Author: Anthony Vaver

1740 September 20 (Saturday).  Baines at Work part of the Day — but went home about an Hour after Dinner.  Mr. Rice return’d from Groton.

1740 September 21 (Sunday).  Ps. 126, chiefly 10, 3 and 4.  P.M. Eccl. 8.11.

1740 September 22 (Monday).  Rain.  P.M. Captain Eager[1] and Lieutenant Holloway[2] here.

[1]James Eager of Westborough.

[2]William Holloway of Westborough.

1740 September 23 (Tuesday).  Rain a.m.  As Soon as I had din’d (Somewhat after one o’Clock) I Set out from Cambridge.  At Sudbury lit on Mr. Samuel Bagnal going to Boston.  I rode with him and got to Town before nine o’Clock.  Lodg’d at Brother Elias’.  N.B. Ebenezer lodges there and goes to the North Latin School.  This he has done nigh a fortnight.  N.B. An Awfull Providence yesterday at Mr. Checkleys[1] meeting House in Boston.  Three or Four Persons kill’d in the crowd, and many wounded — among the wounded sister Esther[2] and her Daughter.  Mr. Whitefield preaches Twice every Day to the astonishment of all.

[1]Rev. Samuel Checkley.

[2]The wife of Parkman’s brother, Alexander.

1740 September 24 (Wednesday).  Having receiv’d no return from the Governor[1] touching the Captives with us, I waited on his Excellency, who told me the Governor and Council had directed the Secretary to write me an Answer and he had done it, but knew not where it lodg’d, or where it miscarried.  It rained a.m. and detain’d me at Irelands till past 11.  From thence I rode up to Dana’s, on the South part of Cambridge, and to Father Champney’s from whence I went to College where Mr. Whitefield had been preaching.  His Text was 2 Cor. 2.17.  I din’d at Brother Barretts and thence went to Mr. Appletons[2] where Mr. Whitefield was.  N.B. The Account which he gave of the Time and Manner of the powerful working of the Spirit of God upon him.  P.M. He preach’d in the College Yard again; his Text was Mat. 11.28.  It was to incredible multitudes, and with wondrous power.  N.B. I wrote to Captain Tarbell.  At Eve I rode over to Medford with Mr. Turell[3] and his wife.  Lodg’d at my Kinsman Bradshaws.[4]

[1]Jonathan Belcher, Governor of Massachusetts.

[2]Rev. Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge.

[3]Rev. Ebenezer Turell of Medford.

[4]Parkman’s niece, Sarah, married Samuel Bradshaw of Cambridge.

1740 September 25 (Thursday).  Mr. Turell rode with me to Charleston.  Mr. Whitefield preach’d the publick Lecture at Boston.  His Text John 2.11.  P.M. he preach’d at Charlestown on John 3.3.  At Evening only Sister rode up with me to Cambridge.  Mr. Tainter of Westborough having taken my Portmantle.

1740 September 26 (Friday).  We rode to Dr. Roby’s[1] and din’d there.  From thence to Marlborough to see Colonel Woods who was by this Time reduced to a very low State by the Hydrops Pectoris.  In the middst of many Fears respecting his Sincerity, he maintained an humble Hope in God.  I pray’d with him and took leave.  Call’d at the Doctors and return’d Home (with my Sister Willard[2] with me).  N.B. Mr. Baines came on the 23d near night, and the next Day his Young Man, one Merritt, and they both work’d daily at the Well.  Sam Bumpso came on the 24 and pinch’d up my Thrashing Floor.  Mr. Thomas Billings came for Lieutenant Holloway and Sow’d nigh Three pecks of Rye upon my New Ground on the South Side.  And the Cattle were brought from the woods.  Sam Bumpso and Ezekiel Pratt wrought wheat.

[1]Ebenezer Roby, the physician of Sudbury.

[2]Mrs. Josiah Willard of Salem, Parkman’s sister Susanna.

