Category: Diary

1751 February 19 (Tuesday).  Wrote to my Kinsman Davis[1] and to Captain Charles Morris at Halifax.  P.M. I rode to Mr. Grouts to See his son Joseph who is still sick, and pray’d with him.  In every Conversation yesterday and to Day, with the Parishioners, endeavour to my utmost to promote peace and agreement, and to engage others to do what in them lies with those immediately concern’d, that the Contention may go no further.  Was at Esquire Bakers at Eve.  He is going into Connecticut with Mr. Shattuck Flax-trader — who is there, to sett out in the morning — wrote to Mr. Pierpoint.[2]  Solomon Baker[3] designing to go to Boston in the morning, Sent my Watch by him to Mr. Moses Peck by him to have a Glass fitted to it.  N.B. My son William this Day ten years old — he goes over to Mr. Benjamin Hows, and at Eve Ebenezer and Thomas go over there, and to my Grief tarry (all of them) too late.  P.M. Ebenezer thrashes Barley.

[1]Parkman’s niece, Lydia Tyley of Boston, married Robert Davis, June 9, 1748.

[2]James Pierpont, Jr., of New Haven.

[3]The son of Squire Edward Baker of Westborough.

1751 February 20 (Wednesday).  Manifested to my sons Somewhat of my affectionate Concern for them.  Ebenezer acknowledges.  Thomas more insensible.  P.M. at Mr. Pratt and his Wife’s Desire, and agreeable to public Notice, given last Lords Day, preached to a Considerable Assembly at Mr. Pratts, his wife lying in a languishing Condition, and long confin’d from public Worship.  I us’d Luke 12.40 for the Text.  Pick’d the Exercise out of Sermon on Mat. 24.44, and added Two Extracts from Mr. Flavels Touch-stone.[1]  Viz. Mr. Sedgwick’s and Mr. Sydenham’s Marks in brief.  N.B. old Mr. Whipple and Lieutenant Tainter tarried at Mr. Pratts after the Exercise, and I endeavour’d to have some misunderstandings removed and peace promoted.  I advis’d Lieutenant to make Mr. James Maynard a Visit.  O that the God of peace would give peace!  At Eve Mr. Jedediah Hows of Brookfield here, and Neighbour Stephen Maynard.

[1]John Flavell, The Touchstone of Sincerity: or the Signs of Grace and Symptoms of Hypocrisy (Boston, 1731).  This appeared originally in a London edition of 1678.

1751 February 21 (Thursday).  After several Days of Springlike weather, we have now gentle warmish Rain.

1751 February 22 (Friday).  Neighbour Batherick here and with Ebenezer hewing Timber for a Privy.  Mrs. Warrin of Upton and her child here.

1751 February 23 (Saturday).  [No entry.].

1751 February 24 (Sunday).  Read Levit. 18.  Preach’d all Day on Rom. 12.16.  Din’d at the usual place, though the Justice was gone a Journey to Connecticut.  N.B. Deacon Newton invited me to dine at their House, but I conceiv’d it not so well to leave Mrs. Baker now when she needed me most.  P.M. read Acts 9.

1751 February 25 (Monday).  Mr. Batherick and Ebenezer frame a Privy.  At Captain Maynards about some Affairs of Plotts of Land, it being Proprietors Meeting at Marlborough to Day.  Visited the widow Sibyl Childs.  Din’d at Lieutenant Tainters.  Settled with Joseph Bruce and paid all.

1751 February 26 (Tuesday).  Rode to Mr. Fosgitts[1] and picked out 325 more Brick, and paid him £8.12 old Tenor, being in full.  Paid Mr. Goddard 20/ old Tenor for Carting the former parcell of Bricks.  N.B. both din’d and supp’d at Mr. Martyns.

[1]In Bolton.

1751 February 27 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer went with neighbour Benjamin How to clear a new Road for foot people to Meeting.  Lieutenant Tainter carry’d to Boston a Calf for me, which he came and kill’d last Night.

1751 February 28 (Thursday).  Mr. Fish[1] of Upton preach’d my Lecture on Ps. 107.9.  My wife not well at meeting.

[1]The Reverend Elisha Fish.

1751 March 1 (Friday).  Cold Day.  Mr. Fish left us to go to Upton.  Samuel Bumpso came hither in order to his and Ebenezer’s going to Sam’s Swamp to get a Stick of White Pine to make Two Troughs for my new House.  They both went but did not Succeed in Sam’s Swamp; but obtain’d Two in Mr. Bradish’s,[1] which they cutt down and partly hew’d one of them.  [Two words crossed out] by the help of Mr. Daniel Warrin to hew for them.  At Eve Lieutenant Bruce came here and I gave him a note to Lieutenant Tainter for 72£ 10/ old Tenor, which with 27£ 10/ of the like Tenor paid some Time agoe makes 100£ old Tenor in part for Cook Island, which he promises to give me a Deed of upon Demand.

[1]James Bradish.

1751 March 2 (Saturday).  Lieutenant Tainter here, who carry’d a Veal for us to Boston.  Ebenezer to Mr. Bradish’s Swamp with Mr. Daniel Warrin to hew Troughs.

