Category: Diary

1752 February 8 (Saturday).  Mr. Ebenezer Harrington[1] of Framingham and his wife here.

[1]A Framingham selectman.

1752 February 9 (Sunday).  Read Numb. 34.  Preached on Rom. 14.8.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 8.  Preached on 1 Cor. 1.30, using mostly the first sermon on 2 Cor. 12.2.  N.B. Daniel Hastings dined here and went at Eve to the other house.

1752 February 10 (Monday).  My Wife this Day 35 years old.  I went over to the other house.  Daniel Hastings there.  He assisted Ebenezer in killing two swine, one nigh fourteen, the other near thirteen score.  P.M. Carryed Molly over to take her mother’s place whilst my Wife and I rode in the slay to Grafton.  Mr. Hutchinson[1] just gone to Sutton.  Tarried with Mrs. Hutchinson til nigh night.  In returning at Eve it was cold.  Called at Mr. Winchesters[2] and at Mr. Benjamin Fay’s[3] and the presents made us did well reward us for our trouble.

[1]Aaron Hutchinson of Grafton.

[2]Benjamin Winchester of Westborough.

[3]The son of the late Captain John Fay of Westborough.

1752 February 11 (Tuesday).  My Wife and I rode to Marlborough and carryed the child, Mr. William Winter and his Wife and his Wife’s Sister at Colonel Williams[1] — the ladys are fleeing to Worcester from the smallpox which is now in Three familys in Boston.  I went to Mr. Jacob Felton’s.  My wife and I dined at Colonel Williams.  Visited Mr. Smith and Dr. Samuel Brigham[2] who has marryed our Neece Mrs. Nanny Gott.[3]  Mr. Smith and Mr. Stone came to us at the Doctor’s in the Eve.  We lodged there.

[1]Abraham Williams, the prominent office-holder of Marlborough, was Parkman’s brother-in-law.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 470.

[2]The son of the prominent Marlborough citizen, Samuel Brigham, Sr.

[3]Anna, the daughter of Dr. Benjamin Gott of Marlborough, married Brigham, Jan. 9, 1752.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 373.

1752 February 12 (Wednesday).  Cold Day.  We dined at Esquire Brigham’s, the Doctor and his wife and his Brother Uriah and his wife being there also.  P.M. In returning home called at Mr. Jacob Amsdens — found our habitation in peace.  To God the Glory!

1752 February 13 (Thursday).  Read Sydenham on smallpox.[1]

[1]Thomas Sydenham, the English physician, was the author of numerous medical works in Latin and in English.  The reference here may have been to Walter Lynn, An Essay towards a . . . Cure in the Small Pox . . . and a Review of Dr. Sydenham’s Works (London, 1714).

1752 February 14 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1752 February 15 (Saturday).  The School finishes at Mr. Pratts.  Masters David Maynard junior and Jacob Rice here p.m. to pay Dr. Gardner.

1752 February 16 (Sunday).  Mr. Martyn[1] and I had agreed to change if it was not foul weather or very cold, but it proved so very sharp a morning and was so very slippery that I despaired of his coming out; and therefore although I depended much upon changing I did not venture to go, but turned my mare home that my children might come in the slay to Meeting.  However in case Mr. Martyn should be o’mind to come I remember 1.)  We had agreed that if it looked doubtful whether the other would set out, yet he that was so disposed should stir early and give the other sufficient time.  2.) I know I could take his horse and ride as far as my other house and there take one of my own.  (And Thirdly) I put myself into all the preparation I well could by reading over my Notes which I designed to deliver to his people, skirting, etc. but we were all of us sure, by what he has said in times past, that it was too slippery for him to ride.  Yet at more than half after nine o’clock, Mr. Martyn came — and understanding that I was not dressed, nor did expect to go, he was so moved that if I had not used, not only entreatys but force, he would have gone back.  I took his horse as I had purposed and rode to my other house, where I left him and took Ebenezer’s mare and proceeded to the north side.  Got to Meeting in good Season and broke off in season likewise.  A.M. read the chapter of my text, viz. Jer. 31.18.19.20 which I preached on both parts of the Day.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 4.  Baptized Eli son of Thomas and Persis Goodenow.  I tarried not a great while after Meeting before I returned to my other house, for I was much afraid of the evening cold.  Mr. Martyn and Dr. Gardner came to me there; and after some refreshment we parted — but it proved a very sorrowful day to me to see Mr. Martyn so extremely raised for I did not in the least refuse to go; nor was it so late but that I got there in proper season and although he found me at home, yet there was much reason for it, it was also the first time that he had ever come to me thus; whereas I have time after time been at his house before he was in any readiness at all, yet I showed no resentment.  No, not when he was lingered and delayed so long that he has made it altogether too late, quite!!, when he began the Divine Service for me.  But I fear what this will prove the beginning of!  Deus avertat omen!

