1742 March 15 (Monday). Very Cold Day. Yet I rode to Mr. Charles Rice’s[1] and preached to the Society of young women, on Ps. 119.59. N.B. Ebenezer went to Board at Lieutenant Holloways.
[1]When Charles Rice died in Brookfield, May 3, 1773, Parkman described him as the oldest male member of the church (Parkman diary, May 7, 1773). Parkman listed him among the “first Inhabitants of Westborough” on the flyleaf of the church records. He and his wife Rachel were admitted to the church on Aug. 24, 1729 (WCR, 20).
1742 March 16 (Tuesday). Read Mr. Callenders History of Rhode Island. P.M. Benjamin Warrin, in many Spiritual Conflicts, here with me and Spent Several Hours in agreeable Conference.
1742 March 17 (Wednesday). Mr. Joslin[1] and Mr. Eliphalet Adams cutting wood for me. Neighbour Jeduthun Fay[2] requests I would preach to his Father. Dr. Gott, in Concern about his Spiritual State and about the Kingdom of God, made me a Visit. N.B. Coll. Prescott came home lately from Jamaica.
[1]Joseph Joslin (d. May 27, 1761) owned the covenant, Jan. 29, 1727, and his wife Katharine was admitted to full communion (WCR, 5.)
[2]Jeduthun Fay (1708-1786), son of Samuel (see Mar. 25).
1742 March 18 (Thursday). I rode over to the North Side. Visited Mr. McAllister in his Pains. Dined at Mr. Townsends. At Eve Brother Samuel Breck at my House. Neighbour James Fay.
1742 March 20 (Saturday). Rainy. Mr. Buel and Three young Men with him here. I found him willing to Submitt to any Examinations concerning his Doctrines, or Opinions, or Life; where upon I made several Enquirys to which he made ready Answers and told me he had made up with Mr. Noyes[1] at New Haven above a month after Commencement and was Examined and licenced by the Ministers of that Association to preach. I urged him to preach, but he said he was under such obligations to preach at Concord that he must proceed thither. After Dinner they all sett off in the Rain and the Roads very bad. N.B. I had received an Excellent as long Letter from Mrs. Pierpoint,[2] by which also I pleaded with him to stay, but in vain.
[1]Joseph Noyes (1688-1761), Yale 1709, minister of New Haven, 1715-1761; DYG, 1:85-89.
[2]Sarah (Breck) Pierpont, daughter of Nathaniel and Martha Breck and wife of James Pierpont (1699-1776), Yale class of 1718. Ebenezer Parkman and Hannah Breck were married at the Pierponts’ home in Boston where Hannah lived after the death of her parents. The Pierponts moved to New Haven, where they became leading New Lights. The Parkman Family Papers at the American Antiquarian Society include “Memoirs of Mrs Sarah Pierpoint” (Box 2). After Sarah’s death, James Pierpont (whose sister Sarah married Jonathan Edwards) brought her “private Papers” to Parkman along with a draft of her life and character by the Rev. Jacob Johnson of the second church in Groton CT (Ledyard). He asked Parkman to review the draft and her diaries and, if Parkman thought it would be “for the Divine Glory and for the Service of the Christian World to publish Memories of her, to prepare them accordingly.” Parkman accepted the papers, but, as he wrote, “under my present Circumstances, can’t give him Encouragement that I will do it” (Oct. 24, 1756). Over the next year Parkman spent many evening reading through Sarah Pierpont’s diaries, but there is no indication that he read Johnson’s draft or wrote anything of his own despite having been urged to do so by Jonathan Edwards (Oct. 26, 1756). Finally, in mid-1760, Pierpont asked Parkman to return Sarah’s diary (May 7, 1760). Thus, the manuscript memoirs of Sarah Pierpont that are attributed to Parkman may be Johnson’s draft.
1742 March 21 (Sunday). On 2 Cor. 6.2. Mrs. Walker dined with us. I hope there was Some Good success of the word to Day through the Blessing of God. O may it prove an accepted Time and a Day of Salvation to us all!
