Author: Anthony Vaver

1781 April 14 (Saturday).  Elias rides over to Monro’s to See if there is no Letter from North Hampton, about their School.  I walked to the Deacons to see Patty, and prayed with her.  N.B. Was at Mr. Jos. Smiths and had Discourse with his Wife, though I could not with him.  When I got home, found here Mr. E. Grosvenor and Mr. Jos. How of Marlborough, also Friend Henry Bowers and Seth Arnold, two Quakers.  And all dined here.  I prepared to preach the Same Sermon with Some Alterations and Additions which I preached before the Baptism of Breck himself, January 29, 1749.  Mr. Brigham from Boston.  Jno. Moulton Stays here.

1781 April 15 (Sunday).  Read a.m. Ps. 116 and preached on Joh. 12.35.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  Breck and his Company dine by them Selves.  P.M. read 1 Tim. 2, preached on v. 15.  I baptized the Child.  The name Susanna-Brigham.  May God graciously accept it!

1781 April 16 (Monday).  Elias Sat out with my Horse besides what he rode upon, to go to Springfield — to day to Brookfield.  John Moulton returned to Hopkinton.  Mrs. Maynard dines here.  Miss Nabby Martyn works here.  P.M. Mrs. Davis, Misses Mindwell and Anna Brigham.  My Kinsman Mr. Parkman Bradshaw came up from his Fathers to See me.  He is much out of Health and out of Business: a good deal Sunk and dispirited: and I was the more troubled because I was not able to help him; my own son Elias being gone a large Journey in quest of Employment.

1781 April 17 (Tuesday).  I rode down to East-Sudbury to Ministers Meeting at Mr. Bridge’s (Mr. Stone waiting for me at Mr. Joseph Arnolds, at Marlborough, and my Granddaughter, Suse was with me).  Mr. Whitney, Mr. Biglow, and Mr. Newell, were there.  Mr. Puffer, a Preacher at Bolton, was there likewise.  Mr. Stone prayed.  There was no Concio by reason of Mr. Newels request that the Association would hear a Case of Difficulty in Stow relative to a Charles Whitney.  It was heard and Mr. Newell was advised — Mr. P. Whitney prayed, and we appointed the next Meeting to be at his House.  I had expected my son William or his son to have come for Suse, and have carryed her to Concord, but neither of them came, so that we both of us tarryed at Mr. Bridges through the Night — I lodged with Mr. Stone.

1781 April 18 (Wednesday).  Mr. Bridge and his Lady made me a present of their late Father Smiths Wig, as they did to Mr. Stone several Articles.  I took leave and carryed Suse to her Fathers: where we dined, and p.m. rode home, calling at Col. Weeks’ for Mr. Stones Company who rode with me back to Arnolds where we parted.  At my arrival here, were for the unexpectedness, a marvellous Number — Viz. My Grand Children Isaac and Betsey Baldwin (who to my Sorrow inform me that Sister Champney was gone back to Mr. Hicks’s at Sutton).  Elias was come this day from Springfield: Mr. Joseph Allen, a preacher, came to lodge here.  So that the Company and the Horses to night crowd us, at this time of Scarcity of Hay especially.  Cousin Bradshaw went back to his Fathers yesterday.

1781 April 19 (Thursday).  Mr. Allen left us; I settled with Baldwin (by Brecks assistance) for pasturing my young Cattle last year.  He and his sister left us: designing to go to Gloucester and Newbury.  Mr. Brigham has brought a Yoke of Oxen, and to day Moulton uses them.

1781 April 20 (Friday).  On the 20th of April in the old Stile and in the Year 1713, The North Latin School was opened, and I went to learn Latin.

1781 April 21 (Saturday).  I rode over to Bolton.  In my Way Stopped at Mr. Whitneys, where I dined.  P.M. Mr. Benjamin Baileys is the Place for my Reception.  Accompanyed by his son in law, Mr. Jonathan Moore, I made a Visit to Judge Bakers to condole the sorrowful Loss he sustains in the Death of his Wife, (who was heretofore Susanna Tainter).  He took my Sympathy in friendly part.  Mr. Baily came to pilot me back to his House, where I lodged.

1781 April 22 (Sunday).  I preached at Bolton a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 10.4 and may God grant an efficacious Blessing!  I rode back at Eve to Mr. Whitneys, where were Messrs. Newell and McDonald.  N.B. Mr. Newell preached for Mr. Whitney and Mr. Whitney for me (the latter on 2 Cor. 6.2, “behold now is the accepted time,” etc.).  I lodged there.  He read Proclamation for Fast.

