Category: Diary

1750 December 10 (Monday).  At Dr. Smiths — Mr. Heminway better.  I return’d home.  My wife informs me that Mr. Cushing rode away from the Meeting House Yesterday in order to go to Marlborough, to her great Surprize, at the Funeral of a base-born Child, at Mr. Francis Whipples.  The Mother is from Boston: I ask’d her what her name was, but she desir’d to conceal it.  At Eve Lieutenant Tainter here.

1750 December 11 (Tuesday).  A number of Young Men, chiefly the religious Society, came and chopp’d Wood.  They were Daniel How, Merodach Smith, Phinehas Maynard, Moses Warrin, Joseph Grout junior — and Mr. Cornelius Biglo and his Son, very kindly came with them.  My son Ebenezer Chopp’d with them and Thomas carted part of the Day.  Sent a Letter to Mrs. Stoddard at Boston with 14£ of money by Mrs. Mary Maynard (James’s Wife) to buy my Daughter Lucy a Riding Hood.

1750 December 12 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer a.m. fits up an House for the Doves, which were lately presented me, and p.m. Swingled Flax.  Thomas to mill a.m.  Cut Wood at the Door p.m.  Billys Sore begins to digest a little.  P.M. I went to Mr. Hezekiah How’s and got him to go with me to view my North East Bounds, which border on him and on the Ministerial Lot and on Mr. Richard Barns.  N.B. To Day Mr. Solomon Wood was here and settled our Accounts.  I ow’d him 12£ 13 Shillings Old Tenor and gave him a Note to Lieutenant Tainter.  Mr. Wood informs me likewise of the Death of the Widow Thurstons[1] Daughter Experience.

[1]The widow of Joseph Thurston.

1750 December 13 (Thursday).  Ebenezer and Thomas at the New House, clearing Ground.  P.M. Molly rode with me to the Funeral of Experience Thurston.  N.B. She was almost 19 years of age, and after a few Days illness fell into Fitts and dyed Suddenly.

1750 December 14 (Friday).  A Storm of Rain which rais’d the Floods.

1750 December 15 (Saturday).  Ebenezer and Thomas variously employ’d about the Cattle, Firing etc.  Mrs. Mary Maynard brought up a Camblet Riding Hood from Mrs. Stoddard at Boston.  Wrote on Exod. 20.12 chiefly this Evening and Night till 12 o’Clock.

1750 December 16 (Sunday).  Read Levit. 11 with Some Expository remarks.  Preach’d on Ps. 23.4.  Din’d at Esquire Bakers.  My wife at Mr. Williams.  P.M. read Acts 1.  Preach’d on Exod. 20.12.

1750 December 17 (Monday).  Rose a little after 4 o’Clock.  Ebenezer and Thomas went over to clearing at the New Place.  Mr. Ebenezer Rice cutting Ship Timber at Mr. How’s — and desires to cutt in my Lot also.

1750 December 18 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer and Thomas Clearing at the New Place.

1750 December 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Martyn and his wife din’d with us — and p.m. he preach’d the Lecture to my Young People from Ps. 100.3.  My Wife made a Discovery to me this Evening which gave me some surprize.

1750 December 21 (Friday).  Cold uncomfortable weather.

1750 December 22 (Saturday).  Very raw.

1750 December 23 (Sunday).  A cold raw Storm.  I doubted much in the Morning whether it was my Duty to go to Meeting.  I concluded to try; and found that though is was tedious and difficult, yet I could undergo it.  There was a considerable assembly, which gave me fresh Encouragement.  Of Levit. 12 I read only the first 10 and proceeded to Some Remarks.  Preach’d on Exod. 20.12.  My wife din’d with me at the Squire’s and Martha Pannell at Deacon Newton’s.  P.M. I read Acts 2 and preach’d on Exod. 20.12.  But this Exercise was little other than a Recapitulation of what I had deliver’d and repeated Some Time ago, of the Dutys of Children and Parents, from Eph. 6.1.2.3.4.  But I made many alterations, transpositions and necessary Corrections etc.

1750 December 24 (Monday).  My Wife rode with me to visit the Two Widows Tomlin: and thence we went to Ensign Rice’s.  N.B. The little Boy was there which Mr. Lawrence of Bolton had So Severely whipp’d.  His Back was Stripp’d for me to See it.  There were bad Signs all over it and Two or Three large and plain Scarrs.  We went to Mr. Martyn’s, and tarry’d to Supper with them there begin a pleasant Moon to come home by.

1750 December 25 (Tuesday).  I hear that Several of my Neighbours, particularly Eliezer Rice and his Wife are trapesing over to Hopkinton to keep Christmas there.[1]  Were any of them rationally and Sincerely Enquiring and Examining into the Grounds of the Controversie between the prelatists and the Dissenters it were a far different Case; but they manifest only a Spirit of unsteddiness.  May God grant ‘em a Sight and Sense of their Folly and Childishness!  P.M. Mr. Martyn and Mr. Smith of Marlborough made us a Visit and tarried till Evening.  My Son Thomas is gradually providing him Tools etc. for setting up his Trade.  His prospering herein is a Matter that lyes much upon my Mind from Day to Day.  May God afford us the wisdom which may be profitable to direct!

