Category: Diary

1751 August 16 (Friday).  Exceeding rainy and stormy Morning.  Thomas lodg’d at the New House last Night and remains there this morning to clear out the Cellar, Shavings etc.  Ebenezer goes to him to join with him therein.  I rode over.  Six of us dine here, and here I must begin to Study.  Clearer weather p.m.

1751 August 17 (Saturday).  I lodg’d at the New House.  My Family here and Molly, Suse and Alexander.  A very fine clear Day.  Ebenezer in the Morning brought over another Barell of Cyder, and Severall Boxes of Books and Pamphletts.  Mr. Samuel Harrington and Mr. Phinehas Hardy brought each of them an heavy Load of Large Flatt Stones from Mr. Harringtons Quarry, for my Hearths and passage to the Well, etc., both which were gratis.  Daniel How din’d with us.

1751 August 18 (Sunday).  Read Numb. 11, preach’d on 1 Cor. 6.11.  Din’d at the New House.  P.M. read Rom. 1.  I gave an account of the Epistle and the Contents of the first Chapter.  Preach’d on Job 15.11.  Return’d to the old House at Eve, with Mr. John Green[1] who (as also old Mr. Joseph Green) din’d with me to Day.

[1]This was perhaps a man by that name, referred to as “a sore trial to the thrifty farmers who had to ‘entertain’ him by turns, and who appointed successive committees in town meeting to ascertain whether he belonged of right in town, and whether he had no relatives anywhere who could support or relieve him.”  DeForest and Bates, Westborough, p. 105.

1751 August 19 (Monday).  At the New House in the morning — when I came back rode up to Mr. Asa Brighams to desire Mrs. Brigham to release Hannah Pratt to nurse my wife.  N.B. was at Mr. Gershom Brighams who made me a present of Cheese — and visited Mr. Samuel Fays Wife: but din’d at Mr. Joseph Knowltons who gave me 3/4 Bushel Rye.  When I came home, found Mr. Cushing, and Several Women, our near Neighbours to see Mrs. Parkman, who is every Day and Night in great Pain, and has been for some Time.  Here was also Mrs. Patty Haven, and with her Deacon Burnaps[1] Daughter.  Those last lodg’d with us.

[1]Benjamin Burnap of Hopkinton.

1751 August 20 (Tuesday).  The Young Women rode with me to the New House, and we din’d there p.m.  I rode back and brought my Wife here to the New House, where now we take up our Dwelling, for the present, at least.  O may God be pleas’d to take up His Dwelling with us.  Rainy morn.  They work part of the Day in Clearing out Shavings and Dirt out of the New House.  At Eve, while we were in our New Circumstances, came Mrs. Peggy and Mrs. Isabella Breck, wifes of Messrs. John[1] and Robert Breck[2] of Boston; (accompany’d by Captain Maynard) and they lodg’d here.

[1]Mrs. Parknian’s cousin, a merchant of extensive business, often engaged in the Newfoundland fishery.  Samuel Breck, Genealogy of the Breck Family (Omaha, 1889), pp. 18-19

[2]This cousin of Mrs. Parkman was a cooper of Boston.

1751 August 21 (Wednesday).  I waited upon the Ladys as far as the Edge of Southborough in their Journey.  My sons Ebenezer and Thomas go to mowing at the Island — but by Various Hindrances, did not begin to mow there till late in the forenoon.  My Wife grew so ill that we were glad to See Mrs. Forbush[1] (the Midwife) coming to See us.  And we detain’d her all night.  Mrs. Bekky Warrin with her Child here, and tarrys to her Aunts Labour.

[1]Old “Granny” was the widow of Thomas Forbush.

1751 August 22 (Thursday).  Mrs. Forbush tripp’d away home just after break of Day.  But my wife grew so bad that I hastily rode away for her again and brought her.  It proves a very hot Day; but we must gather the Neighbouring Women.  I rode up the Street and alarm’d the four nearest, and proceeded for Mrs. Baker — likewise for Mrs. Nurse and Mrs. Williams who came — and Suddenly about 11 o’Clock a.m. a Son was born.  My Twelfth living Child, and my Sixth living Son.  The Name of the Lord be magnifyed!  May I obtain the Grace to walk in Wisdom and faithfullness towards all the Children which he has graciously given to me!  P.M. I preach’d the Sacramental Lecture from 1 Tim. 6.2.  “Partakers of the Benefit.”  It prov’d a very trying Time to me: But may God Support me through!  After Lecture I got Mr. William Nurse to lead up my Mare to Mr. Eleazer Pratts for his Daughter Hannah, who came at Evening to Nurse my wife.

