Author: Anthony Vaver

1781 October 6 (Saturday).  My Son and Grand-Daughter return to Brookfield.  At Eve came my grand-daughters Lydia and Sophy from Concord to tarry with us over the Sabbath.

1781 October 7 (Sunday).  Have had so many avocations this week past, that I could not finish what I endeavoured to prepare for one part of this day.  I therefore was obliged to preach a.m. on Rom. 13.11 and p.m. on v. 12.  May God grant His special Blessing on my poor Efforts!  At Eve Mr. Brigham read Mr. Flavells fountain opened and prayed.

1781 October 8 (Monday).  Mr. Brigham goes to Bellingham, to look after a Debtor, Arnold, a Quaker.  At 2 p.m. Lydia and Sophy sat out for Concord.  I was Sent for by the Widow Brigham — I went — her Throat is much Sweld: prayed with her.  Dr. Ball and her Nephew Grout, attend on her.  When I came home, found Mr. Aaron Crosby of New Glasco here, going to Cape Ann; and he lodged here.

1781 October 9 (Tuesday).  Sent a Letter by Mr. Crosby to Mr. Forbes.  Mr. Brigham to Bellingham.  This is the Day appointed by Mr. Daniel Adams for a Council of Churches to meet at his House — But I don’t hear that any came.  I tarried at home all the Day, employed partly in reading the excellent Mr. Crawfords Dying Thoughts; etc.

1781 October 10 (Wednesday).  Visited Patty Lamb in her Consumption, at Mr. Daniel Warrins.  P.M. My wife rode with me to Visit Several Neighbours, viz. Neighbour Nathan Maynard and Mr. Isaac Parker.  Drank tea etc. at the latter.  At Night came Rev. Daniel Fuller of Gloucester and his Wife, from Middleton in Connecticut, and lodged here.  Mr. Jonathan Batherick brought a Confession from Mr. Enoch Rice and Wife now living at Brookfield.

1781 October 11 (Thursday).  Mr. Fuller and his Wife left us to return home through Billerica.  Messrs. Benjamin Stone and Samuel Crosby came, dined here.  Mr. Stone informs me of Mr. Fairbanks public Marriage last week, in the Meeting House, Solemnized by Rev. Sumner.  I wrote to Rev. Appleton by Mr. Crosby, concerning Mr. Enoch Rice and his Wife, their penitance and Confession.  Capt. Morse brought me a large Cheese, which weighted 25 lb.  May God reward him for his Generosity!  and may I be enabled to make a good Use of this and of every other Bounty bestowed upon me!

1781 October 12 (Friday).  Miss Patty Fish brought me a Letter from her Brother which informs that he has been to Stoughtonham to See Mr. Parkman Bradshaw, and found him in a deplorable Condition emaciated in Body and benighted in Mind; disconsolate and despairing.  Oh that God would commiserate!

1781 October 13 (Saturday).  Mr. Aaron Crosby from Cape Ann.  He was at Coffins, but not at Mr. Forbes’.  Sister Champney at Mr. Forbes; his New Wife not yet there.

1781 October 14 (Sunday).  I read Hosea 6 and preached a. and p.m. on v. 4.  Appointed Communion and Lecture.  At Eve Mr. Brigham read in Flavell on Christs Intercession.  Alas!  for our Inconstancy!  May we have Right and part in the Great Attorny!

1781 October 15 (Monday).  Mr. Wolcott has preached at Southborough yesterday — dines here to day, and returns to Oxford by Mr. Chaplins.  Dr. Gordon came p.m. to Tea.  He lodges here.  He communicates a long Letter from a Friend of his in London on our American Affairs.

1781 October 16 (Tuesday).  Dr. Gordon goes on his Journey to General Gates in Virginia.  Mr. Brigham to Boston.  I wrote by him to Mr. Moore, and Sent my Watch to have a New Chrystal.

1781 October 17 (Wednesday).  Lecture.  Expected Mr. Fitch.  But he did not come.  I preached myself on Hos. 6.4, from page 16, bottom to the End, which may God graciously bless!

1781 October 18 (Thursday).  Benjamin Harrington being returned from the Camp, Sick and low, I visited and prayed with him — visited at Fortunatus Millers, and at Mr. Eli Whitney’s.  P.M. Mrs. Sarah Harrington (Neighbour Calebs Wife) was here and was examined.  At night Mr. Brigham returned from Boston, brought a new Christall for my watch, 3/.  Informs me that Mr. Cranch’s 6th Volume of Biographical Dictionary (which I had been much concerned about) was at my son Samuels.

