Category: Diary

1752 April 18 (Saturday).  Mr. Bezaleel Smith and Mr. Eleazer Pratt brought Girts for my Barn from Mr. Reuben Maynards, that Neighbourhood having join’d together and got ‘em.

1752 April 19 (Sunday).  A.M. read Deut. 6.  Preach’d on Exod. 20.15.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 16.  Deliver’d again the second Sermon on 1 Cor. 15.22.  Stop’d the Brethren and read another Letter from Sudbury agriev’d Sign’d by Josiah Haynes and Samuel Dakin.  Dated March 26, 1752, and it was left to Consideration.

1752 April 20 (Monday).  In the Garden again.  Am reading Dr. Youngs Sermons volume 2[1] borrow’d of Mrs. Barrett of Hopkinton.

[1]Edward Young (1643-1705) was a Fellow of Winchester College, Rector of Upham and Dean of Salisbury.  The work mentioned here was probably Sermons on Several Occasions, 2 vols. (London, 1702, 1703).  Another English edition appeared in 1706

1752 April 21 (Tuesday).  Early in the Morning to Mr. Clafflands, Warrins, and to Mr. Bonds, to get Teams to fetch Rails from Rody Smiths and Elijah Rice’s.  Visit old Mrs. Dorcas Forbush.[1]  P.M. Catechiz’d at the School House.  37 Boys and Girls.  After the Exercise was at Mr. Grows and Harringtons.

[1]The widow of Thomas Forbush.

1752 April 22 (Wednesday).  It has been very Cold, especially the Mornings very frosty — but today the Sun is very Warm, and is the most Spring-like Day we have had this Spring.  Mr. Bond brought 35 Rails from Rody Smiths, and Mr. Simon Tainter 50 from Elijah Rice’s.  Daniel Hastings of Watertown dines with us.  Mrs. Parkman is gone to reckon with Patty Pannell and paid her all that was due.

1752 April 23 (Thursday).  Mr. Edward Wilson came, and at last finished the Topping out of my Chimney — had Cornelius Cook for a Tender.  Another very warm Day.  I was oblig’d to go to Mr. Jonathan Forbush’s for another Bushel of Lime.  Was put to Difficulty for Clay to plaister the inside.  Try’d at Widow Newtons Clay-Pitts without Success.

1752 April 24 (Friday).  Ebenezer brought over a Load of Clay from Mr. Hows hither; Mr. Willson came again, to plaister the Chimney; and Cornelius Cook tended.  They work’d from a little before noon till Evening — paid Mr. Willson 40/ old Tenor in part.  Hot Still, even like in Summer.  Ebenezer return’d home after Dinner.  P.M. I rode to see old Mr. Rogers who is thought to be near his End.  A Letter etc. from Mr. Forbush at Brookfield.

1752 April 25 (Saturday).  Mr. Phinehas Rice of Grafton returns from Boston.  Informs that it is a most sorrowful Time.  Mr. John Gardner,[1] Brazier, Son of the Reverend Mr. Gardner of Stowe is dead, but tis doubtful whether Mrs. Breck is deliver’d.  N.B. remarkable Hot Weather for Some Days but towards Eve of this, chang’d.

[1]John Gardner.

1752 April 26 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 7.  Preach’d on Exod. 20.15.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 1.  Deliver’d the third Sermon on 1 Cor. 15.22, but from Rom. 5.12 with some alterations.  After Exercises we attended the Funeral of old William Rogers, who was thought to be in his 82nd Year.  May God Sanctify it to our aged people of whom we have some Number yet living.

1752 April 27 (Monday).  Mr. Joseph Gambel work’d for me, and p.m. he employ’d John Frost to help him — but would have it all to be set down, but a days Work.  Near Night I marry’d Joseph Far and Eunice Bradish.  Ebenezer brought in the Morning a Load of Posts and plough’d at the Island the Ground that was plough’d this Time Twelve Month, and lay Fallow.

1752 April 28 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer plough’d there again, and harrow’d it p.m. with Mrs. Newtons Harrow.  He had done before Night.  Exceeding difficulty [sic] to get any Body to Cart Rails which I have bought of Rody Smith and Elijah Rice.  The Ground by my new House design’d for a pasture lys open to the Flocks of Sheep.  A Letter from Mr. Josiah Swan about Eusebius.

1752 April 29 (Wednesday).  My Business abroad all lys Still, except, what I can do in Gardening.  Chief of my Reading is the Free-Thinker.[1]

[1]The Free-thinker, or Essays on Ignorance was first published serially in London, March 24, 1718, to July 28, 1721.  Collected editions in 3 volumes appeared in London in 1733 and 1739.

1752 April 30 (Thursday).  Made return of Marriages to Mr. Francis Whipple, whom I Saw at Mr. Williams.  I din’t at old Mr. Rice’s.  A Dry Time — Signs of Rain, but they Seem to fail and go over.  It may put us in mind of our Conduct towards God with many Signs of Graciousness in our Profession, but very barren and unprofitable in our Hearts, and in our Conversation.  Mr. Winchester from Boston and his Wife from Cambridge bring News of Colonel Brattle’s Lady’s[1] Decease by the Small Pox.

