Author: Anthony Vaver

1747 February 4 (Wednesday).  More Moderate. School at Captain Maynards but children couldn’t go by reason of the deep Snow.  Eli din’d here. Mr. How came and sign’d the Conveyance of Rights. At Eve Stephen Fay here — informs me that both the plotts I committed to his Care were accepted at the Proprietors Meeting on Monday last.  Eli Forbush and Asaph Rice came at Eve to Lodge and board here.

1747 February 5 (Thursday).  Bright and comfortable.  I finish’d reading Mr. Lowth^[1] on the prophecys.  At Eve I visited Mr. Baker again, at Captain Maynards, Mr. Jenison also being there.  I pass’d along on Banks most commonly as high, and many Times above the Fences.  Mr. Baker much recover’d.

^[1]William Lowth, D.D. (1661-1732), the distinguished English theologian, wrote a number of works on prophets and prophecies.  These works appeared separately at first and then in several collected editions.

1747 February 6 (Friday).  Mr. Richard Barns of Marlborough lyes Dead.  The Lord convince me of my own Frail and dying Nature! and O that I might be ready.  At Eve Mr. Jension, and supp’d here.

1747 February 7 (Saturday).  Thomme carry’d a Letter to Mr. Bezaleel Eager for Conveyance, which I have directed to Mr. Stephen Fessendin^[1] at Worcester and containing Mr. Pierpoints Account of Esquire Lee’s Debt.  N.B. Mr. Jenison went this morning over to a Corner of Bolton and Marlborough to preach there.  Eli and Asaph recited to me therefore.

^[1](Harvard 1737).  A lawyer in Worcester.

1747 February 8 (Sunday).  A moderate, pleasant Day — not a few came to meeting on Racketts.  I preach’d again on Dan. 2.35.

1747 February 9 (Monday).  Ebenezer work’d for Mr. Chamberlin.  A.M. somewhat cloudy. P.M. pleasant.

1747 February 10 (Tuesday).  I visited Mr. Richard Barns on consideration of the Loss of his Father.  I rode also to Mr. Cushing at Shrewsbury and din’d there.  N.B. The road from my House to the Country Road but Steppings through deep Snow, but the Great Road very Smooth.  N.B. Mr. Prentice^[1] of Lancaster ill, and has not preach’d for Some Sabbaths.  P.M. I Rode to Worcester.  Deliver’d Colonel Chandler his third and fourth volumes of Pamela with my Daughter Mollys gratitude.  We went to his son Johns and Drank Tea.  In the morn I set Johnson to do me a small jobb, the mending a small ironing box.  Went to Dr. Brecks.^[2]  We spent the Evening chiefly at Mr. Fessendens.  Lodg’d at the Doctors.  N.B. Mr. Fessendens Poem on the taking Louisbourg.^[3]  N.B. Worcester without preaching 3 Sabbaths.  N.B. The Time for the Claims to Esquire Lee’s Estate, out 3 Days before my Letter to Mr. Fessenden last Saturday.

^[1]The Reverend John Prentice.

^[2]Samuel Breck, the physician.

^[3]This was not published.

1747 February 11 (Wednesday).  After Breakfast the Doctor and I rode to Mr. Hedge’s.  I went to borrow a volume of Mr. Henry^[1] — but it was at Sutton: but he set a Time for me to Send for it.  I din’d at Colonel Chandlers with Major Keys etc.  I read the Colonel Mr. Fessendens Poem on Louisbourg inscrib’d to Governor Shirley — which the Colonel promis’d to present to the Governor.  Major Keyes^[2] my Company to Shrewsbury.  Receiv’d a Pair of black Shoes for my Daughter Molly and paid Mr. Parker^[3] all to this Day, viz. 4£ 1.6.  Home at Eve.  My wife still in her usual State which she has been of late.

^[1]Matthew Henry (1662-1714), a learned, dissenting minister of Cheshire, England, was the author of many theological works.

^[2]John Keyes of Shrewsbury.

^[3]Stephen Parker of Shrewsbury.

