Author: Anthony Vaver

1782 October 28 (Monday).  Mrs. P________ has lain some time in the lower Room.  Sits up a While in the Day, but She is Still exercised with Such Fitts of Coughing as waste her exceedingly.  P.M. came Mr. Fitch.  He agrees to Send me Montanus’s Hebrew Bible to use as long as I want it.  He carrys away four Pamphlets.  Dr. Solomon Williams Ordination of Mr. Jacob Eliot: Dr. St[iles?] Installment of Mr. Hopkins: Tachygraphy; and a Poem delivered at Commencement.  At Eve came Mr. Jon. Forbes.  He brought a very handsome good Cheese of 14 1/2 weight.  Mrs. P________ at Eve and night very bad Turns of coughing.

1782 October 30 (Wednesday).  Mrs. P________ no better.  Dr. Stimpson and Mrs. Cotton with him.  They dine here.  He brings the works of Dr. David McBride.

1782 October 31 (Thursday).  These were Days of much Sickness and Trouble.  And yet I have more grievous to add — viz. that [blank]

1782 November 1 (Friday).  From the Evening before, at Midnight [and?] this morning I was so exceed[ingly] short breathed that I was as if Expiring.  But God was pleased to relieve me.  All praise to His Name!

[1782 November 2 (Saturday).]  I had Another Such a faint, terrible Turn — but reviv’d after Some Hours. [?] bless God therefor.  Many kind People visit me.

[1782 November 3 (Sunday).]  No preaching — but there was a Small public Assembly — Deacons and Mr. Brigham officiated.  May God graciously accept!

[1782 November 4 (Monday).]  Rev. Mr. Fish visits, dines and prayed.  Rev. Whitney also with us.  Both Mrs. P________ and I very ill with Cough and Fever with interrupted Breath, Short and difficult.

1782 November 5 (Tuesday).  Rev. Whitney was again, by Request here, and assisted in making a Will which I signed, declared and owned before Justice Hawes.

1782 November 6 (Wednesday).  Last night and this Morning was another most memorable Time with me!  Was by degrees extremely Sho[rt] breathed, and as if departing!!  But God was pleased in infinite Goodness to Pity and Relieve me at this time also.  To His name be praise and Glory.  [From this point, not in Parkman’s hand.]  Mr. Ebenezer Maynard’s Wife watches.

1782 November 7 (Thursday).  Lieut. Harrington here presents a Quarter of Lamb.  Mrs. P’s Cough continues tedious.

1782 November 8 (Friday).  A Comfortable Night yet faintness succeeds.  Reverend Sumner and Doctor Stimson here.  Mr. Brigham returned from Boston.  Alexander came from Marlborough.

1782 November 9 (Saturday).  Samuel from Boston.

1782 November 10 (Sunday).  No Minister although the Deacons performed, yet Breck and Samuel to Shrewsbury.  Mr. B. and Elias to Grafton.  Mrs. P. more Comfortable.

[1782 November 11 (Monday).  Alexander and Samuel to Boston.  Elias to Lancaster.

[1782 November 12 (Tuesday).  Doctor Ebenezer Morse here.  Reverend D. Grosvenor here and pray’d.  Capt. Maynard and others.  Mrs. Hazletine here in the Even.

[1782 November 13 (Wednesday).  At about 5 oClock in the Morning another Distresing turn came on but not so lasting.  I again obtained Some Relief through the Infinite Mercy of God. Reverend Summer here and pray’d.  Mrs. P. came up Stairs.  By Physick taken lately was very disagreably wrought upon.

[1782 November 14 (Thursday).  The Diarrhea continues very grievous.  Misses Fish here. Remarkable Diminution of Flesh through the Severity of a continued Diarrhea.  Doctor Stimson revisits.  Recommends Mallows Tea which greatly relieves.

[1782 November 16 (Saturday).  A more Comfortable Night.  Mr. Representative Parker here.  Brought a proclamation for Thanksgiving.

1782 November 17 (Sunday).  A very faint Day.  Mrs. P________ came up Chamber.

1782 November 18 (Monday).  Town Meeting.  Mr. Collector Harrington [Jr.?] here.  Paid me by Orders and Money £23-2/.  Mrs. Maynard visits.

1782 November 19 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer to N. Braintree.  Alexander to Framingham.  Mr. Brigham to Boston — much more Comfortable.  To God be Praise and Glory!

1782 November 20 (Wednesday).  A.M. Mr. P. Whitney here.  Mr. Andrews, Treasurer, here and pays me £3.0.  Alexander did not return as expected.  Had a more Comfortable Day.  First Snow.

1782 November 21 (Thursday).  [Parkman’s hand resumes.]  Alexander after considerable Excursions about his Difficult Affairs, returns and lodges here.  At Eve Ensign Aaron Warrin made me a Visit; and very amicable.  N.B. I have had (through divine Goodness) several very good and quiet nights, without getting up at all, but once in each, to drink.  A great alteration with me indeed.  Mr. Brigham returned home.

1782 November 22 (Friday).  Elias goes to live at Dr. Stimpsons.  Alexander also leaves us to go home again, after long Absence.  P.M. Dr. Gott here.  N.B. He designs to go to Cohoss.  Mr. Ebenezer Maynard again visits and not empty.

1782 November 23 (Saturday).  Another comfortable night.  D.G.  Lt. Warren a long Visit.  Mrs. P________ came up Chamber, and dined together.  Mr. Asa Piper from Acton, at Night.

1782 November 24 (Sunday).  Mr. Piper preached a.m. on Prov. 3.5.  He dined here.  Cousin Maynard also.  P.M. on Luk. 13.2.3.  This latter he repeated at Eve.  Which may God bless!  I had but a faint, weak Day of it.  May the Lord shew Mercy, for Christ’s sake.  N.B. am informed of the [Death?] of Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton on the 21.

1782 November 25 (Monday).  Mr. Piper is with us till Evening and, then he goes to board at Lt. Levi Warrin’s.  Dr. Stimpson visited us — he is generous in his Offers respecting his Visits and Assistance here.

1782 November 26 (Tuesday).  Through the Goodness of God I am still alive; and yet am somewhat Strangely exercised with pain in my Right great Toe; which makes me go very lame.  At eve came from Concord my Son William who tarrys with us.

1782 November 27 (Wednesday).  Having had a good Night, I was favoured with an agreeable Day.  B. be God for it!  After Dinner William and his Daughter Suse left us for Concord.

1782 November 28 (Thursday).  Thanksgiving.  I would bless God with my whole Heart for the Sparing Mercy of God though I am under divine Frowns and confined.

1782 November 29 (Friday).  Mr. Piper preached on Ps. 101.1.  May God grant Success!  I am somewhat better.  My Foot Easier.  D.G.  Mr. Piper dines with us.  P.M. Deacon Wood and his Wife and other Friends.  Jonathan Forb. pays me some money he had borrowed and took up his Note.

1782 November 30 (Saturday).  A sad Report that the Indian, Sam John is found Dead on Turkey Hill. [Illegible.]

[1782 December 1 (Sunday).]  Mr. Piper preached on Ps. 19.12.13 a. and p.m.  He [supped?] not here at Eve.

1782 December 2 (Monday).  Miserab[blot] — The Select men [illegible] ducting the Affair, and were [Bearers?] Council at Mendon for Mr. [illegible] Willard.

1782 December 3 (Tuesday).  Brigham goes to Boston.  I was but feeble and Weak.