Author: Anthony Vaver

1781 June 23 (Saturday).  I rode to Southborough.  N.B. No Diary found, but Almanacks — and a Paper dated Sept. 3, 1741.

1781 June 24 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough on Isa. 57.1.2.  May God succeed!  N.B. Mrs. Stone has found a paper of her Husbands concerning his Spiritual State, which I read to the Assembly.  Also another little paper of the manner of improving his Time.  At Eve Mr. Thomas Stone reads his Fathers late sermon against Mr. Jonathan Nelson.

1781 June 25 (Monday).  Viewed Some of Mr. Stones Library and Papers.  Took with me 12 Books of Mr. Lorings Diary.  I rode to Marlborough to Couzen Uriah Brighams — and to Col. Williams.  At home in safety.  D.G.

1781 June 26 (Tuesday).  Breck to Boston.  Major Mixor at the Shop with me and discoursed concerning Deacon Livermores unhappiness with his Wife.  Read Biographical.

1781 June 27 (Wednesday).  Elias would have gone upon his Journey to Northampton, but it was too wet weather.  P.M. Capt. Fisher came and after general Discourse of the News, and particularly of the Troubles of the British Factorys in the East Indies by Heideralli Kan with a great Army against Ascot, and other places on Coromandet Coast; and was going after, he broached his Exceptions against my late Sacrament Sermons on the Guilt of unworthy Receiving the Lords Supper: wherein I asserted that in Several Respects our Guilt was more heinous than that of the Jews that crucifyed our Lord.  He could not See through it — But went away modestly and in Civility.  There was not time to Say much.

1781 June 28 (Thursday).  Polly Scott being Sick at Mr. Gales of nervous Cholic, I made her a Visit, and prayed with her.  N.B. In riding there, overtook one Mrs. Coburn (Widow of Col. Andrew Coburn) who was the owner of my Son Alexanders Land at Marlborough in New Hampshire, and designed to go to his House.  Elias is hindred by the weather from undertaking his Journey.  At Eve came in a Woman who called her self Watts, and Said Mr. Cookson of Boston was her Grandfather etc.  Breck returned from Boston, brings me a Letter from Mr. Quincy.  N.B. I am informed that the famous Lady Electa has passed across our Road to day, and the Company Stopped at the Shop.  They proceeded to Capt. Maynards.

1781 June 29 (Friday).  Elias Sat out for Northampton.  On Account of wicked Thieving a Court is held at Deacon Woods, by Coll. Jonathan Ward to try a Thief, One Moore and Lincoln and tis Said that there are others Suspected.

1781 June 30 (Saturday).  Col. Ward came and acquainted me with the Appointment of a Fast to be there next Thursday come sennight.  Dr. Hall calls here in his way to Southborough.  Mr. Scott came in and tells me his sick Daughter at Mr. Gale’s, is better.  Very heavy Artilary is upon the Road, transporting on the Road, among which there is a Mortar of [blank] Weight — and a Number of large Cannon.  A Court held at Deacon Woods was continued.

1781 July 1 (Sunday).  Preached a. and p.m. on Eph. 4.1 and finished that Subject.  And may God grant Success!  At noon Mrs. Maynard.  Neither Sophy nor Mr. Brigham go to Meeting.  After Service I desired the Brethren of Church to tarry and I read to them Mr. Daniel Adams’s Letter of June 13 last — and upon it, put this following: Whether there was in this Letter of Mr. Adams anything that required a Church Meeting upon it, or any Thing that they would consider and Act upon now?  It passed in the Negative — and they were dismissed.  At Eve Mr. Brigham prayed in the Family.

1781 July 2 (Monday).  John Moulton begins to mow.  Mowes the Square Piece on this Side the Meeting House.  Rev. Dr. Hall come in in his Return home.  N.B. his Text Yesterday was Rev. 14.13, “Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord, etc.”  A Court is held again at Deacon Woods about the Detecting of Theeves.  Breck goes to Marlborough.  It is Proprietors Meeting there, and to Visit Brother Williams.  P.M. Mr. Daniel Adams came here.  Still uneasy — Says he will Send another Paper.  I told him it was in Vain, if there was nothing Still to lay before us, and in Vain to talk of a Council of Neighbouring Churches untill the matter (if there be anything) is first tryed in the Church.

1781 July 3 (Tuesday).  Rev. Mr. Putnam of Pomfret, his Wife and her Sister call here in their Journey to Boston.  Mr. Grosvenor from Marlborough dined here and preached in my Stead at the Widow Brighams.  His Text Ps. 37.37.  May divine Blessing attend!  N.B. Mr. Daniel Stockwell here in Anguish of Mind and complaining of an hard Heart etc.

