Author: Anthony Vaver

1726 January 25 (Tuesday).  In the Evening I was full of Reflections upon my Negligence and in Trouble upon that account.  The Circumstances of my Family are such that I can’t avoid innumerable interruptions and impediments as it has prov’d all this winter, that I have been much obstructed in my Studies.  I pay’d Mr. Goodeno 15 shillings for Labour in last Hay time.

1726 January 26 (Wednesday).  I visited Mr. Jonathan Howard[1] who has been ill.  His Mother likewise was Some little time agoe much afflicted with a Tumor in her Throat.  Returning I call’d in at Mr. Eager’s[2] and supp’d there.

[1]Of Westborough.

[2]James Eager, an early inhabitant of Westborough.

1726 January 27, 28, 29 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday).  My Time was these Dayes taken up with Enquiries into my Subject for Next Lords Daye’s Sermons and preparing them.

1726 January 30 (Sunday).  Our Text was Heb. 10.25.  Forenoon particularly was very Stormy and a great deal of Snow fell.

1726 January 31 (Monday).  In the Evening I went down to see Lieutenant Forbush[1] who yet remains in Sad Circumstances and much pained.  I Entertained My Self with St. Augustine of the City of God with the Notes of Ludovicus Dives.  This Book to my Conceiving is of Superiour Value and usefullness.

[1]Thomas Forbush of Westborough.

1726 February 1 (Tuesday).  A Clear Day, except the first part of it, but the wind very high and blew the Snow about very much, Especially towards and in the Evening Exceeding Vehement and Cold.  I read likewise the account given of Madame De Maintenon by the Guardian.

1726 February 2 (Wednesday).  This morning was bitter Cold.  We have hitherto had a very Severe Winter as we have Scarcely had for many Years.  I began my preparations for the Sabbath.  I read the notes of Rescomen on Horace in part.

1726 February 3, 4, 5 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday).  I was Employ’d upon my Subject consulting Dr. Merlock, Mr. Charnock,[1] etc.

[1]Stephen Charnock (1628-1680), an English Puritan theologian.

1726 February 6 (Sunday).  I preach’d on Heb. 10.25.  In the morning I was put into great confusion and astonishment while Engag’d in the first prayer, to Such a Degree that it was with much difficulty that I proceeded, for I Entered upon the Sacred Employment with trembling and fear from the meditations I had all the morning upon my unworthyness and Sinfullness, my Slothfullness, negligence and unprofitableness in the most Exalted Trust and with Some of the highest Advantages.  And the lively apprehension hereof so fill’d and possess’d my mind in the Holy Exercises that I could Scarce regard anything besides.  I consider it as a righteous Castigation of God for my unfaithfullness to him in the great work to which he has called me, and I would humble myself before him and Implore his pardon through the Blood of Christ, and his grace to quicken and assist me.  Both at noon and at night I Sadly reflected hereupon and offered prayers to God for Reconciliation and mercy.

1726 February 7 (Monday).  Neighbor Clark[1] related the management of the Church of Stow in the Case of Richard Temple, a Member thereof.  We got out a parcell of grain that was so full of Tares it was Scarce fit for use.

[1]This person appears often in subsequent entries.  Neither the Westborough town records nor the town history records any Clark in this period.  Also Clark and Clarke genealogies do not reveal further information about this man.

1726 February 8 (Tuesday).  I was abroad at Mr. Oliver Wards and reckoned household with him.  In the Evening Mr. Thurston[1] and his wife were here till it was Late.  We reckoned etc.

[1]Joseph Thurston.

1726 February 9 (Wednesday).  I was at Mr. John Maynards[1] about noon.  In the first of the Evening came Mr. McKinstry of Sutton and Mr. Walker,[2] one of his parish and they lodged with us.

[1]Of Westborough.

[2]Lieutenant Obadiah Walker.

1726 February 10, 11, 12 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday).  I was chiefly taken up with my Sermons.  Very pleasant weather because thawing.

1726 February 13 (Sunday).  I again preach’d on Heb. 10.25.

1726 February 14 (Monday).  I rode to Marlborough to Mr. Brecks.[1]  We walk’d to Mr. Woods.[2]  I paid up my account with Mr. Woods.  We went into Mr. Amsdens[3] and Mr. Thomas[4] came in.  My Full purpose was to return home, but Mr. Breck was so very Urgent with me, Since I had not been there for the Space of 3 months, that I tarried there all night.

[1]Reverend Robert Breck of Marlborough.

[2]Benjamin Woods of Marlborough.

[3]Captain Isaac Amsden of Marlborough.

[4]William Thomas of Marlborough.

1726 February 15 (Tuesday).  After Dinner Mr. Breck appointed to go to his Daughters with me.  I went to Mr. Edward Rice’s[1] Shop and there, taking leave of Mr. Breck, I rode to Williams’s[2] To see Mrs. Williams,[3] it being the first of my being in Town Since she was married.  Returning home I call’d at Captain Wards[4] to warm me it being Cold and to spend a Little time in Conversation with the Captain but he had taken a fortnight ride into Connecticut.

[1]Of Marlborough.

[2]Colonel Abraham Williams, a prominent resident of Marlborough.  Charles Hudson, History of Marlborough (Boston, 1862), p. 470.

