Author: Anthony Vaver

1782 August 19 (Monday).  Mr. James Downs, having worked for me in Ditching my Interval, I paid him his Demand for 26 Rod, 26/ by a Note to the Constable Harrington.  P.M. came Ebenezer Son of Ensign Fay to acquaint me with the Death of the Infant which had lain so low and to desire me to attend the Funeral tomorrow.  I answered that if they would appoint the Time to be at 8 in the [morn?].

1782 August 20 (Tuesday).  I received no Answer from Ensign Fay’s.  I therefore rode up there about that time: But Ensign said that had sent to Grafton.  I therefore rode over to Northborough to the Association at Mr. Whitney’s where were Messrs. Biglow, Newell, and there was also Mr. Puffer.  The Moderatorship came on me.  Mr. Whitney prayed — but it was conceived there were Difficultys enough to take up our time, and therefore there was no Concio.  Next Meeting appointed to be 3d Tuesday in September.  My Son Ebenezer went over also and dined with us; he accompanyed me home.  N.B. A Fast at Shrewsbury.  Mr. Grosvenor preached a.m. on Isa. 26.4.  Rev. Dr. Hall p.m. on Isa. 45.22.

1782 August 21 (Wednesday).  Hear that there is a Fast to day at Hopkinton.  Messrs. Stone and Crosby dined here.  P.M. Mr. Abijah Gale is here and has much to say upon the Adams Difference.  Mr. Brigham and his wife rode over to Northborough to visit Mrs. Briggs.

1782 August 22 (Thursday).  P.M. The Church Met — to Consider Mr. Adams’s Request of Dismission and Recommendation to the Church of Hopkinton and his Wife’s Complaint against him.  Mrs. Adams came, but her Husband would not — till we had been some time together — and then would Stay but a short Space, and hastily flung out and rode away.  The Church voted to have a Fast.  They were very Unanimous.  There was Reason enough.  Besides the Drought, the public state — this Critical Juncture — Our great Perplexities — but the Growth of Sin; Decay of Religion etc.  They would have it to be Next Thursday. Capt. Morse is earnest to have Mr. Frost of Millford sent to.  I consented (and have writ to him accordingly).  The Church Meeting with regard to Mr. Adams’s Affair was necessarily Adjourned — the Adjournment is to Monday the 9th of Sept.  I concluded with Prayer and Blessing.  After Meeting Deacon Wood and Mr. Belknap here.

1782 August 23 (Friday).  Wrote to Dr. Hall and to Mr. Grosvenor concerning the Fast — to Mr. Whitney likewise.  Mrs. White, an Hopkinton Widow woman, Spinning for some Days, for Sophy.

1782 August 24 (Saturday).  Mr. Isaac Johnson and Mr. Outhank, returning from New-Haven (whither they have been in Quest of a minister) came in with a Letter from President Stiles, accompanyed with a Present of a Poem Spoken at Commencement September 12, 1781.[1]  Col. Baldwin came p.m. (from Brookfield).

[1]Joel Barlow (1754-1812), A poem, spoken at the public commencement at Yale College, in New-Haven; September 12, 1781 (Hartford: Printed by Hudson & Goodwin, [1781]). Evans 17090.

1782 August 25 (Sunday).  Preached on Prov. 12.26, former part, a. and p.m.  Mrs. Maynard dines here.  P.M. I appointed the Communion and acquainted the Congregation with what the Church had voted with respect to a Fast, and recommended it to them.  I desired them to manifest their Consent by Rising up, which they did — to be next Thursday, by leave and Help of God.

1782 August 26 (Monday).  Mr. Brigham goes to Boston in Col. Baldwins Chaise, and with his Horse; they waiting on my Daughter Baldwin to tarry a little at her Brother Samuels.  Col. Baldwin p.m. Setts out for Brookfield.  Mrs. P________ makes a Visit to Mrs. Baker who is confined with a Sore Breast.  N.B. I have writ to Mr. Sumner, Mr. Whitney and Mr. Fitch of the Fast.

1782 August 27 (Tuesday).  Mrs. P________ rode to Capt. Maynard’s, a.m.  Returned at Eve.

1782 August 28 (Wednesday).  A Number of persons, particularly Deacon Wood, Mr. Joseph Harrington here and afford Mutton and Lamb.  Squire Baker Pork, Tongues, Candles.  Some others Sauce; Squashes, Roots.

