Author: Anthony Vaver

March 9, 1736

1736 March 9 (Tuesday).  I rode to Charleston — Mr. Breck[1] of Springfield with me.  Dined with my Honoured Mother[2] at Boston.  Spent the Afternoon and Eve among my Relatives.  N.B. Capt. Malachi Foot and his Wife from New York and other Company, at Brother Elias’s.  N.B. Capt. Foots going home with Dr. Kennadys[3] Daughters and tarrying late, to his wife’s, his Mothers, and the Companys Disquietment.

[1]Robert Breck, Jr. (1713-1784), Harvard 1730, minister of the First Church of Springfield, 1736-1784.  SHG, 8:661-80.

[2]Parkman’s mother, Elizabeth (Adams) Parkman.

[3]Possibly Dr. High Kennedy (c. 1684-1760) of Boston; Boston Post-Boy, Oct. 20, 1760, p.[1].

March 10, 1736

1736 March 10 (Wednesday).  Variously taken up with Visits and Business.  At Mr. Fennels[1] (Bookseller) Shop — Dr. John Perkins[2] there.  He informs me that many in Town are sick of the Kingston Distemper,[3] and that more dye of it than a while agoe — however (through Divine Mercy) no proportion to what have dyed at the Eastward.  N.B. I was pritty much Diverted and Chearfull at Eve, at Cousin Clarks particularly.  But yet I felt considerable of Sore Throat which was increased as I went through the Sloppy streets to my Brother Elias’s; and it prevailed as the Night grew old.  But with a [illegible], emollient application I Slept well, through the Goodness of God.

[1]Mr. Fennel, bookseller

[2]Dr. John Perkins (1676-1740), Harvard 1695; SHG, 4:264-66.

[3]Parkman was undoubtedly familiar with reports of the outbreak of diphtheria in Kingston, New Hampshire.  See Boston News-Letter, Aug. 21 and 28, 1735; Boston Gazette, Aug. 25, 1735; New-England Weekly Journal, Aug. 26, 1735.

March 11, 1736

1736 March 11 (Thursday).  Rose Comfortable (Grat. D.).  Mr. Cooper[1] Lecture on Deut. 32.29.  Dined at Brother Alexanders.  At Eve went over the Ferry with one Mr. Bradshaw[2] of Medford, whom I found at Brother William’s.[3]  When I came to Father Champneys I found it a Melancholly Family on Account that our Dear Sister Ruth had continued from Tuesday in great Extremity, vomiting up every Thing almost that could be Administred to her.  She had taken a vomit of Dr. S. Wheat,[4] which though it worked many Times yet had not the Desired Effect to remove her Disorders.  We were all in great Distress, and could hardly comply to go to Bed.

[1]William Cooper (1694-1743), Harvard 1712, minister of Boston’s Brattle Square Church, 1716-1743.  SHG, 5:624-34.

[2]Samuel Bradshaw of Medford, b. Aug. 29, 1700, son of John and Mary Bradshaw (Medford VR, 28).

[3]William Parkman, Ebenezer’s brother

[4]Dr. S. Wheat [Joshua Wheat, Dec. 12, 1736?]

March 12, 1736

1736 March 12 (Friday).  Sister Ruth very bad indeed — casting[1] — Fainting etc.  Brother rode to the Doctor.  I rode to Town for some New supply.  A stormy Raw, Snowy Day.  The Doctor visited and tarried till almost night.  Mrs. Gay and her sister Mrs. Elizabeth Nutting there all Day, and watched also at Night.  Mr. Appleton[2] at about 11 at night.  Sister Exceeding low — Scarce any success visible yet — Her straining to vomit Spends her extreamly, and wears her out; and her extream Pain, from her having nothing to pass through her for Such a very long Space, has brought her very Nigh Deaths Gates.

[1]I.e., vomiting.

[2]Nathaniel Appleton (1693-1784), Harvard 1712, minister of Cambridge, 1717-1784; SHG, 5:599-609.

