his offence.

[1]Son of Ebenezer Brooks.

[2]An uneducated preacher who was later ordained.  He became the minister of the Separatist Church in Sutton, 1751-1799.