Category: Diary

1751 January 14 (Monday).  Cloudy, Misty — exceeding bad Stirring.  My Mare troubl’d with a large Swelling which is become an hard Bunch, upon her Breast.

1751 January 15 (Tuesday).  The Storm continues (ever since last Saturday) and rains all Day.  My 2 Sons can employ themselves to but small purpose.  I was both yesterday and this Day engag’d on my preparations.  William gets to School through the Wet and Dirt.  Master Forbush here at Eve and lodg’d here.

1751 January 16 (Wednesday).  Mr. Stephen Fay here — din’d with us and tarried till almost Night.  The Storm not over, but rains Still.  A very unusual Time.  The Earth Extremely hollow, and fill’d with Water.

1751 January 17 (Thursday).  According to appointment I met Mr. Stephen Fay at Justice Bakers Though it was rainy Weather and bad Stirring abroad.  I din’d at Deacon Newtons.  I went down with Justice Baker and Mr. Stephen Fay to look of the Land within my Plot of 4 acres and 57 Rods.  Mr. Fay and I agreed to go on and give each other a Deed; I him of 3 Acres and 37 Rods of this Land, and he me of Three Acres Right of the sixth Division, to take up Common Land other where.  We finish’d the Affair at Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s.  N.B. Mr. Rice’s Young Man (Dudley) and his wife’s brethren, had been at the Great Pond, though foul Weather: and caught a great Number of fine Fish — the Pickerell, Some of them very large.  They made me an handsome Present of 3 large ones.  At Deacon Newtons as I return’d home, but tarried not long.  N.B. Ebenezer at Mr. Cornelius Cooks[1] assisting him in making a stubb scythe, a Whipple-Tree Chain and several other Things.

[1]Westborough’s blacksmith.

1751 January 18 (Friday). The first fair Day ever Since this Day Sennight. This Day, Ebenezer and his Brother Thomas go a Fishing at the Great Pond (mov’d by yesterdays News about Fishing). They return to Dinner. Ebenezer goes this afternoon to looking up Trees for Loggs to be carry’d to the saw-mill; his Brother goes (on Foot) to Mr. David Felton at Marlborough and bought an Horse side of Leather price 30/ old Tenor; and return’d home at Eve. Deacon Newton here. We reckon’d my Debts to him was 8£ 4s, 6d. He threw in 10/6 and I gave him a note to Mr. Samuel Williams for the rest. N.B. I press him to Peace in the Affair relating to Mr. James Maynard and Rev. Mr. Price. P.M. reckon’d with Aaron Warrin — his account £4.10 old Tenor. Gave him a Note to Mr. Williams.

1751 January 19 (Saturday).  Ebenezer and Thomas go into the Woods to Cutt Loggs.

1751 January 20 (Sunday).  A pleasant Day.  I read Lev. 14 to number 32 with long Expositions.  Preach’d on Tit. 3.1.  Din’d at Justice Bakers — my wife and several of the Family tarried at the Meeting house — Billy din’d at Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s.  P.M. read Acts 5, with some brief Exposition.  Not having altogether finish’d my Preparations for the Afternoon Exercise, though I began early in the Week and continu’d more than usual at the work, yet by Reading Dr. Hoadly[1] etc., and my meditations enlarging, yet being desirous it might not be more than Two Exercises; I wanted also some more moving Subject for the afternoon — I therefore repeated to page 8 of sermon on 1 John 2.14, latter part.

[1]Bishop Benjamin Hoadly (1676-1761) was a controversial figure who published numerous works.

1751 January 21 (Monday).  Daniel How assisted Ebenezer and Thomas in Killing Two large Hoggs.  Each 12 Score, 11 3/4.  P.M. my sons thrash’d Wheat and Swingled some small matter of Flax.  Mr. Phinehas Hardy, afterwards Mr. Samuel Hardy, Mr. Grow and Mr. Harrington, were here, reckon’d with them for work and Stuff about the New House and gave each of them a Note to Lieutenant Tainter.  Captain Maynards Wife made us a Visit.  At Eve I rode over to Mr. Williams and receiv’d £9.10 old Tenor of money from him.  The forepart of this Day was exceeding pleasant.

