Author: Anthony Vaver

1745 December 13 (Friday).  Molly rode to Grafton, to see whether her Gown was done at Mr. Batchellors.

1745 December 14 (Saturday).  Lieutenant Aaron Forbush kill’d a Pigg which weigh’d 114 for me.  At Eve Jacob Rice.

1745 December 15 (Sunday).  I had chose to repeat Old Sermons last Sabbath that I might be both in Season with my Preparations and might Deliver the whole of what I Should have to say upon the Subject in one Day, but though I had provided a Matter of 16 pages yet I could not finish the Subject without waiting upon the Sabbath, the Things which occurr’d to my Mind were so needfull and as I thought would be so usefull that I could not omitt them.  My Text was Rom. 6.13, middle Clause.  In the Close I was very fervent, the Lord grant it may not be in Vain!  As to the Weather, Cold Day.

1745 December 16 (Monday).  Mr. Wheeler here all the afternoon.  Selectmen met and having receiv’d Order from the Council Board that the Town Should be assess’d, issued Orders accordingly to the Assessors for that Purpose.  Cold Weather.

1745 December 17 (Tuesday).  Mr. Cushing din’d with Me and spent the afternoon with me.  Ebenezer today (Ah!  Quantum mutatus ab Expectione nostra) work’d with Daniel How in the Cedar Swamp in making Shingles.

1745 December 18 (Wednesday).  As we have had a fine Moderate Season except the last Three Days, So of no Snow since that which fell November 12.  But now comes a fierce storm, Cold, Windy, Snow.

1745 December 19 (Thursday).  P.M. I rode over to talk with Deacon Newton about his Success at the General Court in the Affair of my last Years Sallery.  At Eve came my Kinsman Hearsey from Boston and lodged here.

1745 December 20 (Friday).  Mr. Hearsey goes to Oxford to wait on his wifes Aunt Griffin.  Old Mr. Maynard Signs and Declares another Last Will and Testament.  Lieutenant Aaron Forbush and Edwards Whipple the Witnesses.  Snow.  Ebenezer sledds Wood.  N.B. Old Mr. Maynards Sledd.

1745 December 21 (Saturday).  Lieutenant Tainter here.  He bemoans the Condition of his Brother Thomas Harrington at Waltham.

1745 December 22 (Sunday).  Cold, cloudy Day.  I preach’d a.m. on Heb. 9.27.  P.M. I repeat’d from Col. 3.4, the Introduction but fill’d up the Exercise with the first part of sermon on Phil.  1.21, the first 12 pages.  O that since it is settled by the Decree of Heaven that I must die I may So reallize that my Life may be a truely Christian Life — that for me to Live may be Christ and to die Gain!

1745 December 23 (Monday).  Captain Maynard here and informs me that the soldiers are not likely to return from the Frontiers, according to their Expectations.  That therefore he does not expect to see his son much before spring.  Would be glad (being there is now opportunity) if I would write him a Line — which Request I readily comply’d with.

1745 December 24 (Tuesday).  Daniel How thrashing Rye with Ebenezer.  Thomas Winchester came and Thrash’d a.m. and p.m. kill’d Two Piggs which weigh’d about 100 apiece.  Deacon Forbush to Worcester with his Daughter Hannah to keep Mr. Jenisons House.

1745 December 25 (Wednesday).  Thomas Winchester Went to Boston with the Two Piggs on my Mare.  I borrow’d Mr. Williams’s Mare and rode (though not sent for, yet a bright Comfortable Day inviting and hearing that a number of Ministers were to be there) to Grafton Fast.  I arriv’d just at 12 yet forenoon Prayer was not much more than half done.  I sat in Mr. Prentice’s Pew.  Mr. Bliss and Mr. Hall were the Ministers that were come to Assist.  Mr. Bliss preach’d on Heb. 4.16.  At noon at Mr. Prentice’s.  Mr. Hall pray’d p.m. and Mr. Bliss preach’d again.  His Text Mat. 5.16.  Stay’d to Supper.  Mr. James Fay requested that Mr. Bliss might preach at his House tomorrow at 11 o’Clock.  I did not sett myself against it, but permitted it, but did not give much Encouragement that I should be there myself, having divers Things before me that would be like to hinder me.  At coming away had Some Talk with Mr. Prentice respecting his Disgust with me which arose (and as I conceive continues) from my Sermon at a Former Fast there, but he said that was all over with him.  What he waited for was that I would come out — boldly for the Cause of God and let him come freely into my Pulpit and then He Should be free to ask me into his.  I told him it was necessary to regard my people (by this Time Mr. Bliss came to us) and I know well that my people would be greatly disgusted and I did not think it wise or prudent to give way to it.  I ask’d Mr. Bliss to my House.  N.B. Mr. Hall agreed to preach a Lecture to my Young People this Day fortnight.  I call’d at Cornet Shermans and at Abraham Temple’s.  From Temple’s Mr. Abner Newton was my Company to Westborough.  Found my Tabernacle in Peace, and myself comfortable though it was a Cold Evening.  To God be the Glory!  and may [t]here be an abiding Influence of what I have heard!