1742 March 22 (Monday). Catechized Boys a.m. at the Meeting House. P.M. the Girls at my own House. Thomas Winchester trimming my Apple Trees.
1742 March 23 (Tuesday). Thomas Winchester Sledding Stones and trimming Trees. P.M. Catechetical Exercise with the young women. I preached on Joh. 13.17. At Ensign Maynards at Evening to remove his stumbling at my Slippers.
1742 March 25 (Thursday). John Mayhew here. I preached at Old Mr. Samuel Fays[1] on 1 Thess. 1.10. Visited Abner Newton.[2] Capt. Eager[3] here at Eve.
[1]Parkman listed Samuel Fay (1673-1761) among the first inhabitants of Westborough (WCR, flyleaf). Fay was a member of the Marlborough church, but declined to attend the Westborough church, which expressed its concern about the “Conduct of Mr. Samuel Fay in keeping from our Communion himself, and with holding his Wife therefrom also, altho he had permitted her to bind herself thereto by Solemn Covenant”; WCR, 49 (June 8, 1738). The church accepted his acknowledgment of his offense “in hindering his Wife from coming to our Communion”; WCR, 53 (Dec. 17, 1738). At the same time, it confirmed its earlier and rather ineffectual decision that, lacking “Suitable Satisfaction…respecting his Conduct,” Parkman was to bar Fay from communion if Fay were to offer himself; WCR, 52-53 (Oct. 19, 1738).
[2]Abner Newton (708-1750) and his wife Vashti confessed the sin of fornication and owned the covenant; WCR, 33 (Feb. 3, 1734). Vashti joined the church, Feb. 22, 1736; WCR, 39.
[3]James Eager was b. Sept. 21, 1686, in Marlborough (Marlborough Vital Records, 65; d. June 7, 1755, in Northborough (NVR, 133).
1742 March 26 (Friday). [No entry.]
1742 March 27 (Saturday). Received a Message from Lieutenant Holloways that last Eve Ebenezer Shooting off a little Musket at a Partridge was in utmost Danger by the Gun’s bursting. The praise to God for such a Deliverance. Let his Life be to God! N.B. Mr. James Fay and Mr. Francis Whipple[1] here. P.M. a great Deal of Discourse concerning the Assurance of every new Convert.
[1]Francis Whipple and his wife Abigail joined the Westborough church by dismissal from the Third Church in Ipswich, Jan. 6, 1734 (WCR, 33).
1742 March 28 (Sunday). On 2 Cor. 6.2 and repeat Phil. 3.8 to 11.
1742 March 29 (Monday). I rode down with my Daughter Molly[1] to Marlborough, dined and left her at Dr. Gotts. One Mr. Love my Company from the Red Horse. Mr. Prentice of Lancaster rode with us over the New Bridge. I went to Mr. Williams[2] of Weston. At Waltham I called at Mr. Harringtons for Oats, and there Mr. Warham Williams[3] was engaged in an Exercise. He preached on Joh. 5.42. Mr. Solomon Prentice was also present. N.B. We lodged at that Tavern. N.B. The world full of Mr. Buels preaching at Concord. In the Judgment of Some, Great success: In the Judgment of others great Confusion.
[1]Mary (or Molly), dau. of Ebenezer and Mary (Champney) Parkman, b. on Sept. 14, 1725; WVR, 82.
[2]William Williams, Jr. (1688-1760), Harvard 1705, minister of Weston, 1709-1750. SHG 5:295-300.
[3]Warham Williams (1699-1751), Harvard 1719, minister at Waltham, 1723-1751; SHG, 6:361-64.
1742 March 30 (Tuesday). Broke fast at Mr. Warham Williams. N.B. Mr. Williams going (with Mr. Appleton[1] and Mr. Peabody[2]) to a Fast to Morrow at Bedford on account of the Troubles there relating to Mr. Bows’s Conduct among them. I proceeded to Cambridge. Dined at F. Champneys.[3] Visited Mr. Appleton. N.B. Various Accounts from Ipswich of the State of Religion there: the people greatly enlivened and awakened there. At Evening I was at Charlestown. Mr. Buel preached on Gen. 6.3. N.B. Mr. Croswell lyes Sick at Charlestown after Zealous preaching there for some time. At 10 o’Clock I went over (the Boats deeply loaded like Commencement) to Boston. At Kinsman Elias’s were Mr. Eleazer Williams’s (of Roxbury) wife and Two Daughters greatly enlivened in Religion.
