Author: Anthony Vaver

1739 August 30 (Thursday).  Last Night was very Cold — a Considerable Frost.

1739 August 31 (Friday).  Another Considerable Frost.  John Rogers mowed Rowing.  P.M. he Sett anew the Fence before the old House and putt up the stone wall under it.  N.B. We had been troubled with Brother Hicks’s Hoggs breaking in.

1739 September 1 (Saturday).  Nigh Two Barrells of Cyder made of my Apples by Mr. Williams for Mr. Rogers and Townsend.

1739 September 2 (Sunday).  Sacrament.  Preach’d on John 13.17, and on 1 Cor. 6.18 former part.  After meeting I Stopp’d the Deacons of the Church and the Select men of the Town to Confer with them respecting a suitable Time for the contribution which authority had recommended to us for the Assistance of Mr. Torry of South Kingstown in Narragansett.

1739 September 3 (Monday).  A very rainy forenoon.  Trooping and Training.  Captain Warrins Company met at Captain Fay’s, and Captain Eagers[1] with the Troops at Ensign Maynards.  N.B. I pray’d  in the meeting House only with Captain Eagers Company.  Din’d at Ensign Maynards.  I pray’d with those at Evening with whom I had din’d.  N.B. Storm Clear’d off towards Night.  Patience Forbush[2] went with James Bradish to Ensign Maynards where Some number of Young People met at a Frolick and continued late — to my great Trouble and disquietment.

[1]James Eager of Westborough.

[2]Daughter of Deacon Thomas Forbush.

1739 September 4 (Tuesday).  I rode on Captain Warrins Mare to Cambridge.  Met Mr. Warham Williams and Mr. William Williams junior[1] on their Journey to New Haven.  At Mr. Woolsons[2] at Weston I met with Mr. Berry, Shipwright of Boston going up to Hopkinton.

[1]Minister at Weston.

[2]Isaac Woolson kept a tavern in Weston.  Daniel S. Lamson, History of Weston (Boston, 1913), 188.

1739 September 5 (Wednesday).  Rode a.m. to Captain Sharps where my Kinsman Elias still Lodges, then proceeded to Boston.  I rode to Brother Alexanders who sent my wife 3 Gallons of wine by Mr. Cornelius Biglo.  Din’d at Alexanders.  My Mother Still in a weak and low Condition.  Benjamin Parkman[1] rode my Horse to his Brother Bradshaws.[2]  I was greatly interrupted by all these means in my usual practice on this Day — and very much subverted in my Design of improving this Season which was to have Spent it with my Mother and Brethren, especially the Afternoon or Evening in a Religious Manner, and I carry’d with me a Discourse on Ps. 73.24, and another on Job 19.25 for the purpose — but their various Engagements, etc. prevented.  Yet I would not omitt wholly my regards to this Day, although I was not able so strictly to observe it to the Lord as I would have done.

[1]Benjamin was the son of Parkman’s brother, William.

[2]Sarah, daughter of William Parkman, married John Bradshaw, Sept. 26, 1736.

1739 September 6 (Thursday).  Mr. Prince’s Lecture on Jer. 31.18.  Din’d at Brother Samuels.  N.B. His son Samuel very low in Consumption.

1739 September 7 (Friday).  Din’d at Brother Elias’s.  Mr. Thomas Weld[1] there.  N.B. Conversation the Day before yesterday and to Day with Captain White of New Haven concerning Mr. Alexander Wolcott.  P.M. Mr. Webbs Lecture on 2 Chron. 30.18.19.  N.B. Haynes Woodbridge[2] went to Cambridge for my Horse, and not coming Seasonably in the Evening it put us to great trouble, for a Small number went over to Charleston to accompany my Niece Elizabeth (Brother Elias’s Daughter) who was going up with me.  We lodg’d at Father Champney’s.

[1]Rev. Thomas Weld of Upton, Mass.

[2]Son of the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, Jr., of Hatfield, Mass.

1739 September 8 (Saturday).  Return’d to Westborough with my Niece aforesaid.  On the Road Company Mr. Francis Harrington of Grafton and Mr. Barnard[1] of Sutton.  At Marlborough was my wife who kindly came down to meet me.

[1]Isaac Barnard.  William Benedict and Hiram A. Tracy, History of Sutton (Worcester, 1878), 584-85.

1739 September 9 (Sunday).  Repeated on Isa. 55.7.  P.M. on 1 John 2.15.  Appointed the Contribution for Mr. Torry to be the next Lords Day.

1739 September 10 (Monday).  My Fatt Cattle which were brought down by Ensign Maynard last week, were taken into my own Pasture.  Charles Bruce mow’d Bushes.  Boys cutting Stalks.  N.B. They began last week.

1739 September 11 (Tuesday).  Catechiz’d at the Meeting House.  43 Boys — 30 Girls.  P.M. visited Mr. Gamel[1] who is sick.

[1]Mrs. [sic] Samuel Gamel of Westborough.

1739 September 12 (Wednesday).  Visited Mrs. Cody[1] of Hopkinton, who is in a distracted frame at her Mother Clarks at Shrewsbury.

[1]Mrs. John Cody.

1739 September 13 (Thursday).  A.M. I walk’d over to Mr. Hezekiah Hows.  At noon Mr. Biglo din’d with me and he work’d the afternoon.  Mow’d Bushes and pik’d stalks.  I rode his Horse down to Mr. Daniel Maynards[1] at Marlborough to see his Horses; but he was gone from home.  N.B. One [blank] Darby, a Young Man of Concord, rode with me.  I was at Mr. Beemans[2] and Mr. David Brighams[3] as I return’d.  Jerusha Ward[4] and Mercy Nurse here.