1745 December 26 (Thursday).  Though it was last night a most Clear and bright Night yet this Morn was thick Cloudy, and anon it snow’d; and it prov’d a Stormy Day.  Wrote Mr. Bliss a Letter and sent it to Captain Fays by my son Thomme.  N.B. Mr. Williams here while I wrote it.  P.M. Justice Baker here, enquiring after a Colt, which he thought might probably strole away last night after me as I pass’d by his House, but I saw none.

1745 December 27 (Friday).  When the Storm Clear’d away last night the Wind rose very high.  It was a Night of Strong Gusts that rock’d and Shook the House very much, but God Mercifully preserv’d us and upheld our Dwelling.  It prov’d a Windy and Cold Day.  Ebenezer and Thomme thrash’d Rye.  Brother Hicks from Cambridge lodg’d here last Night.  P.M. Mr. Matthias Rice and Mr. Thomas Goodenow here.  They told me that Mr. Wheeler had said among them [the Northside People] and particularly to Mr. Livermore that he was advis’d by an Angel to turn among them; and also in what he did in going over to Mr. Martyn (at the Time that their Committee went to Carry his Call) that it was the Angel of the Church in Westborough.  I reply’d that Mr. Wheeler was here, but that I refus’d to meddle with their Affair: nor did then see Mr. Wheelers Paper not a word of it nor know I what was in it.  And this I now repeated to them, that I did not desire to have Concern with their Affairs nor to meddle with them.  At Eve Thomas Winchester return’d from Boston — got 12 d per pound for the Pork and brought up 1/2 Bushel Salt, but it being Rainy while he was in Town he went to none of my Friends as I had appointed him to.

1745 December 28 (Saturday).  Thomas broke out Flax a.m. P.M. he went home.  Moderate, pleasant Day.  Ebenezer winnow’d some Rye.  Thomme I sent to Mr. James Maynards, he being Collector for the Parish.

1745 December 29 (Sunday).  A.M. on Heb. 9.27, and p.m. Repeat’d on Mat. 13.39.  It being the Last Sabbath of the Year I was Desirous to Meditate on the Last Day [of] Each Mans Life, and the Last Day of the World.  May it please God to make the word Savingly Efficacious to our Souls!  I endeavour’d to impress these Serious Things upon my Family — and may God be pleas’d to accompany what I have done with his Blessing!

1745 December 30 (Monday).  A tedious Snow Storm.  Adhere to a Custom I am in of Reading Lowth in the Morning.  Have not yet finish’d Fullers Church History, but keep on in it.  P.M. Old Mr. Maynard, Old Mr. Whipple and Captain Maynard here.

1745 December 31 (Tuesday).  Storm continues.  At my preparations for the Sabbath.  At Night Very high Winds.  Might it please God of his abundant Mercy to grant a suitable Sense of the Transitoriness of Time!  humble Me for and through the Blood of his Dear son, pardon the sins of the Year past, and of my whole Life!  And O might I be ready for the Close of my Life, as well as the Close of the Year!

1774 January 11 (Tuesday).  Write Several Letters: particularly to Mr. Daniel McAllister: his Dismission with his Wife’s, to the Society of Myrifield (as he writes it), and at his Desire a Copy of our Church Covenant.  I inclosed them in a Letter to Rev. Jones of Western, requesting Some Account this Mr. Isaac Jones, who preaches to my Neighbours.  Read part of Dr. Watts of the Glorys of Christ.  At Eve Breck and John ride in the sleigh to Shrewsbury, and return.

1746 January 2 (Thursday).  Continued my Review of my old Journals, for my deep Abasement and Sorrow before God.  Lord, remember not against me the sins of my Youth and my Transgressions. After thy Mercy remember me, for they Graciousness sake, O Lord!

1746 January 3 (Friday).  Thomas Winchester and Ebenezer gett out Flax. More moderate weather.

1746 January 4 (Saturday).  Thomas and Ebenezer thrash’d Rye.  Ebenezer was hurt on his Eye and Cheek Bone by the breaking of Thomas’s Swingill, or beating his own against him.  Little Suse begins to go alone. Weather Pleasant.