1740 September 27 (Saturday).  Sam Bumpso Thrashing.  Mr. Baines and Merritt digging.  Eliezer Rice rode to Groton for Mr. Tarbell in order to his going down, at the Command of the Governor, to Boston.

1740 September 28 (Sunday).  Repeated on John 3.36.  Mr. Tarbell came after meeting from Groton.

1740 September 29 (Monday).  The Captives went to Boston.  In the middle of the Night Mr. Sables came from the Secretary with another Letter concerning the Captives, the first having miscarried.  But I had already taken effectual Care.

1740 September 30 (Tuesday).  Rain.  Sister Hicks was last night deliver’d of the Sixth Son.  Father Champney came up.  He brings word that Colonel Woods dy’d last night.  Sam Bumpso thrash’d in the Morning.  Thomas Winchester and Sam Bumpso righted my Fence which divides the upper from the lower Field.

1740 October 1 (Wednesday).  Sam Bumpso Thrashing Wheat Still.  Finish’d it somewhat before night, and winnow’d it over a first Time.  Mr. Baxter and Madam in their return from Brimfield call’d here a while.  P.M. I visited Thomas Bruces Wife, Ensign Forbushs Child, and Neighbor Cooks[1] Children who were sick, and had my Mare shod.  Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Whittemore visited Sister Hicks.

[1]Cornelius Cook, the blacksmith.

1740 October 2 (Thursday).  Thomas and Joshua Winchester gathering apples and Corn in the upper Field.  Carry’d in Stalks, etc.  I rode to the Fast at Hopkinton which was on account of the Throat Distemper.  I pray’d and preach’d a.m. on 1 Pet. 5.6 and at noon I rode to Marlborough to the Funeral of my worthy Friend Colonel Benjamin Woods.  There were Mr. Swift,[1] Loring, Cushing, Stone, Rice (of Sturbridge).[2]  Mr. Swift pray’d.  Colonel William Ward,[3] Major Keyes,[4] Captain Amsden,[5] Samuel Brigham Esquire,[6] Captain Williams[7] and Captain Barnard[8] were the Bearers.  I lodg’d at Madam Woods’s with Mr. Swift.  N.B. Baines and Marritt came to work about noon at the well.

[1]Rev. Jonathan Swift of Framingham.

[2]Rev.  Caleb Rice of Sturbridge.

[3]Of Southborough.

[4]John Keyes of Marlborough.  Hudson, Marlborough, 409.

[5]Isaac Amsden of Marlborough.

[6]Prominent resident of the south part of Marlborough.

[7]Abraham Williams of Marlborough.

[8]Capt. Robert Barnard of Marlborough.

1740 October 3 (Friday).  I return’d home.  Baines and Marritt at the well.  Exceeding Cold at Night.

1740 October 4 (Saturday).  Baines and Marritt at the Well.  They have got down about 21 feet.  Very cold.  Mr. John Ballantine[1] came from Hopkinton this Evening to preach for me.  At the Funeral of Ensign Forbush’s Child which dy’d of the Throat Distemper.

[1](HC 1735).  Later minister at Westfield, Mass.  SHG, 9:468-472.

1740 October 5 (Sunday).  Greatly afflicted with the Cattle breaking into the Corn.  Rainy Day.  Mr. John Ballantine preach’d a.m. on 1 Tim. 5.22.  P.M. on Eccl. 1.2.  The Chief, Rice not well.  Was at my House at Eve as he went from his Brother Wards to his Brother Seths.  In the middle of the Night was call’d out of my Bed because the Cattle had broke into the Corn.

1740 October 6 (Monday).  I rode with Mr. Ballantine a mile or Two towards Hopkinton.  Was at Ensign Newtons,[1] Charles Rice’s, and other Neighbors.  Din’d with the Captain who was grown better.  P.M. Lieutenant Baker[2] Sent his son and Team and Neighbor Pratt[3] his Moses to gather my Half of the Lower Field of Corn, Beans, etc.  Several Neighbors at Eve.