[1]William Brattle (Harvard 1722) married Katherine, the daughter of Governor Gurdon Saltonstall on Nov. 13, 1727.  The Brattles lost five daughters and a son to the throat distemper (probably diphtheria), and Mrs. Brattle was ill with the same disease.  She recovered only to succumb to smallpox April 28, 1752.  Sibley, VII, 10-23.

1752 May 1 (Friday).  Through the great Goodness of God we have had a rainy Night, and it showers this Morning to the great reviving of the Earth.  Granny Forbush is gone by, to Mr. Stone’s, his wife being in Travail.  In the Mount, may the Lord be seen!  The Day proves chiefly a rainy Day; though it rains not hard, yet, it wetts steddily.  Mr. Joseph Gambel diggs in my Garden p.m.

1752 May 2 (Saturday).  It was too cloudy to view the Eclipse which occurs to Day.  At about Sunsetting Mr. John Rogers brought 6,000 of Shingles.

1752 May 3 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 8.  Preach’d on Deut. 5.19.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 9.  Preach’d on Phil. 1.27, A Sermon which was first deliver’d in the Year 1725, now with many alterations and additions.  At Night, 9 o’clock came Mr. Ezra Taylor of Southborough to desire me to go to the Funeral of Mr. Jonathan Brewer[1] of Framingham who Yesterday Morning cutt his own Throat with a Sickle.

[1]Brewer, who was in his 64th year, had lived in Framingham since 1717.  Temple, Framingham, p. 481.

1752 May 4 (Monday).  I din’d at Mr. Stone’s at Southborough.  His Wife (who had newly lain in) was exceeding Weak and low.  P.M. I attended the Funeral of Mr. Brewer at Framingham.  A most Solemn Time!  Mr. Barrett there also, and pray’d.  N.B. Mr. Bridge[1] gone to the Ordination of Mr. Haven[2] at Portsmouth: and Mr. Stone to the Funeral of the Widow of old Mr. Daniel Newton.  N.B. Whilst I was gone to Framingham Mr. Martyn came to our House and had 28 lbs of Sugar which I got for him at Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s at 22£ old Tenor per Hundred.

[1]Matthew Bridge of Framingham.

[2]Samuel Haven (Harvard 1749) had been reading theology with Ebenezer Parkman, keeping school and preaching in numerous pulpits in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  He was ordained in the South Church of Portsmouth, May 6,1752.  Sibley, XII, 382-392.

1752 May 5 (Tuesday).  Mr. Solomon Baker with my Cart, but his own Oxen brought me 40 Rails from Rody Smiths: and Mr. Simon Tainter 45 from the same.  The former of those was gratis: for the Latter Mr. Tainter ask’d 15/ old Tenor.  My Wife went to Mr. Jonas Brighams, and met Patty Pannell there.  Mr. Zebulon Rice here, and we agree upon the Time of beginning to Frame my Barn.  Mr. George Bruce of Mendon and Mr. Hall of North Sutton here.

1752 May 6 (Wednesday).  Richard Kelly work’d here instead of John Dunlop.  He setts up the Fence from the Meeting House, Northwest.  I visited the Widow Rogers who is going to leave us: and the Widow Hannah Rice, Sister of that Mr. Brewster, bury’d on the fourth.

1752 May 7 (Thursday).  Richard Kelly work’d again (for John Dunlop) in Setting up Fence for me etc.  Cornelius Cook (on Mr. Hezekiah Pratt’s Account) work’d for me in carting out some Muck and ploughing at my Island.

1752 May 8 (Friday).  Mrs. Mary Johnson, Stay-maker, came to work here.  Old Mr. Joseph Sever[1] of Framingham came to me about the Cancer in his Leg, that he might know how to use Mechoachan or Poke Weed.  He din’d here.  Mr. Phinehas Hardy setts up Fence for me: and he and his son Elijah (together with my son William) Planted the Grounds at the Island.

[1]Joseph Sever or Seaver, a long-time resident, had been a town officer.

1752 May 9 (Saturday).  Mr. Robert Claffland, with my Oxen and a Yoke of Mr. Jonah Warrins, brought 50 Rails from Mr. Elijah Rice’s.  P.M. Mr. Warrin himself with the Same Team, brought 50 more.  Mr. Forbush here — goes to preach at Southborough.

1752 May 10 (Sunday).  Read Deut. 9.  Preach’d on Deut. 5.19.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 3.  Repeated with many Alterations another sermon on Original Sin (from Rom. 5.12) in the Discourses on 1 Cor. 15.22.  O that God would please to add his special blessing!