1747 February 12 (Thursday).  A Rainy and thawing Day, but Thomme went to Mr. Johnsons Mill at Southborough.

1747 February 13 (Friday).  Bright, but Windy, as it was very much last Night.  Mr. Simon Tainter^[1] of Grafton here with a Letter from that Church to me requesting me to join with four other ministers viz. Reverend Messrs. Martyn, Hall,^[2] Webb^[3] and Stone,^[4] to advise them in their Difficultys.  The Day appoint’d is the 24th Instant, the place of Meeting the house of Mr. Joseph Rice^[5] in Grafton.  I return’d that I would endeavour to if my Family Circumstances did not prevent which they might be like to know more of by next Thursday.

^[1]Son of Deacon Simon Tainter of Westborough.

^[2]David Hall of Sutton.

^[3]Nathan Webb of Uxbridge.

^[4]Nathan Stone of Southborough.

^[5]He lived in the part of Grafton that later became the town of Millbury.

1747 February 14 (Saturday).  Mr. Jenison leaves the School again this Morning to go over to Mr. Jones’s to preach there tomorrow.  So that Eli and Asaph are oblig’d to recite to me.

1747 February 15 (Sunday).  All Day again on Dan. 2.35 last Clause.  Mr. Joseph Knowlton, Mrs. Tainter and Mrs. Miller din’d here as well as Eli and Asaph.  Comfortable Day my wife at Meeting — but has been for this long Time in great Pains. N.B. Mr. Joseph Miles’ son Joseph of about 8 was taken sick last Thursday his Father being gone to Boston, and dy’d the next Day before his Father return’d home.

1747 February 16 (Monday).  Rainy, as it was all night.  My wife very full of pain.  This Morning I sent Ebenezer for Mrs. Forbush.^[1]  Eli was not here last night but came in the forenoon.  Asaph recited to me there being no Schoolmaster.  P.M. they were both dismiss’d and they went to Captain Forbush’s.  A Number of Women here.  Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard and her sons wife, Mrs. How, Mr. David Maynards wife and his Brother Ebenezers, Captain Forbush’s and Mr. Richard Barns’s.  My son Ebenezer went for the most of them.  At night I resign my Dear Spouse to the infinite Compassions, allsufficiency and sovereign pleasure of God and under God to the good Women that are with her, waiting Humbly the Event.

^[1]Granny Forbush often served as midwife.

1747 February 17 (Tuesday).  A mustering there was in the Night, but my Wife grew Easy again and I saw her in the Morning.  But her pains returning I retir’d.  God almighty most gracious and mercifull be pleas’d to extend His Pity and Help! About 7 o’Clock a.m. a Fourth living Son was born, and my wife liv’d through it and becomes Comfortable through the tender Mercy and Goodness of God — to whom be all Honour, praise and Glory! The women broke fast with me — and the morning being pleasant — divers of them walk’d home others rode.  Mrs. Forbush Stay’d and din’d.  Eli and Asaph went to Captain Forbushs yesterday but today return’d and din’d with us.  Mr. Jenison did not return’d [sic] from where he preach’d last Sabbath till late this forenoon.  P.M. Brother Hicks happen’d to come from Sutton on purpose to see and lodg’d here.  N.B. Mrs. Forbush went home p.m. and would take no pay.  N.B. Child the Glazier here and I paid him all.  N.B. Mr. Jenison supp’d with me.  N.B. Sad Thieving of Cattle and sheep of late by Jonathan Willard^[1] and [blank] Cutting^[2] of Shrewsbury.

^[1]This man, presumed to be a descendant of the distinguished Major Simon Willard of Lancaster, later moved to Greenfield.  See Ward, Shrewsbury, pp. 477-478.

^[2]Several persons of this name were then living in Shrewsbury.

1747 February 18 (Wednesday).  Very pleasant Day — the Snow has Shrunk by the late Rains and the present Warmth, at no Small rate.  Brother Hicks went Home. P.M. Mrs. Chamberlin (wife of John) here. Had talk with her about her being disgusted at my desiring my Wife might be excus’d from being at her last groaning — it being sabbath Day and when I was not very well.