1782 August 29 (Thursday).  A Day of Solemn FASTING and Prayer.  See the 22d day.  The Drought continues and the Cold Nights.  Mr. P. Whitney began with prayer: Mr. Frost preached a.m. on Mat. 24.12.  Mr. Sumner prayed p.m.  Mr. Whitney preached on Heb. 3.2.  After which I prayed, And O that a merciful and gracious God would Vouchsafe to Pardon and accept for His dear sons sake!  Mr. Frost tarrys with us.  The Pastures are so burnt, that the Horses are put into the Barn.  N.B. Mr. Brigham returned from Watertown so as to attend with us in the publick Exercises: and Alexander came at Eve.

1782 August 30 (Friday).  Mr. Frost left us.  So did my son after Dinner, for Fitchburgh.  N.B. There was this Morning, in low Grounds a Frost.

1782 August 31 (Saturday).  My Son Samuel has Sent me a Box of hollond Pipes, containing two Dozen which arrived safe.  This morning was unusually foggy.  It was so thick that we could not see at Scarcely a Rod or two distance.  But though surprizing for awhile we concluded at length, it was caused chiefly by a Coal-Pit; yet as far as Mr. Ebenezer Forbush’s.  Two young Kinsfolks Master William Bowes Bradford and his Sister Miss Betsy, arrived from Boston, to make us a Visit.  N.B. Am informed that Neighbour Caleb Harrington having Set Fire to some part of his Meadow, it ran and spread.

1782 September 1 (Sunday).  Preached on Joh. 15.9.10 a. and p.m. to page 14, beginning. Administered the Lords Supper.  Mr. William Temple of Alsted, dined here.  N.B. In the time of forenoon public prayer I had for a little space, a suspension[‘s?] but after a while went on again.  Thanks to God for His Assistance!  N.B. The Fires are prevailing in the Meadows below us, and many are kept from Meeting to stop, and quench and guard it.

1782 September 2 (Monday).  My Young Kinsman and his Sister and Sundry Others with them take a Ride to Col. Brighams.  Returned at Evening.  Deacon Gideon Newton of Southborough here to acquaint me that the Church and Congregation in that place have appointed a Fast next Thursday (by divine leave) and desire my Assistance with others therein.

[1782 September 3 (Tuesday).]  I made a Visit to old Mrs. Beeman.  My Son Ebenezer accompanys.  We dined at Col. Brighams, but he is gone down to Cambridge.  We also visited at Mr. Haskills and Mr. Tim Warrins.  Wood [sic] have gone to Jacob Garfields, but missed our way.

[1782 September 4 (Wednesday).]  [illegible] Mrs. Jane White of Hopkinton Widow, has been employed by my Daughter Brigham in spinning.  Is now taken sick and grows very bad.  Mrs. Brigham has the Special Care of her; but we are all affected with it and brings us into Trouble — and yet,

[1782 September 5 (Thursday).]  Mr. Brigham goes to Boston, and I go to the Fast at Southborough.  Mr. Kellogg began the Solemnity with Prayer.  Mr. Fitch preached a.m. on Jer. 5.25, “Your Iniquities have turned away these things etc.”  He prayed p.m. and I preached on Isa. 9.13.19.21. “For the People turneth not, etc.”  May the Lord pardon and graciously accept — Send Rain, pour out His spirit — grant a Pastor after His own Heart; and Pity His Heritage in General and revive His Work universally!  My Letter to Mr. Dan. Adams to inform his of our Adjournment and reprove him etc.  I committed to the Care of Mr. Fitch, who said he should deliver it that Evening.  My Son Ebenezer was with me.  We returned home at Evening.  I understand that Mrs. White is grown very bad.  She had a very bad Night, and no better Day — has Watchers and has had Several Doctors.  Squire Hawes (as he is now called) and Dr. Daniel Brigham.  Dr. Mountague has also seen her — and all judge her Case is dangerous.  May God grant due preparation for His holy will!

1782 September 6 (Friday).  Mr. John Lyscomb has come hastily from NewBraintry, bearing a Letter, writ by my Grandson Thomas to his Sister Apphia at New Braintry, dated West-Point Aug. 26, informing her of the Extreme Illness of her Husband Elias; and that his Father who is here, might read the sorrowfull Intelligence of it.  Mrs. White remains very ill here.

1782 September 7 (Saturday).  Mr. Lyscomb, who went to Southborough yesterday, calls, to take a Letter from my Son to his Daughter in Law.  At Eve came my Daughter Lydia from Concord and in the Chaise brought her little John and her Babe Hannah.  After these came My Son William himself from Ashburnham.