[1]John Martyn of Northborough.

1752 February 17 (Monday).  Stormy morning.  Dr. Gardner lodged over at t’other house — gone p.m. with Molly and Lucy to Mr. Stone’s[1] of Southborough.  I rode to Mr. Pierce’s to see two children sick of the throat distemper.

[1]The Reverend Nathan Stone.

1752 February 18 (Tuesday).  Sent letters to my Brethren at Boston and an advertisement to put my other house and place upon sale.  Mr. Pierce’s youngest child which I saw last evening is dead; another very bad and two more are taken sick.  Dr. Gardner left us and went to Marlborough.  Mr. Grow brought £8.10.0 Old Tenor.  The weather foul; Snow, Rain, Snow, etc.

1752 February 19 (Wednesday).  The weather is become very Fine, but it setts the snow aflowing.  Mr. Martyn and his wife came to see us — dined here; Mrs. Nabby Baker made Mrs. Martyn a gown here.  P.M. I went to the funeral of Mr. William Pierce’s child.  Sir Forbush here, being come from Waltham and goes today upon his journey to Brookfield.  N.B. I sent £10 Old Tenor to Jeduthun Baldwin per Mr. Samuel Harrington.  Mr. Martyn and his Wife returned home at Evening.

1752 February 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Haven and his sister Patty lodged at t’other house, and came here a.m. as did Captain Waters[1] of Sutton and his wife.  Dr. Chase and his wife and Mrs. Newton.  These last all went away before dinner.  Mr. Haven and his sister dined here.  N.B. His answer to the South Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[2]  The Waters flow exceedingly.  N.B. Molly brought Breck here, who has canker in his mouth, yet plays about in the house and abroad.  N.B. An odd kind of note — Mr. Grows from Mr. Thaddeus Gale for money which I do not owe.

[1]Jonathan Waters.

[2]Samuel Haven (Harvard 1749) became the minister of the South Church of Portsmouth, N. H., 1752-1806.  Sibley, XII, 382-392.

1752 February 21 (Friday).  Bright and moderately Warm but very windy.  Low grounds, especially hollows exceedingly filled with waters, the snow disappears apace.

1752 February 22 (Saturday).  Mr. William Pierce’s little son Aaron buried but by reason of the storminess of the weather I could not go to it.  This child also died of the throat distemper.

1752 February 23 (Sunday).  Read Numb. 35.  Preached a.m. on Thom. 14.8.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 9, and took some notice of the providence of God which has ordered these two Chapters to be read the same day.  Preached on Rom 6.21.  We took into the Church Messrs. Jonathan Bond and Eleazer Whitney, Mary Bond, Margaret Chaddock, and Lydia Twitchell.[1]

[1]These new members had been dismissed from other towns as follows: Jonathan Bond and Lydia Twitchell from Watertown; Eleazer Whitney from Waltham; Margaret Chaddock from Hopkinton; Mary Bond (wife of Jonathan) from Mendon.  Westborough Church Records, Feb. 23, 1752.

1752 February 24 (Monday).  Billy to Mr. Allen’s Mill and to Mr. Woods’ fulling Mill with a pair of blanketts to be fulled.  Came home so late p.m. that I could not go to Mr. Pierce’s to see his son William who is sick.  In the morning I went to Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s and talked with his wife about her drinking which she denies herself guilty of.[1]

[1]Anna, the daughter of Charles Rice of Westborough married Ebenezer Rice of Southborough, March 23, 1743.  This couple made their home in Westborough but were evidently not admitted to the church.