1746 January 5 (Sunday).  On Heb. 9.27, former part.  May God be pleas’d to add his Special Blessing, that this Serious Subject may suitably affect both me and the people!

1746 January 6 (Monday).  Mr. Martyn came to see me; din’d with me and spent the Afternoon.  Tells me has not determin’d what he shall do with regard to our North Side, purposes to Visit the disaffected, and particularly Mr. Wheeler,^[1] that he may know the better what to do.  N.B. Lieutenant Thomas Forbush and Mr. Simon Goddard of Shrewsbury here.

^[1]Joseph Wheeler.

1746 January 7 (Tuesday).  Sent a Letter by Ebenezer Maynard to Messrs. Rogers and Fowle for December Magazine, and to let them know that I would have them Sent no longer.  Another Letter by the Same Hand for my Portmantle at Cousin Proctors, in which I expect Cloth for a great Coat, provided for me, by Brother Alexander.  Sent 5 Musk Squash Skins to Mr. Eaton, Hatter at Boston, by Noah How. Thomas Winchester breaking Flax and Ebenezer Shingles. Moderate and bright, but Exceeding high winds, p.m.

1746 January 8 (Wednesday).  Mr. Hall of Sutton preach’d a Lecture to Young People on 1 K. 18.12.  Several from other Towns at Meeting.  After Meeting Ward^[1] (Colonel Nahums son) from College with his Two sisters, viz. Mrs. Eager and Mrs. Patty Ward, here.  Mr. Hall went home. Mr. Benjamin Burnap and Mr. James Fay spent the Eve here.  N.B. Mr. Fay has not been at our Meeting for a number of sabbaths (I think 3) but that I might have no Jarr at this Time I Said Nothing to him about it.  Thomas Winchester thrash’d a.m.  Bright though Somewhat Cold.

^[1]Artemas Ward, the future general.

1746 January 9 (Thursday).  I read various Things — Dickinsons Letters — Magazine — Tillotson — Hopkins^[1] — Richard Taylor^[2] on Eph. 2.8.  Thomas Thrashing.  Receiv’d a Blue Great Coat from Brother Alexander at Boston per Ebenezer Maynard.  Stormy.  Snow — Rain.

^[1]Probably a work by the English minister, Ezekiel Hopkins (1633-1690).

^[2]A work by the English Dissenter of London who died about 1717.

1746 January 10 (Friday).  Thomas Thrashing Rye Still.  Ebenezer daily with him. Thomas and I reckon’d up the Loss Time which he had agreed to make up, and there is due to me (on that Account) 26 this Evening.  That is, 6 more of these Winter Days. Exceeding Cold Night.

1746 January 11 (Saturday).  Thomas and Ebenezer dressing Flax. Pleasant but Cold Day.  Lieutenant Tainter here — he brought the Journal which contains Father Patrick Graham, Almoner and Confessor to the Young Pretender, his Letter to Father Benedict York, giving an account of their proceedings, successes and Designs.

1746 January 12 (Sunday).  Pleasant. A.M. on John 17.15.  Repeating from page 15 to 19 of Sermon on Jer. 2.19.  P.M. on Eph. 2.8. My Wife not well — could Scarce tarry at Meeting during the forenoon Exercise, but was not able to go to Meeting at all p.m. At Eve Very much of a Fever.

1746 January 13 (Monday).  My Wife somewhat better a.m. (having been sweated the Night before).  I rode to Mr. Jesse Rice’s at Marlborough to talk with him about the Bond which I gave his Father (now deceas’d) for £50 Old Tenor.  Borrow’d of him Fenner on Conscience.^[1]  At my Return home found my Wife was grown Very ill again, the Fever strong upon her.  Mrs. Maynard here and took Suse down to their House, her daughter in law being able to suckle.  N.B. Mr. Brown^[2] of Cambridge (young Preacher) from Worcester here whilst I was gone to Marlborough, as was also Mr. Millen^[3] of Chauxit.  They inform that Mr. Morse^[4] of North Shrewsbury carry’d home his wife last Tuesday.  N.B. At Eve came Esquire Williams of Stockbridge and Mr. Lydius of Albany and lodg’d here.  And Captain Ephraim Williams junior and his Brother Thomas at Captain Maynards.  Sent for the Latter to Visit my wife, who accordingly came.  He thinks She is going to have the long Fever.  The forenam’d Gentlemen are going to Boston to promote an Expedition against Crown Point.

^[1]William Fenner, The Soul’s Looking-Glasse . . . tvith a Treatise of Conscience (Cambridge, 1640).