1781 April 23 (Monday).  I rode to Mr. Abraham Woods for a piece of Cloth, which was to be pressed only: for which I gave him 9 Continental Dollars.  Called at Mr. Davis’s new Dwelling in Northborough.  When I arrived at home, I found that Mr. Brigham had Set John Moulton to plow the rest of the great Field beyond the Meeting House, has Neighbour Nathan Maynard and his Oxen to help; and thinks to go on with plowing the Ground beyond the Meeting House, up to the Burying place.  I read Shuckfords Connection of Sacred and profane History.  We are in much perplexity about our Sheep — are forced to keep them up in a Pen, and give them Hay.

1781 April 24 (Tuesday).  Little Work done abroad by reason of the Misty Weather.  Read further in Shuckfords Connection.

1781 April 25 (Wednesday).  I visited at Ensign Warrins — Mr. Stephen Cooks, where I dined — was at Mr. Phinehas Forbes’s — and at Mr. Elisha Forbes’s: where was Capt. Fisher who was full of Controversie between Capt. John Wood and Mr. James Dix, which has been offered to the Grand Jury.  My Son Alexander from Marlborough of New Hampshire — and reads Result of Council against their late Minister Mr. Joseph Cummings, who is dismissed.

1781 April 26 (Thursday).  Alexander rides my Horse to Worcester.  I reckoned with Neighbour Thaddeus Warrin and I still owe him £5.6.0 old way.

1781 April 27 (Friday).  Alexander leaves us.  News that Col. Williams of Marlborough is very ill.  Mrs. P. goes p.m. to See him, and Mr. Brigham waits on her.  Mr. B. Tainter was here.  Capt. Wood from Boston and brings a Letter from Mr. Quincy.  Benjamin Wood goes up to his Father — and I gave him a Note to Mr. Barn. Newtons for an hundred Dollars.

1781 April 28 (Saturday).  Mrs. P_____ returns from Marlborough and Mr. Brigham with her, Safely.  D. G.  She informs me that Col. Williams is indeed very feeble and weak, yet is able to walk about, even abroad, and retains his mental powers.  Mr. Gershom Biglow of Marlborough here upon Expectation of Some papers, relative to Mr. Ebenezer Grosvenors Dismission.  Benjamin Wood returns here to be with us on the Sabbath.

1781 April 29 (Sunday).  I read Isa. 35 with reference to what I was going to preach which was again upon Joh. 12.35 which may God graciously own and bless!  Mrs. Maynard dined with us.  P.M. read Joh. 14 and preached on v. 6, former part.  O that we might walk in that Way!  At Eve Mr. Brigham read in Flavel on divine Providence.

1781 April 30 (Monday).  Breck goes early to Boston.  I am very much afflicted by my Sheep, which by reason of their unruliness, I am forced to keep confined to the Hovel-Yard, and give them dry Meat.  Am about my Preparations.  Mr. Belknap here from Mr. Adams: and is Dissatisfy’d.

1781 May 1 (Tuesday).  Mr. Daniel Adams here — full of Resentments.  Wants I Should stop the Church after the Fast Exercises, that he might Speak to them.  I told him I was as ready to serve him as any Man, but he must bring me what he had to say, in writing, that, according to Platform, it may be prepared to be laid before the Church.  N.B. Mindwell Batheric was Witness.  Mrs. P_____ also Saw his discomposedness and heard somewhat of his Resentments.  He went away uneasy.  P.M. A Number of young Gentlemen here.  Messrs. Hazzleton, Fish, Jno. Baker.

1781 May 2 (Wednesday).  Breck returns from Boston.  He takes Draper and Folsoms News Paper: which is on Mondays.  At Eve, to my Interruption, came in old Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain, and tarried late.  Was very full of Discourse.  N.B. Mr. Josiah Bouker of Templeton has lately dy’d, Suddenly.

1781 May 3 (Thursday).  General Fast through out the States.  Preached on Mat. 24.12.  I had Spent a great deal of Time in preparing upon this very suitable Text (Sufficient for a Sermon) but by Accident I found a Set of Sermons which I had made and preached on the Same, yet it was so many years since, that I chose those Notes rather, both a. and p.m. but in delivering I added as the present times among the people were.  At Eve I read in the Family principal sketches of Mr. Barker in Morning Exercise on Fasting, from Mark 2.20.  May God grant His Blessing, and graciously accept!

1781 May 4 (Friday).  Ben. had my Horse to Hopkinton — brought Potatoes from Mr. Barretts to plant.  Mr. Whitney made us a Visit (too much out of season for my Studies).  He acquaints me with what Marlborough Town, has lately done about Mr. Ebenezer Grosvenor.  Too slender Majority for him.  Billy junior from Concord brought little Suse — and tarrys to night.  Mr. Brigham and Sophy ride to Col. Brighams.  Mr. James Miller here at Eve: reckon with him for his work in getting out Cedar Rails at my Swamp — 2 1/2 Days, 27 shillings old way.