[3]Elizabeth Breck, daughter of the Reverend Robert Breck, married Abraham Williams, Dec. 22, 1725.

[4]Nahum Ward of Shrewsbury.  Ward, Shrewsbury, pp. 457-459.

1726 February 16 (Wednesday).  I read Dr. Mathers Directions to a Candidate of the Ministry which pleased me very much.

1726 February 17 (Thursday).  I read Ned. Wards Trips to New England and Jamaica, p.m.  The Evening I Enter’d upon my Sermons on which the reading Mr. Watts[1] Guide to prayer Employ’d the 18th and 19th Dayes.

[1]Isaac Watts, D.D. (1674-1748), the famous English hymn writer.

1726 February 20 (Sunday).  I preach’d upon Gen. 12.8.

1726 February 21, 22, 23 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).  I was oblig’d to Strict attention and Study.  I sent Mr. Ward to Mr. Barretts but he was from Home, and therefore no Dependence to be had upon him.

1726 February 24 (Thursday).  We had a Lecture upon 2 Cor. 5.17.

1726 February 25, 26 (Friday, Saturday).  I us’d utmost Diligence to prepare myself for the Approaching Solemnity, yet I was somewhat put to it to finish before I went to Bed on Saturday Night.

1726 February 27 (Sunday).  It was very Stormy and Consequently few Communicants to be Expected and ‘Twas not without much Difficulty that my Wife surmounted the Wind and Snow.  But I hope we all had much Reason to rejoice in the presence of God that we Enjoy’d at the Holy Supper of the Lord, which I administered, having preach’d upon Psalm 84.1.  In the Afternoon I again Discours’d on Gen. 12.8.  Our Exercises were very short.

1726 February 28 (Monday).  I rode as far as Mr. Warrins and Mr. Amsdens.  Mr. Amsden, upon Occasion of his Horse and a great number in the Neighborhood besides, and in every Town about us, gave out various Reflections upon the Sad Mortality and Destruction of Horses; and the sore visitations in the Extream scarcity of Corn and Hay at this Juncture, through which Multitudes are sorely Distress’d.

1726 March 1 (Tuesday).  Mrs. Whood and her Son with a Sled came and fetch’d away their Hay out of my Barn.

1726 March 2 (Wednesday).  Mr. Cushing came to see us, and Mr. Woods of Marlborough was here at the same time.  A Swine (given us by Mr. Holloway[1]) kill’d for us by Neighbor Clark and David Maynard.  Mr. Cushing Lodg’d here.  He gave us an account of Mr. Elmer and his Enfield People, etc.

[1]Adam Holloway of Westborough.

1726 March 4 (Friday).  He Returned Home.  I in part prepar’d a Sermon.

1726 March 5 (Saturday).  I went on with my preparation till Noon, when I rode to Shrewsbury, and Mr. Cushing rode back my Horse to Westborough.

1726 March 6 (Sunday).  I preach’d at Shrewsbury upon John 12.26 a.m. and p.m.  Captain Keyes[1] over to see Me.

[1]John Keyes of Shrewsbury.  Ward, Shrewsbury, pp. 340-341.

1726 March 7 (Monday).  Mr. Cushing came in the morning to Me.  We went over to Mr. Keyes’s, where we had a strange Report about Mr. Breck’s going to Merchant Wood’s.  Old Mr. Joslin[1] of Marlborough, a very grave and good man buried there.  I wrote to Boston by Lieutenant Leonard[2] of Worcester.  I return’d home.

[1]Nathaniel Joslin died March 5, 1726.

[2]Moses Leonard.

1726 March 8 (Tuesday).  Mr. Williams of Marlborough here to ask me to preach Mr. Brecks Lecture next Thursday.

1726 March 9 (Wednesday).  I went to Captain Byle’s and to Mr. Brighams to see his dau’ter in Law who continues Sick.  At her Desire I pray’d with her.  Mr. Brigham came home with me to prune my Trees.  I went over to Neighbor Pratts to the Raising of his Barn.

1726 March 10 (Thursday).  This morning, though not very good weather, I went to Marlborough to Lecture, But Mr. Cushing both pray’d and preach’d notwithstanding I was sent to, for I was not very well and I was glad I could persuade him.  His Text was Mat. 11.12.  We went down to Mr. Woods and it became very Stormy and rain’d hard.  Mr. Thomas was with us with many of his diverting amusements and adventures in London.  Mr. Woods presented me a Girdle.  Mr. Cushing Lodg’d with me at Mr. Brecks.

1726 March 11 (Friday).  Captain Brigham[1] came in and gave us all an Invitation to Dinner with his Troop the last Tuesday of this Month.  When we had din’d we left Mr. Brecks.  I return’d home by way of Deacon Rices.[2]  It was most Tedious Riding by the breaking in of the Horse.  We were run into some Difficulty about going to Mill through it being So long Stormy.  But William Clark on the 12th went for us.  Neighbor Clark brought Three Cows and Mr. Oliver Ward an Horse to my Barn.

[1]Nathan Brigham of Marlborough.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 334.

[2]Caleb Rice of Marlborough.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 435.

1726 March 13 (Sunday).  My Text this Day was Math. 6.6.