Category: Diary

1752 March 14 (Saturday).  Impossible for me to prepare Two Sermons this Week, have so many Impediments and Interruptions.  My mind much exercis’d with it.

1752 March 15 (Sunday).  Deut. 2.  Read a.m. and preach’d on Rom. 6.21.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 12.  Preach’d on the Death of Louisa Queen of Denmark, King George’s Youngest Daughter and improv’d Sermon on Ps. 39.8.  N.B. Widow Child din’d here.

1752 March 16 (Monday).  The Reverend Mr. Wellman[1] and Mr. Amos Case din’d here.  Sent by Mr. Wellman to Mr. Prince at Boston, and by Mr. Case to Mr. Wilkins[2] of Souhegan.

[1]James Wellman of Millbury.

[2]Daniel Greenwood, of the north parish of Sutton.  [Additional note: This footnote might refer to the “Mr. Greenwood” in the entry for Mar. 21.]

1752 March 17 (Tuesday).  Storm of Rain and Wind.

1752 March 18 (Wednesday).  Storm continues — increases — a considerable Snow — and very Cold.

1752 March 19 (Thursday).  Forbush from Waltham again, and wants further Advice.  P.M. I preached to Young People from Mat. 18, number 19, 20.  At Eve Mr. Abijah Gale here.

1752 March 20 (Friday).  Sent to Boston by Mr. Jonas Bond of Sutton; and bought 7 Yards Tow Cloth of him.  P.M. Mr. Noah How and his wife here to be examin’d — but I am oblig’d in Conscience to put them by and request them Still to take further Pains.  We hear that the Small Pox greatly Spreads in Boston.

1752 March 21 (Saturday).  Snow’d a.m.  Rain’d p.m. but at 3 p.m. rode to North Sutton.  N.B. Ebenezer and William went to Mr. Daniel Matthews with our Barley to be Malted.  N.B. Mr. Greenwood of Sutton rode with me at Evening to Mr. Wellman’s.

1752 March 22 (Sunday).  I preach’d there on Rom. 8.7.  Mr. Minott[1] Schoolmaster din’d with me.  At Eve I rode up to See my Kinswoman Mrs. Fuller[2] who through God’s Goodness is yet alive and was able to be at Meeting p.m.  There came Mr. Holman and Mr. Fish — they follow’d me with Questions for the Explanation of the Sacred Scriptures till 10 o’clock.  I lodg’d at Cousen Trasks,[3] and Master Minott with me.  N.B. No Proclamations till to Day.  I baptiz’d a Child of William Wait.  N.B. Mr. Wellman preach’d at Westborough on Gen. 19.14, and Ps. 19.11.

[1]Timothy Minot, a Concord schoolmaster and occasional preacher.

[2]Mrs. Jonathan Fuller.

[3]Samuel Trask was an adopted son of Jonathan Fuller of Sutton.  Benedict and Tracy, Sutton, p. 735.

1752 March 23 (Monday).  My Kindred full of kind Endearments.  But we must part.  My Kinsman Trask rode with me to Grafton.  I proceeded to Mr. Hutchinsons where was Mr. Wellman and we din’d together.  In returning home I made a Visit at Mr. Moses Warrins, whose wife is low and weak yet, but is somewhat better.  When I came home understood that Captain Witt and Mr. Barns of Brookfield had been here to see Mr. Forbush but he was not here.  They seem determin’d to have him at Brookfield.  N.B. Mr. Wellman tells me that Cousen Nat Parkmans Wife at Boston has the small pox.

1752 March 24 (Tuesday).  My Wife went to t’other House and return’d at Eve.  Captain Witt etc. here again but it still happens to be when I am absent.  Mr. Forbush comes to me still to advise with me in the weighty Case before him: For Brookfield do not accept his Conditions, but do make further proposals to him, which are such as make the Matter no better than it was before.

1752 March 25 (Wednesday).  Dr. Samuel Gardner to see us (having lodg’d at t’other House) and din’d here.  We hear the Small Pox So spreads that they begin to inoculate in Boston.  May God in infinite Mercy Shew his Compassion to the Distress’d Town.