1781 May 5 (Saturday).  Billy returns to Concord.  I delivered him, Bishop Beveridge’s Private Thoughts.  P.M. Mr. Samuel Crosby, going to preach at Marlborough tomorrow, Calls here.

1781 May 6 (Sunday).  I read (publickly) John 18.  Preached on 1 Cor. 11.27 from page 19 (Sermon IV) to p. 24, as far as to the (3) exclusively.  Administered the Lords Supper.  N.B. old Mr. Batheric absent.  Mr. Fish and Mrs. Maynard dined with us.  P.M. did not read.  Preached on John 14.6, “the Truth.”  May the Blessing of God be vouchsafed!  At Eve part of Mr. Henry’s Communion Companion, Chapter 12 was read in the Family; and Mr. Brigham, at my Request, prayed.

1781 May 7 (Monday).  Mr. Beeton was here in the morning to buy Hay.  Breakfasts with us.  He had 600 of Hay to carry home.

1781 May 8 (Tuesday).  Mr. Simon Forbes here to be examined.  He dined here.  It was to have been a private meeting at Lieutenant Jonathan Grouts; but it was too stormy for me to venture.  I Sent word to him by Mr. Forbes.

1781 May 9 (Wednesday).  An extraordinary Rainy, cold, uncomfortable Season.  Read Shuckford.  At Even Messrs. Moses Brigham, Hazzleton, and John Baker here.  Mr. Elijah Brigham trades with Mr. Moses for part of the place which was formerly old Mr. Bradish’s.

1781 May 10 (Thursday).  Elias fetched Miss Lois Burnett here to make him a blue, Cloth Coat.  Mr. Barny Newton, treasurer, here, and pays me the Remainder of the Towns Grants of £1300 made last July.  P.M. Mrs. Susanna Forbes (wife of Simon) here and was examined.  Mr. Jonathan Maynard here and buys Flax Seed.  Cousin Samuel Brigham here sadly oppressed with Cough.

1781 May 11 (Friday).  Mr. Nathan Kenny was examined.  Miss Lois at work.  Mr. Moses Brigham dines here.  Breck erects a support for Grape Vines.

1781 May 12 (Saturday).  Benjamin Wood left us to go to his Father at Sunderland.  Breck sats up a Gate at the North End of the Garden.

1781 May 13 (Sunday).  A. and p.m. on Joh. 14.6.  Read publickly part of Joh. 5 and p.m. part of Joh. 6.  Cousin Samuel Brigham dined here.  At Eve Mr. Elijah read in Flavels Fountain of Life, on 1 Cor. 2.2.

1781 May 14 (Monday).  Read Dr. Smallbrook Vindication of the Miracles of our saviour.  Went into the Neighbourhood to buy Store-Pigs.  Breck to Boston.

1781 May 15 (Tuesday).  Wrote by him to Samuel.  N.B. I went in the morning to see old Mr. Morse of Hopkinton, but found he had expired this morning about or before two o’Clock.  The Widow etc. ask me to come to the Burial and desire me to call at Capt. Morse’s to acquaint him with the designed Funeral.  P.M. I rode into the South West and was Lieut. Grouts, Mr. Elijah Hardy’s, Mr. Underwood, Mr. Benajah Brighams, Mr. Twitchells, Mr. Solomon Millers — then to Mr. Samuel Forbush’s at Upton (where I bought a Pig, of 7 Weeks old).  In returning I called at the Widow Thurstons and at Mr. John Harrington’s.

1781 May 16 (Wednesday).  I attended the Funeral of Mr. Seth Morse.  Mr. Fitch came late — but we waited, and he prayed — pertinently and wisely.  May God grant we may all Suitably improve this Providence to our own Quickening and Warning!  N.B. Mr. Peter Thacher, Son of Mr. Thacher of Attleborough, is come to live at the Pierce place.

1781 May 17 (Thursday).  Breck returned from Boston.  He informs that My Brother Williams Widow dyed at and was buryed from the Alms House about a fortnight ago.  My son Samuel undertook the Care and bore the Expence of the Funeral.  May God graciously Sanctifie this Decease to all of us!  Samuel Sends me Mr. Dawes’ Oration on the 5th of March last.

1781 May 18 (Friday).  The Town Meet to choose a Representative which was J. Baker Esq.  Also to see whether the Town will appoint Seats in the Meeting House for the Singers.  Granted: and These were, the north End of the Mens side Gallery.