Category: Diary

1751 March 26 (Tuesday).  Prosecuted my Journey — aiming to go to Mr. John Child’s, Glazier at Roxbury.  N.B. one Cook of Needham or Dedham piloted me, to his Grandfathers Captain Robert Cook in Needham — to Mr. Stephen Winchester in Newton bad with a Cancer — and to Mrs. Hastings’s who formerly carry’d me up to Newtown in her Lap — N.B. her mother Davis alive — accounted 116 last October.  There was a Mr. Childs at Madam Dudley’s — put up my Horse at Cousen Cowels — visited my Kinsmans Widow — Roxbury, her Negro man dy’d to Day — little Elias very ill of a Fever.  Lodg’d at Brother Samuels.

1751 March 27 (Wednesday).  My Brother Parkman, Cozen Cowel and I attended the Funeral of poor Roxbury.  I lodg’d at Brother Parkmans, and rejoice in his New Spouse.

1751 March 28 (Thursday).  The Town very much alive with people who throng into it to put off or Change their Province Bills.  I attended the Public Lecture.  Mr. Cooper[1] preach’d on Luke 18 chapter, 9 to 14.  The Pharisee and Publican.  Din’d at Dr. Chauncy’s,[2] where also din’d Judge Sewall,[3] Mr. Cook[4] of Sudbury and Mr. Peabody[5] of Roxbury.  Visited Mrs. Oliver and Captain Devenport Walker.  Was at Mr. Foxcrofts etc.  Lodg’d at Cousen Cowells.

[1]Samuel Cooper of the Brattle Street Church.

[2]The Reverend Charles Chauncy of the First Church of Boston.

[3]Justice Stephen Sewall of the Superior Court of Judicature.

[4]The Reverend William Cooke of Wayland.

[5]The Reverend Oliver Peabody (Harvard 1745), minister of the First Congregational Church in Roxbury, 1750-1752.  Sibley, XI, 563-564.

1751 March 29 (Friday).  A.M. at Mr. Eliots[1] — Mr. Welsteeds[2] — Mr. Clark[3] of Salem Village came there.  Settled my Account with Brother Samuel and paid what appear’d to be the Ballance.  Lodg’d at Brother Samuels.  My Horse kept at My Kinsman Cowels till this Night; when he was kept at Mr. Stoddards.  Visited Mr. Jeremiah Condy.

[1]The Reverend Andrew Eliot of the New North Church.

[2]The Reverend William Welsteed of the New Brick Church in Boston.

[3]The Reverend Peter Clark, the minister of Danvers.

1751 March 30 (Saturday).  Sett out from Boston after Noon about 10 minutes, — rain’d somewhat while I pass’ed through Watertown — got to Mr. Nathaniel Williams at Weston by half after Two.  Got to Mr. Bridge’s[1] in Season to have come home, but he was desirous we should change: at least he would go to Southborough, and Mr. Stone (having been Spoke to already to do it in Case I should need) to come to Westborough.  So that I tarried at Framingham.

[1]The Reverend Matthew Bridges of Framingham.

1751 March 31 (Sunday).  Preach’d at Framingham a.m. on Prov. 14.9.  P.M. on John 12.26.  Exceeding Cold Wind.  Mr. Samuel Haven din’d and lodg’d with me.  Ensign Stone and Mr. Farrar[1] came to see me at Eve.  Mr. Bridge, who came to Westborough did not return home till after I was in Bed.  N.B. Mrs. Bridge’s fall from the Horse Block, by reason of the Wind.

[1]John Farrar, a prominent citizen of Framingham.

1751 April 1 (Monday).  Breakfast at Colonel Buckminsters.  N.B. Mr. Bridge, Mr. Haven,[1] together with his Father, and one Mr. Hale of Brookfield, consulting with me about Mr. Samuel Havens preaching with them (as he had done) in order to his settling there — whereas he had a Call at part of Medway, and therefore, he (justly) refuses to encourage those of Brookfield till he has done with Medway.  Mr. Hale rode home with me.  We din’d at Mr. Nichols in Framingham.

[1]Samuel Haven (Harvard 1749), the son of Joseph Haven of Framingham, taught school, read divinity with the Reverend Mr. Parkman, and became the minister of the Second Congregational Church of Portsmouth, N. H., 1752-1806.  Sibley, XII, 382-392.