1752 February 25 (Tuesday).  The weather grows very springlike.  I went to Mr. Pierce’s.  William is so bad ‘tis doubtful whether he will live or no.  Mr. Edward Willson here.  Wrote to Mr. Prince[1] of Boston per Mr. Hall[2] of Sutton.

[1]Thomas Prince of the Old South Church.

[2]Parson David Hall.

1752 February 26 (Wednesday).  Although I sent to Mr. Hutchinson to come and help me in my lecture today, yet I was obliged to preach it myself.  Text 1 Cor. 1.  Used the notes on 2 Cor. 12.2 with a new plan and many alterations and additions.  And oh that the Blessings of God may accompany the serious things that were spoken for the highest good of all!  That we may both be in Christ and have the great Happiness and Comfort of well grounded Evidence that we are so!  N.B. Samuel Bumpso and an hand with him, viz. Elijah Hardy clearing behind the Meeting House.  A.M. they dined here.  And Sam took a small turn at the same work after lecture.

1752 February 27 (Thursday).  Samuel Bumpso and with him Charles and Abner Rice and Constantine Hardy came and cleared the bushy land behind the Meeting House.  My sons Ebenezer and Thomas also came and helped.  N.B. Sam and Constantine dined here.  P.M. Mrs. Nabby Baker[1] here and my wife took opportunity to take discourse with her about some reports with regard to my son Ebenezer courting her.

[1]Abigail, the daughter of Squire Edward Baker, later married John Martyn, Jr., of Northborough.

1752 February 28 (Friday).  Sam, Charles and Abner cleared again.  Sam dines here.  The others go home.  Mr. Hall of Sutton here, bought Two Cloth for Thomas of him.  Ebenezer was here at eve.

1752 February 29 (Saturday).  Sam Bumpso brought a parcel of Apples here from Mr. Jonathan Fay’s and from Mr. Grout and dined with us but did not work.  Mr. Winchester comes from Boston here.  Smallpox doth not spread as t’was reported.  May the Lord Pitty his People!  Thus has the Lord carried us through the tedious Winter and the changes of it.  Blessed be His Name for all his Goodness to Us!

1752 March 1 (Sunday).  We begin not only with a Sabbath but a Sacrament day.  I read the last chapter of Numbers.  Preached on John 1.41, a. and p.m.  It was a rainy day and but few women at communion.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 10.  Oh that God would please to bless these happy seasons to all our Souls — to my own in particular!  Deacon Forbush[1] and Mr. Thomas Kendal[2] dined with us.  Deacon Burnap[3] of Hopkinton with us, Mr. Barrett[4] not well.

[1]Jonathan Forbush.

[2]Thomas Kendall of Suffield, Conn., had married Susanna Tainter of Westborough.

[3]Jonathan Burnap.

[4]Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

1752 March 2 (Monday).  Town Meeting.  I was at Captain Maynard’s a.m. but returned seasonably to pray with the freeholders at their assembly.  Captain Forbush and Mr. Grout were their messengers.  A great deal of company at my house all p.m. and Eve — among the rest Mr. Joshua Townsend[1] — who was extremely full of Talk, and unmannerly with his Hatt, which since he us’d to be our Schoolmaster I took the more Notice of and as decently as I could, hinted to him.  N.B. Reckon’d with Messrs. How and Daniel Garfield, who bought a steer of me last fall.  Mr. Grow here and paid me so much in Money and Notes as amounted to above 68£ Old Tenor.  Sam Bumpso with Jonathan Grout and Abner Rice clear’d part of a.m.

[1]See Parkman Diary, Dec. 12, 1726.

1752 March 3 (Tuesday).  Rainy.  Mr. Forbush here from Brookfield.

1752 March 4 (Wednesday).  I rode to Mr. Stones; I went by the way of Deacon Matthias Rice’s,[1] who is confin’d by Illness; is doubtless delirious but Shews great Distress of Mind.  I pray’d with him.  It rain’d yet I proceeded to Southborough, din’d at Mr. Stones.  Preach’d his Lecture on Rom. 14.8.  I return’d (in the Rain) at Eve.  Call’d at Mr. Amsdens.  N.B. Exceeding hollow and miry Roads.

