Author: Anthony Vaver

May 18, 1736

1736 May 18 (Tuesday).  Mr. Peres Rice was here and I read to him the Letter which the Church had <word crossed out> desired me to write to him.  I visited a Sick Child of Ithamar Bellows, and Mindwell King Sick at his House of Sore Throat and Fever.  Visited that Corner of the Town.  Reconciled [S. or I] Belknap and Jonathan Bellows.  Ithamar Bellows’s Child dyed before I returned.[1]

[1]Seth, son of Ithemore and Mary Bellows, was b. Apr. 15, 1736; d. May 18, 1736 (WVR, 18, 229).

May 20, 1736

1736 May 20 (Thursday).  Funeral of Ithamars Child.  N.B. I had been at Cousen Winchesters and dined with them.  At Eve at Neighbour Asher Rice’s.  N.B. he was very Stout and sharp respecting my blaming him for not bringing me the Money he had gathered in February last, upon the Plea of my Extraordinary Troubles, at that Time.  At Neighbour Josiah Newtons.  Things are almost every way very heavy and Burthensome.

May 22, 1736

1736 May 22 (Saturday).  Fine Weather.  The Trees Still in their high Flourish and Whiteness.  David finished shearing by noon: 7 Yesterday and 11 to Day.  P.M. mended Fence lower part of the South Fence of the South side: and put up a little shelf by the east Window in the Kitchin etc.  My Life extreamly solitary!

May 23, 1736

1736 May 23 (Sunday).  On Mat. vi.13.  Many Southborough people here — Mr. Stone gone to Harwich.  Mr. Johnson din’d with me and Mr. Ithamar Bellows.  I had but an uneasy Night last night, much broke of my Rest — to which I attribute my dullness I found in my Spirits to Day — yet p.m. more Chearfull.  A very warm Day.

May 24, 1736

1736 May 24 (Monday).  Cousen Winchester had brought Calliminco etc. from Boston to make me a pair of Breeches, but no Ferguson this morning (as was agreed) to do the work.  Pritty hot.  David, with my Oxen, dragging stones down on the south Side.  Benjamin Garfield, a Lad, Son of Benjamin Garfield of this Town dyed to day of Sore Throat and Fever, having been taken but the Day before yesterday.[1]

[1]Benjamin, son of Benjamin and Bethiah Gafel, b. May 3,1718, WVR, 51.  Death not recorded. 

May 25, 1736

1736 May 25 (Tuesday).  I rode to Southborough to the Funeral of old Mr. Moses Newton — aged ninety one or Two.[1]  About 12 o’Clock I proceeded on my Journey to Cambridge.  At Mr. Baldwins I found Mr. Cushing of Shrewsbury and Coll. Chandler[2] of Worcester, Major Pomroy and divers other Representatives.  We rode in Company till my parting to go to F. Champneys.  F. Champney very much disordered and has been ever since his Dear Daughters Decease.  My Daughter Mary not well yet of her breaking out.  Lodged at F. Champney’s.

[1]Moses Newton, Sr., d. May 23, 1736 (Southborough VR, 176).

[2]John Chandler (1693-1762); George Chandler, The Descendants of William and Annis Chandler Who Settled in Roxbury, Mass. 1637 (Worcester, MA, 1883), 51, 120.

May 26, 1736

1736 May 26 (Wednesday).  I rode to Boston.  Capt. Durant of Newton overtook me.  My Honored Mother (whom I purposed to have waited upon to Westborough [this?] week) had been very bad of the Gout, and continues in great Pain, and is very much confined with her Lameness.  Mr. Holyoke,[1] of Marblehead preached from Neh. 7.2.[2]  Both the Sermon and the Oratorial Delivery much applauded.  I Din’d at Brother Alexander’s with the Family.  In the middst of this Days Joys my Heart is sorrowfull.  The Circle of Brothers and Wives through Divine Goodness and forbearance unbroken from the Time of Setting up these Dinners, <word crossed out> till the Awfull breach where I stand.  We now sing of Mercy and Judgment.[3]  I was at the Convention a little while.  Mr. Cotton[4] and Mr. Torrey[5] (of Providence and South Kingston) the Subject of the Discourse.  At Mr. Fennels shop — went over to Charleston in the Eve to Mrs. Gibbs’s, with Mr. Prentice of Grafton.  Mr. Bows, Mr. Solomon Prentice and I lodged at Brother Samuel Parkman’s.  Mr. Prentice with me.  Hot weather.

