Category: Diary

1754 January 18 (Friday).  Much Company interrupting especially at Eve.  Mr. Timothy Warrin in Defence of Samuel Bumpso, so far as to prevent his going to Jayl, if getting posts and Rails next March might Satisfie on an Execution and Note of last October the third follow’d by continual Ingratitude, negligence and unfaithfulness.  One Mr. Moon of Lebanon here, tells me Dr. Eliot[1] of Killingworth is dead.

[1]This reference is puzzling, for the Reverend Jared Eliot of Killingworth, who also served as a physician, lived until 1763.  Two of his sons who also practiced medicine there died in 1741 and 1747.

1754 January 19 (Saturday).  [No entry].

1754 January 20 (Sunday).  Read Judg. 6, from number 25.  Preach’d all Day on I Cor. 15.25.  Read p.m. Heb. 8.  N.B. had the Sorrowfull news of the Death of Reverend Mr. David Goddard of Leicester.  He expir’d yesterday at his wife’s House in Framingham, after a very short illness of a violent Fever which prevails in Framingham.  He preach’d last Sabbath at Southborough, and was taken ill the next Day.  N.B. I was desir’d by Deacon Forbush to think of a Fast here.  After the Exercises I stop’d the Church and propos’d it.  The Deacon aforesaid manifested his Desire again — but I could not without Difficulty obtain of the Brethren to Speak their Minds about it, and yet when I put it to Vote, it was voted unanimously as far as I could discern.

1754 January 21 (Monday).  Mr. Ephraim Woods of Southborough here.  Mr. James Ball — I paid him what I ow’d him.  12£ old Tenor.  Mr. John Fay brought a Letter from Mr. Stone[1] to desire my assistance at the Fast among them Thursday.  At Eve Lieutenant Tainter brought wool and Cards which he had bought for us at Boston.

[1]Nathan Stone of Southborough.

1754 January 22 (Tuesday).  After a considerable Space of fine Moderate weather comes an Exceeding Cold Day — bright but high Winds and Sharp Air that can Scarcely be sustain’d.  Mr. Benjamin Goddard came to desire me to go to the Funeral of his Brother (Reverend David) tomorrow, at Framingham.

1754 January 23 (Wednesday).  Mr. Joseph Bruce here on occasion of his son in Law Child his Thigh broke.  I sent a Line by him to Mr. Francis Whipple containing my Desire to have a Clause inserted in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting relating to their Arrears.  I went to the Funeral of the Reverend Dr. David Goddard of Leicester; who was bury’d from his Wife’s House in Framingham.  The Reverend Mr. Read[1] pray’d.  He and the Reverend Messrs. Stone, Bliss[2] and Bridge,[3] with Dr. Ebenezer Hemingway[4] were the other Bearers.  Mr. Ebenezer Goddard lies very bad of the same Fever.  News also came that Mr. Benjamin Goddard, who was with me yesterday, was taken sick as soon as he got home; and for the Time is very ill.  May a gracious God fit us for His holy will!  In the Eve the Mare I rode, Stray’d away from Colonel Buckminsters[5] where we turn’d in to warm us, and drew up some account of Mr. Goddards Death; which was committed to Mr. Bliss to carry Mr. Kneeland at Boston to publish.[6]  I lodg’d at the Colonel’s.

[1]Solomon Reed of Framingham.

[2]Daniel Bliss of Concord.

[3]Matthew Bridge of Framingham.

[4]Ebenezer Hemenway was a physician of Framingham.  Clair A. H. Newton, Ralph Hemmenway . . . and his Descendants (Naperville, Ill., 1932), I, 16.

[5]Colonel Joseph Buckminster, a leading citizen of Framingham.

[6]This news item appears not to have been published.

1754 January 24 (Thursday).  It snow’d in the Night and Morning, but I walk’d up to Dr. Hemingways who lent me his Horse to Southborough — found mine at Mr. Andrew Newtons, and proceeded to the Fast in Southborough, on occasion of the sickness.  Mr. Stone pray’d first.  I preach’d from Mat. 24.44.  Mr. Smith pray’d after sermon, then we sang part of Ps. 37.  Mr. Bridge pray’d after singing — for we had but one Exercise.  In returning home (Lieutenant Tainter my Company) comply’d with Lieutenant Nathan Brighams earnest Desire to turn in and see his son Nathan, who lay very sick of the Fever, and pray’d with him.

1754 January 25 (Friday).  At Evening which I much depended upon for Studying, came Mr. Benjamin Tainter and his Wife to make us a Visit, therein waiting upon her Father, Mr. Josiah Woods from Summers; and soon after came his Brother and they tarryed and Supp’d here.  Mr. Samuel Fay junior here this Eve also.  Billy thrash’d with Ebenezer.

1754 January 26 (Saturday).  Lieutenant Ward din’d here.  A fine Day.  Hands at work helping Alpheus Newton frame.  Billy thrashing with Ebenezer.

1754 January 27 (Sunday).  Read Judg. 7.  A.M. on 1 Cor. 15.25.  P.M. read Heb. 9, and preach’d on 1 Cor. 15.26.  Appointed Wednesday next to be a Day of Solemn Fasting and Prayer on Consideration of the Malignant Sickness in Neighbouring Towns; we having also many Evils among ourselves — and that God would please to revive his Work here.