1751 January 22 (Tuesday).  The early Morn began with Storm.  As the Day got up it grew exceeding Tempestuous.  The Wind at South, very Stiff, and sometimes like meer Hurricanes, raining very hard also.  It beats extremely against, and into the House.  The Lord hath his way in the Whirlwind and in the Storm, and the Clouds are the Dust of his Feet.  Nah. 1.3.  Stormy Wind, fulfilling his Word.  Ps. 148.8.  Storm prevails till The Middle of the Day: then the Clouds Scatter and the Sun appears; yet it continues very windy.  In the Storm, Two Apple Trees (which were defective) were blown down; the Roof of the Bee House was blown off.  The Well-Crotch, Sweep and Pole were laid flatt, one Leaf of the front Gate was forc’d from the Post and thrown down; and it was wonderful that the Roof of the Barn was not carry’d off and destroy’d.  The Rain beat through the Windows of the House so much that there were great Puddles in the Rooms and Chambers, but especially in the Great Entry; and had the Wind and Rain continued with Such Violence for a little while longer, it look’d as if the sashes of the Windows would have been forc’d down and the House laid open that we could have had little or no Comfort.  But Blessed be God who in the middst of Wrath remember’d Mercy!  He that raised the Stormy Wind, made it obey and fulfill his Word.  We have reason to fear there is much Dammage done by this terrible Storm.  I hear already of the Desolation of Mr. Daniel Forbush’s Barn which was blown down to Day when the Cattle were in it, and he himself gone to Boston.

1751 January 23 (Wednesday).  A.M. Ebenezer and Thomas got Wood.  P.M. they went into the Woods to prepare Loggs for the Saw-Mill.  Mr. Charles Rice with me and reckon’d.  N.B. a Letter from Mr. Henry Goold[1] of Concord for Money.  At Eve Mr. Stephen Sadler[2] and his wife and they lodg’d here; as did Master Forbush also; there being an Entertainment or Frolick, of some young people at his Lodgings (Captain Maynards) to Night.

[1]Parkman’s son had been apprenticed to Gould.

[2]Of Upton.

1751 January 24 (Thursday).  Moses Warrin[1] was married to Persis Rice, Daughter of Mr. Seth Rice.  Some of the Company (without any Knowledge) took in the Key which offended a Number of persons who came to see ‘em married, and particularly Jonathan Smith was so much displeas’d that he got an Horn, and when the Bridegroom with his Bride and attendants were returning home, he began to blow, even before they had got all of them away from the Road before my Gate.  I therefore went out and Smartly reprov’d him for his Impudence and Folly.  P.M. my wife and I, though it was very cold, took a Ride to See old Mr. Fay in his illness and confinement.  We also went to Benjamin Fay, and examin’d into their suffering Young people to have a Frolick a little while ago at their house.  At Eve we were at Mr. Nathaniel Whitneys and we made a Visit also to Mr. Daniel Forbush, where I saw Some of the Sorrowful Effects of the late storm, which blew over his Barn.

[1]The son of Daniel Warrin of Westborough.

1751 January 25, 26 (Friday, Saturday).  Sharp weather.

1751 January 27 (Sunday).  Read Lev. 14 from number 33 with Remarks.  Preach’d on Nahum 1.3.  Din’d at Justice Bakers.  P.M. read Acts 6, and repeated the Rest of Sermon to young men on 1 John 2.14, latter part.

1751 January 28 (Monday).  Martha Pannell went from us to live at Mr. Benjamin Hows.

1751 January 29 (Tuesday).  Was at Mr. Bathericks and Sent by Mr. Bezaleel Smith 20£ old Tenor to Mr. Henry Goold.  Visited Mr. Bradish.

1751 January 30 (Wednesday).  My wife and I rode to Marlborough — as we went we call’d at Deacon Rice’s[1] and din’d there.  Renew’d my Desire to Jeduthan Baldwin to work for me in finishing my New House.  We visited Dr. Gott who is in a waste and much confin’d.  We went also to see Cousen Sally Brigham at Justice Brighams.[2]  I was likewise at Mr. Smiths[3] and Supp’d there with one Mr. Osgood of Andover.  N.B. Judge Dudley[4] lies dead.  Captain Boardman bury’d this Day.  We lodg’d at Dr. Gotts.

[1]Caleb Rice of Marlborough.

[2]Charles Brigham, a justice of the peace.

[3]The Reverend Aaron Smith of Marlborough.

[4]Justice Paul Dudley of the Superior Court of Judicature died Jan. 21, 1751.

1751 January 31 (Thursday).  A very Snowy forenoon.  I went to Mr. Benjamin Woods[1] but returned and din’d at the Doctors.  I wish I could deal more plainly with the Doctor about his intemperate use of Spirituous Liquors — yet had it over and over with him and gave him what Charge I could that he should abstain — but I fear it is all in Vain.  Mrs. Rachel Bowker there.  Everyones Heart bleeds — but we must leave it to God!  P.M. we visited at Mr. Smiths (Mr. Osgood not gone) and went in to See Mrs. Williams to mourn with her under the loss of her Father.  At home in the Evening.