1751 April 2 (Tuesday).  I was at Mr. Jeduthun Fays.  Mr. Cushing here while I was from home.

1751 April 3 (Wednesday).  I was employ’d partly upon some Books I brought from Boston.  Night Thoughts etc.

1751 April 4 (Thursday).  Preach’d Mr. Cushings Lecture at Shrewsbury on Song 1.12.  Return’d at Eve.  Ebenezer sowing Rye.  It has been very searching Cold Weather for some Time.  I have taken Cold and went to bed ill.  N.B. Lieutenant Bruce went up to Grafton to meet the Reverend Mr. Prentice,[1] and expected me to have gone.

[1]Solomon Prentice who had been dismissed by the Grafton church in 1747.

1751 April 5 (Friday).  Somewhat better a.m. but was indispos’d p.m.  Remains Cold.  Ebenezer and Billy plough at Cook Island.

1751 April 6 (Saturday).  A.M. A great Snow Storm.  The Snow nigh a foot deep.  Ebenezer fetch’d nine Bushels Lime borrow’d of Messrs. Woods and Oake, northside.

1751 April 7 (Sunday).  Read Lev. 22.  Preach’d on 1 Cor. 4.1.  Din’d at Esquire Bakers.  P.M. read Acts 13.  Preach’d on 1 Pet. 3.5.  Those words — Love as Brethren, be pitiful, be Courteous.  Us’d (with alterations) Sermons on Tit. 2.12, from page 85 to 95.  Stop’d the Church, and they voted the Dismission of Samuel and Susanna Baker to the Church of Bolton.  N.B. Mrs. Rachel Pratt[1] grows much weaker.

[1]Mrs. Hezekiah Pratt.

1751 April 8 (Monday).  The weather being unfit for our masonry little expect Mr. Newton today, Yet I went over to the New House.  Ebenezer and the Team also.  Ebenezer fetch’d a Load of Clay from Mr. James Maynards, Mrs. Newtons Clay Pitts being filled and Surrounded with water.  I was at Lieutenant Tainters — visited Mrs. Pratt.

1751 April 9 (Tuesday).  The Snow being chiefly gone, my masons came, Mr. Obadiah Newton and Mr. Edward Willson to top out my Chimney, but they were beat off by the Rain.  Din’d them at home.  P.M. about 4 they go to work again.  They lodg’d here, and I kept their Horses.  N.B. Ebenezer and Thomas tended the Masons.

1751 April 10 (Wednesday).  Masons go to work, but were beat off again Several Times before noon.  I carry’d them their Dinner.  Ebenezer and Thomas tended them again to Day.  P.M. they broke off about 4 or between 4 and 5 o’Clock (I suppose) it raining very hard — and they went away both of them to Shrewsbury.  I rode with Mr. Holbrook of Grafton to Mr. Amsdens — and discours’d with each of the Gales and their wifes concerning their making a profession of Religion.  N.B. Sent a Letter by Mr. Holbrook to Mr. John Avery at Boston, Merchant respecting my Young Horse.

1751 April 11 (Thursday).  Lieutenant Wood of Upton and [blank] Chase (a young practitioner in Physic and who has taken up Lodging at Captain Bakers) din’d here.  We are terrify’d with more than ordinary Gusts of Wind — and the weather is very Cold.

1751 April 12 (Friday).  Lieutenant Tainter cutt my Two Year old Colt, and Gratis, as he has been always wont generously to do all such work for me.  Ebenezer and Billy go to ploughing a.m. at the Cook Island.  Bright, but windy and cold.  Preach’d the Lecture on Hos. 10.12, former part, omitted page 1.  Proceeded to the End of page 12.  After Lecture my wife and I call’d to See Mrs. Pratt, and before we came home we went to See Mr. Eliezer Rice and his wife (who had not been to Lecture either of them) to discourse with them especially with her concerning some Conversations She had had about me at old Mr. Whipple’s Some Time since.  He not being in the House, I desir’d her to Send for him to come in, which She did, and he came.  I told him I wanted to Speak with him, and we walk’d out, to his Gate.  Upon my acquainting him with my End in coming, he was Soon in a Ruffle.  He tax’d me with impudence in coming now, for that I ought to have come before.  I answer’d that it was but newly that I was inform’d of the persons She Spake in the hearing of, So that I was not able to Say any Thing of it besides, I was not willing to mind it or make any Thing of it, Considering the Frame she was in when I suppose she Said what she did, but that it best to let it dye — but Seeing She came again to the Communion and She was now more in her right mind; but especially Seeing it was got about and it was Concluded by people that I had talked with her, I was desirous to know what she now had to say of it; or who the Men were that She had Said told her what She reported.  He ask’d me whether I thought it convenient to talk with her now, about what she had said when (as I conceiv’d) she was not altogether herself?  He also Said that he acknowledg’d he had been brought under great Trouble and Affliction in the providence of God, and he was Sorry to find that his Neighbours especially that his Minister should add Affliction to the Afflicted, and he added (most unjustly) that he thought I took a delight in it.  He utter’d divers other grievous Sentences.  It was so Cold we could stand no longer abroad.  We went into the House — but having intimated my purpose was to talk with his Wife, I let him understand that I was not willing to be with her alone.  He Said he design’d to be with her when I did talk with her.  Mr. Edwards Whipple was in the House, and I talk’d with Mr. Rice then only about our Reckoning together — which we finish’d — except that when he ask’d me whether It was much better if I did not get home till Evening I told him it was Friday and I wanted to go home — but was very willing if they had any Thing to Say, or I could serve them in any Thing, to stay as long as it should need, and I waited a while, but he was silent — So that I took leave.