March 13, 1736

1736 March 13 (Saturday).  Sister in less Pain, and less Casting, more inclined to Doze and Drouze — otherwise no alteration with her.  But although she is detained from her intended Journey [back to Westborough?] and seems to be going to her long home — yet I am necessitated to take my sorrowfull Leave.  About or a little after 11 a.m. I Set out — a Melancholly Journey.  Latter part of the Road Mr. Joseph Gardner[1] came up with me, as he was riding to Marlborough to preach there.  What a Solitary and Lonesome Habitation I entered when I got home!  O that God most Compassionate would vouchsafe to look upon my State!  But my Family were Comfortable, except Ebenezer who was Somewhat indisposed and faintish.

[1]Joseph Gardner (1713-1806), Harvard 1732, assistant minister of the First Congregational Church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1740-1743; SHG, 9:156-59.

March 14, 1736

1736 March 14 (Sunday).  I repeated (to the 14th Page) my sermon on 2 Thess. 1.8.9.[1]  Cousin Winchester[2] went out ill, p.m.  Very lonely at Eve.

[1]2 Thess. 1.8.9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

[2]Elizabeth Winchester, wife of Benjamin Winchester.  She was Mary (Champney) Parkman’s sister.

March 18, 1736

1736 March 18 (Thursday).  I rode up to Grafton to visit Mr. Prentice, who with his wife had expressed (by Letter) a most tender Sympathy under my bereaved Circumstances.  When I returned in the Eve, Brother Hicks being come back from Cambridge informed (to my Joy) that Sister Ruth Champney had had relief and was sitting up.  I desire to look upon it as a Singular Favour in Divine Providence to me and my Family considering the great Comfort and Assistance from that tender and kind Friend Received by me and mine.

March 19, 1736

1736 March 19 (Friday).  There came Two Teams, namely Neighbour Hezekiah Pratt and Eliezer Rice, and the following Hands to Cutt wood for me to Day, Scil.: Neighbour John Pratt, James Maynard, Whipple, Eliezer Ward, Increase Ward,[1] William and Jonathan Rogers, Jesse Maynard, Joseph Green junior and Two Lads from William and Ebenezer Nurse; And they brought 31 Turns of Wood.

[1]Increase Ward (d. Dec. 18, 1739).  He was bapt., Nov. 22, 1724, “the first person I ever baptiz’d,” as Parkman later wrote.

March 23, 1736

1736 March 23 (Tuesday).  I went over to the North side of the Town to prevent or Change the Design of that Corner, to come and get Wood for me — for I had purposed to go to Boston that Day they had laid out to come upon; and having had 31 Load of Wood of Late, in all 75 Load this Winter, and my Fences much rather needing repair; on these Accounts I esteemed it a greater kindness to come and get Fencing Stuff for me than Fire Wood.  At Lieutenant Holloways, at Mr. Sim. Haywards.  N.B. I visited Mr. Thomas Ward.  At Eve I rode over to Mr. Tainters.[1]  At Neighbour Asher Rice’s.  N.B. The Grievous Feuds between that man and his Wife.  Returning home I had most painfull Toothach.  Blistered at Midnight.  Deborah Ward very tender and helpfull.  I record it as a <word crossed out> Favour and Blessing that in my bereavement God has vouchsafed me such a Singularly faithfull House keeper.  I pray God to reward her not only with outward but with Spiritual and Eternal Blessings!

[1]Simon Tainter (d. Apr. 2, 1767) mar. Rebecca Harrington of Watertown, 1714; was admitted to the church, Apr. 3, 1726; and was chosen deacon, Jan. 16, 1757.

March 24, 1736

1736 March 24 (Wednesday).  Sharp Toothach in the Morning.  Easier when my Blister began to draw well.  Lieutenant Holloway, Mr. Wheeler, Livermore, Neighbour Ball, Billings, Cwees, Silas and Timothy Fay, ________ Cutting, Phinehas Ball (sent my [sic] Mr. James Ball) and John Oake came and gott me Fencing stuff, Posts and Rails, in the Ministerial Lot.  Mr. Cushing made me a visit.  My Daughter Molly very grievously exercised still, with her Hands breaking out and remaining exceeding Sore. 