[1]Brother of James Maynard of Westborough.

[2]Eleazer Beemon of Westborough.

[3]An original settler of Westborough who lived near Parkman.  DeForest and Bates, Westborough, 46-47.

[4]Daughter of Increase Ward of Westborough.

1739 September 14 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1739 September 15 (Saturday).  Samuel Bumpso work’d for me.

1739 September 16 (Sunday).  John 13.17.  2 Cor. 8.7.  Contribution to assist Mr. Torry of South Kingston in Narragansett.  Gather’d £8.8.0.  Which God be pleas’d to accept as a sweet Savour through Christ!

1739 September 17 (Monday).  Mr. Alleson[1] of Hopkinton here with a Mare offer’d to Sale.

[1]Joseph Elison.

1739 September 18 (Tuesday).  Mr. David Maynard, junior of Sudbury here with an Horse offer’d to Sale.  I rode over to Winchesters, Mr. Grout,[1] Captain Fay, old Mrs. Fay, etc.  At my return found my Wife ill — overdone with worrying Yesterday.  Great Frosts.

[1]Joseph Grout.

1739 September 19 (Wednesday).  Mr. Allison here with his Mare again for me to ride her and try her.  I rode to Mr. Grouts and to old Mrs. Fays.  N.B. Jeduthan’s[1] young Horse offer’d.  Sam Bumpso work’d for me.  My Four Young Cattle were brought home by Neighbor Abner Newton.  N.B. Neighbor Amsden[2] brought in Father Champney who in his distraction had worry’d up o’Foot from Cambridge, having Set out the Day before, and layn out last night in the Cold and Frost.

[1]Jeduthan Fay, son of Samuel Fay of Westborough.

[2]Jacob Amsden.

1739 September 20 (Thursday).  Sam Bumpso at Work mowing.  Ebenezer went over with a Load of Apples and took Cold.

1739 September 21 (Friday).  The Commission officers of the Regiment met to consult about a Regimental Muster.  Two Lieutenants came for me to dine with them.  N.B. Mr. James Bridgham here in his return home to Brimfield.  Cloudy and lowery.

1739 September 22 (Saturday).  Rainy.  Tobacco hung up.  Ebenezer grows worse with his Cough.

1739 September 23 (Sunday).  1 John 2.14.

1739 September 24 (Monday).  [No entry.]

1739 September 25 (Tuesday).  Aaron Forbush junior at work for me, picking Apples for Store and for Cyder.  Father Champney went to Cambridge.  A  Long Ladder made by Brother Hicks, Sett up to Day on the Barn.

1739 September 26 (Wednesday).  Aaron Forbush and William Johnson at Work for me, picking Apples and carting them over.  Part of Afternoon Splitting Rails.  N.B. Captain Eager here.  Ebenezer Maynard kill’d a Calf of 5 weeks old which came out of the woods.  Weigh’d 57 1/2 pounds and he Carry’d it to Boston at night.  4 Barrells brought me by Mr. Belknap.

1739 September 27 (Thursday).  I rode over to Neighbor Jesse Maynards[1] to see his Sick Child.  At Mr. Gamels and at Mr. Lawrence’s.[2]  N.B. Mr. Eleazer Russell with a Mare offer’d to sale.  I return’d by the Mill.  Eleazer Williams carted over a Load of Apples.

[1]Son of David Maynard, an original settler of Westborough.

[2]Benjamin Lawrence of Westborough.

1739 September 28 (Friday).  My Son Ebenezer continues very badd with his Cough.  My wife ill.  My House in great Trouble.  Some Number of men clearing up the Training Field.

1739 September 29 (Saturday).  A Barrell of Cyder for me and one for Brother Hicks by Mr. Williams of my Apples.

1739 September 30 (Sunday).  Eph. 6.30 to 18.

1739 October 1 (Monday).  Mr. David Maynard, junior was here with a large Bay Horse which I agreed with him for, in presence of Mr. Francis Whipple and Mr. Abner Newton at the price of 35 pounds but with the Reserve and Condition that if I find that he doth not suit me, he shall take him again, if he be return’d within a fortnights Time.  This was written and Declar’d by both of us before the Witnesses.  The Road which goes out south from my House handsomely clear’d up, and the Training field clear’d more Spaciously.

1739 October 2 (Tuesday).  I rode up to Shrewsbury to John Clarks and to Mr. Cushings.  Sam Bumpso thrash’d Rye for me.

1739 October 3 (Wednesday).  The Regiment Under the Command of Colonel William Ward consisting of 11 Companys, muster’d and perform’d the Exercises proper on That Occasion.  N.B. Mr. Dor[1] and his Brothers Daughter, Mr. Weld, Mr. Webb, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Stone, Mr. Solomon Prentice, and Mr. John Ballantine.[2]  We march’d with the Field Officers in Viewing the Regiment as the Battalion were in array, the Officers in their Places, and performing the Standing Salute.  Mr. Dorr pray’d.  We were entertain’d by the Field Officers.  It  was worthy of Notice that the Exercises were perform’d so well, considering their Newness, that there was so little hurt Done, and that there was So little intemperance, Rabblement and Riot.  N.B. the Regiment under Colonel Chandler[3] muster’d the same day.  Mr. Dorr and niece, Mr. Weld and Mr. Webb lodg’d here.

[1]Rev. Joseph Dorr of Mendon.

[2](HC 1735), later minister at Westfield, Mass., 1741-1776.  SHG, 9:468-72.

[3]John Chandler of Worcester.