1751 March 3 (Sunday).  Read Levit. 19.  Preach’d on Rev. 1.8.  Administer’d the Lords Supper.  My wife (being ask’d by Esquire Baker) din’d with us — Mr. Williams also invited both of us to dine at their House.  Molly din’d at Deacon Newtons.  Some of the Hopkinton people here at meeting, Mr. Barrett not being well yet.  P.M. read Acts 10.  Repeated sermon on 1 John 3.3.

1751 March 4 (Monday).  Town Meeting was at the North Meeting House — Tedious Storm of Snow.  Mr. Edwards Whipple has bought us 25 pounds of Flax at Northampton at 5/ and asks 1/6 for bringing — comes to 8£ 2.6.

1751 March 5 (Tuesday).  The Storm yet more tedious, Snowing, blowing and Cold, all Day and Night.  I was chiefly engag’d in reading Expositors and other writers on my design’d Text and Subject — a faithfull minister.  Read especially Davenant on the Colossians.[1]  I bless God my own Soul not altogether unaffected!  Find I have great Reason for Deep Humilliation for my unqualifydness and great unfaithfullness — the Lord pardon me, through the Great Saviour!  N.B. I had appointed a Catechizing at the Meeting House to Day, but the Storm prevented going out.

[1]John Davenant, Expositio Epistolae D. Pauli and Colossenses (Cantab., 1627).  Two other Latin editions were published in 1630 and 1639.

1751 March 6 (Wednesday).  Stormy morning — but the wish’d for Sun appear’d before Noon.  The Snow is deep, and the air very Cold.  Read Gilbert West Esquire on the Resurrection of Christ.  (It is Mr. Martyns[1] and I would fain return it tomorrow.)  Ebenezer takes Care of the Cattle, gets wood, and is busy’d about various Choars.  Thomas makes Whipps but can’t get Deer’s Hair for Saddles.

[1]The Reverend John Martyn of the north parish.

1751 March 7 (Thursday).  I rode over to Mr. Martyns and din’d there.  Preach’d his Lecture — Text 1 Cor. 11.20, latter part.  May God be pleas’d to add his Blessing!  Call’d at Ensign Rice’s at Evening.  N.B. Mr. John Caruth there.

1751 March 8 (Friday).  John Caruth junior here, from Mr. Martyn.  Sent Tar, to make Tar-Water.  My sons sledding wood most of the Day.  N.B. one of our Geese, instead of Setting, was found Dead near the Currant Bushes — when open’d we found her Eggs were broke within her.

1751 March 9 (Saturday).  Misty.

1751 March 10 (Sunday).  Read, with some brief Observations Lev. 20.  Preach’d all Day on Col. 1.7.  Din’d at Justice Bakers — p.m. Acts 11.  A very Rainy Day, and very difficult getting to and from Meeting.

1751 March 11 (Monday).  I was at Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s to pay them Rum which I had borrow’d of them — chiefly for raising my New House, my Well, Cellar and Chimney work.  N.B. the Precinct Meeting for their Annual Election of officers, thrown up.  At Eve came Mr. Haven from Brookfield and lodg’d here.

1751 March 12 (Tuesday).  After Dinner I undertook a Journey to Leicester — call’d at Mr. Maccartys,[1] met Mr. Lull in Shrewsbury with a Drove of Hoggs, reach’d Mr. Goddards[2] and lodg’d there.  The Roads very bad, I was so late as to ride great part of the Roade from Worcester to Leicester in the Dark and Mudd.

[1]The Reverend Thaddeus Maccarty of Worcester.

[2]The Reverend David Goddard of Leicester.

1751 March 13 (Wednesday).  From Mr. Goddards to Mr. David Baldwins.  Bargain’d with him to make my Window Frames and Sashes, 13 of the former and 15 of the Latter, 24 Squares in Each Window 7 by 9 Dimensions of Glass and to lodge ‘em Safe at Captain Maynards at Westborough, not exceeding the first week of June, for 48£ old Tenor Money, and 4 inner Doors, double rais’d pannells at the price which Mr. Goodwin Housewright in Worcester shall sett.  Return’d to Worcester — din’d near 5 o’clock at Mr. Maccartys.  Horse kept at Captain Daniel Wards.  Mr. Maccarty and I walk’d to Colonel Chandlers but he was not at Home.  Spent the Eve with his Lady.  Lodg’d at Mr. Maccartys.  N.B. was in great Grief and Trouble by means of the bitter Lamentations and Complaints about Dr. Breck.  N.B. News that Colonel Samuel Willard[1] of Lancaster was struck last night with the Numb. Palsey.

[1]Willard was a leading citizen, a justice of the peace, and judge of the Worcester County Court of Common Pleas, and Lancaster’s representative for many years.