March 26, 1736

1736 March 26 (Friday).  Snow and Rain.  David Bavrick came to work with me.  My agreement is (by Divine Leave) for six Months, for 24£ and he is to take and do one sort of Business as well as another, whether Husbandry or Carpenters, or whatever I have to be done, that he is able to do; and to be as handy and helpfull as he can in the Family also; which if he Shall be, his Mending shall be done.

March 28, 1736

1736 March 28 (Sunday).  Detained from the public Service by the Ague.  I have drawn one Blister after another: and by them at length came relief.  Dr. Colmans Sermon on Mat. 25, (I think) v. 8, was read a.m. and his Excellent Sermon on the Fast which God hath Chosen,[1] p.m., and the Proclamation for the Fast next Thursday was read.[2]

[1]Benjamin Colman, The Fast Which God Hath Chosen: A Sermon Preached at the Lecture in Boston March 21. 1734 Preparatory to an Appointed Day of Publick Fasting and Prayer (Boston: S. Kneeland and T. Green, 1734).  Evans 3759.

[2][Proclamation. 1736 Feb. 26] By His Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq; … A proclamation for a general fast. … Thursday the first day of April next … Given at the Council chamber in Boston, the twenty-sixth day of February, 1735 [new style, 1736]… (Boston: Printed by J. Draper, printer to his excellency the governour and Council., [1736]).  Shipton & Mooney, 40098

March 29, 1736

1736 March 29 (Monday).  It was remarkable how Compassionate and assisting Deborah was to me during my Pains and anguishes by the Tooth ach.  Mr. Livermore brought up from Boston Monsieur Saurins Dissertation[1] (which I lately bought at Mr. Cor’s (of London) shop). 

[1]Dissertations, historical, critical, theological and moral, on the most memorable events of the Old and New Testaments: … In three volumes. Vol. I. Comprising the events related in the Books of Moses. Written originally in French, by … James Saurin … Made English by John Chamberlayne (London: Printed by T. Wood, for W. Taylor; W. and J. Innys ; and J. Osborne, 1723).

April 3, 1736

1736 April 3 (Saturday).  I did not pretend to forward my preparations because of an Appointment I had made with Mr. Cushing to Change with him.  P.M. I rode to Shrewsbury, and Mr. Cushing rode to Westborough.  N.B. I had been at Lieutenant Bakers — for it was the Season to appoint the Communion but there was no effectual Care taken about the Difference with Samuel Hardy.  I had been also at Mr. Treasurer Newtons (Josiah’s) to prepare for my Journey Next week.

April 5, 1736

1736 April 5 (Monday).  I returned to Westborough as early as I could — my Journey being before me, and the weather very agreeable.  Lieut. Baker had been at my House before I got home, but hastily went back home, and So left matters respecting Hardys Case in some perplexed posture.  Mr. Cushing went home.  After waiting for Lieut. Holloway some while, he came to be my Company in my Journey.  I carried my Daughter Molly with me to Cambridge.  Mr. Cook[1] of Sudbury has lost Two Children by the Mortal sickness and divers others of his Children are sick,[2] but in an hopefull way.  At Mr. Baldwins I found Mr. Charles Coffin[3] of Boston who had been a Journey to Simsbury.  Coll. Quincy[4] came in, and some others with him.  We hear that Judge Davenport[5] is Deceased.  Lieut. Holloway lodged with me at F. Champneys.

[1]William Cooke (1696-1760), Harvard 1716, minister of East Sudbury (Wayland), 1723-1760.  SHG, 6:134-38. 

[2]Neither the Sudbury Vital Records nor the Wayland Vital Records record the deaths.  The Sudbury Vital Records list four children of William and Jane (Sewall) Cook: Jane, b. Jan. 26, 1724; Margaret, b. Sept. 7, 1725; William, Sept. 6, 1727; and Katherin, b. Feb. 6, 1734, all of whom married.  The gap between the births of William and Katherin suggests unrecorded births.  Vital Records of Sudbury, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (Boston: New-England Historic Genealogical Society, 1903), 34.

[3]Parkman called him “Cousin Charles Coffin” (Sept. 2, 1724)

[4]Edmund Quincy (1681-1738), Harvard 1699; SHG, 4:491-95.

[5]Addington Davenport (1670-1736), Harvard 1689; SHG, 3:412-15.