[1]Of Marlborough.

1752 March 5 (Thursday).  Am Reading old Mr. Niles of Braintree against Mr. Briant.[1]

[1]Samuel Niles, A Vindication of Divers Important Gospel-Doctrines . . . against the Injurious Reflections and Misrepresentations . . . of the Rev. Lemuel Briant’s (Boston, 1752).

1752 March 6 (Friday).  The Adjournment of Town-meeting brought much Company and Interruptions Particularly Mr. Kelly[1] of Hopkinton (of the Church of England) here.  Mr. Bezeleel Eager brought Me (from Mr. Davis[2] of Holden) Mr. John Taylor of Original Sin.[3]  At Eve came Mr. Grout, Lieutenant Tainter and Mr. Samuel Harrington, who propose to assist me in getting Timber for a Barn, also to help me in breaking up Land for an Orchard.

[1]Richard Kelley.

[2]Joseph Davis.

[3]The Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin Proposed to Free and Candid Examination (London, 1740).  There were subsequent English editions.

1752 March 7 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1752 March 8 (Sunday).  Read Deut. I, and 1 Cor. 11.  Text a.m. Rom. 6.21.  P.M. Rev. 2.2 — hope there were Some good Impressions: but all is with God.

1752 March 9 (Monday).  Went in the Morning to t’other House.  Thence to Mr. Francis Whipples to See him under his broken Bones — but they were newly sett, and he was asleep, I refus’d to have him ‘waked.  I was at Mr. James Maynards but he was not at home.  P.M. Pray’d at the Precinct Meeting.  Private Baptism was desir’d for an infant Child of Mr. Solomon Woods — I took the opportunity of the people’s being together to go into their Meeting and consulted (such of the Church as were there) upon it.  There appeared an hearty Concurrence.  I propose tomorrow, 11 a.m. to do it.  N.B. Captain Maynard here and talks with me about buying my old place.

1752 March 10 (Tuesday).  A.M. very cold.  Catechiz’d at the Meeting House.  27 Males: 15 Girls.  Rode to Mr. Woods after Catechizing and din’d there, the Child very dangerously ill.  P.M. in Presence of a number of the Church and others I Baptiz’d it — the Name was Patience.  I introduc’d the administration with Some short Exercise on the Work and Duty of a Parent on such Occasion — and after the Exercise we sung part of the 143 Ps.  Concluded with the Blessing.  Artemas Ward Esquire there and came home with me.  It Snow’d very Hard and the Ground soon cover’d.  Wrote by Esquire Wards[1] Brother Thomas Trowbridge[2] of Groton, to John Stevens Esquire of Townsend about the Plott of Lott Land.

[1]The future major general and commander-in-chief.

[2]Artemas Ward married Sarah, the daughter of the Reverend Caleb Trowbridge of Groton, July 31, 1750.

1752 March 11 (Wednesday).  Mr. Forbush from Waltham, here; and wants immediate advice about Brookfield.

1752 March 12 (Thursday).  In the Morning having thought of Mr. Forbush’s Case with regard to Brookfield Proposals, I rode over to Mr. Martyns whither he was gone to meet a Brookfield Messenger, Mr. Cutter; and I din’d there.  Mr. Forbush prepar’d his answer, which had some Conditions inserted respecting Wood and Sallery — and he sent it by Mr. Cutter.  P.M. I rode to Marlborough accompany’d by Forbush who is returning to Waltham.  I pay’d Mr. Felton 22£ 5 shillings old Tenor and obtain’d of Mr. Ephraim How to pay him the rest, as he Should want it.  I return’d home by Deacon Matthias Rice’s who is grown much better.

1752 March 13 (Friday).  Mr. Thomas Axtell here, and with him Mr. Aaron Hardy.  Mr. Axtell here many Hours — he din’d here — with much Ado we came to an agreement.  I engag’d him 4 Bushels of Indian Corn for what he had given my Piggs.  At Eve I rode to See Mr. Moses Warrins Wife in her low Condition and apprehended to be dying — but she reviv’d.  N.B. had Widow Newtons Mare.  Lieutenant Tainter from Boston, when I got home.