[1]Nathaniel Appleton (1693-1784), Harvard 1712, minister of Cambridge, 1717-1784; SHG 5:599-609.
[2]Oliver Peabody (1698-1752), Harvard 1721, minister at Natick Indian Church, 1721-1729; Natick First Congregational Church, 1729-1752; SHG, 6:529-34.
[3]Samuel Champney was the father of Parkman’s first wife, Mary or Molly.
1742 March 31 (Wednesday). Dined at Brother Alexanders.[1] Mr. Walker[2] (his Father in Law) very low and in a dangerous State. At Eve I went over to Charlestown again and heard Mr. Buel on Mat. 9.12. Returned in a loaded Boat and Lodged at Brother Parkman’s.
[1]Alexander Parkman (1699-1748).
[2]Father-in-law of Parkman’s brother, Alexander
1742 April 1 (Thursday). Mr. Hooper[1] at the public Lecture on 1 John.4.13. Dined at Brother Samuels.[2] N.B. Great Disgust given by Mr. Barnards[3] sermon last Thursday, and now continued among some by Mr. Hooper: as appeared to me at Evening at Mr. Coopers.[4]
[1]William Hooper (d. 1767), Edinburgh 1723, minister of Boston’s West Church, 1737-1746; Trinity Church, Boston, 1747-1767. Frederick Lewis Weis, The Colonial Clergy and the Colonial Churches of New England (Lancaster, MA, 1936), 110.
[2]Parkman’s brother, Samuel Parkman
[3]Either John Barnard (1681-1770), Harvard 1700, assistant minister at the Brattle Street Church, Boston, 1705; chaplain, Annapolis, Canada, 1707, and for the ship Lusitania, 1709; in England, 1709-1710; minister at Marblehead, 1715-1770; SHG, 4:501-14; or John Barnard (1690-1757), Harvard 1709, minister at Andover, 1718-1757; SHG, 5:475-79.
[4]William Cooper (1694-1743), Harvard 1712, minister of Boston’s Brattle Square Church, 1716-1743. SHG 5:624-34.
1742 April 2 (Friday). Dined at Mr. Quincys. My Aged, honoured Mother Well to a wonder. May God preserve her a great and late Blessing still. At Eve heard part of Mr. Buels sermon at Charlestown as I was upon my Journey up. Spoke to Mr. Buel after his sermon upon his coming up to Westborough. He said it was uncertain, for he was not determined which Road he should ride Home. Mr. Foxcroft[1] of Cambridge in riding to F. Champneys but it was late.
[1]Thomas Foxcroft (1697-1769), Harvard 1714, minister of Boston’s First Church, 1717-1769. SHG 6:47-58.
1742 April 3 (Saturday). Returned Home — calling in at Deacon Sparhawks,[1] who was Sick. At Mr. Williams of Weston where I dined; at Mr. Brintnalls[2] — and at Dr. Gotts. My Family in safety. D.G.
[1]Samuel Sparhawk was elected deacon of the Cambridge church, Apr. 12, 1734; died Apr. 4, 1774. Stephen Paschall Sharples, ed., Records of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New England, 1632-1830, Comprising the Ministerial Records of Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, Admission to Covenant and Communion, Dismissals and Church Proceedings (Boston: Eben Putnam, 1906), 287.
[2]Probably William Brintnall (17?-1745), Yale 1721, candidate at Rutland; schoolmaster at Sudbury, 1722-1726; DYG, 1:244-45.
1742 April 5 (Monday). Mr. Smith of Marlborough here. Afterwards Mr. Prentice of Grafton. Both dined with me. N.B. Thomas Winchester came to live with me on the 1st Day of this Month — for 35£ 6 Months.