[1]The celebration of Christmas by the Anglicans led by Commissary Roger Price was deplored by the Puritans.

1750 December 26 (Wednesday).  Storm of Rain.  Forbush[1] begins to keep School at Captain Maynards and lodges there.

[1]Eli Forbes (Harvard 1751), the son of Deacon Jonathan Forbush of Westborough.

1750 December 27 (Thursday).  Molly and Lucy undertook to walk over to Mr. Martyn’s.  Mr. Joseph Haven (accompany’d by Deacon Burnap of Hopkinton) made us a Visit.  Paid me 15£ and 2 shillings old Tenor on account of his Sons lodging here.  He acquainted me with Some of his Difficultys with Mr. Reed, which rather increase and advance.  Tarried to supper but return’d to his Brother Burnaps.

1750 December 28 (Friday).  Ebenezer got out Flax.  Mr. Frost broke it, and he Swingl’d.  At Eve Ebenezer and Thomas rode over to Mr. Martyns to bring him their Sisters, which they did though it was very Cold.

1750 December 29 (Saturday).  They Clear’d at the New Place.  Brother Samuel Breck[1] here and din’d with us.  He keeps School and practices at Sheffield.

[1]Parkman’s brother-in-law, who had practiced medicine in Worcester, was now living in the north parish of Sheffield, which was set off as the town of Great Barrington in 1761.

1750 December 30 (Sunday).  Very Cold.  Read a few verses in the Beginning of Lev. 13, and a few Remarks thereon: preach’d on Prov. 29.15, repeating Sermon on Eph. 6.4 from page 21 to page 27.  My wife and I din’d at Esq. Bakers.  P.M. Read Acts 3.  Preach’d on Gen. 17.18 and repeated Sermon on Eph. 6.4, from page 27 to the End.  N.B. I had formerly repeated the other parts of these Discourses on the Dutys of Children and of Parents, but had not these Sermons but now Mention’d, and therefore I chose to finish the Repitition of these rather than omit them although I had prepar’d on the Duty of Magistrates for one part of the Day, and in other parts of my Time I gave myself as much as I could to Reading, viz. Mr. Reyners Rules of the New Creature,[1] Travels of Cyrus by Ramsay,[2] Popes Essay on Man[3] etc.

[1]Edward Reyner (1600-1668), an English minister, published Precepts for Christian Practice (London, 1645).  This was designated as the second edition, but is the earliest edition this editor has found.  The eighth edition bore the title Precepts for Christian Practice; or the Rule of the New Creature new Model’d (London, 1655).  There were at least eleven English editions of this work.

[2]Andrew Ramsay (1686-1743), a French author, wrote Les Voyages de Cyrus, avec un Discours sur la Mythologie des Payens (Paris, 1727).  English translations were published in London in 1730 and 1733.

[3]Alexander Pope’s famous work appeared first in London in 1734 and several other English editions were soon printed.  By 1751 there had also been published Philadelphia editions in 1747 and 1748.

1750 December 31 (Monday).  My Sons are clearing at the New Place.  I rode over to them to Lieutenant Tainters — visited at Mr. Nurse’s,[1] he having been several Times absent from Meeting.  At Eve Mr. Williams and Mr. Whipple here.  I perceive there is much Strife among the People on the Affair of the Law-Suit depending between Revd. Mr. Price and this Precincts Treasurer for Mr. James Maynards Rates — 21 Persons having Sign’d against the Proceedings of the Precinct at their last Meeting, at which they voted that their Treasurer Should Stand Mr. Price.  I am very much griev’d for this Contention, as it very much frustrates the End of the ministry among a people.  O that the God of infinite Mercy would grant us wisdom, grace and Peace!  We finish this Year with these Sorrowful Reflections and with many Fears of what we are about to meet with unless God Himself be pleas’d to interpose and prevent.

 

[1]William Nurse.

1751 January 1 (Tuesday).  Every Year brings fresh occasion of Praise to the great, unchangeable, and incomprehensible Being who upholds the Universe!  Let me especially praise and adore Him who preserves my Soul and Sustains my Body; who confers richest Favours on the vilest Ingrate!

 

To Thee Supreme, Omnipotent!

May universal Nature rise!

“Homage To thee, with one Consent,

From whom we all have all Supplys!”

But thou, My Soul, as thou’rt most bound,

Thy Breath and Being chearfull Spend.

The Great Jehovah’s Praise resound

To Ages that shall never End!

 

At Eve my wife and I rode over to Mr. Francis Whipples and assisted at the Solemnizing the Marriage of his Daughter Lucy to Nathan Maynard.[1]  N.B. She was born this Day 22 Years Since.  An handsome supper, and though a Cold Night, yet it was (through the Smile of Providence) a pleasant, joyfull Time.  As I would bemoan my Ingratitude, Barrenness, Senselessness, So I would beg of God to quicken, pardon and help me!  To God I would committ all the Events of this Year!  But!  I know not what a Day may bring forth!

[1]The son of David Maynard.