[1]Edward Holyoke (1689-1769), Harvard 1705, minister of Marblehead, 1716-1737, ninth president of Harvard, 1737-1769; SHG, 5:265-78

[2]Edward Holyoke, Integrity and Religion…a Sermon Preach’d before…His Majesty…on the Anniversary for the Election of Councillors, May 26, 1736… (Boston, 1736).

[3]Psalm 101:1, “I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.”

[4]Josiah Cotton (1703-80), Harvard 1722, minister at Providence, R.I., 1728-1747, at Woburn, 1747-1756, and at Sandown, N.H., 1758-1780; SHG, 7:50-56.

[5]Joseph Torrey (1701-1791), Harvard 1728, minister of South Kingston, R.I., 1732-1791; SHG, 8:498-507.

May 27, 1736

1736 May 27 (Thursday).  At the Convention Dr. Colman preached on 1 Chron. 29.14, in the Old south Meeting House, previous to a Collection for Mr. Cotton and Torrey — gathered about 93£ for ‘em both.  <Word crossed out.>  I dined at Dr. Sewals[1] — exceeding well entertain’d.  Visited [Madam?] Lowel[2] of Newbury at Mr. [Ben Garden’s?].  Rode to Cambridge at Eve.

[1]Joseph Sewall (1688-17690, Harvard 1707, minister of Boston’s Old South Church; SHG, 5:376-93.

[2]Sarah Lowell, dau. of Noah and Sarah (Tunnell) Champney, who mar. John Lowell (1704-1767), Harvard 1721, minister of the Third Church of Newbury (First Church of Newburyport), 1726-1767; SHG, 6:496-502.

May 28, 1736

1736 May 28 (Friday).  Mr. Stanton Prentice[1] of Lancaster my Company from F. Champneys.  We rode to Capt. John Jackson’s at Newton – dined there.  Called at old Mr. Abraham Jacksons.  N.B. Mrs. [Burrydell?] Jackson[2] there.  Called at Mr. Williams[3] of Weston.  N.B. Mr. Convers and Seccomb[4] there.  I think it was 5 o’Clock when we set out thence.  N.B. Abraham Nutt my Company up to Westborough.  Got up by about 10 o’Clock.

[1]Stanton Prentice, b. 1711, son of Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster; d. Dec. 1, 1769, AEt’s, 58; Abijah P. Marvin, History of the Town of Lancaster, Massachusetts: from the Frist Settlement to the Present Time, 1643-1879 (Lancaster, 1879), 645.

[2]Mrs. Borridell [dup. Borodel, int. Borredell] Jackson mar. Samuel Jackson, Mars. 16, 1738; Vital Records of Newton, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850 (Boston: New-England Historic Genealogical Society, 1905), 317.

[3]William Williams, Jr. (1688-1760), Harvard 1705, minister of Weston, 1709-1750.  SHG, 5:295-300.

[4]John Seccomb (1708-1792), Harvard 1728, minister of Harvard, 1733-1757, Chester, Nova Scotia, 1759-1792 .  SHG 8:481-90.

May 29, 1736

1736 May 29 (Saturday).  David, in my Absence had dug Stones down upon the South Side the first and last Days.  Cleared down behind the Field another Day.  P.M. Mr. Solomon Prentice and Mr. Josiah Swan came here.  The latter on his Journey to Shrewsbury to preach for Mr. Cushing: the former came to change with me; and accordingly I rode to Grafton.  David began Weeding p.m.

May 30, 1736

1736 May 30 (Sunday).  I preached at Grafton on Phil. 4.5.  Pritty hot Day.  I baptized Benjamin, son of Joseph Kidder[1] of Grafton.  Mr. Prentice returned at Eve.

[1]Benjamin, son of Joseph and Hannah Kidder.  The Vital Records of Grafton, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849 (Worcester: Franklin P. Rice, 1906), 78, describe them as “of Sutton” when their daughter Hannah was baptized in 1732.