1752 May 11 (Monday).  Was early at Mr. Whipples.  Lieutenant Tainter and Mr. Samuel Harrington drive Cattle into the Woods at Leicester.  They take 3 of mine, 4 other Young Creatures of Mine cannot be found this morning that they might go.  Perswaded Mr. Edwards Whipple to Send his Boy with 22 of my Braces for My New Barn, Saw’d at Mr. Maynards Saw Mill.  Mr. Zebulun Rice and Samuel Bumpso came; and they began to Frame my Barn.  I went over to Mr. Hows and din’d there.  Mr. David Maynard assisted with my son Ebenezer in cutting Principals.

1752 May 12 (Tuesday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice and Samuel at the Frame.  There came also Mr. Phinehas Hardy and Mr. Simon Tainter, and gave me a Day’s Work at it.  There has been some prospects of Rain; but the most was a Fog or Mist and went off the Cold Raw Weather.  Mr. Stephen Maynard here, but without his Account that we might reckon, though I have taken unwearied pains to obtain it.  Mr. Batheric and Benjamin How with Ebenezer hew the Principals and Thomas brings 10 of them over.

1752 May 13 (Wednesday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice, and Messrs. Phinehas Hardy, Simon Tainter and Samuel Bumpso work at the Frame, and to Day came likewise Mr. Jonah Warrin.  Receiv’d a Letter from Brother Parkman, dated April 28 or 29.  I visited Deacon Newton[1] who is much recover’d.  My son Ebenezer brought 10 more Principals.  My Wife went to Marlborough.  At Night came a Young Man Odoavdo Thomas for Mrs. Molly Johnson, but she went not with him.

[1]Josiah Newton.

1752 May 14 (Thursday).  This Morning came Mr. Zebulon Rice, and Mr. Simon Tainter.  Afterwards came old Mr. Charles Rice, and Mr. Jonathan Forbush to the Frame.  Mrs. Molly Johnson left us at Evening.

1752 May 15 (Friday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice at the Frame.  Added to him afterwards were, Mr. Batherick, Mr. Grow — old Mr. Graves, and Mr. Simon Tainter — who work’d and din’d with us.  In the afternoon by the help of a Sufficient Number of Hands (about 70 Great and Small) we rais’d the Barn.  30 feet long and 28 wide — and through the Goodness of God there was no Evil Accident.  I had provided only for about a Score, yet I hope no one went away without some refreshment.  It was only Cake and Cheese and Butter etc.

1752 May 16 (Saturday).  Billy works at t’other House so that I am alone to take Care of things and put all to rights after the Raising.  Wet myself and then took Cold.

1752 May 17 (Sunday).  Sir Forbush preach’d for me a. and p.m. on Jam. I, 5.  May God be pleas’d to Add to his Graces and accomplishments and make him an happy Instrument of Saving Good to Many Souls!  May he be abundantly fitted and prepar’d for the very awful and Solemn Charge he will (God willing) in a short Time receive!  At Night I was very much indispos’d.

1752 May 18 (Monday).  In the Morning much better.  Blessed be God!  The Day was lowery and Misty.  A great Favour after much drie Weather.  Town Meeting.  Chose Esquire Baker[1] representative.

[1]Edward Baker was a frequent office-holder of Westborough.

1752 May 19 (Tuesday).  Wettish Weather, but no great Matter of Showers.  Visit old Mrs. Dorcas Forbush.  Messrs. Bliss[1] and Hobby[2] at the Door, in their Journey to another Sutton Council.

[1]Daniel Bliss of Concord.

[2]William Hobby of Reading.

1752 May 20 (Wednesday).  The Reverend Mr. Fish[1] and his wife here p.m.

[1]Elisha Fish of Upton.

1752 May 21 (Thursday).  Samuel Forbush carted Two Load of Boards, Oake and Pine from Mr. Maynards Mill.  Disappointed of the help I expected I undertook to preach my Self the Lecture preparatory to the Lords Supper — from 1 Cor. 11.26.  Having no Watch I preach’d too long.  Solemnized the Marriage of Mr. Daniel Adams[1] to Mr. Daniel Hardys only Child, at Mr. Hardys.  The Weather Exceeding Cold.  N.B. Our Kinswoman Mrs. Sally Brigham[2] here and din’d with us.

[1]Daniel Adams of Shrewsbury married Abigail Hardy of Westborough.

[2]Mrs. Parkman’s sister, Sarah Gott, married Uriah Brigham of Marlborough, July 12, 1750.  Hudson, Marlborough, p. 373.

1752 May 22 (Friday).  Sir Forbush Sends his Chest (containing a number of Valuable Books which I have sold him, viz. Hammond,[1] Saurin,[2] Edwards[3]) by one Ball to Brookfield.

[1]A work by the English divine and Canon of Christ’s Church Oxford, Henry Hammond, D.D. (1605-1660).  None of his numerous writings had been published in America.

[2]Jacques Saurin (1677-1730), a celebrated French Protestant preacher, had been the minister of a Walloon church in London, and after 1705 a minister in The Hague.  His work had not appeared in an American edition.

[3]Some writing or writings of the great Jonathan Edwards of Northampton.  [Additional note: This may be a reference to the English minister, John Edwards (1637-1716), several of whose works Parkman owned or borrowed.]