1751 August 23 (Friday).  Our Hay both at the Island and at home, wet.  At Eve very heavy Rains.  N.B. Mr. Charles Rice (who came and hoop’d our Bear-Barrell, and does various Chores at different Times) with divers others who came likewise, fitted a Draught-Pole for the Well.

1751 August 24 (Saturday).  Mr. Daniel Forbush came and laid the west Chamber Hearth.  My mind greatly Exercis’d on Account of the Great Solemnitys before me; especially considering how very slender my preparation is, in all respects.

1751 August 25 (Sunday).  My Great Care was that both my Wife and I might transact aright with the glorious God in the Important Work of this Day.  Read (publickly) Numb. 12.  Preach’d on 1 Pet. 1.19.  The precious Blood of Christ.  Deacon Forbush,[1] his sister Byles,[2] and Mrs. Eleazer Harrington, (Mrs. Bonds Sister) din’d with us.  P.M. read Rom. 2.  Preach’d on Job 15.11, and baptiz’d my Son Samuel.  And may God accept him and make him a Great and rich Blessing to us!  I have call’d him by this Name, out of respect and Affection to my Brother Samuel at Boston.  May he be so endow’d as to be worthy of it!

[1]Jonathan Forbush.

[2]Mrs. Joseph Byles of Westborough.

1751 August 26 (Monday).  Ebenezer Carted over my principall Book Presses, and several Boxes more.  And it seems now like something of Remove.  I was at Morning Prayer with my children at my former Dwelling.  After Exercises I gave them Exhortation and Solemn Charge to keep the Way of the Lord.  May they have Grace to attend to it and observe it!  Before we parted from home, came Mr. Martyn and his Wife, accompany’d by Mr. Michael Dennis, Bookseller in Boston.  Who all went with me to the New House.  Where came also to visit us Mr. Miller and Mrs. Harrington each with a Cheese.  Thomas to the Island a. and p.m.  Ebenezer only latter part of P.M.  Lieutenant Wood of Hopkinton here.

1751 August 27 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer and Thomas Cart 3 Load of Hay from the Island and stack it at the New House.

1751 August 28 (Wednesday).  Rode over to Mr. Martyns and din’d there.  I preach’d a Lecture at the North End, on Ps. 116.9, and at Eve return’d home.

1751 August 29 (Thursday).  Mr. Frost and Rogers mow’d with Ebenezer in the Swamp at home, endeavouring to cutt down all to Day that we can come at to mow.  Nathaniel Whitney and his Brother in their going with a Team to the Meadow, brought me two Load of stones for the underpinning the East End of my New House.  Mr. Daniel Forbush work’d here in laying the west room Hearth but did not finish it.  Brother Hicks here.

1751 August 30 (Friday).  At Night reckon’d with Lieutenant Tainter and with Merchant Rice, and Settled our accounts.

1751 August 31 (Saturday).  I walk’d over to my Farm House, having no Horse here at the New, from thence I might Set out for Southborough whither I went towards Evening — got there when the Sun was about an Hour high, and Mr. Stone[1] came to Westborough.  N.B. Madam Thatcher[2] of Middleborough there.  N.B. She Show’d me the Notes of her Husband, of his Father, and his Grandfather.

[1]The Reverend Nathan Stone of Southborough.

[2]The widow of the Reverend Peter Thacher of Middleborough.

1751 September 1 (Sunday).  Preach’d at Southborough — a.m. on 2 Cor. 3.15.  P.M. on number 14.17, and baptiz’d David, Son of David Newton.  Mr. Stone at Westborough on 1 Tim. 4.8.  He also read.  At Eve we each of us return’d to his respective home.  May the Lord pardon what has been amiss; and accept and bless what was agreeable to His Will!

1751 September 2 (Monday).  I sent Billy with a Team to the North-End-Meeting House for a Cyder screw made by Deacon Livermore[1] for me — one of those made by Woolly having Scal’d and Split so much that it is useless; and it is lodg’d at the North Meeting House, under the Care of Mr. Jeduthan Baldwin, who is at work there.  I rode after him least some Disaster Should befall him.  I din’d at Captain Eagers.  A.M. reading Ansons Voiage round the world by Walter.[2]  Ebenezer and Thomas mend the Fence of the Pasture at the Island and bring a milk Cow, and Two fatting Creatures to pasture there.

[1]Jonathan Livermore.

[2]George Anson, A Voyage round the World in Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV, Compiled by Richard Walter (London, 1748).