1751 April 13 (Saturday).  Drizzly Morning.  Broke away afterwards.  Ebenezer goes a Fishing till noon.

1751 April 14 (Sunday).  Read Lev. 23.  Preach’d on Rev. 22.16.  My wife and I din’d at the Justice’s.  Sacrament.  P.M. Read Acts 14.  Preach’d on John 15.14, repeating in part but with many alterations and additions what was deliver’d before my ordination on the Text.

1751 April 15 (Monday).  Rain.  No Masons.  At Eve came Mr. Maccarty — after him Mr. Campbell,[1] Maccarty, Wellman[2] and I rode to Sudbury, the Association Meeting to Day at Mr. Lorings.[3]  There were besides, Messrs. Cushing, Gardner,[4] Martyn, Smith, Morse,[5] Goss,[6] Davis.  Mr. Loring for a Concio read Sermon on Ps. 90.12.  N.B. Mr. Campbell and Wellman’s Difficulty with Mr. Martyn and Stone, complaining of their Result at the late Council at Sutton.  Mr. Stone not present the Affair not heard by the Association as such; but afforded Mr. Campbell and Wellman assistance to effect a Reconcilement between them and Mr. Martyn, which was with success, and they made up all the Matter.  I lodg’d at Mr. Lorings.  I rode to Concord — broke fast at Mr. Minots.  Paid Mr. Goold the full of the written agreement, Viz. [blotted] — which added to the former 20£ old Tenor which I sent him was the whole — and gave him a promisory Note for 18/ Lawfull Money to satisfie him for Thomas’s Rates at Concord.  I return’d to Sudbury by 11 o’Clock the Time of Lecture which I attended and Mr. Cushing preach’d on John 13.34.  After Dinner came Mr. Bridge of Framingham, and Mr. Samuel Haven.  Mr. Haven asks advice touching the admission of Mr. Joseph Haven into the Church.  In returning home, called at Dr. Gotts and Mr. Smiths — very Cold Night.

[1]The Reverend John Campbell of Oxford.

[2]The Reverend James Wellman of Millbury.

[3]The Reverend Israel Loring of Sudbury.

[4]The Reverend John Gardner of Stow.

[5]The Reverend Ebenezer Morse of Boylston.

[6]The Reverend Thomas Goss of Bolton.

1751 April 18 (Thursday).  Ebenezer ploughing Stubble.  P.M. I catechiz’d at the Meeting House, about 36 Children, Males and Females.

1751 April 19, 20 (Friday, Saturday).  We are much troubled about the Chimney of the New House, there being so high winds and frequent Rains — So that we can’t keep it Safely cover’d.

1751 April 21 (Sunday).  Cold.  Read Levit. 24.  N.B. had prepar’d more than Sufficient (for quantity) for one Sermon on the Duty of people to their ministers; but thought it not prudent to deliver it till I had finish’d the whole on that head — and therefore after much deliberating and weighing things I concluded it to be best to lay it aside for the present and took some Sermons on living Godly in the Discourse on Tit. 2.12, and deliver’d them, from page 96 to 110 with alterations from Acts 5.20 latter part (both a. and p.m.).  Din’d at Justice Bakers.  P.M. read Acts 15.  N.B. Mr. William Pierce’s young Child (of about 2 months old) well last night after sunsetting, dy’d before Day this morning.