[1]Thomas Newton.

[2]Edward Baker.

[3]John Pratt.

1740 October 7 (Tuesday).  Baines and Marritt again at the well.  Paul Fay Sent by Cornet Howard to help me.  He carted Stones for the well with Deacon Tomlins[1] Oxen and Neighbor Hows Cart.  Cold winds, but bright Sun.

[1]Isaac Tomlin.

1740 October 8 (Wednesday).  Baines and Marritt at the Well.  The Captives went off, desiring Prayers in our Congregation for them.  N.B. Captain Tarbell of Groton return’d home.  I rode 2 or 3 Miles with him to Shew him the Road.  N.B. His levelling Rice and his Brother, etc.  I visited Mr. Jacob Rice[1] and his Family, and Mrs. Thankful Rice.[2]

[1]Jacob Rice of Westborough.

[2]Mrs. Josiah Rice of Westborough.

1740 October 9 (Thursday).  In great perplexity in the fore part of the Day by Reason of the Cattle and Hoggs breaking in upon my few Apples, tossing about the piles of Stalks, etc.  Old Mr. Maynard at my urgent request Sent his son Ebenezer who with his Cousens Team carted the Stalks into the Barn and the Apples over to Mr. Hows Mill.  Mr. Cushing preach’d my Lecture on Luke 16.11, 2 last words.  Baines and Warrin work’d at the well, Marritts arm being sprain’d.  Husk’d at Eve, but my wife not well.

1740 October 10 (Friday).  Last Night my Wife had a terrible Convulsion Fitt, But through Gods great mercy it did not continue long.  She by Degrees came to her Senses again.  Brother Hicks was call’d and sent for Dr. Gott.  His young man came, he being himself at Boston, celebrating his own Nuptials.[1]  The young man attempted to Bleed my Wife but miss’d the Veins Some Number of Times; but when daily Light came on he succeeded and she bled freely.  She was in  her pregnancy 4 or 5 Months gone.  The bleeding She judg’d was very beneficial to her.  Mr. Baines went home.

[1]Benjamin Gott married his second wife, Lydia Ward of Boston, Oct. 5, 1740.

1740 October 11 (Saturday).  Very Cold and Raw.  Old Mr. Maynard[1] and his Son Nathan cut and Carted Home Two Load of Wood.  Dr. Gott and his young man here.

[1]David Maynard.

1740 October 12 (Sunday).  Sacrament.  I preach’d on Ps. 126.3.4 a. and p.m.  Deacon Fay, Mrs. Knowlton and Mrs. Whipple din’d with us.  After meeting Mr. Ezekiel Upham of Sturbridge here.

1740 October 13 (Monday).  Dr. Gott and his young man here.  Catechiz’d at the meeting House a. and p.m.

1740 October 14 (Tuesday).  Notwithstanding that it was Somewhat rainy My Wife and I rode down to Marlborough to attend upon the preaching of the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield.  My Neighbor Barns carried my Sister Willard, Daniel How carried my Daughter Molly, and old Mr. Green[1] carried Thomme.  Mr. Whitefield preach’d at Sudbury in the forenoon, and came about 1/2 after 3 this afternoon.  He preach’d to a great Assembly from Luke 18.14.  N.B. Governor Belcher present.  In Dr. Gotts Name I asked Mr. Whitefield and his Fellow Travellers to his House and they accordingly went, but could not be perswaded to make any Stay nor to lodge Short of Worcester, even although the weather was rainy.  I Supp’d at Mr. Smiths in Company with Mr. Dorr, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Hemingway[2] of Townshend, but I lodg’d at the Doctors.  My Sister rode home with Captain Warrin, and Thomme with Mr. Green, but My Wife and Molly Stay’d because of the Rain.  N.B. Mr. Dorrs Account of their Troubles in Mendon Strengthened by the Testimony of Mr. Bruce[3] of the Same Town.