April 6, 1736

1736 April 6 (Tuesday).  Lieutenant and I went to Boston.  Many <word crossed out> in the Town have the Sickness, but through the Mercy of God it is not So Mortal there as it was and Still is at the Eastward, yet some that have dyed in this Town have been far more putrifyed and Corrupted than they were there awhile agoe.  Sister Lydia at Brother Samuels.  Eve at Mr. Mountforts.[1]

[1]John Mountfort (1703-1722), Harvard 1722; SHG, 7:101-02.

April 7, 1736

1736 April 7 (Wednesday).  Saw Mr. McGregore[1] of Nutfield, by my Mothers Gate — appointed to Meet with him at Mr. Fennels Shop at 11 o’Clock; but he came not.  I dined at Brother Samuels.  Very rainy afternoon: confined at Brother Samuels.  Eve at Monsieur LeMercier’s[2] and I supped there.  Lodged at Brother Alexanders.  Judge Davenport was to have been buryed but it was prevented by the Rain.

[1]David McGregore (1710-1777), ordained as the first minister of Londonderry, NH (West Parish), Oct. 9, 1736; Weis, Colonial Clergy, 132.

[2]Andrew Le Mercier (c. 1692-1764), minister of the French Huguenot Church in Boston, 1722-1764.  Weis, Colonial Clergy, 126.

April 8, 1736

1736 April 8 (Thursday).  Mr. Prince[1] on Ezek. 36.26.  I expected a Funeral Sermon, but we had no word of it.  I dined at Mr. Foxcrofts,[2] as did Mr. Thatcher[3] and Mr. Mather.[4]  P.M. at Mr. James Pierpont’s[5] [marginal notation: and at Mr. Charles Coffins — N.B. String Beans there eat as well as New gathered, prepared in salt.  Soaked all night and parboiled before they were broke for the Pot: A very great and very agreeable Rarity] etc.  At Eve sister Lydia rode up to Cambridge with me.  N.B. My Horse had been kept a Day or Two at Mr. Charles Coffins stable, by means of my Brother Samuel.  Lit of Mr. Ivory Hovey on the Road to Cambridge.

[1]Thomas Prince (1687-1758), Harvard 1707, minister of Boston’s Old South Church, 1718-1758. SHG, 5:341-68.

[2]Thomas Foxcroft (1697-1769), Harvard 1714, minister of Boston’s First Church, 1717-1769.  SHG, 6:47-58. 

[3]Peter Thacher (1677-1739), Harvard 1696, minister of Weymouth, 1707-1719, and Boston’s New North Church, 1720-1739; SHG 4:303-08.

[4]Samuel Mather (1706-1785), Harvard 1723, minister of Boston’s Second Church, 1732-1741, and the Bennet Street Church, 1741-1785.  SHG, 7:216-38.

[5]James Pierpont, Jr., 1699-1776 (Yale 1718), son of Rev. James Pierpont (1660-1714; Harvard 1681) of New Haven.  He mar. Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel and Martha (Cunnable) Breck. DYG, 1:189-90.

April 9, 1736

1736 April 9 (Friday).  At College.  Met my neighbour Whipple who was coming to me at Cambridge.  Mr. Caleb Rice Some way before us upon the Road.  Neighbour Whipples Horse failed at Harringtons.  I pursued Mr. Rice to Mr. Baldwins.  He was there and Mrs. Pegge Dammon of Stow (Daughter in Law of Justice Whitman) with him.  We dined together and rode up by Mr. Lorings and accompanyed Mrs. Pegge home.  Then I rode with Mr. Rice to <word crossed out> Mr. Fishs in Marlborough to See Mr. Withington[1] (a Young Preacher at Marlborough and who had been up at Westborough along with Mr. Ivory Hovey when I was gone to Boston).  Thence I proceeded to Deacon Rice’s[2] (with his son) and Lodged there.

[1]Mather Withington (1714-1736), Harvard 1732; d. Apr. 28, 1736 at his home in Dorchester.  SHG, 9:265.

[2]Caleb Rice (father of Caleb Rice, Harvard 1730) served as deacon of the Marlborough church, 1718-1739; Worthley, Inventory, 352.