1752 March 26 (Thursday).  Publick Fast on occasion both of the Small Pox and the Season.  I preach’d a.m. on 2 Sam. 24.14.  In my preparations I Spent my Time upon the forenoon sermon.  P.M. preach’d on Zech. 12.10, to page 7, and made Some Additions according to the Business of the Day.  A rainy Day, yet considerable many People out: I wish it might be to Some good Purpose.  N.B. Not only Mr. Seth Rice went out of Meeting from the forenoon sermon, but Mr. Robert Bradish also.  N.B. My Daughter Lucy has stay’d at home from Public Worship several Days — she has now an ague in her Face, and has been pritty much troubl’d with it.

1752 March 27 (Friday).  Exceeding rainy Day.

1752 March 28 (Saturday).  Mrs. Lucy Bowker here a.m.  Mr. Winchester from Boston and brings us account that now the Small Pox prevails there very much.  I am dissatisfy’d with Mr. Prince’s misimprovement of the Materials etc. which I Sent him about Mechoachan.[1]

[1]Sometimes spelled mechoacanna.  Any of several plants of the morning-glory family with roots used as cathartics.

1752 March 29 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 3 and 1 Cor. 13.  Preach’d on Rom. 6.21, last Clause, a. and p.m.

1752 March 30 (Monday).  Prepar’d Something in reply to Benevolentius in the last Boston Gazette.[1]

[1]The Boston Gazette or Weekly Journal, Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, 1751, contained an article entitled “The Cure of Cancers,” taken from the Gentleman’s Magazine for July, 1751.  Parkman became involved in a dispute over the nature of phytolacca, poke-weed, and mechoacan.  A note from Parkman appeared in the issue of Feb. 18, 1752, in which the Westborough minister asserted “That at New Haven he made a Business of discoursing with Capt. Dickerman; who told him, it was Mechoacan that he used for his Cancer in his Cheek.”  Another correspondent, “Benevolentius,” argued that Parkman was mistaken.  Boston Gazette, March 24, 1752.  The March 31 issue of the paper did not contain Parkman’s response and there are no known copies of the next 2 issues.

1752 March 31 (Tuesday).  Kill’d a young Sow to Send to Boston, but sold it to Mr. John Beeton, Smith; weigh’d 152.  Mr. Beeton to Boston.  Sent by him to invite Mr. Stoddard to come up to us this Small Pox Time.  Sent by Mr. Richard Kelly the like to Brother Samuels Children and to Dr. Parkmans Widow — to this last because: She had writ to my Daughter Molly that she had rather come here than go to Weymouth.  And Sent a Letter to Mr. Kneeland, for the Press, — in Vindication of Captain Dickerman.

1752 April 1 (Wednesday).  Rode to Mr. Gashetts about a breaking up Plough, but he was not at home.  In my way I call’d at Mr. Bonds — Mr. Martyn Pratts, Chaddocks, Dunlops, Charles Bruce, Bowmans, Harringtons etc.  N.B. Ebenezer here when I return’d and took home his Mare.  Ebenezer brought about 1/2 a Load of Swamp Hay from Eliezer Rice, who he had gratify’d with part of a Barrell of Cyder.

1752 April 2 (Thursday).  Ebenezer here again to bring his Mare, and take Care of the Hay brought last Evening — Rain.  I rode to Mr. Grouts — See Mr. Phinehas Hardy, Endeavour’d to obtain his son Constantine.  Was at old Mr. Whipples.  Mrs. Hitty Burnap was here and is gone to t’other house.

1752 April 3 (Friday).  Mr. Claffland came to digg Stones, but being alone I ran to 3 or 4 near Neighbours for an Hand but in Vain.  He was forc’d to return home again.  N.B. he was to have brought Mr. William Pierce, but Mr. Pierce was gone to hewing Timber in Mr. Sherbourns Lott for my Barn.  For (by Lieutenant Tainters and Mr. Harringtons Means chiefly) a Number of Hands have freely gone and got a considerable Part of the Great Timber — and this Day Lieutenant Harrington brought Two Load of it to place, and Joseph Grout brought another Load — in all 22 Sticks — which is all the Large Timber for the Barn except Two posts, which another person is to provide.  A Singular Smile of divine Providence.  May God reward them for their Bounty and grant me grace to make a good use of it to divine Glory!  The three Carters din’d here with us.  P.M. My wife to See Mr. Edwards Whipples.