[1]John Green of Westborough.

[2]Rev. Phinehas Hemenway (HC 1730), first minister at Townsend, Mass., 1734-1760.  SHG, 8:724-726.

[3]Benjamin Bruce.  See John G. Metcalf, Annals of the Town of Mendon (Providence, 1880), 237-238.

1740 October 15 (Wednesday).  My wife Stays at Marlborough.  Molly rode home with me.  When I came home I had the Sorrowful Sight of the Mischief done by my Cattle breaking in upon my Corn which lay husk’d in the Barn, for I could have no Convenience to carry it up.  The Disaster respecting the Corn was so much the more trouble some as my Corn was exceeding Short having but half the Field and what there was was exceeding poor and mean and soft.  P.M. James Bradish so kind as to give me the cutting of Three Load of Wood, and the Carrying up the good Corn which I had in the Barn, which the Cattle did not get over to (but to the Soft Corn only).  N.B. The good Corn carry’d up from the Barn was 14 or 15 Basketts — and this was the biggest part of my Corn this Year.

1740 October 16 (Thursday).  Neighbor Daniel Warrin kill’d a small shoate for me which weigh’d 44 pound.  Lieutenant Tainter Carted 3 Load of wood for me.  P.M. at the Burial of the Child of Mr. Noah Rice.  N.B. This is the Third Funeral at which I have been when Bearers have had Gloves and their minister none.  Nigh Evening I rode up to Daniel Warrin, junior at Shrewsbury and to neighbor Eliezer Rice’s.  N.B. Dr. Gott brought home his Wife, but I could not wait upon him.

1740 October 17 (Friday).  Brother Samuel Breck[1] brought up my wife from Marlborough, who had been there ever since Mr. Whitefields preaching there.  Thomme had ride down today to wait upon his Mother also.

[1]Mrs. Parkman’s brother.

1740 October 18 (Saturday).  Breck return’d.  P.M. Mr. Dodge of Marlborough and Mr. Pomeroy[1] of New Haven here.  The latter tarried over the Sabbath.  N.B. The great hindrance by Company to me in my Studys.

[1]Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy, minister at Hebron, Conn.

1740 October 19 (Sunday).  On 1 Cor. 3.9 a. and p.m.  Repeating partly from Sermon on Acts 26.16.17.18; the last Sermons on that Text from page 36 to 40, and from page 60 ad finem.

1740 October 20 (Monday).  Mr. Pomeroy set out on his Journey.  Town Meeting for my Support — granted an hundred and Twenty pounds (without mention of the wood, but a very cold season; Ground mostly covered with Snow in the Morning) in Case I supply the pulpit this Year.

1740 October 21 (Tuesday).  Mr. Baynes came; went to work after noon.  He had been absent so long that he spent all the Afternoon in emptying the water out of the well.  Mr. Cushing here.  Three Barrels and a part of a 4th of Cyder made by Mr. How, of my apples.  N.B. Silas Warrin[1] brought the whole home.  I rode to Neighbor Thomas Goodenows and to Mr. Elieser Beemans first of Evening.  N.B. Samuel Allen with me.

[1]The son of Capt. Daniel Warrin.

1740 October 22 (Wednesday).  Eleaser Williams help’d Mr. Baynes at the well.  Mr. Baynes early in the morn kill’d a Shoate for me which weighed 60 and which I got Mr. Jesse Brigham to carry to my Mother at Boston.  Marritt thrash’d Rie.

1740 October 23 (Thursday).  Mr. Daniel Warrin work’d with Mr. Baynes at the Well.  Eliza Newton Sick.

1740 October 24 (Friday).  Storm of Rain, a.m.  Cold.  Very difficultly perswaded Mr. Baynes to go on with the Work when it clear’d up, but Mr. Warrin came and was forward and then he consented.  Greatly Troubled about my Trading with Mr. Warrin, he apprehending that I had sold him a young Sow which I did not judge I had properly and really bargained away to him.