[1]A leading citizen of Marlborough.

1751 February 1 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1751 February 2 (Saturday).  At Eve in much Trouble.  A Cow ready to Calve missing: and my young Horse lam’d himself in the Stable.  He was hung by one of his fore feet in the floor of the Manger, and after much Striving fell down on the outside of the Manger, in great pain — but was heard and Seasonably reliev’d — but the Cow (which I bought of Mr. James Ball) missing all night though we search’d up and down the woods till about midnight, and considerable Snow upon the Ground.

1751 February 3 (Sunday).  The little black Cow, missing last night, found this morning with a Calf, in the woods — was late at meeting by Reason of trapsing (in the Snow) so late last night.  Read but the Two first Verses of Lev. 15, and gave some Observations upon it.  Preach’d on Tit. 3.1, a. and p.m.  Din’d at Esquire Bakers and p.m. read part of Acts 7.

1751 February 4 (Monday).  This Day concludes the School kept by Forbush at Captain Maynards.  Ebenezer with Neighbour John Rogers’s Help and his Oxen join’d to my Team carry Large Loggs to Mill.

1751 February 5 (Tuesday).  Worcester Court at which we expect the Case of our Treasurer Mr. Ebenezer Maynard by Appeal against the Reverend Roger Price, for Mr. James Maynards Rates, is expected to come on.  Mr. Haven came to see us at Evening.  N.B. Ebenezer and Thomas, Mary and Lucy gone to dine at Lieutenant Tainters and wait upon his Daughter Sadler[1] in her going home to Upton.

[1]Elizabeth Tainter married Stephen Sadler of Upton.

1751 February 6 (Wednesday).  Mr. Haven and I rode over to see Mr. Martyn.  Mr. Cushing came there also.  Call’d at Captain Eagers about Clabboards for my New House.  Ebenezer and his Brother and Sister return’d from Upton.

1751 February 7 (Thursday).  Mr. Haven bought of me Dr. Atterburys Two Volumes of Sermons.[1]  He leaves us to go to Brookfield, North part of it, to preach on probation there.  Mr. David Baldwin of Leicester sold me 1000 of White Pine Boards for £15.10/ Old Tenor for which I paid him 10£ old Tenor.  As I Sat at Captain Maynards came in the Reverend Mr. Price from Court — tells me they gave him the Case yesterday, as he was sure all men of any Reason and Justice would.  Captain Maynard urg’d me much to dine there but I return’d home.  P.M. nigh Evening I visited Mrs. Pratt.  When I came home had Mr. Jonathan Bond with me.  N.B. Ebenezer and Thomas carried Loggs to the Saw Mill, and Boards to the New House.

[1]Francis Atterbury, Sermons and Discourses on Several Subjects and Occasions, 2 vols. (London, 1730).

1751 February 8 (Friday).  Ebenezer in the Woods about Loggs.  Thomas to Marlborough and brought an Horse Hide of Mr. Felton — cost 58/.  He paid Lieutenant Nathan Brigham 21£ old Tenor in full for the Land I bought of him by the Meeting House.  Thomas brings word that Cousen Sally Brigham was brought to Bed this Morning and bore a Son, being (I think) thirty Weeks Since her Marriage.

1751 February 9 (Saturday).  Ebenezer works for Neighbour Rogers, with the Oxen.  At Night I was with Joseph Grout junior who is Sick of a Fever, till nigh 12 o’clock.

1751 February 10 (Sunday).  Many of Hopkinton People at Meeting with us Mr. Barrett[1] being Sick.  A.M. read Levit. 16.  Preach’d on Rom. 12.18.  Din’d at Justice Bakers.  Deacon Kimbal[2] and others of Hopkinton din’d there also.  P.M. read Acts 7 from number 26, gave short Exposition each part of the Day.  Preach’d on Rom. 3.24 — freely by his Grace — (and by Reason of my Interruption last Eve did not finish the Subject which I was then engaged upon) I us’d from page 16 to 24 of sermon on Eph. 2.8.  My Wife this Day 34 Years old.  May God grant her the Grace so to number her Days as to apply her Heart to Wisdom.

[1]The Reverend Samuel Barrett.

[2]Ebenezer Kemble.