May 31, 1736

1736 May 31 (Monday).  I returned to Westborough.  N.B. on the Way I met Abraham Temple and had discourse with him concerning the Difference between Rev. Mr. Prentice and him.  David Weeding.  Brother Hicks’s son Samuel[1] broke his Arm.  Dr. Gott up to set it.  The Doctor Informs that the Sore Throat distresses Mr. Britons Family at Southborough.  One Child Dead, Mrs. Briton Dangerous and one or Two Children more sick.[2]

[1]Samuel, lone of John and Rebecca (Champney) Hicks, b. Jan. 28, 1729 (CVR, 1:349.

[2]Elizabeth, wife of John Britten, d. May 31, 1736; James, son of John, d. May 29, 1736; William, son of John, d. June 2, 1736 (Southborough VR, 159).

June 1, 1736

1736 June 1 (Tuesday).  Neighbour Hezekiah Pratt lent me his Mare to ride to the Association at Lancaster.  In my way I visited Lieut. Holloway’s Family, Mr. Wheelers and Mr. Livermore’s.  N.B. Mr. Livermore languishing.  Mr. James Ball rode with me over as far as one Larkins on the Edge of Lancaster.  A great and mercifull Shower of Rain when I got within about 1/2 a mile of the meeting House — but I was Seasonably Sheltered.  Thin meeting of ministers.  Mr. Loring and Mr. Cushing and Mr. Trowbridge[1] of Groton there.  No body else being furnished (with Notes) it fell upon me to read Something for to Days Exercise, and tomorrow Lecture upon Mr. Loring.  My Exercise was upon Act. 1.7 to which I added my Discourse on 1 Thess. 5.4.

[1]Caleb Trowbridge (1692-1760), Harvard 1710, minister of Harvard, 1715-1760; SHG, 5:545-46.

June 2, 1736

1736 June 2 (Wednesday).  Mr. Loring Public Lecture on Act. 15.36.  Mr. Seccomb[1] of Harvard came.  Mr. Ward (Gershom) came in the Name of a Committee from Marlborough to desire us to give Testimony what Mr. Kent[2] appeared to us to be, upon his Examination at Framingham in Oct. [blank] 173[blank].[3]  Which Desire we answered.  I returned from Lancaster with Mr. Cushing and Mr. Peter Smith So far as Shrewsbury, and I lodged there.

[1]John Seccomb (1708-1792), Harvard 1728, minister of Harvard, 1733-1757; Chester, N.S., 1761-1792; SHG, 8:481-90.

[2]Benjamin Kent (1708-1788), Harvard 1727, minister of Marlborough, 1733-1735. SHG 8:220-30.

[3]On October 16, 1733, the Marlborough Association of Ministers met in Framingham: “The Rev. Mr. Swift had invited the Southern Association (which were to have met this Day at his Son’s in Law Mr. Stone’s. of Holliston; by which means we had the Benefit of their Advice and Assistance in the Difficultys before us relating to Mr. Benj. Kents Ordination at Marlborough:  Great Complaints being made about the World, of his Principles — Mr. Kent was present and very freely Submitted hims. to our Enquirys and Examinations — Mr. Loring Interrogated upon the Articles drawn up in the N. Engl. Confession of Fatih — chiefly relating to the Controversie with the Remonstrants etc. And he gave Such a Declaration of his Belief, and with Such professions of Honesty and Sincerity in all, that the Association manifested their Satisfaction therein upon Condition they Should find, that both his Preaching and Conversation had been and Should for the future be agreeable to Such Declaration. In Short, as long as they Should feel that what he had exhibited were his real Sentiments.”  Marlborough Association Records (Ms., First Church of Marlborough), 26-27.

June 3, 1736

1736 June 3 (Thursday).  I returned home.  David weeding whilst I was gone, and to day.  Mr. Cushing preached my Lecture on [blank].  After Lecture the Church Stopped and I proposed it to the Brethren that because we were hindered last Lords Day admitting the Several persons that had been propounded, and their number was So increased that it would be too much Bus’ness to be left to Communion Time, therefore if there was no Objection I should proceed to admitt them now, though the practice was Somewhat unusual.  No body objected wherefore I proceeded.  See Church Records.[1]  Brother Samuel Hardy had not been with us before meeting, for which Reason I did now proceed with his Affair.

