Author: Anthony Vaver

1727 February 4 (Saturday).  This Day.  It was exceeding Stormy and Snow’d hard.

1727 February 5 (Sunday).  I preach’d on Heb. 3.14, both fore and afternoon.  The hard weather allow’d me but a small Congregation.

1727 February 6 (Monday).  My Brethren Elias and Samuel[1] came (with Lieutenant Samuell How of Framingham their Conductor) to See us.

[1]Elias and Samuel Parkman of Boston.

1727 February 7 (Tuesday).  Mr. How went home after Dinner.  My Brethren acquainted me that my Sister Susanna[1] had been Twice publish’d to Captain Josiah Willard of Salem.  A cold Season.

[1]Susanna Parkman of Boston.

1727 February 8 (Wednesday).  It being Somewhat warmer, my Brethren went away for Boston.  Towards night came the Willards and lodg’d with us.

1727 February 9 (Thursday).  Mr. Willard preach’d my Lecture from Prov. 27.1.  I beseach God to grant this Young Gentlemans Endeavours may [be] [illegible] and accepted.  He has undertaken for nine Sabbaths at Stoney Brook and I pray his Labours there and Everywhere besides may be Succeeded for the great good of many!  After Lecture they went away.  Mr. Jonathan How of Marlborough and Jedidiah How of This Town came to Sing.  Mr. Bradish[1] came to Request my Prayers and Assistance in a Matter grievous and Burthensome to him respecting his Oath of Administrator to an Estate of a Kinswoman of his (when living) of Boston.

[1]James Bradish or Braddish, an original settler of Westborough.

1727 February 10 (Friday).  My Heart is so backward I fear my Preparation for the Sacrament Approaching will be none of the Best.  I find all my Sufficiency must be of God.

1727 February 11 (Saturday).  It was Violently Stormy, Blustering Cold Snow, Extream Tedious and Difficult.  The Snow Deep.

1727 February 12 (Sunday).  I was much afraid the Sacrament must have been put by, and Captain Fay[1] mention’d its being So; but provision being made and a Very Considerable number of Communicants present I proceeded though truly it was a Very Severe Season.  I preach’d on 2 John 8, a.m. and on Heb. 3.12, I trust in the Meritts and advocation of Christ, but I’m sure my performances, some of them can recomend Me to God.

[1]John Fay of Westborough.

1727 February 13 (Monday).  I began to Read the Synopsis Criticism[1] on the New Testament for a Morning Exercise.  Captain Willard call’d here.

[1]This may have been Synopsis Criticorum aliorumque S. Scripturae Interpretum, 1678.

1727 February 14, 15  (Tuesday, Wednesday).  I read miscellaneously.  Chiefly Mr. Willard[1] on the 5th and 7th Commandments and the Art of Speaking.

[1]Reverend Samuel Willard (1640-1707), vice-president of Harvard College.

1727 February 16 (Thursday).  I was Employ’d on my Subject as This is my Business and Employment, and such an one as calls for great Constancy and patience.  So God grant I may So continue in it as in some measure to Deserve the Approbation and Comendation I Know thy services.

1727 February 17 (Friday).  Mr. Cushing came to see Me.  I would fain reap Some Benefit of Every Such Conversation.

1727 February 18 (Saturday).  I was taken up with my preparations.

1727 February 19 (Sunday).  I preach’d upon Heb. 3.13 a. and p.m.

1727 February 20, 21 (Monday, Tuesday).  I early (in the Week) began my Studies for my Sermons.  I conceive many advantages would accrue by it, and I’m Sure not a few Disadvantages would be avoided by it.

1727 February 22, 23, 24 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday).  Mr. Ball (Junior) cut wood for me.  I could make but Slow progress in my Business because of my Affliction by the Toothach.

1727 February 25 (Saturday).  My Toothach continues; but I finish’d my sermons (to a very small matter) by almost an hour before Sunset, when Mr. Cushing came and requested me to go to Shrewsbury.  But my indisposition Oblig’d me to tarry all night.

1727 February 26 (Sunday).  In the morning I rode to Shrewsbury and a.m. preach’d on Ps. 95.7; p.m. on Phil. 1.27.  In the Even, Captain Keyes[1] visited me.  I read Mr. Hancocks[2] Ordination Sermon[3] by his Father,[4] and Mr. Ward Clarks[5] by his Father in Law.[6]

[1]Captain John Keyes of Shrewsbury.