1782 September 8 (Sunday).  Preached a. and p.m. on Prov. 12.26.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  N.B. I gave public Notice of the Funeral of old Mrs. Hannah Beeman who expired this Morning — 90 Years old last May.  God Sanctifie this Death to especially such of us as are hoary!  N.B. Mr. Brigham, who returned last night, brought a Letter of the [blank] from Mr. Moore.

1782 September 9 (Monday).  Mr. A. Beeman here in the Morning, that I might acquaint him with my Obligations to preach tomorrow for Mr. Grosvenor.  My Son and Daughter having dined with us, Sat out in their Chaise; their Children also [inkspot].  Mrs. White is able to Sit up a little.  My Son Ebenezer wrote and sends [inkspot] to his Sons at West-point, by a Man going up there.

1782 September 10 (Tuesday).  Fast at Grafton on Account of the Drought.  I rode up.  Deacon Wood and my Son Ebenezer rode up with me.  Mr. Fish prayed, and Mr. Sumner preached a.m.  The Text was Ezek. 18.36, latter part.  Mr. Fish p.m. on Heb. 2.3, Mr. Sumner having prayed before it.  My part was the last prayer, in which was the gathering up and the closing[?].  And may God most gracious and Mercifull, pardon, accept [illegible] glory Succeed!  My son and I returned safely at Eve.  To God be all Honor and praise!

1782 September 11 (Wednesday).  Elias came home from Gloucester via Boston.  He has finished his School there.  His Sister Baldwin is gone by water to Cape Ann, and Isaac [in the Chaise?] by Land.

1782 September 12 (Thursday).  Fast at Framingham.  My Son Ebenezer rode with me to Mr. Kellogg, and we arrived the first that came.  Mr. Kellogg began Prayer a.m. and Mr. Biglow preached.  Mr. Bridge the first prayer p.m. and I preached from Ps. 81.11 to 16.  May God accept and Succeed!  At Eve rode to sister Stones and lodged there.

1782 September 13 (Friday).  Rode home in safety.  D.G.  Elias has a bad Cough[?].  Ebenezer left me after Fast yesterday and went to Concord.

1782 September 14 (Saturday).  The Drought unhappily continues — such is the holy Anger of God!

1782 September 15 (Sunday).  I rode over to Northborough and preached there a.m. on Ps. 81.11 to 16, and returned at Even.  P.M. I preached on Rev. 22.12.  Mr. Whitney here on Jer. 13.15.16 a. and p.m.  May God Succeed!

1782 September 16 (Monday).  I was retired.  At Eve married Mr. Gershom Brigham to Mrs. Bulah Bellows.  O that God would graciously accept!

1782 September 17 (Tuesday).  Mr. Brigham, Sophy and Miss Mindwell Brigham to Boston.  P.M. Went to Mr. Simon Forbes’s, and attended the Exercises of Mr. Fish, who preached a good Sermon on Ps. 96.8, former part.  N.B. Mr. Wilkins lodged here, and to day went to Marlborough.

1782 September 18 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer returned from Concord. Miss Eliza Beales was here, at Breakfast.  N.B. our Discourse was of Mr. Sanford.  Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain here and brought me his Rates — paid me £6.18.0.  N.B. He asks me who they were of the Singers that desired that we might Sing five times in the Congregation?

1782 September 19 (Thursday).  I paid Mr. Newton Nine French Crowns (or the Value of Ten Dollars) more, towards his keeping my Cattle last year.  Billy P________ from Concord. Our Sister Brigham fell from her Horse.

1782 September 20 (Friday).  Billy returns home.  At Eve Mr. Hazzletine — Supper Honey.

1782 September 21 (Saturday).  My Daughter Baldwin, aided by her son Isaac, came from Cape Ann — last from Horns Tavern where they lodged, and came here to Breakfast this Morning.  They are greatly fatiegued.  Isaac returned back to Charlestown, and leaves his Mother here. Ebenezer and Elias still here: But our Family is lessened and relieved, in some Measure, by Mrs. White’s going from us, to Mr. Graves’s.  Elias waited upon her with an Horse.

1782 September 22 (Sunday).  A.M. on Prov. 12.16.  Mrs. Maynard dined with us.  P.M. on Heb. 4.9.  At Eve Ebenezer read a Sermon of Mr. [blank].