[1]“Jonathan and Judith Bellows, Aaron Forbush, Ruth (wife of Stephen) Fay; and Ebenezer Chamberlain (this Last person dismissed from the Church of Christ in Newton) were all admitted into our Communion; [although it was Lecture Day yet there having been some particular Occurrences which occasioned it the Church manifested their Satisfaction herein.]” (WCR, 41).

June 5, 1736

1736 June 5 (Saturday).  David finished weeding by noon.  Neighbour John Pratt brought me Two Planks as Lieut. Holloway had brought me one, gratis — so that this afternoon David was able to make a Platform over the Well and Scribe it to the Pump.  I was So happy as to have my Preparations for the Sabbath Seasonably finished.  Mrs. Billing[1] here.

[1]Sarah, wife of Thomas Billing, was admitted to the church, June 6, 1736 (WCR, 41).

June 7, 1736

1736 June 7 (Monday).  Rain.  Very stormy.  Mr. Peabody[1] and one of his Deacons[2] here upon their Journey to Brimfield, to Mr. Bridghams[3] Ordination there.  David preparing, digging and finishing a Trough for the west side of my Kitchin.

[1]Oliver Peabody (1698-1752), Harvard 1721, minister of the Indian church at Natick, 1729-1752. SHG, 6:529-34.

[2]The deacons of the Natick church were Joseph Ephraim, Ebenezer Felch, and Nathan Chickering.  Worthley, 400.

[3]James Bridgham (1707-1776), Harvard 1726, minister of Brimfield, 1736-1776.  SHG, 8:7-10.  There is an account of the proceedings and a list of those taking part in Bridgham’s ordination in Ezra Stiles, Itineraries (New Haven, 1916), 321.

June 8, 1736

1736 June 8 (Tuesday).  Venerable Mr. Baxter[1] called as he was upon his Journey to Brimfield to his Son in Laws Ordination but it was noon and therefore he was Straitned for Time, and therefore did not Come in.  John and William Ferguson,[2] Taylors, at work here, making Ebenezers and Thomme’s Coats (of Grey Druggott).  P.M. I visited little Moses Warrin (Captain’s Son) in a Languishing Condition; and of late a Sore broke near his Navel, at which (within these few Days) a Small hole has appeared, at which Somewhat of Excrements makes its way through.  It rained exceedingly this afternoon.  When I came home Mr. Thomas Billing came with me.  At my House Mr. Thomas Frink of Rutland; and he lodged with us.  N.B. Rutland Troubles.  David at a Cheese Press.

[1]Joseph Baxter (1676-1745), Harvard 1693, minister of Medfield, 1697-1745.  His third wife was James Bridgham’s mother, Mercy Bridgham, whom he mar. in 1716 when James Bridgham was nine years old – hence the reference to his “Son in Laws Ordination.” SHG, 4:146-53.

[2]William Ferguson, tailor

June 9, 1736

1736 June 9 (Wednesday).  John and William Ferguson Still at work here.  David at the Cheese Press.  Mr. Eleazer How[1] of Marlborough here, in order to his joining with our Church.  Heard of Madam Brecks[2] Death.  Mr. Jonathan Forbush here new laying my Hearth.  Fair Weather.

[1]Eleazer How of Marlborough was admitted into the Westborough church, July 11, 1736 (WCR, 43).

[2]Elizabeth, widow of Rev. Robert Breck, d. June 8, 1736 in her 52d year; MVR, 346.

June 10, 1736

1736 June 10 (Thursday).  Instead of a Catechizing I preached a Sermon to Young People and Children, in plain Language from 1 King 18.12, last Clause.  Pritty full Assembly.  I thank God for the Hope there is that this Exercise was not in Vain.  David finished his Cheese Press and after Lecture mowed Bushes.

June 11, 1736

1736 June 11 (Friday).  David mowing Bushes in the Young Orchard.  I was at Madam Brecks Funeral.  As I was going came in Mr. Baxter, of Medfield, Mr. Peabody, and Capt. Buckminster[1] from the Ordination of Mr. Bridgham of Brimfield.  I dined at Coll. Woods’s with Mr. Prentice, Mr. Loring, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Cook, Barrett, Stone and Frink.  Pall-Bearers were Messrs. Swift,[2] Prentice, Loring, Cushing, Gardner, Cook, who were the Six Eldest Ministers; Corps Bearers were Deacons and Principal Persons of the Church.  All the ministers had Gloves and were invited back to the House after Burying.  I return’d at Eve.  N.B. Mr. Breck and his wife[3] and Company Sat out upon their Journey to Springfield this Eve.