1752 April 4 (Saturday).  The Weather has been very Cold; and the Nights frosty for Some time.  This Morning very Cold.  Mr. Winchester returns from Boston — as does Mr. Kelly who was at my Brother Samuels and deliver’d my Letter — but he brought me no Return.  Mrs. Hitty Burnap is Still over at t’other House.  P.M. Mr. Whitney here.

1752 April 5 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 4.  Preach’d a.m. on Mal. 4.1.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 14.  Preach’d on Mark 9.44 repeating sermon on Heb. 9.27 from page 28 to 36.

1752 April 6 (Monday).  Mr. Claffland and Mr. Pierce came and dugg Stones out of the Ground I design to break up for an Orchard.  Mr. William Rogers junior work’d with Ebenezer at holing posts.  Constantine Hardy came to live a little while with us.  Mr. Batherick, being disquieted that we sung Mear Tune Yesterday.

1752 April 7 (Tuesday).  Mr. Pierce and Elijah Rice work for me partly in digging and drawing Stones, and partly in building Stone Wall at the Front Corner next to the Road.  Mr. Harrington came with 4 Oxen, Mr. Simon Tainter came with his Fathers Team with 4 Oxen and brought Mr. Gashetts Plough, Mr. Grouts Son came with 4 Oxen, Mr. Pratt came with a Yoke of Oxen, and all these with my own join’d to them made up a team to break up, and follow’d it all Day — they broke up a Piece of Ground for a Garden Spott — and a Field in which I purpose to plant an Orchard, but it not being wholly compleated, they agree to come again all of them (but Mr. Grouts Son) tomorrow morning and finish the Work.  Mr. Pierce stays and lodges here.  N.B. Mr. Joseph Hagar from Waltham here with a Letter from Captain Livermore[1] concerning Mr. Forbush.  Mr. Eliezer Rice here and asks for a Copy of the Votes of the Church respecting him.  Merodach Baladan Smith[2] was married to Abigail Bruce.[3]

[1]Nathaniel Livermore.

[2]Merodackbaladin was the son of Jonathan Smith of Marlborough.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 446.

[3]The daughter of Lieutenant Abijah Bruce.

1752 April 8 (Wednesday).  The Breaking up Team came again this Morning and finish’d their Work.  Mr. Ebenezer Nurse’s came with his son Moses, viz. 4 Oxen, instead of Mr. Grouts.  N.B. Mr. Pratt gives his man Cornelius’s Work t’other Day in my Cellar and his oxens work yesterday and this morning, but asks pay for one Day for himself.  Mr. Nurses Team with Moses tarrys all the forenoon.  Mr. Pierce and Elijah Rice at the Stone Wall to Day.  My Son Ebenezer first begins to plough for sowing at the old place.  I rode to Grafton Lecture and preach’d on Rev. 22.16.  Return’d at Eve.  Ebenezer here at Eve and rode home his Mare.  N.B. Talk’d of his taking the place to the Halves etc.

1752 April 9 (Thursday).  Billy is forc’d to go to plough at t’other House.  Neither Ebenezer nor Constantine Hardy came to Lecture.  Mr. Hutchinson preach’d it, from Luke 22.15.16.  I wrote to Sir Forbush at Brookfield concerning the Contents of Captain Livermore’s Letter from Waltham.

1752 April 10 (Friday).  Receiv’d Two Letters per Mr. Winchester from Brother Samuel Parkman, dated the third Instant — one of them writ by Billy Bows, who with his sister Nabby and Cousen Sarah Tyley were inoculated on the second.  As soon as I had read I burnt both the Letters.  N.B. Mr. William Rogers and his wife apprehended and carry’d before Justice Liscomb[1] for Stealing (as it is suspect’d) Flax out of Mr. Jonas Brighams Barn, and at Night the Man was committed to Jayl.

[1]Samuel Lyscomb of Hopkinton, a justice of the peace.