1751 September 3 (Tuesday).  Mr. Daniel Forbush came and wrought at the underpinning of the East End of the House, and in the Evening finish’d the Hearth in the West Room.  N.B. Reckon’d with Mr. Bowman and with Mr. Biglo.  Ebenezer gets up the Swamp Hay at home: and Some Rowing.  Billy cutts Stalks.

1751 September 4 (Wednesday).  Mr. Biglo Sent his Son Cornelius to cutt Stalks at the Island.  P.M. a number more of Lads came, Viz. Joseph and James Bowman: Samuel and Joseph Harrington, Thomas Hardy, and Daniel Grout, who cutt the rest of the Stalks at the Island and Pik’d up those which were cutt in the forenoon by about 5 o’clock p.m.  At Evening reckon’d with Mr. Samuel Hardy, for his cutting and raking and cocking Hay at the ministerial Meadow, and instead of 8£ old Tenor which he took it for, I allow’d him nine; and this even although, by Divine Providence there was a Considerable Quantity was never rak’d at all, and Some Loads which were Carted home, or stack’d at the Meadow, were so wash’d with heavy Rains that it was of but little Value.  Mr. Samuel Haven here and went over to t’other House to lodge.  Ebenezer has kill’d some Veal and brought us a part.

1751 September 5 (Thursday).  I observ’d the Day in some Religious Manner.  (Vide Natal.)  Mr. Haven din’d here.  I was in some Difficulty to break off from my retir’d Employment to wait upon him, and not discover my Engagedness another way.  I remember’d the words of the Lord in Mat. 6.18.  That thou appear not to mean to fast: and agreeably I went down, convers’d, and eat somewhat at Table — but fearing this interruption I improv’d all the forepart of the Day as Separately as I could.  But alas!  all is too broken, uninfluencing, ineffectual!  God of his infinite Mercy and Graciousness, pitty and pardon, and grant His Grace and Mercy to Me for the great Redeemers Sake!  At Eve Mr. Whipple and Mr. Biglo here.

[The following appears in the Natalitia for September 5, 1751:] I Endeavour’d to employ myself Separately and religiously — chiefly in the following Acts of Thanksgiving and Praise; Humiliation and Penitence; Supplication and Intercession; Self-Dedication and renewing Covenant with God; Resolutions; Considerations of Frailty and Morality.  In Petitioning and Supplicating the Throne of Grace, Special Subjects were, Pardon and Sanctification, Ministerial Qualifications and Success, That God would Sanctifie my present new Circumstances in my beginning the World again in this New Habitation, and particularly Direction and Wisdom to Conduct as all my present state and Case is, Grace to Discharge Relative Dutys, The Spirit of God to Prepare for Death and Eternity, Intercession for especially My Wife — Children — each of them — the Infant — Flock — for Ministers — State of Religion — Friends and Relations.

1751 September 6 (Friday).  I wrote a Letter to Mr. Pierpoint of New Haven, wraping up in it a Catalogue etc.  I rode to Lieutenant Eagers for Conveyance.  Din’d with my Children at my former Dwelling.  I hop’d for some Body to come and take up my stalks at the Island, but saw no one.  Neighbour How has been burning his Bricks this week.

1751 September 7 (Saturday).  Alexander so ill with Cough and Sore Throat that I had my Cloths on the Chief of the Night.

1751 September 8 (Sunday).  Read Numb. 14.  Preach’d a.m. on Job 15.11.  P.M. read Rom. 4 and deliver’d an Expository Exercise on the sixth Commandment.  Alexander was so comfortable as to go to Meeting.

1751 September 9 (Monday).  Mr. Samuel Hardy here digging Stones, and I got Charles Rice junior to join with him in digging and drawing Stones till night, for a wall by my House.

1751 September 10 (Tuesday).  Charles Rice and his Brother Abner drawing Stones part of the forenoon.  Captain and Lieutenant Forbush gather’d up and pik’d the rest of my Stalks at the Island.

1751 September 11 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer went with my Oxen in the Rain to Mr. Adams’s to help him move his Barn.  I rode to Lieutenant Woods at Hopkinton to attend a Fast there at his House and was agreed when he was at our House a fortnight ago, but I found they had had an Exercise there at the Time first appointed.  I din’d at Mr. Barrett’s[1] and return’d.

[1]The Reverend Samuel Barrett.

1751 September 12 (Thursday).  Was at Mr. Hows Brick Kiln.  Went to Mr. Martyns and return’d him his Book of Lord Ansons Voiages.  Was at Mr. Wymans to Speak with Mr. Edward Willson.  Visit Edmund Rice, and again visited Granny Maynard in her Sickness: her Husband not at Home.

