Author: Anthony Vaver

1782 June 10 (Monday).  Read my son Moores Letter of May 26th last and Judge Sullivans Letter of Nov. 17, 1781 to the Rev. Mr. West of Dartmouth with Mr. Wests Answer thereto.

1782 June 11 (Tuesday).  Breck has Nine Hands at work, on Cellar, Frame etc.  Rev. and aged Mr. Thomas West of Rochester here, going to Charlestown No. 4.  Also Coll. Baldwin, who is come from Cambridge where his son Isaac lies Sick of a bad Fever.  They dined with us and p.m. left us for Worcester and Brookfield.  I wrote to Mr. Maccarty for his Convention Sermon etc.

1782 June 12 (Wednesday).  I had appointed a Lecture to be this Day — wrote again to Mr. Grosvenor to preach it and Sent the Letter last Week, by (I Suppose) the Safe Hand of Deacon Batchellor — But was again disappointed; for he did not Come, nor have I any Lisp of Reason Why.  I preached my Self on Deut. 11.26.27.28 which may God bless to the few who came!  After Meeting we had, to see us, Cousin Sally Brigham and her son in Law, Dr. John Gott from Wenham.  Also Mr. Belknap and his Wife, and Mr. Hazzletine.

1782 June 13 (Thursday).  Mr. Maccarty Sent me his Convention Sermon on Act. 20.24.  I read part of it; it being writ out very fair and legible.  Read Mr. Moses Hemmenway on Infant Baptism, which is writ nervously and Judiciously.

1782 June 14 (Friday).  Mr. Down works with Thatcher and dines etc. here.  I read the rest of Mr. Maccartys Sermon — a Serious and useful Discourse.  I wish divine Blessing [may?] be vouchsafed, and that God would pity him under a [illegible] weakness and Support him through his Tryals.

1782 June 15 (Saturday).  Wrote Additions to sermon on Deut. 11.26.

1782 June 16 (Sunday).  This compleats the 58th Year Since I gave my Answer to the Town of Westborough.  I preached a.m. on Mark XIV.14.15 and Administered the sacrament.  May the Long-suffering of God be magnifyed!  May he graciously accept our Offerings!  P.M. on [blank].  Mrs. Maynard and Mr. Samuel Barrett (of Hopkinton) Dined here.  At Eve Mr. Brigham read Flavells Fountain of Life, Sermon 41 and prayed.

1782 June 17 (Monday).  Mr. Lyon came from Southborough and dined here.  I Catechized at the Meeting House above 30 Boys a.m. 36 Girls p.m.  Met with Mr. Aaron Fay of Southborough and talked with him about his Mother in Law (who was [blank] Bradish) — So abandoned to Drinking, that tis feared his [sic] Case is desperate.

1782 June 18 (Tuesday).  I rode to Mr. Bridge’s, East-Sudbury, it being the Time of our Association.  Mr. Bridge prayed at the Beginning and I did it at the concluding of the Meeting.  Mr. Whitney asks the Association to meet Next at his House.  Then riding to my son Williams and passing over a Bridge near one Mr. Ephraim Abbots, my Horse took a bad Fright, Set to running — and, threw me off, wounded my Head, tore my Cloths, my Coat and Jacket especially.  But Mrs. Abbot, and her son, were very kind.  The latter (when the Storm of Thunder and Rain which arose at that time was over) took his Horse and rode with me a good part of the Way to Williams where I arrived and lodged Safely.  Am informed that the [Excellent?] Capt. Charles Miles is Sorrowfully sunk into Melancholly and Dullness — as his Brothers were.  O that God would bless to me the Great Favour I enjoy in having my Understanding and May it please Him to continue — But would [?] beg His almighty Grace to improve Life, Reason and the Gospel, while I enjoy them.

1782 June 19 (Wednesday).  This is the Day of the Great Solemnity of the Instalment of Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Grosvenor at Harvard.  May God be among them!  I can’t be among them as I hop’d.  I rode home.  Billy, my Grandson rode with [me] to Col. Weeks; where we dined.  I call to See Mrs. Blackden at Mr. Jonathan Loring, who lies in a low Condition, and prayed with him.  At Mr. George Williams’s.  At Mr. Jonathan Bruce’s, to see Mrs. Beeman who is yet alive, but not able to converse: and at Coll. Brighams.