1747 February 19 (Thursday).  Very pleasant Day. Ebenezer breaks flax.  I was somewhat devoted to my Preparations but was interrupted almost all the afternoon by a Visit from Mr. Ebenezer Baker.  Yet he behav’d with great Civility. At Eve Mr. Francis Whipple and his Wife here. He acquaints me that Lieutenant Tainter was a far more hurtfull opposer of the Petition which was lately put into the General Court by a Great Number of Inhabitants of this Town respecting my Salary, than even any person of the north side whosoever; especially in his Discourse at Boston with the Honourable Joseph Wilder Esquire the chairman of the Committee to whom he said Petition is referr’d.

1747 February 20 (Friday).  Bright — but raw cold East Wind.

1747 February 21 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1747 February 22 (Sunday).  On the occasion of the Baptism of my Infant I preach’d on 1 Chron. 29.19.  I would earnestly Sett myself to the Great Work of renewing the Covenent with the Glorious God: and infinite Thanks are due to Him that I may have this Honour and Privilege.  O that God would grant Me a Perfect Heart in all I undertake! in Special in the Work now incumbent — and I beseech God to grant to each of my Children graciously given to Me, a perfect Heart also: in a particular Manner to the Child we this Day dedicate to Him by the Name of Alexander, In Commemoration of my Mothers Father, and my youngest Brother.  N.B. After Sermon p.m. I read the Act of the General Court against profane Cursing and Swearing.

1747 February 23 (Monday).  A very fine Day. I sent Thomme to Marlborough to visit Mr. Williams the Sadler, and to Deacon Andrew Rice’s.  I visited Neighbour Rogers — and their Son Johns Wife, and Mrs. Garfield wife of Ebenezer, her Husband not being at Home.  Dr. Gott here and din’d with me. Ebenezer cutting Post Stuff in the Ministerial Lott. N.B. A second young Lamb dead.

1747 February 24 (Tuesday).  Mr. Martyn came, and in Conformity to the Request of the Church in Grafton we rode up there, first to Reverend Mr. Prentice’s where was Mr. Stone and thence to Mr. Joseph Rice’s, where we were entertain’d.  Mr. Webb of Uxbridge came also, but Mr. Hall of Sutton came not. After Dinner we had something of Formality, and they chose me Moderator and Mr. Martyn Scribe. I pray’d — their Grievances were then laid before us.

1747 February 25 (Wednesday).  Though we were adjourn’d to 8 a.m. yet no Business was done till noon.  Mr. Hall came. We sent messages to the five Separating Brethren praying ‘em to let us Speak with them: viz. to Messrs. Jacob and Joseph Whipple, Joseph Goodell, Nehemiah Batchelor and Thomas Axtell.  N.B. The Church Sent to them — and our messages accompany’d Theirs. Only the first and the last came, viz. Jacob Whipple and Thomas Axtell, and with them we had Some considerable Discourse, but I Suppose to be little Effect.  Josiah Lyon also appear’d and our Conference with him was drawn out to Considerable Length. They judg’d the very Ground work and gathering of the Church in Grafton was not according to the Gospel. They Vindicated the Doctrine of Knowledge of one another by the union of Love etc. etc.  Not to bed till very late.

1747 February 26 (Thursday).  Though we were adjourn’d to eight o’Clock this Morning yet the Church did not come together till noon, nor any of the offended in any season for us to begin our Business.  The Remainder of the Hearing was up in Neighbour Rice’s Chamber. Towards Evening Mr. Hall return’d Home — though our Business was extreme arduous. We apply’d ourselves with some Resolution to prepare our Judgment and gather up a Result.  In this we spent the Whole Night — I never put off my Cloths, yet Mr. Martyn and Mr. Stone Slept not at all.

1747 February 27 (Friday).  In the Morning When Mr. Prentice came, we were much retarded about our Result, by the happy Effect which our Endeavours had met with in him: for he was Convinc’d of his Errors and Misconduct and was ready to come into some Retractions.  We (the Ministers) all went out among the people (who waited all Day for our Result) to see how they were temper’d towards Mr. Prentice — but there was some Number that would not consent to receive him again as a Minister, though they would as a Brother.  P.M. we drew up our Result and at Eve the Scribe read it.  Mr. Stone concluded with prayer and after a little stop at Mr. Prentice’s with his wife, we rode home.  N.B. we were so belated by the bad riding that we call’d at Captain Fays.  There was Mr. Solomon Pain^[1] — but we didn’t know him till after he  was gone out of the Room and (I suppose) to Bed.  Through Divine Goodness I got home safe — but my wife has had a bad Turn — and has been ill ever since I went away.  Mr. McCarty has been here in his Journey from Worcester to Boston.

