Author: Anthony Vaver

1747 March 11 (Wednesday).  Mr. Wheeler yesterday instead of going to Reverend Mr. Cushing or Morse to attend the Funeral of Mr. Rugg, Sought only to Mr. Jenison, who left his School and went.  Mr. Benjamin Harwood (of Grafton Church) here, in the Morning and he informs me that their Church met yesterday and voted our Result, though I perceiv’d that it was but a Slender Majority of 20 against 18.  Mr. Harwood in his own and others behalf, desires the Ministers would discover their Judgment touching some Doctrine pass’d over in the Result, by means of Mr. Prentice’s Retractions. I rode to Southborough to Meet Mr. Martyn and Mr. Stone together upon the Grafton affair.  Din’d at Mr. Stones with Mr. Martyn. The Latter preach’d on Mat. 11.23. N.B. Mr. Morse of Shrewsbury came to Lecture. After Lecture Mr. Morse laid before us his Difficultys — he having thrown up his Contract with his People and they have not, and tis thought will not make any new provision for him.  I was design’d to Marlborough but Mr. Stone sollicited much that I would stay tonight and that we all would, that we might have Time to Confer upon both the Grafton Affair and Mr. Morse’s Case also. We accordingly all of us lodged there.

1747 March 12 (Thursday).  We drew up and sign’d a Letter to the Reverend Mr. Prentice of Grafton advising him to ask a Dismission.  When we parted Mr. Morse for Medfield, Mr. Martyn to go and preach at Shrewsbury first Parish, and I went to Marlborough to Mr. Williams’s to see my son Thomas, who seems well contented as yet; to Dr. Gotts where I din’d — to Deacon Andrew Rice’s to change several Bills, and call’d only at the Door of Dr. Smiths, he not being at Home.  N.B. Saw Deacon Rice at Mr. Jonathan Brighams.  In returning I call’d at Mr. Thomas Goodenow’s.  At Home I found that Mr. Edwards Whipple had Come back from Boston last night.  He sold my Calf for £3 2.6 without the Skin.  N.B. Old Mrs. Whipple and Mrs. Amy Maynard^[1] here.

^[1]Mrs. Ebenezer Maynard.

1747 March 13 (Friday).  Strange Alteration of Weather.  Night and Morning Stormy.  Cold and Snow.  When the Day got up it clear’d off and was bright though Cold.  Mr. Hardy from Grafton here for a Return from the Ministers lately met at Mr. Stone’s.  I committed the Letter to him.  At Evening Brother Hicks and Mr. Daniel Champney^[1] — came and lodg’d here.  They inform me that Mr. John Sparhawk^[2] lately dy’d on board of a Vessel at Boston, newly come from Annapolis, and was bury’d in Boston.

^[1]Of Cambridge.  The cousin of Parkman’s first wife.

^[2]The former schoolmaster of Plymouth and Shrewsbury.

1747 March 14 (Saturday).  Brother Hicks and Mr. Champney at Sutton.

1747 March 15 (Sunday).  On 1 Cor. 1.24 and p.m. on Mat. 5.33 to 37.  Mr. Jonah Warrins wife and Mrs. Beeman^[1] din’d here.  May God give his Blessing to my Weak Endeavours! I desir’d prayers in the Congregation for my Brother Alexander who I hear is sick.

^[1]Mrs. Eleazer Beemon or Beamon.

1747 March 16 (Monday).  Visited Jonathan Maynard.  Dr. Gott din’d with us.  Meeting to choose precinct officers.  Major Williams^[1] of Stockbridge lodg’d here.  He was marching his Company down in order to his going to Annapolis but receiv’d Counter Orders on the Road — his men return’d back, but himself proceeding to Boston.

^[1]Ephraim Williams, the leading citizen of Stockbridge.

1747 March 17 (Tuesday).  Major Williams on his Journey.  At Mr. Tinnys and Jesse Brighams to buy oxen but do not succeed.  Visited at divers places — Levi Brighams, Charles Woods — William Rogers’s.  Ebenezer morticing posts. 40 at this beginning to do a days Work at it.

1747 March 18 (Wednesday).  Rainy Day.

1747 March 19 (Thursday).  Bright and pleasant. Ebenezer holding Posts.  Mrs. Garfield (Ebenezer Garfields wife) had my mare and so prevented my riding up to Mr. Wheelers to visit the widow Rugg, and p.m. came Mr. Samuel Forbush’s wife from Upton to be examin’d.  Mrs. Maynard (James’s wife) brought a great Rarity to us, 8 fine fish out of their Brook, chiefly (if not all) Pickerell and Somewhat large.