[2]Reverend John Hancock (Harvard 1719), minister of First Church of Bramtree (now Quincy), 1726-1744.  He was the father of the patriot John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Sibley, VI, 316-319.

[3][Additional footnote: John Hancock (1671-1752), A sermon preached at the ordination of Mr. John Hancock [1702-1744]. A.M.: in the North Precinct of Brantree [sic]; Novem. 2. 1726 (Boston: Printed for Thomas Hancock in Ann-Street near the drawbridge, 1726).  Evans 2748.]

[4]Reverend John Hancock (Harvard 1689), minister of Lexington, 1698-1752.  Sibley, III, 429-439.

[5]Reverend Ward Clark (Harvard 1723), minister of First Congregational Church of Kingston, N.H., 1725-1737.  Sibley, VII, 156-158.

[6]Clark’s ordination sermon was by John Odlin (Harvard 1702;, minister of Exeter, N.H.  Odlin was not Clark’s father-in-law, for Clark married Mary Frost, the daughter of Charles Frost of Kittery, Maine.  Sibley, V, 168-172 and VII, 156-158.  [Addition to footnote: John Odlin (1681-1754), Christian courage necessary for a Gospel minister. An ordination sermon preached at Kingston, Sept. 29. 1725. When Mr. Ward Clark was ordained Pastor of the church there (Boston: Printed by B. Green, 1727).  Evans 2939.]

1727 February 27 (Monday).  After I had gone with Mr. Cushing to his house, din’d, etc., I returned home.  Many of the Town came in to see me, it having been Town meeting.  Mr. Ball (Nathan)[1] brought me Tobacco.

[1]An early settler of Westborough.

1727 March 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday).  Notwithstanding the preparations I made for last week yet I proceeded to other.  I preach’d on Phil. 12, a. and p.m.  I rode to Stoney Brook, to Mr. Willard.[1]  With him was Mr. Brintnall.[2]  The last rode with me to Mr. Swifts.  I was design [?] to Boston, but receiving a Letter from my mother by Mr. B. How at Framingham meeting house, I turned back.  I rode to Mr. Hows[3] and lodg’d there.

[1]Samuel Willard, the preacher at the Stoney Brook part of Marlborough.

[2]Reverend William Brintnall of Sudbury.

[3]Probably at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, kept by David Howe.

1727 March 7 (Tuesday).  In the morning I rode to Marlborough.  Din’d at Mr. Woods (with Deacon Wilder[1]).  I went with Mr. Breck[2] to his house and (it storming hard) I remained here all night.

[1]Deacon Joseph Wilder of Lancaster.

[2]Reverend Robert Breck of Marlborough.

1727 March 8 (Wednesday).  The storm continued, but yet after dinner I removed.  Mr. Breck went with me to his Son Williams[1] (his daughters lately lying in[2]).  Thence I returned home.

[1]Reverend Breck’s son-in-law, Abraham Williams, a prominent resident of Marlborough.

[2]Elizabeth Breck, daughter of Reverend Robert Breck, married Abraham Williams.

1727 March 9 (Thursday).  Very high winds.  I my Self Sleded home wood with my own Team (mare and Sled).

1727 March 10, 11 (Friday, Saturday).  Considering my Appointment to go to Boston next week, I Employ’d my Self in preparing Sermons to serve one on the following Sabbath, for I had finished for the approaching Sabbath.

1727 March 12 (Sunday).  I preach’d all Day on Phil. 2.12.

1727 March 13 (Monday).  My Wife had Designed to go to Boston with me but it was so rainy that she was obliged to give up her intention.  About Eleven it held up and I set out.  I was at Mr. Coles[1] (the shoemaker) where I saw Distracted Mrs. Bowtel.[2]  I got down to Cambridge between 7 and 8.

[1]Probably Samuel Cole of Framingham.

[2]This was perhaps a woman who had married one of the Boutwells of Reading, Mass.  In 1728 Samuel Cole of Framingham married a Sarah Boutwell of Reading.

1727 March 14 (Tuesday).   I rode to Charleston with Father Champney (it being Court Time), and thence over to Boston with Brother Hicks.[1]  I spent my Time at home.

[1]John Hicks of Cambridge, Parkman’s brother-in-law.

1727 March 15 (Wednesday).  We had very joyfull news from my Brother John.[1]  In the Evening I was at Mr. Greenwoods[2] Lecture which was upon Projectile Motion.  I can’t but Conclude these Exercises by Experiments are the most beneficial as they Reduce all to Sensible Demonstration.  When I return’d I went in with Mr. Greenwood to Dr. Clarks.[3]  At home I saw Captain Willard[4] of Salem.