1781 October 19 (Friday).  Mr. Joseph Harrington brought me a Barrel of Cyder and a Bag of Apples.  He also brought a Barrel of Cyder from Mr. Simon Forbes.

1781 October 20 (Saturday).  My Son William came up to keep sabbath with us.  John Moultons Time is out at Eve.

1781 October 21 (Sunday).  This was Sacrament Day.  Preached on Luk. 22.15.  My Son William at Communion.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  At Eve Mr. Brigham read in Flavels Fountain of Life and prayed.

1781 October 22 (Monday).  I went up to Squire Bakers after Money for my Oxen: but did not succeed.  P.M. I rode with William as far as Marlborough.  Lt. Uriah Brigham goes with me to see Mr. Hezekiah Maynard who is Sick.  Prayed with him.  Lodged at Uriahs.

1781 October 23 (Tuesday).  Rode to Stow.  Call at Mrs. Gardners.  Mr. Newell is in his New House and has brought home his New Wife, who was Miss Lucy Rogers.  The Association was small.  Mr. Bridge and Mr. Biglow — add two Candidates, Damon and Pip[er?].  I lodged at Mr. Newells.

1781 October 24 (Wednesday).  I returned home.  In my way, called to take leave of Mrs. Gardner, and called at Mr. Micah Newtons at Marlborough.  I dined at Col. Blackneys, but the Colonel not at home.  Borrowed of his Mother the Alcoran and of his Sister Tomson’s Life and Seasons.  When I got home was informed that Mr. Fitch of Hopkinton was here yesterday, and that it was Supposed that a Council met then at Mr. Daniel Adams’s.  That Mr. Prentice of Holliston, Mr. Haven of Dedham and Mr. Brown of Sherbourn, were there.  My son Ebenezer was here also, having come yesterday under some very peculiar Difficulty, by reason of his being bound to divers Creditors for his son Bradshaw deceased: and was in danger of being sued.

1781 October 25 (Thursday).  I had Pity on my dear son in his Troubles, and gave him two Notes from the State, one of 10£, out last December, the other of 10£ 14, both upon Interest and Signed Henry Gardner Treasurer.  The last of them was out last March.  He left us to go to Brookfield.  P.M. Enoch Rice with Letter from Rev. Appleton, concerning his (Rice’s) Confession.  Neighbour Harrington and Pamela witness to Enochs owning his Letter.  Coll. Baldwin came from Boston and lodged here.

1781 October 26 (Friday).  Before Col. Baldwin left us, I requested him to do what in him lay to relieve his Brother — which he promised.  Mr. Winslow Brigham was yesterday marryed to Miss Alice Cushing, and they came home to their Father Brighams.  To day they dine at Brecks, and p.m. they drink Tea here.  A Rainy time to go home in.

1781 October 27 (Saturday).  I have neither Man nor Boy, except Billy Spring who can fetch the Cows and cut a little Wood.  But the Trouble of my Eyes is I think, increased.  At Eve a Great Noise of the taking of General Cornwallis.  Dr. Hawes brought me a Letter of General Cornwallis Defeat, from Mr. Quincy, with an Hand-Bill certifying it, and his Army with him made prisoners of War.  The Glory of God if So!

1781 October 28 (Sunday).  Mr. Waters came in the morning and preached for me a.m. on Job 23.3.4, p.m. on Phil. 3 and 4.  May God bless what was delivered, and reward his Labour of Love!  I stopped the Church, and read Mr. Enoch Rice’s Request and read his and his Wife’s Confessions, which was voted, that they Should be read to the Assembly, though they be personally absent, viz. at Brookfield.  N.B. Rev. Appletons Letter to me, on the Same Affair, was read also.  A Letter likewise which I received last Evening from Mr. Daniel Adams, to be communicated to the Church was read.  He was present.  In it he desires to come to the Communion.  I asked him (before the Church) Whether, particularly he was in Charity and Sweetness with Me?  and could receive the Sacrament at my Hands?  He answered with some Difficulty, that “he must, he thought.”  I told the Church that as the Letter came so late, but the Eve before, I was not prepared to make Remarks which were necessary upon it, or ask some Questions for right understanding Some parts of it, it must be left to further Consideration — then I gave the Blessing. At Eve Mr. Waters repeated Some parts of the p.m. Sermon.

1781 October 29 (Monday).  Wrote to Mr. Quincy per Mr. Waters, who after dining, left us to pursue his Journey to Boston.  Deacon Hawes delivered me from Mr. Cranch the 7th Volume of Biographical Dictionary, I, K, L.