1781 July 4 (Wednesday).  Dr. Crosby made me a Visit, and dined here.  I perceive that the Thieves — [blank] More and Thomas Cook are Sent to Worcester Jayl.

1781 July 5 (Thursday).  I made a Visit to Mr. Stockwell under his deep Concern, and to Mrs. Scot who is confined by Illness.  When I came home a Messenger, came for me to go to Ensign Aaron Warrin who was very ill of a Fever.  I dined there.  Prayed with him — but he was too delirious to have much Conversation with him.

1781 July 6 (Friday).  I again made a visit to Ensign Warrin, who was grown better.  He had one after another of his Friends with him: but I had a little time with him; and wish he may improve his Opportunity.

1781 July 7 (Saturday).  I was not well in the morning but was more strengthened afterwards, and undertook to go to Marlborough.  Went to See Col. Williams who continues in a low Condition.  Mr. George and the Women of the House, join with Colonel in urging me to lodge there: and they Sent word to Mr. Joseph [illegible]s, where provision was made for me, instead of Mr. Ebenezer Grosvenor.

1781 July 8 (Sunday).  Col. Williams seems [just gone?].  I preached at Marlborough on Zeph. 1.12 a.m.  Dine at Col. Williams.  Preached p.m. on Rev. 22.17.  God be praised for His gracious Assistance! and may a Blessing be added!  Lodged at the Colonels.

1781 July 9 (Monday).  Took final leave of Brother Williams.  Broke fast at Capt. William Brighams.  Visit Lt. Uriah — got him out to ride with me to his Brother George’s.  Came home before noon.  N.B. Mr. Daniel Grosvenor preached for me Yesterday a.m. on Numb. 23.10, p.m. on Heb. 12.1.  A Town Meeting to send Six more men to General Washington, to provide Beef, etc.

1781 July 10 (Tuesday).  Having lately received another Letter from Mr. Forbes I set myself to write an Answer.  Late p.m. came Capt. William Brigham, with the Sorrowful Message that Col. Williams expired this Morning nine o’Clock — 85 last April.  And my Family are desired to attend the Funeral next Thursday at 2 p.m.  And Mr. Whitney is Sent to pray on that Solemn Occasion.

1781 July 11 (Wednesday).  Wrote to Mr. Quincy for Breck to carry to Boston, which he did in the night.

1781 July 12 (Thursday).  I rode Mr. Isaac Parkers Horse to Southborough Fast.  Mr. Whitney prayed and very pertinently.  I preached on Numb. 27.16.17 which may God graciously Succeed!  At noon repair to Squire Smiths — Leave Messrs. Kellogg [and?] Bridge to perform the afternoon Service.  Col. Jonathan Ward rode with me to Marlborough to the Funeral of Col. Abraham Williams at which Mr. Grosvenor prayed and very agreeably.  The Colonel’s Will was read in the Evening.  I lodged at Mr. George Williams’s and Mr. John Williams of Rutland, lodged with me.  N.B. Mrs. Maynard came with her Coach to our House and took up her Aunt into it, and Mr. Brigham waited upon them to the Funeral.  They also returned home so.

1781 July 13 (Friday).  Mr. Grosvenor came to me in the Morning.  We read the Will again.  Mr. Williams requests us to write the Character of his Father for the Press.  I left them and returned to Westborough.  Arrived safely.  D.G.

1781 July 14 (Saturday).  Am concerned about my Horse which Elias rode to Northampton and is not returned.

1781 July 15 (Sunday).  A.M. read Isa. 63, and preached on v. 16.  P.M. read Ezek. 36, former part, and preached upon it.  At Eve Mr. Brigham read Mr. Flavells fountain of Life.

1781 July 16 (Monday).  Ensign Aaron Warrin has relapsed and is brought low; I therefore made a visit to him and prayed with him.  N.B. Met Mr. D. Adams going to my House: but he says he’ll come tomorrow Eve.