1751 February 11 (Monday).  Rainy.  Ebenezer a.m. goes a Fishing at the Great Pond.  At Eve the Storm increases the Wind Southerly and to the East of South, very Strong for several Hours.

1751 February 12 (Tuesday).  Am running over Some of Esquire Wests Observations on the History and Evidences of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.[1]

[1]Gilbert West, A Defence of the Christian Revelation …as Contained in … Observations on the History and Evidences of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Boston, 1749).  This work first appeared in a Dublin edition of 1747.

1751 February 13 (Wednesday).  I rode to Hopkinton to See Mr. Barret in his Sickness — find he is much better.  I din’d there.  The Desolations in Hopkinton by the great Storm much greater than among us.  Mr. Barretts, Mr. Price’s, and 10 or 11 Barns more in that Town blown down.  Mr. Barretts Cattle, and his Negro Man also in the Barn at that Instant.  I was at Lieutenant Woods where lay ill Phebe Chamberlin and at their Request I pray’d with her.  At Aaron Warrins Shop for a large Cargo of mended Shooes.  Call’d at Mr. Hezekiah Pratts, whose wife wastes very much.  My Son Ebenezer breaks Flax.  Thomas at his Trade.

1751 February 14 (Thursday).  A fine Day after a Sharp Night, but the prospect of my Debts, Building and Family Expences very gloomy and distressing.  P.M. rode out — designing to visit Lieutenant Tainter; and yet what can he be able to do for me in these uncommon Times of Difficulty and Straitness in the Province! and especially in Times of Such Trouble and Division in the Parish!  As I pass’d by Mr. Nurse’s Lieutenant passed along in the Common Road and went to my House — but carry’d no money for my Relief.  As Soon as I was inform’d that Lieutenant had passed along the Road I turn’d my Course (from going to his House) and it being probable that the Lieutenant Saw, and was inform’d that it was I, that was at Mr. Nurse’s, yet that he had no Special Business with me, I went to Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s and reckon’d with him.  I Should have proceeded up the Road to visit Joseph Grout, but heard he was better — had no fit Since Lords Day Evening.  Lieutenant Tainter here while I was abroad.

1751 February 15 (Friday).  Snow.  Old Mr. Maynard and old Mr. Whipple here.  By Mr. Whipples Discourse I perceive there are new Disgusts with Lieutenant Tainter — that he doth not take Steps towards Mr. James Maynards Rates being Sunk by the Precinct: there being a Warrant up for a Meeting and nothing of Mr. Maynards Affair in it; nor to Consult the Precinct about it.

1751 February 15 (Friday).  Snow.  Old Mr. Maynard and old Mr. Whipple here.  By Mr. Whipples Discourse I perceive there are new Disgusts with Lieutenant Tainter — that he doth not take Steps towards Mr. James Maynards Rates being Sunk by the Precinct: there being a Warrant up for a Meeting and nothing of Mr. Maynards Affair in it; nor to Consult the Precinct about it.

1751 February 17 (Sunday).  I read (and gave Some Expository Hints on) Levit. 17.  Preach’d on Rom. 12.18.  Din’d at Justice Bakers.  My wife has for a long Time refus’d to dine with me there fearing to be burdensome, though the Justice has repeatedly manifested his uneasiness at her not coming, and Said that she gave him more trouble as she did not dine there.  P.M. read Acts 8, and though I had provided sufficient for another Exercise on the same subject which I preach’d on in the forenoon, yet being unwilling to harp too much on that string at this Time, I conceiv’d it best to wave what remain’d for the present, and chose to finish the Subject I was upon last Lords Day a.m. and therefore deliver’d the Rest of that Discourse (without the Reconcilement of St. James and Saint Paul) on Eph. 2.8 from page 24 to page 36, from Rom. 3.24.  Which may God be pleas’d to add his Blessing to!  N.B. I publicly notified a meeting at Mr. Hezekiah Pratts next Wednesday.

1751 February 18 (Monday).  Was in a great deal of Anxiety on Account of my Family Circumstances, being in divers Straits and Difficultys — much in Debt already (by means of my New Building chiefly) and unwilling to keep my Creditors out of their dues, yet oblig’d to keep plunging much deeper if I would go on with my New House and place — and no reason to say any word to the Parish, they being so involv’d, and in Such Contention.  But I took a Walk to Mr. Whipples, Mr. Williams’s (to each of their Houses) to Deacon Newtons, Widow Newtons etc.  In the middst of my disconsolateness on outward Accounts, desire I may not leave trusting and reposing myself in a Mercifull and faithful God: who I pray may be my Supporter under all!