1781 October 30 (Tuesday).  I catechized at the Meeting House.  Had 34 a.m. and 37 p.m.  May they all be Taught of God!  Cousen Maynard a Visit into Evening, and on foot.

1781 October 31 (Wednesday).  I visited Susanna Hardy who is sick — dined there — and prayed with her.  Visited at Capt. Jonathan Fays — talked with the Heads of the Family and with Molly [Brown?] under her Circumstances and others of them.  Went to Mr. Joseph Grouts.  Called to talk with Mr. Ben Fay of his Contention with his Neighbour Thomas Whitney, and talked him also: With Lt. Jonathan Grout and with Mr. Jonathan Forbes — Whitney says, if Fay will make him any Offer, if he will shew Bounds — he will do what is reasonable.

1781 November 1 (Thursday).  Mr. Forbes from Cape Ann brought Sister Champney, and dined with us.  He turned back p.m. to go home, though it rained.  She is to go to Upton, to her Cousin Warren’s.  Josiah Brigham came to lodge and Study here under his Brother Elijah.  Mrs. Harrington here and tells me the Substance of her Relation which I wrote for her.  My Sight has, for some time, been impaired.  Such is the Sovereign Will of God!  to which may I have Grace humbly to resign, and may I be enabled to improve what is still vouchsafed me better than ever heretofore!

1781 November 2 (Friday).  Sister Champney is here with us.  I went to Neighbour Harringtons.  I read what I had writ for her, and She (her Husband being present) consented; and at her Desire he wrote her Name.

1781 November 3 (Saturday).  An Unusual wet time.  I am closely engaged in my preparations.  At Eve Mrs. P _______ reads to me several sermons of Mr. Orton, to the Aged.

1781 November 4 (Sunday).  I preached a.m. on Rom. 13.13, repeating with proper alterations to the End of p. 30.  Mr. Stone of Yarmouth was at Meeting.  He dined with us (as did Mrs. Maynard) and he preached for me p.m. on Rom. 8.26.  After the Exercise admitted Mrs. Harrington into the Church and propounded Enoch and Olive Rice’s Desire of Humiliation here with us, omitting the other affair (Adams’s) by reason of the weather and the present Circumstances.  At Eve Mr. Stone went to Shrewsbury.

1781 November 5 (Monday).  Mr. Stone called here in his way to Southborough.  Spoke to him about his Septnagint and Dr. Owen of the Glory of Christ.  Isaac Forbush, on Mr. Brighams Account brought a Load of Wood, most Seasonably, it being a bad snow Storm.

1781 November 6 (Tuesday).  A more strict Training for shewing Arms etc.  N.B. It was to have been private meeting to day at Deacon Hawes but it could not be attended, by reason of the Training.  But towards Evening came Deacon Hawes, Messrs. Eli Whitney, and Joseph Harrington to ask me to procure Mr. Sanford of Medway to preach here.  And after them came Capt. Morse and Capt. Fisher upon the Same Errand.  I told them I did not know him, and must See and talk with him, before I could ask him.  Capt. Fisher wrought himself into an immoderate Heat.  May God forgive!

1781 November 7 (Wednesday).  Breck and Suse, with their Child go to Boston.  I wrote to [Dr. Mather?] for [Colistinus?].  At Eve Mr. Cushing and Mrs. Cotton.

1781 November 8 (Thursday).  Mr. Cushing and Mrs. Cotton go to Hopkinton, and Mrs. Wood in her Chaise waits on sister Champney to the Widow Warrins in Upton.  Deacon Hawes brings his Brother Coll. Benjamin to See me.  He informs me that my Kinsman Parkman Bradshaw is dead.  Mr. Cushing to Shrewsbury.  N.B. He brought and left me Groves Vol. 1.  At night we had by the News Paper the joyful Account of the Surrender of Earl Cornwallis and his Army at York Town, the Shipping Virginia, on Oct. 18 — which causes great Joy and Thanksgiving to God, etc. etc.  But my Joy has Mixtures and Abatement — for when Mrs. Wood returned from Upton, she relates the unkind Reception she met with at the Widow Warrins: which was much to my Disquietment.

1781 November 9 (Friday).  I wrote to Mr. Elijah Warrin of Upton, and sent it by Col. Ezra Wood (who dined here).  Breck etc. returned from Boston.  Capt. John Wood (whose Family is moved to [blank]) was here for a Certificat.