1781 July 17 (Tuesday).  Am employd in the Biographical Dictionary.  Six famous Gregory’s.  St. and Pope Gregory or the Great — [Nazianzen — Nyssen?] — James, the Mathematician, David, and James.  P.M. came Mr. Ebenezer Grosvenor from Marlborough.  I gave him something of a Character of Col. Williams for the Press — but it was too defective and incorrect.  This Eve came Deacon Hawes and then Mr. Samuel Forbush — I knew nothing of any Special Appointment.  Afterwards at half after Eight came Mr. Daniel Adams.  Breck came in, awhile.  Mr. Adams finds fault with my first Letter to him, tells me he Cannot Sit down with me.  Says the like of those Members who advised him to return Goods to his Wife — Says they are not fit to be called Christians: determines to call a Council.  I told him there was nothing to lay before a Council or before the Church and there was therefore no Need of a Meeting of Either.  In presence of the two forementioned, I said to him, Brother Adams, “If there be any Matter or Affair that you desire me to lay before the Church, which is fitt for them to hear, and if it be duely and properly prepared, I am freely willing to gratify you in doing it for you.”  He goes away resolved to call a Council; and that soon.  The two Brethren remained.  Deacon Hawes said, he Saw not any thing that the Church could be called together upon.  Mr. Forbush Said he believed there were as many now that were dissatisfyed with Mr. Adams and would stay away from the Sacrament if they knew he was to come, as there were heretofore.

1781 July 18 (Wednesday).  A young man, who says his Name is Nathaniel Fishor, came and bought of me 12 Sheep and two Lambs.  I sav’d one Lamb to kill.  He paid me 22 hard Dollars for them.

1781 July 19 (Thursday).  Mr. Moses Brigham here — has had a time of Bleeding, on his Journey.  He dined here, as did Mr. Benjamin Bailey of Bolton, with whom I changed Spectacles till we could be better suited.

1781 July 20 (Friday).  Lieut. Hannaniah Parker was with me with a Request that I would preach a Sermon to the Young Men that are going out to the Service, to West Point on Hudsons River.  Six of them and a Number more who are hired by persons out of Town.  P.M. am preparing accordingly.

1781 July 21 (Saturday).  I am somewhat concerned about Elias, having heard nothing about him, whether he has arrived at Northampton, or about the Horse.

1781 July 22 (Sunday).  Read [Ezek. 46?] latter part, from v. 25, using some former preparations in the year 1739 and 1742/3.  Preached on Several verses from v. 25.  Had Mr. Barrett of Hopkinton and Mrs. Maynard at Dinner; and p.m. Read Ps. 44 and preached on v. 4 and 5 to the Soldiers, who are going from Westborough to West Point.  After Meeting Johns Father and Mother came in, drank Tea etc.  A Company of Invalids are marching through our Roads and going from Boston to West Point.  At Eve Mr. Brigham read Mr. Flavells Fountain of Life, Sermon 9 on Acts 3.22, “A Prophet shall the Lord their God” etc. and he prayed.

1781 July 23 (Monday).  Last Even Col. Luke Drury and Capt. Lyon of Grafton came to Breck to engage and quicken him to go out Adjutant on the now prosecuting Expedition.  He goes out to try untill he obtained, on [blank] French to go in his Stead: but pays him 35 hard Dollars for it.  I read still in Vol. 6 of the Biographical Dictionary.

1781 July 24 (Tuesday).  In the morning from Shrewsbury came to Breakfast here, my dear Son Ebenezer after long Absence in the Army, and his son in Law, Master Peregrine Foster, who is going to Boston with a Covered Waggon and two Horses, to carry up Goods to Brookfield.  After Breakfast they Sat out for Boston.  P.M. I made a Visit to Mr. James Millers junior — none at home but the Maid, [blank] Livermore.  Was at Mr. Samuel Hardy’s but no Body was at home.  Thence to Mr. Stockwells who is in much spiritual Exercise — discoursed and prayed with him.  N.B. Mr. Thaddeus Warrin killed a Calf for me.

1781 July 25 (Wednesday).  Read Biogr.  Breck is displeased with the Conduct of Col. Luke Drury in the Affair of Brecks going out to the War, which he is obliged to, or find a Man.  This he does; one [blank] French and gave him [blank] hard Dollars.

1781 July 26 (Thursday).  Sophia is ill.  Dr. Ball is come, and Several Women are here, viz. Sister Brigham, Cousin Maynard and two nearest Neighbours Lamson and Harrington.  A Daughter born.  At Eve came my son Ebenezer and his Son in Law, Peregrine Foster with their Waggon from Boston, and lodge here.  Bring Letter from Mr. Quincy of the 17th and from my Son Samuel of the 24th.  N.B. Dr. Ball tells me he has brought 5 Children into the world this Week.

1781 July 27 (Friday).  My Son and his son in Law leave us for Brookfield.  John Moultons Father came to work here.  They reap.  Hephzibah Parker comes to Nurse Sophy.