1751 March 14 (Thursday).  Was with Mr. Putnam[1] (as I was yesterday with Mr. Doolittle,[2] and Mr. Waters[3]) on the Affair of Dr. Breck.  N.B. in my returning home, had Discourse with Mr. David Crosby[4] about his son and Daughter Cook,[5] who are under the Frowns of our Church.  Have heard to Day and yesterday of Several sudden Deaths — but when I got home (instead of finding Mr. Martyn and his wife, to dine with me, as I expected) found Forbush[6] from College there, who came up with Tidings of Asaph Rice’s[7] illness at College.  But especially — O Especially!  with the heavy and grievous Accounts of the Death of my Dear Kinsman, and rather Brother or Son than Nephew Elias Parkman who was taken ill Friday night was sennight of a Pleurisie, Soon grew delirious — continued all Wednesday after and expir’d — was interr’d the next Saturday.  May I be suitably affected with this Holy Dispensation — remember and prepare for my own Decease!  May God remember dear Nabby, and her Maker be her Husband!  and with him may the dear Orphans find Mercy!

[1]James Putnam, the lawyer of Worcester.

[2]Ephraim Doolittle of Worcester.

[3]John Waters of Worcester.

[4]Samuel Crosby of Shrewsbury.  Ward, Shrewsbury, p. 255.

[5]Sarah Crosby married Robert Cook of Westborough.  Their conduct was a concern of the Westborough church for many months.

[6]Eli Forbush, who was keeping school in Westborough.

[7](Harvard 1752).  Rice practiced medicine for a time in Brookfield and later served as the minister of the First Congregational Church of Westminster, Mass., 1765-1815.

1751 March 15 (Friday).  Rainy — Thomas carry’d 19£ Old Tenor to Mr. Obadiah Newton.  Captain Maynard here from Boston, but no Letter from any one.

1751 March 16 (Saturday).  P.M. I rode over to Mr. Martyns and desir’d him to change tomorrow, which he consenting to I tarried there.

1751 March 17 (Sunday).  Mr. Martyn preach’d for me, and I for him.  My Text a. and p.m. Dan. 2.35.  His was Isa. 5, beginning.  I return’d home at Eve and he lodg’d with us.  N.B. a Letter from Brother Parkman of the Death of the Doctor the Day, he dy’d, by the Date of it.

1751 March 18 (Monday).  Mr. Martyn and I chang’d Watches, mine being so much worn and having prov’d very expensive to me to keep it in repair; and he also having lately bought Lieutenant Ephraim Brighams — but I Suppose he can sell mine, but his watch being by him valued at 10£ more than mine, and the Chain 40/ I gave him Bishop Hopkins’ works,[1] Kennets Roman Antiquities;[2] and lively Oracles by the Author of the Whole Duty of Man.[3]  P.M. Mrs. Newton, widow here.  Mr. Abijah Gale and wife here.  She was Examin’d.

[1]Ezekiel Hopkins, D.D. (1634-1690), Bishop of Raphoe and Derry, was the author of numerous books.  Posthumously, there was published The Works of. . . Ezekiel Hopkins ... Collected into One Volume (London, 1701).  Two other English editions appeared by 1710.

[2]Basil Kennet, Romanae Antiquae Notitia; or the Antiquities of Rome (London, 1696).  At least 11 English editions had been published by 1746.

[3][Richard Allestree], Whole Duty of Man (London, [1658]).  Many other editions followed.  The Lively Oracles Given to Us (Oxford, 1658) was also published anonymously and in several editions.

1751 March 19 (Tuesday).  I was with Neighbour Stephen Maynard as he and Neighbour Benjamin How measur’d Mr. Baldwins Boards.

1751 March 20 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer and Thomas digging stones East of the Barn.

1751 March 21 (Thursday).  Publick Fast.  Preach’d all Day upon Hos. 2.8.9.  At noon refresh’d at Deacon Newtons.  At Eve my wife and I returning home call’d to See Mrs. Pratt who grows weaker and weaker.

1751 March 22 (Friday).  Was at old Mr. Maynard’s a.m.  At Noon Mr. Ebenezer Harrington[1] and Ensign Stone of Framingham were here, but did not stay to dine.  P.M. Mr. Benjamin Lull.  Ebenezer drawing stones with the Young Horse put in with the Rest of the Team; and though it be the first Tryal does very well.

[1]Selectman of Framingham.

1751 March 23 (Saturday).  One Mrs. Davidson here from Needham, who informs that Mr. Peabody[1] very bad, and it is doubtful whether he will ever recover.

[1]The Reverend Oliver Peabody of the First Congregational Church of Natick.

1751 March 24 (Sunday).  Read Levit. 21, omitting number 18, 19, 20, but gave a general account of what they contain’d — preach’d a. and p.m. on 1 Chron. 29.15 on occasion of the Death of my dear Kinsman Dr. Elias Parkman[1] of Boston.  May God bless these meditations to me for my highest Profit!  Din’d at Esquires.  P.M. read Acts 12.

[1]Parkman’s nephew.

1751 March 25 (Monday).  Undertook a Journey to Boston.  Din’d at Mr. Stone’s[1] at Southborough.  Call’d at Colonel Buckminsters at Framingham, but Mrs. Buckminster not at home.  Rode to Natick — found Mr. Peabody poor and weak.  Lodg’d there — with his son of Roxbury.

[1]The Reverend Nathan Stone.