^[1]A preacher without a college education who became the minister of the North Society in Canterbury, Conn.

1747 February 28 (Saturday).  Closely Engag’d in my Preparations for tomorrow.

1747 March 1 (Sunday).  I preach’d on Ps. 51.18, and on Exod. 18.21.  Mrs. Sybil Child,^[1] Mr. Jonathan Forbushes wife and Eli and Asaph din’d with us.  I am exceedingly afraid of the Mischief Mr. Solomon Pain will be able to do in Grafton just now.

^[1]Mrs. Jonas Child.

1747 March 2 (Monday).  Town Meeting. Mr. Wheeler and Nathan Ball came to request me to go to prayer with them.  Lieutenant Holloway here, and pleasant. Sad News from Annapolis, but Time will certifie us.  Reckon’d with Deacon Newton and with his son Silas.

1747 March 3 (Tuesday).  In the forenoon came Mr. Aaron Hardy from Grafton and din’d here.  He gives but a dark account of Things among them — tells me Mr. Solomon Pain is (as I greatly fear’d) among them and preaching.  The Separation likely (by these means) to increase there.  At Evening came Mr. Harwood,^[1] of Grafton Church who had been over to Mr. Martyn for the Result, and had with him a Copy for the Church and for Mr. Prentice.

^[1]Benjamin Harwood.

1747 March 4 (Wednesday).  It was Somewhat drisly — but I rode over to Mr. Martyns and preach’d his Lecture, from 1 Pet. 1.18.19, and return’d at Eve.

1747 March 5 (Thursday).  Mr. Martyn preach’d my Lecture on [blank].  Take heed how ye hear,^[1] a very usefull, savoury Sermon and which I hope God is pleas’d to make use of for our awakening and quickening.  May it especially be profitable to my own Soul!

^[1][Additional note: Luke 8.18, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.”]

1747 March 6 (Friday).  Thomme accompany’d by Ebenezer rode down to Marlborough to live at Mr. Williams’s, the Sadler.  May God be pleas’d to Smile on this attempt for his Benefit! and make him serviceable in his Generation! Ebenezer brought me 50£ Old Tenor from Deacon Andrew Rice, borrow’d of upon Bond, to pay my Brother Samuel Parkman.

1747 March 7 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1747 March 8 (Sunday).  Sacrament. On 1 Pet. 1.18.19.  Deacon Fay, Eli and Asaph din’d here.  P.M. got Deacon Newton to read (in part) the Act of the General Court against profane Cursing and Swearing again.  He read Slow and the people began to drop away so that I finish’d it myself. Receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Stone dated February 28 about our Result.

1747 March 9 (Monday).  A.M. at Mr. Whipples and got him to come and kill a Calf of 7 weeks old for me, and he din’d with me, as did Mr. Prentice of Grafton who came down to see me under his heavy Burdens.  He freely tells me that now he can have no Thoughts of tarrying in Grafton. Their Church is to meet tomorrow and he thinks he must ask a Dismission: his wife having been to hear Mr. Solomon Pain; and last Saturday Morning declar’d for the Separation.  N.B. Mr. Samuel Forbush of Upton here and Examin’d in order to his owning the Covenant. Mr. Daniel Fisk also of Upton here and carry’d off the Pork which he bought of me.

1747 March 10 (Tuesday).  Neighbour Edwards Whipple carry’d his Loading to Boston on my Mare he taking with him my Calf to market it for me, and 70£ Old Tenor to Brother Samuel Parkman.  N.B. I was at Neighbour Eliezer Rice’s this morning and improv’d him to take a Time to go and buy me a pair of Steers of Mr. Timothy Warrin. Mr. James Maynard here, but he can’t finish his account with me.  Mr. Wheeler here and acquaints me with the Death of Mr. Benjamin Rugg last Night at his House, and with his wife’s Request to me to attend his Funeral tomorrow, but I gave Mr. Wheeler divers Reason why I could not, being pre-engag’d.