[1]Parkman’s brother-in-law John Tyley.

[2]Isaac Greenwood, Parkman’s classmate and later first Hollis Professor of Mathematics at Harvard College.

[3]John Clark (Harvard 1687), a physician of Boston.  Professor Greenwood married Clark’s daughter Sarah.  Sibley, III, 375-379.

[4]Josiah Willard.

1727 March 16 (Thursday).  Mr. Sewal preach’d the Lecture on John 15.5.  I din’d at Brother Williams.  In the Evening My Sister Susanna was marry’d to Captain Josiah Willard of Salem by Dr. Mather.[1]  The Ceremony over we Sang Psalm [blank] and the Doctor had many uncommon Observations upon the Concluding words of the psalm and explained Several other Texts in that millenary Scheme.  I must observe here that I had very much Concern upon my Mind lest Every Thing throughout this transaction should not be to the Glory of God, and devout in the Eyes of Men.  But last of all did I Suspect my Self.

[1]Cotton Mather.

1727 March 17 (Friday).  My Brother Elias gave me one of Mr. Webbs[1] books on the 4 Last things; and Deacon Henchman[2] gave me the Extraordinary binding.  I visited my friend Mr. John Adams.[3]  In the Evening we had much more Company than I thought of.  Mr. Secretary Willard,[4] our Cousens, Mrs. Sarah Porter and her Sister, Mrs. Dorcas Bows,[5] etc., etc.  I have grievously and Sadly reflected upon my Levity this Evening.  I am very much afraid that in the Eyes of Some of the Company my Demeanour was not altogether becoming.  But there was nothing criminal in my Conduct with one that considers what a time of Joy it was with us.  However I think I might have spent more time with the graver people, especially have improv’d the opportunity of acquainting my Self better with the Secretary and perhaps it had not been to my Disadvantage.

[1]Reverend John Webb of Boston.  The work was Practical Discourses on Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. In Twenty-four Sermons (Boston, 1726)

[2]Daniel Henchman, publisher and bookseller in Boston.

[3](Harvard 1721).  Of Boston.  A classmate of Parkman.

[4]Josiah Willard (Harvard 1698) of Boston, college tutor, preacher, shipmaster and Secretary of the Province.  Sibley, IV, 425-432.

[5]Sarah (Champney) Porter was evidently either a cousin or a niece of Mrs. Dorcas Bowes, who was Mrs. Parkman’s cousin.

1727 March 18 (Saturday).  I had additional Trouble by some Discourse my brother Samuel had with me upon the articles of my tarrying no more in Boston when I went down; for it was very stormy weather and I was urgent to return home.  It rain’d till between 10 and 11, when holding up a little I left home, truly with my heart full of Sadness.  Veruntamen in quoquo peccavi, vel mete vel oculo, vel olioquiu Sanguis pratiosus Jesu Mei per totum purgabit!  It was one o’clock (as I remember) when I set out from Cambridge.  I lit upon Mr. Tainter[1] riding up with Hannah Warrin.[2]  I rode to Dr. Bellows of Marlborough, Stoney Brook, where I stop’d, Mr. Willard being gone up to Westborough.  I was not well, or I should have reach’d home, and there was almost Sunrise to have gone by.  I went to Bed not very Well.  I was exceedingly fatigued and very faint.  But what Surprized one very much in the morning Mr. Willard came in — for my wife Expected that if I returned from Boston at all I should reach home though it were 12 at night first.  He soon went back to Westborough and I preach’d at Stoney Brook (the South part of Marlborough) a. and p.m. on Prov. 3.6.  At Even I returned to my own house.  I found all things Comfortable.  Deo Opt. Max. Grates.

[1]Simon Tainter of Westborough.

[2]Mrs. Hannah Warren of Westborough.

1727 March 20 (Monday).  Mr. Willard left us to go to his Lodgings.

1727 March 22 (Wednesday).  I had not very well got over my Journey yet.  Mr. Cushing (I understood) brought home his wife.  I a little wonder’d why I was not sent for but Time will open the Cause.

1727 March 25 (Saturday).   I received a Letter from Mr. Cushing which invited me to go to his house on the 21 to Meet his Wife, and the Letter was written some considerable Time ago, but miscarry’d till now.