1747 March 20 (Friday).  Rode to Mr. Jesse Brighams — to Mr. Martyns: to Mr. Simon Haywards — to Mr. Wheelers to See Mrs. Rugg: to Mr. Crawfords — and was at Bezaleel Eagers.^[1]

^[1]All of the people in this entry resided in the North Precinct.

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

1747 March 22 (Sunday).  Rode over to Mr. Martyns according to agreement last Friday, and preach’d for him from 2 Cor. 3.15 and p.m. 10.14.  He preach’d for me on [blank].  P.M. It rain’d So that (though he return’d home), yet I did not, but lodg’d there.

1747 March 23 (Monday).  Din’d at Mr. Martyns; it being misty and rainy, but p.m. he and I rode to Mr. William Goddards^[1] and I bought a pair of Steers of him nigh 4 years old for 34£ old Tenor.  I return’d to my own House at Eve.

^[1]He lived in that part of Marlborough that later became the town of Berlin.

1747 March 24 (Tuesday).  Rainy Still.  Attended the Catechetical Exercise to young Women but there were So few that came (only 6 besides my own Girls) that we went not to the meeting House.  I discours’d to them next to Extemporarily on the Moral Law, the 10 Commandments, in general the manner of God’s delivering them etc., for I hardly expected anybody to come [in] such wet Weather.  N.B. I hear that Eliezer Rice went out of meeting last Lords Day as soon as first prayer was over — because it was Mr. Martyn, and I hear that Mr. Jenison instead of preaching last Sabbath at Mr. Jones’s^[1] (of Marlborough) as he has been wont of late, chang’d with Mr. Goss.^[2]

^[1]Samuel Jones.

^[2]The Reverend Thomas Goss of Bolton.

1747 March 25 (Wednesday).  Sent Ebenezer to Mr. Goddards for the Steers I lately bought of him and paid him 15£ old Tenor.  Mr. Martyn and his Wife made us a Visit and din’d here; as did Mr. Williams^[1] of Weston likewise, he being on his Journey from Worcester (where he had preach’d for Mr. Maccarty) to Framingham, to See old Colonel Buckminster who draws near his End.  Eli Forbush brought from Worcester Mr. Hedge’s^[2] Henry volume 5.

^[1]The Reverend William Williams.

^[2]Elisha Hedges.

1747 March 26 (Thursday).  Catechized a. and p.m. at the Meeting House.  14 Boys (with my own) in the whole.  5 Girls including my Daughter Lucy, and no more.  N.B. Mr. Willson^[1] of Upton (an Irishman) here, in affliction, by the Sickness of his Son (who was in the late fight at Manis) and he din’d here.  Mr. Levi Brigham here p.m. on the Affair of his and his Wife’s joining to the Church.

^[1]John Willson.

1747 March 27 (Friday).  Ebenezer trys, with Billey riding the Mare, and himself putting up the New Steers to Split Indian Hills.

1747 March 28 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1747 March 29 (Sunday).  On Mat. 13.9.10.11. P.M. My wife having through Gods great Mercy and Goodness got out to Day, after her lying in, I repeated those Sermons on Ps. 116.9, and do desire to renew my Engagements as David did to walk before the Lord in the Land of the Living.  May God be pleas’d graciously to enable me hereto, and keep it in the Imagination of my Heart continually! Levi Brigham and wife and Samuel Forbush and wife propounded.

1747 March 30 (Monday).  A Cold I have had increased upon me insomuch that my Voice is exceeding Hoarse.  Did something in the Garden. The season forward.

1747 March 31 (Tuesday).  A.M. Visited Jonathan Maynard again, and Joshua Townsend came from Mr. Wheelers to desire me to visit Asa Rice^[1] and Aaron Wheeler^[2] who are sick of a Fever, and having Captain Maynard’s Mare I went.  Found them bad; yet sensible and penitent.  Visited also Mr. Silas Rice’s wife who lies sick of a Fever likewise.

^[1]Son of Thomas Rice, Jr.

^[2]Son of Joseph Wheeler.

1747 April 1 (Wednesday).  Continue to read Taylor on Original sin.  P.M. Mr. William Goddard of Marlborough here.  Foul Day.