[1]Joseph Buckminster of Framingham “Died at Framingham, May 15, 1780, in the 84th year of his age”; Independent Chronicle, May 25, 1780, vol. 12, p. [3].

[2]John Swift (1679-1745), Harvard 1697, minister of Framingham, 1701-1745.  SHG, 4:387-90.

[3]Robert Breck, Jr. (1713-1784), Harvard 1730, m. Eunice, dau. of Rev. Daniel (Harvard 1687) and Katherine (Chauncy) Brewer.  Brewer was Breck’s predecessor in the pulpit in Springfield.  Eunice Breck d. Aug. 11, 1767.  SHG, 8:661-80.

June 12, 1736

1736 June 12 (Saturday).  David at the Bushes yet.  I rode to Hopkinton.  Mr. Barrett to Westborough.  Madam Barrett[1] of Boston and Mrs. Susan[2] (Mr. Barretts Mother and Sister) there, as also Mr. Charles Morris.

[1]Sarah (Manning) Barrett, mother of Samuel Barrett, Harvard 1721, minister of Hopkinton.  SHG, 6:428.

[2]Susan Barrett, one of the fifteen children of Deacon Samuel and Sarah (Manning) Barrett of Boston.  SHG, 6:428.

June 14, 1736

1736 June 14 (Monday).  I returned home.  Young Society, to whom I preached last Week, Sent me a token of their Respects, per David Bavrick, one of their number, Scil. £1.10.10, gathered after Sermon among them Selves.  I bless God for their kind acceptance of my Labours among them.  David bushes — Trough for N.E. part of the [Meeting?] House.

June 15, 1736

1736 June 15 (Tuesday).  Training of the Foot Companys in Westborough, of the Horse at Shrewsbury.  I prayed both at noon and at night with the Companys — and dined with them.  N.B. Maj. Keyes with us.  Fine weather.  Ensign Maynard has been putting up a good Stone wall on the South Side of the Road before the Meeting House.

June 18, 1736

1736 June 18 (Friday).  Deborah returned home.  David finished ploughing in the Corn.  Dry, hot Season.  Sense of my bereaved, broken, lonely, disconsolate State, fills me with Grief and Sorrow.  Brother Hicks returned from Cambridge whither he went last Monday morning.  A little before sunsetting I rode to Marlborough.  I called at the Desolate House of my late worthy, and Eminent Friend, Mr. Breck.  Mrs. Hannah Breck[1] there.  Thence I went to Dr. Gotts and Spent the rest of the Evening there — and lodged there.

[1]Hannah Breck, daughter of the late Rev. Robert and Elizabeth Breck, whom Parkman m., Sept. 1, 1737.

June 19, 1736

1736 June 19 (Saturday).  At Coll. Woods’s a little while in the Morning.  At the Widow Bents and brought from thence 118 Skeins of worstead spun by her out of 6 1/2 pound of Carded Worsted.  Paid at 4d. per skein — and paid her £1.10s in part for her Work.  Hastened home before noon to finish my preparations for the Sabbath but I had written one Exercise wholly and a good part of another and studied the Chief of the matter of it before I went from home.  Hot, parching weather.  Divers persons have been with me this week to be Examined — Eliezer Rice,[1] Hezekiah Pratt,[2] and Rachel wife of Hezekiah Pratt.[3]  Mr. Bowmans wife[4] also came yesterday just when I was mounting my Horse, so I could not finish Examination of her.  N.B. Brother Josiah Newton brought the Petition of 11 Brethren for a Church Meeting on Mr. Peres Rice’s Affair.  Ensign Maynard Stone walling Still.  David finished his Half-hilling and is at work upon the Trough for the N. [W. Corner?] of my [Large?] part of my [House?].

[1]Eliezer Rice did not join the church.

[2]Hezekiah Pratt did not join the church.

[3]Rachel, wife of Hezekiah Pratt, joined the Westborough church on July 11, 1736 (WCR, 43).

[4]Not clear who this was, as there is no record of an admission of a “Mrs. Bowman: at this time.