1751 September 13 (Friday).  Had word that Mr. William Goss at Shrewsbury had Floor Boards which hew’d lay at my Door for a small Matter of ready Money.  I borrow’d 3 Dollars at Squire Bakers, and sent Mr. Aaron Nurse to Mr. Goss; but without success — for when he come to see his Boards, he found they had taken Dammage through ill-sticking.  But this Affair was a great Interruption to my Studys and Perplexity to my mind.  P.M. Eliezer Rice, Mr. Fortner etc.

1751 September 14 (Saturday).  Understand that Ebenezer is now got to making Cyder.

1751 September 15 (Sunday).  Read Numb. 15, and made the Exposition of it for the present.  N.B. Neighbour Eliezer Rice was not at Meeting with us.  Preach’d from Col. 3.12, on Mercifulness and Meekness; both in pursuance of my Exposition of the sixth Commandment and because it was just before the Superior Court in this County at which our people are like to have Several Cases.  At Night Rain.

1751 September 16 (Monday).  Very Early in the Morning came Mr. Richard Barns — he tells me that whereas Deacon Newton had sued him for money, and he had resolv’d to withstand him on account of Exorbitant Interest, yet the Deacon after the sermon, yesterday p.m. Spoke to him as soon as they came out of meeting, and desir’d he might See him early next Morning that they might agree, he was now going up to him — But he had an Affair of yet greater Difficulty, for Mr. Gamel (he said) was going to throw him into Jayl and the Execution has been already serv’d upon him, and he must go unless he could this Day obtain 60£ old Tenor value in silver; therefore pray’d me to help him, and offer’d me part of his Land on Sale: would let me have 3 or 4 acres of the Land next to mine.  I told him I did not care to Trade with him at Such a Time as this was, with both him and me.  With him, as he was in Such a Straight that he would be oblig’d to Sell cheaper than it was worth; and with me, as I was already plung’d deeply into Debt both for Land and for my New House.  But he still insisted — and told me that he knew where I could get the money, but he could not upon which he induc’d me to go to Marlborough.  As I went I eat at Deacon Matthias Rice’s — made the Rest of my Dining among Dr. Gotts Children.  It was Proprietors Meeting at Marlborough.  I attended it and presented the plot of 5 Acres etc joining to Chauncy Cedar Swamp and Meadows.  Captain Maynard oppos’d it again, as did Ensign Josiah Rice, and though it was put to vote, it did not pass.  I was oblig’d to defer it, and I soon retir’d; try’d to hire money for Neighbour Barns.  Succeeded at Mr. Jacob Felton’s[1] — receiv’d 28 Dollars.  N.B. Could get but 250 whole Bricks at Neighbour Benjamin Hows.

[1]At one time a lieutenant and a selectman of Marlborough.

1751 September 17 (Tuesday).  Neighbour Barns Sign’d a Deed for 4 Acres of Swamp and Upland joining to my old place: and paid him 27 Dollars for it.  Hannah Pratt, our Nurse went away.  I went over to Neighbour Hows again about Bricks.  Job Cushing junior there from Day to Day with 3 Teams — so that I cannot be Supply’d — for the Kiln turns out poorly, many being broke.  Both Cushing and I pick’d out many halves.  The whole ones 15/ per Hundred.  At Night Rain — in the Rain and Dark came Mr. William Winter of Boston, and Dr. Parkmans Widow, and Mr. Henry Newhall’s Wife — Two Chairs.  Not having got our Beds from t’other House I was oblig’d to go with Mr. Winter to Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s and we lodg’d there.

1751 September 18 (Wednesday).  Heavy Rains.  The Company din’d with us.  P.M. Mr. Winter to Worcester Court.  My Kinswoman and Mrs. Newhall to the other House.

1751 September 19 (Thursday).  Mr. Edward Willson works in topping my Chimney — and Mr. Daniel Forbush in building the Wall at the West End of the House.  Abner Rice tends Mr. Willson.  P.M. came a small Number of Young Men and Lads who help’d me a few Hours in levelling the Banks of Gravell.  They were Nathaniel Whitney, Joseph Dudley, Samuel Harrington, Joseph Harrington, Daniel Forbush, Adam Rice.  My Kinswoman and Mrs. Newhall here.  N.B. A Blunder about Dinner.  A Lamb kill’d but was brought afternoon.  They return’d to the other House, and I supp’d with them there.  N.B. The Case of Mr. James Maynard and Lieutenant Tainter etc., try’d at the Superior Court and Maynard obtain’d Judgment.