1747 April 2 (Thursday).  Exceeding pleasant. Warm, excellent Weather.  Mr. Dunlop came from Lieutenant Tainters with an Horse for my wife and me to ride over there to Day.  He Stay’d the forenoon and wrought in my Garden. According to Lieutenant Tainters Request my wife and I din’d there, and p.m. I preach’d to the private Meeting there, on Mat. 16.26 to page 12, and the application, page 21.  Ebenezer Carted Stones a.m. Harrow’d p.m.

1747 April 3 (Friday).  Rain’d hard last night and this Morning, but about 10 clear’d off and Mr. Dunlop came to work in my Garden.  Ebenezer Sow’d Some Barley and ploughs it in with the Mare. N.B. Billey begins more manfully to ride to plough.  N.B. Some talk with Mr. Phineas Hardy about his Son Constantine.

1747 April 4 (Saturday).  Ebenezer Sow’d the rest of the Barley and Some Early Peas.

1747 April 5 (Sunday).  On Mat. 13.12 and p.m. on Rom. 12.11.  Appointed the Communion to be next Lords Day — though it would be but the fifth Sabbath since the last Communion, yet the sixth Since the First Sabbath of March.  Mrs. Mary Steward and Mr. Jonas Warrin’s wife of Upton din’d with us. Frosts hard from one night to another.

1747 April 6 (Monday).  Cool Day, but the Season wondrous forward.  Apple trees begin to put forth their Leaves.  Mr. Dunlop came Early to work at my Garden, but went away about 3 in the afternoon, being oblig’d upon some unavoidable Business at Hopkinton.  And was So generous as to give all his work these Several Days — making more than a Day and a half.  Moses Pratt came with those oxen from Eliezer Rice’s which Timothy Warrin bought of me, and with my Team join’d thereto plough’d my Stubble.  Mr. Daniel Warrin also came p.m. and built Stone Wall, before the Ground where my old House stood.  N.B. Captain William Brintnall^[1] here; and informs me that old Colonel Buckminster^[2] now lyes Dead.  Deacon Forbush’s wife here and brought me excellent Flax seed, a peck and half, and Eli half peck from his uncle Tainters, all of it gratis.  I engag’d Moses Pratt^[3] to work for me next Hay Time.

^[1]Of Sudbury.

^[2]Joseph Buckminster of Framingham.

^[3]Son of Isaac Pratt.

1747 April 7 (Tuesday).  Mr. Warrin lodg’d here last night and works for me again to Day at building Stone Wall: part of the forenoon where he wrought yesterday: the rest of the Day at the northeast part of my Improvements.  Neighbour Hezekiah Tomlin ploughs here with his oxen join’d to my Team.  Mr. Jenison comes over from the northside and goes to keep School in the South part of Town.  Asa Rice continues very low (I hear) but not worse.  Aaron Wheeler much worse and very dangerously ill.  My son Thomme came up from Marlborough to See us.  Mr. Bacon^[1] from Ashuelot (upper) came and lodg’d here.  He brings the sorrowful News that a Number of Indians the night after the Sabbath was Sennight came to Mr. Shattucks Fort,^[2] and fir’d it.  They burnt down the Fort at Number 2 or great meadows^[3] — and burnt an House of Colonel Josiah Willard.  That their Town as well as the other Ashuelot^[4] were broke up and come off — as was Winchester also.  That Captain Melvin^[5] and 26 men went out after the Indians, and discover’d 14 and packs of about 20.  That Captain Stephens^[6] with 50 men had been gone about 3 Weeks and no news of him but twas hop’d he was at No. 4.

^[1]The Reverend Jacob Bacon of Keene, N.H.

^[2]Daniel Shattuck’s garrison house was within the limits of the present town of Hinsdale, N.H.

^[3]No. 2 township, sometimes known as Great Meadows, was incorporated as Westmoreland, N.H., in 1752.

^[4]Lower Ashuelot was incorporated as Swanzey, N.H., in 1753.

^[5]Eleazer Melvin.

^[6]Phinehas Stevens.

1747 April 8 (Wednesday).  Thomas returns to Mr. Williams’s at Marlborough.  Mr. Bacon left us to go to his Fathers^[1] at Wrentham.  Planted Some Bush Peas which he brought.

^[1]Thomas Bacon.

