Author: Anthony Vaver

January 25, 1782

1782 January 25 (Friday).  Mr. William Spring and his Wife with two Children from Sturbridge, came to see us.  N.B. I delivered to Mr. Spring Ostervald of the Causes of the Corruption among Christians, for which I have some numbers of the Royal Magazine, Vol. I and II bound up (with many Omissions) in one Volume.  P.M. my Son Baldwin and Mr. Weare came from Boston.  N.B. A new Chrystal for my watch, from Mr. Peck – price 3/.  They Set out though late, for home; my Daughter with them.

January 28, 1782

1782 January 28 (Monday).  Mr. Goodall, his wife and Child here.  Also their mother Maynard and Brother and Sister Wheelock from Otter Creek.  I lent Mr. Goodall Mr. Cottons Way of Life for 3 or 4 Months; but he returns the Volume of Morning Exercise which he had taken before.  Memorandum.  Deacon Hawes has been here to inform that Mr. Samuel Hardys wife is delivered of a Dead Child and would have me attend the Funeral tomorrow at one O’Clock.  After which Mr. Andrews was here upon the sorrowful Errand that his Daughter Bettys Infant is dead, and ask me to the Burial.

January 29, 1782

1782 January 29 (Tuesday).  A very cold season, but I am obliged to exert my self.  I rode in my sleigh to Mr. Samuel Hardys, an House of Mourning, and prayed with them before their interring their Infant.  Thence, at 3 o’Clock, I rode to Mr. Andrews’s, and apply’d myself to the unhappy Girl.  She Seemed somewhat penitent: a good many Neighbours attended.  I prayed with them — and Said what pungent Things I could.  I did not go to the Grave.  I turned in to See old Lt. Forbush and his Wife, who has lately lost her only surviving Brother Mr. Moses Bellows of Southborough.

February 3, 1782

1782 February 3 (Sunday).  A Stormy Snowy Day.  A thin Congregation.  A.M. preached again on Phil. 4.7.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. on Consideration of the abounding of Sin, especially Fornication, I preached on Jer. 8.6, those words, “No man repented” etc.  N.B. Mrs. Dolly Rice very ill — prayed for.  Mrs. P________ not well — Susa and Sophy much out of Health.  All of them Stay at home.  Mr. Brigham at Eve Read in Flavel, and prayed.

February 6, 1782

1782 February 6 (Wednesday).  I took the sleigh and Horse, with Billy Spring to drive, and rode to Southborough.  I carryed to Mrs. Stone Dr. Owen’s Meditations on the Glorys of Christ — dined there.  Borrowed of Mr. Peter Stone, Mr. James Pierce’s 15 sermons.  In lieu of which I left the Causes of the Decay etc.  When I came back I made a Visit to Capt. Jonas Brigham, who has lost the Sight of one of his Eyes.  He received my Visit very kindly.

February 9, 1782

1782 February 9 (Saturday).  Mr. Brigham came home.  He brings me the 9th Volume of Biographical Dictionary from Mr. Cranch.  Mr. B. relates the awful Suicide of a young Mr. Gray who has shot himself.  We hear of Several other Sudden Deaths — a Mr. Clafflin of Hopkinton killed by a Sleigh.  But the most sorrowful is what we hear from New Fane — of this, more hereafter.  At Even came Mr. Crosby and lodges here.

February 11, 1782

1782 February 11 (Monday).  Dr. Crosby here a.m. looks of my Eye.  He [likes?] me not to meddle with it.  Young Mr. Crosby dines here.  N.B. I committ to him a Spanish Dollar to be delivered to the Widow of the late Mr. Josiah Swan of Leominster.  P.M. Paul Knowlton Esq. came to see me, and give me an Account of the late Burning at New Fane (where he lives); and he says, that In the Morning of the 2d of this Month was discovered that the House, and every Thing that was in it, of Mr. Henry Sartel, were reduc’d to Ashes.  He, himself, his wife and five Children were burnt; their Bones and the Bones of their Dog were found — and that Rev. Taylor preached an excellent Sermon next day from Luk. 13.2.4.5 which the Hearers will try to get Printed.  May God Sanctifie such an awakening Dispensation!  Mr. Knowlton informs likewise that Capt. Blackersley [?] of Brattleborough going from New Fane to Bennington, in one of the late Cold Days, perished in the Cold.

February 14, 1782

1782 February 14 (Thursday).  We Suppose that to day Lt. Warrins Complaint against Squire Baker comes on again.  N.B. Two of our Scholars, viz. Josiah Brigham and John Baker, move their Lodgings from our House to Mr. [blank] Bush’s at North Shrewsbury, to be under the Tuition of Mr. Fairbank.  Bowman with my Horse, assists them in it.  Mrs. P________ has a grievous sore, grown upon the Great Toe of her Left Foot.  And the old sore upon her right Leg is still worse.  She is much Afflicted.

February 20, 1782

1782 February 20 (Wednesday).  Cloudy and Snowy still.  A Letter from Elias at Northampton in which he still complains of our Neglecting him — that he has had but one Letter from me, which was that of Jan. 8 (or 18th) for Three Months: He is also out of Health.  At Eve came my Son William from Concord and brought up his Daughter Suse.  N.B. His wife somewhat better, but Lydia is worse — with various Disorders.

February 21, 1782

1782 February 21 (Thursday).  William stays to dine with us — leaves Suse and returns home himself.  P.M. Mr. Brigham rides with me to Mr. Snow’s, who is very low; conversed and prayed with him.  We visit at Mr. Abraham Beemans.  Himself not there.  Elias’s Letter had filled us with Concern on Account of his being out of Health: But when we arrived at home I found him here, and indifferently well.  But Mrs. P________ is much indisposed in Body, as well as lame on both Sides.

February 24, 1782

1782 February 24 (Sunday).  Preached again on 1 Cor. 6.20 and to day both a. and p.m.  O that the Spirit of God might accompany and prosper the Word dispensed!  Mrs. Fessenden and Mrs. Culloch dined here.  At Eve Mr. B. read Flavels Fountain etc., Sermon 28.  Mrs. P________ still confined from public meeting.  Letters from Mr. Cushing.  He gives me an Account of a Council lately at Ashby upon Mr. Whitmans Doctrines and Conduct.  At Eve Mr. B. Flavell Sermon 28[?].