^[2]John Brown (Harvard 1741), later the minister of Cohasset, 1747-1791.  Sibley, XI, 12-17.

^[3]The Reverend John Mellen of Sterling.

^[4]The Reverend Ebenezer Morse of Boylston.

1746 January 14 (Tuesday).  Our Company prosecuted their Journey to Boston.  Sent Thome to Dr. Gotts and Mr. Britons.^[1]  Dr. Gott came, but my Wife was better.  Thanks to God!  Neighbour Samuel Hardy came late a.m. to Swingle Flax.  P.M. he join’d with a Number that were here to get me some Wood, for Lieutenant Tainter and Neighbour Samuel Harrington were here yesterday while I was absent, and rigg’d up my Sled, and they Two, with Neighbour Hezekiah Pratt (who brought a Team of Oxen), Beriah Rice, and Eleazer Rice, came and got me a Pile of Wood.  N.B. Neighbour Sam Hardy join’d them.  P.M. At Eve we sent for Suse home from Captain Maynards.

^[1]John Britain of Marlborough.

1746 January 15 (Wednesday).  Rode to Neighbour Cooks on purpose to talk with him, but I found Neighbours Josselin^[1] and Belknap there, for which Reason I proceeded further to visit the South East Corner.  N.B. Mr. Belknap walk’d with me and we had Some Conversation about Mr. Cook.  He told me Mr. Cook had desir’d him some Time ago to go up with him to my House.  I pray’d him to meet me towards Eve at Mr. Cooks — he consented.  He told me likewise that he himself had been admitted into the Southborough Church.  I went to Mr. Bradish’s and pray’d him to meet me at Mr. Cooks by and by (he being also a Man that I knew Mr. Cook would ken to).  Visited Mr. Jonathan Bellows Family; he was not at Home.  I din’d at Mr. Chamberlains.  At Parting he told me that Mr. Cook had heretofore desir’d him to go up with him to discourse with me, and upon that I told him I Should be glad to see him at Neighbour Cooks this Very Evening.  Visited Neighbours Ithamar Bellows and Family and Josselin’s.  Afterward I return’d to Mr. Cooks, found the Three Men aforesaid there.  I acquaint’d them with my Conduct towards Neighbour Cook in my proceedings with him; and intimated what his had been towards Me.  He also made his Replys; in his own boisterous and coarse manner, and the Brethren mediated and endeavour’d to bring him to a right Understanding and Submission; but (whilst I was there) in Vain.  I lamented my unsuccessfullness in my Attempts: and at Parting offer’d him my Hand in Token of my readiness to be reconcil’d if he would Comply; but ineffectually.  When I was mounted on my Horse to return home, he came out and seem’d to express his desire of Forgiveness; and thereupon — giving him my Hand told him I was willing if he acknowledg’d, and was Sorry for his undutifull Conduct towards me in Time past, and would Carry it (by the Help of Grace) in a Suitable Manner becoming his Relation to me, for the future.  This he seem’d once to Consent to, but afterwards drew back from it; and Seem’d to expect an acknowledgment from Me also with regard to my Carriage towards him — which I could see no ground for; and ask’d whether it could be expected when I admonish’d those under my Pastoral Care whom I found defective, if it came Close to them and they should frett at it if it was no more than was necessary for them, and my own indispensible Duty?  I left him with the Brethren, hoping that if he was truely Sensible, and reform’d I Should know it; but any thing that was only Sudden and Strain, would (I conceiv’d) not last long.  N.B. his unaccountable ways of Softening his Several harsh allegations against me, and heavy Complaints of me from Time to Time.  Exceeding great his Explanation of his Saying “I had abus’d him more than any Man in the world — why,” he said, “one word from me, from Mr. Parkman was worse than any body else could Speak.”  Again, when he told me that a main Thing he had against me was “That I was an Enemy of the Work of God.”  This he said he meant thus, that we all had naturally an Enmity against God and his work: and the minister being at Variance one with another was a great Hindrance and discouragement, and that I had taken Such ways and methods as he could not judge were so prudent and fit to promote the Work of the late Times: and he likewise endeavor’d to enervate and interpret away his Strange Message by Noah How to me, “that he felt So towards me and Sometimes that he could Bite Me.” Nothing being effected, nor much prospect of it, and my wife being ill at Home, I came home.

^[1]Joseph Joslin.

1746 January 16 (Thursday).  My Wife took Physic, though unsuitable Wett Weather.  At Eve Jonas Brigham was marry’d to Persis Baker.  Have read out Fullers Church History of Britain.^[1]

^[1]Thomas Fuller, The Church-History of Britain (London, 1655).