1752 April 11 (Saturday).  Mr. Richard Kelly brings Word from my Brothers that yesterday the Pox was come out favourably upon Billy etc.

1752 April 12 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 5.  Preach’d on John 1.41.  P.M. administer’d the Lords Supper.  Read 1 Cor. 15 and with alterations etc. deliver’d the first of the sermon on number 22.  My Mind wrought tumultuously through the last Night from a deep Sense of my Negligence, Slothfulness and unfaithfulness — But I humbly make my Flight to the Glorious Redeemer, relying and depending on his Merits and Righteousness for Pardon and Acceptance with God.  N.B. Deacon Newton sick of the Throat Distemper.  I call’d Brother Tainter to officiate in his Room, which he did.  At Eve I visited the Deacon and found him very ill.

1752 April 13 (Monday).  Old Mr. Dunlop came to work in my New Garden, to dig out the Roots which the plough has left, and prepare it for the Rake.  His son John also wrought for me.  They both came late.  John Singled Flax.  At Eve at Deacon Newtons — Justice Baker there also — now a bad Fever and is an ill man.  N.B. Mr. Maccarty[1] came to my House and lodg’d here.

[1]The Reverend Thaddeus Maccarty of Worcester.

1752 April 14 (Tuesday).  Thomas and Molly ride to Cambridge to see their Aunt Lydia.[1]  Thomas rode on Mr. Samuel Fay’s Beast: Molly on her Brother Ebenezers.  I had word from Deacon Newtons that he was worse.  Mr. Maccarty, and afterwards Messrs. Cushing,[2] Martyn and Buckminster[3] rode to Ministers Meeting at Hopkinton but I was oblig’d to stay and visit Deacon Newton, but he not being (as I conceive) altogether so bad as others apprehended, I rode to Hopkinton where I was through the Day and over Night.  N.B. The Affair of Father Loring[4] took us up the Chief of our Time; except what Deacon Mellen[5] and his son Daniel had.  N.B. The Night exceeding Cold.

[1]Lydia Champney was the sister of Parkman’s first wife.

[2]Job Cushing of Shrewsbury.

[3]Joseph Buckminster of Rutland.

[4]Israel Loring of Sudbury.

[5]Henry Mellen of Hopkinton.

1752 April 15 (Wednesday).  The Morning unseasonably Cold.  The Ground Froze at an unusual rate.  N.B. Mr. Maccarty lodg’d at Commisary Price’s.[1]  He preach’d the public Lecture from Jos. 24.24.  After Exercise Mr. Bridge of Framingham discover’d to me what he heard of Some of the Conduct of Deacon Millen at a certain neighbouring Ministers House, with regard to the late Council at Holliston, calling ‘em Numbskulls and Villains etc. whereupon I took opportunity and talk’d with him, and acquainted him with the Vote of the Council there “that he Should not speak again in the Council except he first make an acknowledgement of his bad Conduct Etc.”  As to Mr. Loring it was resolv’d that 2 or 3 of the Association make him a Visit and discourse with him upon his great Disgust with us, and that Messrs. Cushing, Barrett and Parkman go to him, and a Day was agreed upon — but I objected against my going, and propos’d Mr. Martyn; but it was not freely accepted.  My own private Affairs are at this Time in my new Circumstances, too much incumber’d to pretend to go abroad.  Messrs. Cushing, Martyn and Maccarty came home with me.  Mr. Dunlop has work’d in my New Garden, in digging up Roots, and subduing it; this is now the third Day.  Deacon Newton, I hear, is somewhat better.

[1]Roger Price of Hopkinton.

1752 April 16 (Thursday).  Was oblig’d to do something in the Garden myself.  Sow’d a few seeds etc.  Am Preparing on the Eighth Commandment.  At the Funeral of Mr. Bezaleel Smiths Child.

1752 April 17 (Friday).  Thomas and Molly return’d from Cambridge.  Thomas had drop’d his great Coat from his Horse in Roxbury — and did not find it.  Mr. Winchester from Boston informs that many die of the Small Pox there, and Some Number of those who were inoculated: particularly we hear that Mr. Robert Breck being inoculated, is dead.