1751 January 2 (Wednesday).  Cold, raw Day.  The Earth open still and good Clearing.  Ebenezer and Thomas improve it.  I was much employ’d with Ramsays Cyrus and (except yesterday) for Several Days.  It shews a Strong, bright Genius, and is writ with much Elegance.  Old Mr. Maynard came to invite me, and my wife also to his House at Even, his Son Nathan having brought home his Bride.  We went and Supp’d with them.

1751 January 3 (Thursday).  Ebenezer Thrashing Wheat — which has Suffer’d by the Rotts of the Barn.  Thomas a.m. to Mr. Wymans for Several Sadlers-Tools which he has made for him.  P.M. he thrash’d with his Brother.  A Cold Season.

1751 January 4 (Friday).  Bright and pleasant — and not altogether so Cold as the Days past.  My sons thrashing Still.  Lucy to Mrs. Mehitable Brighams[1] to obtain her help in making her new Riding hood — and stays all Night.

[1]Mrs. Moses Brigham.

1751 January 5 (Saturday).  Read a Letter from Mr. Elijah Collins concerning my Watch, and from my Brother Parkman[1] concerning his Marriage last July 19 to Captain Harris’s Widow, his near Neighbour, and took her to his House the 31.  That her Son, William Harris’s Brigantine was lately ashore on Plumb-Island, where his Father was cast away, and lost a Brigantine which my Brother was part owner of.[2]

[1]William or “Elder” Parkman of Boston married Hannah Harris.

[2]The Boston Gazette, or Weekly Journal, Dec. 4, 1750, reported “One Day last Week, a Brigantine deep laden from the West Indies, in bad Weather, ran ashore on Plumb-Island, and tis feared will suffer much Damage.”

1751 January 6 (Sunday).  I rode over to Mr. Martyns and he came hither.  He read not publicly either a or p.m.  His Texts Dan. 2.21, and Mat. 6.33.  He return’d home at Eve.  I at his meeting read a.m. Lev. 25, and preach’d on Jer. 6.8.  P.M. read Acts 2 and preach’d on Numb. 23.10.  At Eve I was very much tir’d, and it being very dark when I had refresh’d my Self at Supper with Mr. Martyn, I tarried and lodg’d there.  I had design’d also to go to Bolton next Morning.

1751 January 7 (Monday).  It prov’d a very Stormy Morning — it blew and Snow’d and became very tempestuous.  I yielded to their Importunity to Stay till noon.  After Dinner I ventur’d out, and got home safely — my Family also in Comfort.  But Captain Maynard came towards Eve, and had a fresh Debate about the precincts pulling down the old Meeting House.

1751 January 8 (Tuesday).  The Storm goes over — but very cold and snow blow’d about.

1751 January 9 (Wednesday).  Mr. Whitney here — reckon’d with him for his work, about my New House — gave him a Note to Lieutenant Tainter for 5 Days — 2 at framing and 3 at digging Stones — 15/ per Day — in all £3.15.0 old Tenor.  Thomas making another New Pillion.  Ebenezer sledded Wood.  I kept to my Preparations with some Diligence.

1751 January 10 (Thursday).  My Wife and I design’d to have rid to Marlborough, but a young Dog antickly Seiz’d upon the Lining of the Chair (which was to be set upon Runners) and tore it wholly out of the Back: which exceedingly defac’d it.  However we rode over to the widow Newtons[1] and din’d there.  Captain Eager[2] there also.  At Eve my son Thomas rode over to Robert Cooks — I thought upon Business, but (as I came to understand afterwards) to an House-warming.

[1]The widow of Ensign Thomas Newton.

[2]James Eager of the north precinct.

1751 January 11 (Friday).  Ebenezer Sledded Ship-Timber for Mr. Ebenezer Rice.  Thomas thrashing.

1751 January 12 (Saturday).  Rain.  Ebenezer with Neighbour Benjamin How and his Brother Noah, go to the Meeting House to put up Some Sort of Steps or stairs into the Gallery.  Thomas went to Lieutenant Tainter who promis’d to Send £7.3.10 old Tenor to Esquire Hazzletine of Upton.

1751 January 13 (Sunday).  Very Rainy.  The Rain with the Snow upon the Earth make it very difficult going to Meeting.  A few of us arrive there.  A.M. read several parts of Lev. 13, Scil. the heads of the paragraphs and gave Some Expository Observations.  Preach’d a. and p.m. on 2 Sam. 33.3.  So very rainy at Noon that I acquainted the Congregation that I Should not go out of the Meeting House, and desir’d them that went out to come in again, in 1/4 of an Hour.  I eat a bit of Bread and Cheese which my Maid handed to me in the Pulpit, and I was much refresh’d.  P.M. according to my proposal to the Congregation I went not out of the House, but began the Second Service as soon as the people gather’d in.  Read Acts 4, and gave Some glances upon it.  Preach’d as aforesaid.  Got home safely though it was very tedious to me.  However I bless God for my many Comforts which I am favour’d with!  After Supper and the Evening Exercise in my Family I read to them Mr. Baxters Preface to his Call.  May God grant His Awakening Spirit to accompany it and render it profitable!