1742 April 7 (Wednesday). A Number of hands digging Stones in the South side, viz. Thomas Winchester, Neighbour Chamberlain, Samuel Bumpso and Ben Furbush. Ebenezer returned from Lt. Holloways.
1742 April 8 (Thursday). Public Fast. On Isa. 21.11.12.
1742 April 9 (Friday). Thomas Splitting Hills and sowing Peas. Windy, Cold. Ebenezer and Tomme[1] carry Barley to Mr. Terrys at Grafton to be malted. Neighbour Thurston[2] here at Evening. N.B. His Experience of Extraordinary Grace the Months past. His Discourse very savoury and very free. Neighbour Beriah Rice[3] here to join to the church.
[1]Parkman’s second son, Thomas, b. July 3, 1729.
[2]Joseph (1700-1744) and Dorothy Thurston were admitted to the Westborough church by dismissal from Marlborough (Dorothy) and from Medfield (Joseph), Nov. 8, 1741 (WCR, 61)
[3]Beriah Rice was admitted to the church, May 30, 1742 (WCR, 62). He and his wife Mary were dismissed to Upton, May 26, 1751 (WCR, 89).
1742 April 10 (Saturday). Thomas [blank]. Mr. Williams here p.m. to join to the Church.
1742 April 11 (Sunday). On Isa. 21.11.12. P.M. repeat the remainder of sermon on Heb. 10.23. N.B. began to Day to sing at Noon in the Family. At Eve old Mr. Eleazer Bellows[1] of Preston here and Neighbour James Fay. Account of the State of Religion at Preston.
[1]This may have been the Eleazer Bellows who was born in Marlborough, Apr. 13, 1671; MVR, 26.
1742 April 12 (Monday). Thomas harrowing and sowing. Sowed wheat by the old House. High winds, the old Barn in Danger. Cracked and wrecked very much. Neighbour James Fay here. At Eve visited Neighbour How — serious Talk with her — and with her Daughter Abigail.
1742 April 13 (Tuesday). I carryed Bekky Hicks to Cambridge on my Mare and My Daughter Molly had Mr. Jeduthun Fays Horse and rode with us. Molly had a Fall from the Horse but through Divine Goodness received no hurt. We dined at Mr. Brintnalls in Framingham. Got to Cambridge in Comfort.
1742 April 14 (Wednesday). Rainy but yet Molly and I rode to Boston and were at the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Andrew Eliot[1] at the New North Church. Dr. Sewall[2] prayed, Mr. Eliot preached 1 Cor. 4.2, Mr. Webb the Charge, Mr. Appleton the Right Hand. N.B. a vast Assembly, and a Glorious Time of Gods Grace. I dined at Mr. Webbs. There was entertainment also at Mr. Owens. At Eve at Mr. Richard Salters[3] Chamber. Lodged with my Kinsman Elias.
[1]Andrew Eliot, Jr. (1718-1778), Harvard 1737, minister at Boston’s New North Church, 1742-1778; SHG, 10:128-61.
[2]Joseph Sewall (1688-1769), Harvard 1707, minister of Boston’s Old South Church, 1713-1769; SHG, 5:376-93.
[3]Richard Salter (1721-1789), Harvard 1739, minister of Mansfield, CT, 1744-1787; SHG 10:404-409.
1742 April 15 (Thursday). I returned to Cambridge leaving Molly to live at her Uncle Alex’s to go to School with his Daughter Esther. From Cambridge past 2 o’Clock p.m., with Sarah Sparhawk[1] on the Horse Molly rode down, I rode up to Westborough and got up after 10.
[1]Sarah, dau. of Samuel and Sarah Sparhawk, was born Dec. 22, 1700, but died Oct. 9, 1701; CVR, 1:658, 2:744; Sarah, the daughter of Deacon Samuel Sparhawk was baptized Nov. 3, 1734; ibid., 657. If that was her approximate date of birth, the Sarah Sparhawk who worked in the Parkman household was not the deacon’s daughter.
1742 April 16 (Friday). [No entry.]
1742 April 17 (Saturday). [No entry.]