1782 June 20 (Thursday).  We expected Mr. Whitney of Brookline in Connecticut from Harvard: but his Horse had got away, and therefore he came not but Mr. Peter Whitney and his Wife came and Spent the p.m.  The World is at this juncture in Tosses about Mr. Eli: who heads a Mob in the County of New Hampshire, and who was put into Springfield Jayl, but was last Lords Day, forcibly let out, and absconds.

1782 June 21 (Friday).  A.M. came Mr. Johnson of Lime and his Lady from Boston, and dine here; as do Mr. Aaron Crosby and his Lady also, from [blank].  After which came the Widow of the late Mr. Abraham Knowlton of Shrewsbury.  But I was obliged to go to Mr. Nathan Maynards who raises a New Barn, and there I supped.  Thanks to God there was no Evil Occurrences.

1782 June 22 (Saturday).  My Son Ebenezer came from Brookfield; but last from Deacon Jonathan Bonds junior of Shrewsbury.  N.B. He has been to Squire Caldwell at Barre — and to See Alex, at Marlborough, New Hampshire.

1782 June 23 (Sunday).  We Sang five times, viz. as to first Singing — Hymn 75th and the Last Singing was Hymn 76.  Preached a. and p.m. on Rev. 22.17.  Mr. Brigham at Eve read Flavells Fountain Life part of Sermon 42.  May God grant His Blessing!

1782 June 24 (Monday).  Mr. Lyon and Mrs. Stone from Southborough made us a Visit and dined — after Tea they returned.  Southborough Meet to Choose a Minister.

1782 June 25 (Tuesday).  Mr. Brigham goes to Boston.  Wrote by him to Mr. Quincy.  Hear that Southborough have elected Mr. Lyon.  There were votes for divers Others, viz. for Messrs. Killbourn, Millen and Wolcott.  I visit Deacon Woods Wife, who is ill.  Mr. Jonathan Forbes and Mr. Joseph Grout meet me on the Road, and want to discourse about Mrs. Adams.  Mr. Benjamin Fay likewise is very Strenuous about his Difference with Mr. Thomas Whitney, and Says he is willing to leave the whole to Men mutually chose.  I design and attempt to visit Sarah Newton but met her in a Chaise riding out.  She grows worse.  N.B. Sophy has got Mr. Lambson to whitewash part of the House. Sundry Visitants.  Mrs. P________ [blot] is much exercised with grievous Pain in her Back.

1782 June 26 (Wednesday).  I preached Mr. Whitneys Lecture.  My son Ebenezer went to Northborough with me.  Mr. Sumner and his Wife were with us there at Dinner.  Mr. Sumner also prayed before my sermon.  The Text was Ps. 73.26, middle Clause: “But God is the strength of my Heart” — which may God succeed!  I Returned in Safety.

1782 June 27 (Thursday).  Visited and prayed with Sarah Newton. Our House Still in the Confusions of White-washing.  Ebenezer very helpful but Mrs. P________ much confined.  Has took Physick — but her Back especially is very lame.  Mr. Brigham returns from Boston.

1782 June 28 (Friday).  Mrs. P________ no better.  Dr. Hawes visits her.  Ebenezer and Sophia ride to visit Capt. Maynard and his Wife.  Have Mr. Elisha Forbes’ Chaise.

1782 June 29 (Saturday).  They ride in the Same Manner to Lieut. Nathan Brighams at Southborough.  N.B. An Account from Pittsfield, of an Hurricane there, last Lords Day p.m.

1782 June 30 (Sunday).  N.B. Sung Hymn [blank] at the Beginning of public Worship a.m. and preached again on Rev. 22.17, both a. and p.m.  At the begin of public Worship p.m. we Sang Hymn [blank].  At Eve Mr. Brigham read Flavels Fountain Life, Sermon 42, midpart.

1782 July 1 (Monday).  Mr. Daniel Grosvenor has preached at Southborough and in his returning home, comes in and dines here.  He gives me an Account of his not preaching my Lecture — etc., etc.  Breck begins to frame an House.