1747 April 9 (Thursday).  Publick Fast. A.M. on Joel 2.12.  P.M. on Jer. 12.4, former part chiefly, and us’d some of the Improvement of Sermon on Ezra 10.10.11.12.

1747 April 10 (Friday).  Ebenezer a.m. graffing Pear Cyons^[1] in Apple Stocks, but the Trees rather too forward, as is all Nature.  Every Thing wondrously putting out.  God’s name be prais’d who pitys His People, and in the Middst of wrath remembers Mercy!

^[1]An obsolete form of scion, a term sometimes used for a graft.

1747 April 11 (Saturday).  Rainy Morning. When it held up, though the Sun broke out but now and then yet was it a growing Season.

1747 April 12 (Sunday).  Sacrament Day, yet this Morning just as I was going out to Meeting (with my Hat in my Hand), comes Levi Brigham with his and his wife’s Relations which must be look’d over etc.  A number of other Persons came, divers of them to my House, with various Cases — all by word of mouth which caused me to Speak to the Congregation to bring their Desires written — and when they have Business that takes any Time, they must not defer it till the Lord’s Day.  A.M. preach’d on Isa. 1.18. P.M. from Rom. 12.11, first Clause, but us’d the Heads in sermon on Mat. 20.6, from page 24 to 31, resolving the Doubts which old men might frame against converting and becoming Religious. N.B. Mr. Jenison was at the sermons, and Sat in my Pew, but withdrew from the Communion.  No fresh Occasion of Disgust that I know of. Deacon Fay, Mr. Nathan Balls wife, and Mr. Zebulon Rice’s wife din’d here.

1747 April 13 (Monday).  Very rainy.  A.M. Mr. James Eager here to inform me of the Death of his Brother, Aaron Wheeler, who expir’d last night about Sunsetting.  A Sore Bereavement to his Father and Mother, who, he being their only Son set their Hearts much upon him.  May God Sanctifie this heavy Affliction to their highest Good.  I had rather they would have sent to Mr. Martyn, but Mr. Eager said that they had determin’d to send to Mr. Jenison if I could not go.  He informs me likewise that Asa Rice lyes at the point of Death if he be living.  O that all young persons, and mine in Particular might take warning! renounce their Vanitys and prepare for Death and Judgment! P.M. I was at Neighbour Garfields, whose wife was just before brought to Bed of a Daughter.  Finish’d Mr. Stoddards and Mathers Controversy about Right to the Lords Supper.^[1]

^[1]The controversy between Solomon Stoddard and Increase Mather began in 1700.  Mather’s Order of the Gospel (Boston, 1700) was followed by Stoddard’s Doctrine of Instituted Churches (London, 1700).  Mather published an “Advertisement, Directed to the Communicants in the Churches of New England” in Thomas Doolittle, A Treatise Concerning the Lords Supper, The Twentieth Edition (Boston, 1708).  This was an answer to Stoddard’s The Inexcusableness of Neglecting the Worship of God (Boston, 1708).  Mather responded with A Dissertation wherein the Strange Doctrine Lately Published in a Sermon… is Examined and Confuted (Boston,1708).  Then came Stoddard’s An Appeal to the Learned. Being a Vindication of the Right of the Visible Saints to the Lord’s Supper (Boston, 1709).  Later Mather wrote an epistle which was prefixed to Stoddard’s A Guide to Christ (Boston, 1714).

1747 April 14 (Tuesday).  Rode (with Deacon Forbush and his Wife) to Mr. Martyns and ask’d him to go with me to the Burial of Aaron Wheeler to which he immediately consented and went.  I din’d at Mr. Wheelers.  Asa Rice yet alive, there, though very low.  I pray’d and took leave.  N.B. Mr. White^[1] of Lancaster and his wife (who was a Ball) accompany’d me to Lancaster.  Mr. Prentice much out of Health.  Ministers Meeting had been put by, but I had not receiv’d the Letter, Said to be sent to me.  Several ministers there notwithstanding — Mr. Cushing, Buckminster,^[2] and Davis.^[3]  The 2 last went to Harvard.  Mr. Cushing and I stay’d.  Mr. Prentice pleasant at Evening — as he was also

^[1]Deacon and Captain Joseph White had married Patience, the daughter of James Ball of Westborough.

^[2]Joseph Buckminster of Rutland.

^[3]Joseph Davis of Holden.