1751 April 22 (Monday).  Rain — yet attended the Funeral of Mr. Pierce’s Child.  Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlin here in the Eve.

1751 April 23 (Tuesday).  I went over to the New House with Ebenezer to direct and assist in planting Elms and Plumb Trees.  No ground fenc’d thereof.  Sett no Apple Trees.  P.M. Mr. Martyn and his Wife here.  Afterwards Mr. Abijah Weld[1] of Attlebury, with his son.  Mr. Martyn and his wife tarry’d to Supper but the other to Shrewsbury.  N.B. The Youth is infirm — going to Dr. Greens.

[1]The Reverend Habijah Weld (Harvard 1723), the minister of Attleborough, 1727-1782.  Sibley, VII, 268-272.

1751 April 24 (Wednesday).  Went to Lieutenant Bruce’s about Mrs. Cooks Signing his Deed.  At Mr. Warrins.  Timothy gave me 20 young Apple Trees which I set out in vacant places of my orchard at Home.  Mr. Haven din’d and lodg’d here.

1751 April 25 (Thursday).  Mr. Haven with us.  N.B. The Watch I lately had of Mr. Martyn Stop’d in the last Night and I can have no further good of it.  Mr. Weld returning home from Leicester to Attlebury, here, and after Dinner he and Mr. Haven took leave together.  N.B. The Season unusually Cold and Somewhat windy but Ebenezer (Having deferr’d it long already) Sowed Wheat.

1751 April 26 (Friday).  Ebenezer Sows Flax — and p.m. Carts muck.  Thomas helps him p.m.  Mr. Ebenezer Rice here.  Mr. Cook.  N.B. Captain Maynard brought a Letter which came from my Kinsman Davis at Nova Scotia.

1751 April 27 (Saturday).  Cool windy weather yet.  Ebenezer and Thomas Sowing Barley and Carting Muck.

1751 April 28 (Sunday).  I have prepared about 16 pages (6 or 7 is an ordinary Exercise) on the third Article of the people’s Duty to their Ministers, Viz. an Honorable Maintenance.  My heart has labour’d very much about delivering it — I much reluct at it — am asham’d I have So much fear of displeasing the people.  But being Sensible it is my Duty to preach on this Subject, have begg’d of God to direct me how I shall conduct my self in this matter — and that I might deliver no Line but what is His.  I endeavor to divest myself of my own Concern in it as much as I can, that I may deal impartially — Have conceiv’d it would be best to deliver but one Exercise upon this Head, though I have much more prepar’d.  Accordingly committing myself and my work to God, I went to meeting.  Read and gave some Expository Observations on Lev. 25, and then preach’d on 1 Cor. 4.1.  Deliver’d some passages concerning the Duty of Obedience to Ministers from Sermon on Heb. 13.17, but only glancingly — and proceeded to treat of maintenance — but could not deliver all that I had prepar’d, by 4 pages — or more.  Din’d as usual.  P.M. read Acts 16.  Repeated Sermon on Tit. 2.12, page 111 to 121, from Acts 5.20.  Baptiz’d Mrs. Abigail Gale.[1]

[1]The wife of Abijah Gale of Westborough.

1751 April 29 (Monday).  Visited Mr. Moses Brighams wife who is very weak and low.  Mr. Martyn while I was gone.

1751 April 30 (Tuesday).  My Wife went to Marlborough and was blooded.  She return’d at Eve.

1751 May 1 (Wednesday).  Having receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Stone[1] to preach his Lecture I went and preach’d on 1 Cor. 11.26 to page 11.  In returning at Evening call’d at Mr. Amsdens,[2] his Daughter Abigail brought to bed before her Expected Time.  N.B. Mr. Amsdens indecent Discourse and Conduct.  Was at Lieutenant Bruce’s and gave him a Bond for 150£ old Tenor and received a Deed of Cook Island.

[1]The Reverend Nathan Stone of Southborough.

[2]Jacob Amsden.

1751 May 2 (Thursday).  My Wife and I rode over to Mr. Martyns.  Mr. Morse[1] and his Spouse there.  We all din’d together.  P.M. at the Public Lecture.  Mr. Morse pray’d and preach’d on Eph. 1.3.  We return’d at Evening.  Found our Tabernacle in peace.

[1]The Reverend Ebenezer Morse of Boylston.