1782 July 2 (Tuesday).  I visited Deacon Woods Wife — also Sarah Newton.  Am reading the History of the War, No. VII.  Dr. Stimpson has visited Sarah Newton, but despairs of her Recovery.

1782 July 3 (Wednesday).  My Son Ebenezer having tarried thus long with us, he took his Journey to Providence.  I rode with him beyond this Town.  I committed to his Care 3 Pamphlets which I borrowed of Rev. Mr. Willard of Mendon.  In returning home, called at several Houses.  I dined at Mr. Elisha Forbes, visited at Capt. Morse’s.  Old Mrs. Dolly Rice made us a kind Visit, beyond my Expectation.

1782 July 4 (Thursday).  Visit Sarah Newton, who is Weaker and weaker.  P.M. Visit old Mr. James Maynard and prayed with him.  N.B. I went to Mr. Thomas Lamsons.  N.B. I find at Mr. Joseph Rice’s House that his Brother Elisha is come to live there.

1782 July 5 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1782 July 6 (Saturday).  I visit Sarah Newton and prayed with her.  Carryed her Calamy on Vows.  Went to Mr. Ruggles’s etc.  Deacon Wood here, tells me his Wife is grown Worse.  I rode to Shrewsbury and lodged at Mr. Sumners.

1782 July 7 (Sunday).  Mr. Sumner to Westborough.  I preached at Shrewsbury a. [and p.m.?] on Luk. 16.31.  N.B. We sung four times, and without [blot] Reading by Deacons.  May God graciously accept and bless [?].  I went at Eve to Sister Cushings and lodged there.  N.B. Mr. Sumners Texts Mat. 6.1, 1 John. 1.5.

1782 July 8 (Monday).  I returned home safely, and found all in Usual Comfort.  D.G.  N.B. Mr. Brigham returned from Boston on the 6th at night.  And my Son Ebenezer returned from Providence the Same Evening.  I read Mr. Gay of Hinghams Sermon at the Instalment of Mr. Ezra Carpenter at Keen and Swanzy, from Zech. 2.1, “I lift up mine Eyes again and looked, and behold, a man with his Measuring Line in His Hand.”  P.M. Mr. P. Whitney and Mrs. Briggs.

1782 July 9 (Tuesday).  I went up to Sarah Newton, who is but just living; I asked a few Necessary Questions — to which She gave intelligible Answers.  I left her designing to return again.  But when I came back She had expired — not half after 8 o’Clock a.m.  It was to visit Mrs. Joanna Fay, who has been long confined by Illness.

1782 July 10 (Wednesday).  Breck Raises his House.  28 feet Front; 30 feet back.  Mr. Jonathan Batheric and Capt. Fisher were the principal Workmen.  Through the Goodness of God there was no Evil Occurrence.  An hundred and fifteen persons were entertained.  Cousen Maynard was very kind and helpfull.  She came early and stayed here over night.

1782 July 11 (Thursday).  Mr. Thomas Lamsons Wife came to work here for Mr. Brigham.  Miss Sarah Newton was buryed.  I attended and prayed.  Had She been permitted to live till Aug. 18, She would have been 17 Years old.  A variety of Company here.  John Cushing of Ashburnham came.  Came to his Grandmother Cushings last night, and here today.

1782 July 12 (Friday).  John goes to Southborough, to See his Aunt Brigham and agrees with Squire Smith to live with him.  We have the Joy of Harvest.  Mr. Thomas Kenny and Downs reap.

1782 July 13 (Saturday).  My Son Ebenezer very helpful in taking up and carting in Rye.  Mrs. Lambson at Eve goes home.

1782 July 14 (Sunday).  Because of the Harvest I preached on Joh. 6.35 a.m. and on Occasion of Sarah Newtons Death, p.m. on Ps. 110.3.  And may the Blessing of God accompany and render Effectual!  At Eve Mr. Brigham read the Close of Mr. Flavel’s Fountain of Life, and he prayed.  Have been informed that the Widow Cook has been taken with Bleeding, and last night the Doctor was with her all night.  It is now stanch’d.