1754 January 28 (Monday).  Dr. Perkins[1] of Framingham informs me that Mr. Benjamin Goddard,[2] who was with me last Tuesday, dy’d last Night.  Alpheus Newton’s House rais’d.  Captain Eager ask’d me to go up, and I did so.  Some refreshment at Deacon Newtons[3] by Captain Eager.  Mr. Hezekiah Rice came to request me to go to Mr. Goddards Funeral.  N.B. some Discourse with Deacon Newton and Mr. Francis Whipple about my addressing the Town for the remains of my Sallery in the Year 1744.  N.B. James Eager brings a Message from Mr. Jonathan Greene.

[1]Richard Perkins (Harvard 1748), a physician, was the son of the Reverend Daniel Perkins of Bridgewater and the brother-in-law of the Reverend Matthew Bridge of Framingham.

[2]Of Shrewsbury.

[3]Josiah Newton of Westborough.

1754 January 29 (Tuesday).  I visited Mrs. Dodge, wife of Mr. Jabez Dodge.  Also a Lad ([blank] Childs) at Mr. Hezekiah Pratts, he having broke his Thigh Bone.  I went to the Funeral of Mr. Benjamin Goddard.  Mr. Cushing not sent for.  I reprov’d them for their Neglect.  N.B. Colonel Nahum Wards private Talk with me about Mr. Cushing.  N.B. Mr. Jeduthun Baldwin and [blank] Cutler from Brookfield.

1754 January 30 (Wednesday).  This Day was observ’d as a Day of Humiliation and Prayer by this Parish.[1]  I began with Prayer.  No minister comes though I had sent to most of those round about, it being a dark, stormy Day.  Mr. Stone[2] came in Prayer Time.  He preach’d on Ps. 39.4.  Mr. Cushing came also in prayer Time.  In time of the last Prayer a.m. came Mr. Barret.[3]  Neither did any other come.  P.M. Mr. Barret pray’d.  Mr. Cushing preach’d on Hos. 4.7.  Captain Brigham, Deacon Burnap[4] and Mr. Ephraim Wood Supp’d here.  O that God would graciously accept our Offerings; pardon our sins, revive His Work and remove from His People His sore Judgments.  Preserve us still in this Day of Evil, and prevent Spiritual Judgments falling upon us!  May the Goodness of God to us lead us to repentence and prevent our abusing His Mercy.

[1]This fast was held “on Account of a Malignant Mortal fever raging in many Neighbouring Towns.”  Westborough Church Records, Jan. 30, 1754.

[2]Nathan Stone of Southborough.

[3]The Reverend Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

[4]Benjamin Burnap of Hopkinton.

1754 January 31 (Thursday).  I rode over to Mr. Jonathan Greens.  In going by Captain James Eagers swamp I perceiv’d there was a great Number of men getting shingle for Abner Newton.  I din’t at Lieutenant Holloways.  Mr. Green and his wife both gone from home.  Visited Mr. Martin.  His wife and Daughter confin’d by illness.  Call’d at Ensign Rice’s who was gone to Boston.  N.B. She desires me to talk with her Husband for Azuba.

1754 February 1 (Friday).  Mr. Timothy Warrin here, on Sam Bumpso’s Account.  He brings Sam’s Gun here; which I take and give up Sams Note to Mr. Warrin.  Wrote to Mr. Cushing to Change next Lords Day and sent it to t’other House — but it did not go.

1754 February 2 (Saturday).  Mr. Clafflin here, and though I ow’d him but Twenty odd Shillings yet at his Request I gave him a Note of above four pounds (old Tenor).

1754 February 3 (Sunday).  Fowl Day.  Read Judg. 8, and for sermon had prepar’d on Psalm 51.11 in chief part for one Sermon, but considering our present threatned Circumstances with relation to the Fever, which now spreads much in Southborough and very mortally, I took and altered some old sermons on Ps. 119.120, and deliver’d the substance of them a. and p.m.  Read p.m. Heb. 10 to number 18.  At Eve I was not well.

1754 February 4 (Monday).  Had a poor night; and was ill all Day.  Have symptoms of Distemper.

1754 February 5 (Tuesday).  Feel but poorly, yet hope I am better.  Ebenezer kill’d 5 Swine.  One of 13 Score, a sow of nigh 11 Score, and three pigs of 5 or 6 score.  Three of those swine he sent to Mr. James Allen of Boston, Tayler, per Lieutenant Maynard.  At Eve came here Foster from Holliston and lodg’d here.  Mr. Clafflin went off last Night.

1754 February 6 (Wednesday).  Mr. Foster puts his Horse into my Chair and rode with Lucy to t’other House.  They return at Eve, and Mr. Foster leaves us.  I sent Billey over to Mr. Jonathan Green with Sufficient silver to pay his Demands of Samuel Bumpso, viz. £6.11.0, old Tenor.  I recover slowly.  P.M. Mr. Ebenezer Maynard Treasurer here; and gave him Receipts agreeable to his Mind, respecting instead of what was given to Collector Grow.

1754 February 7 (Thursday).  I went down below to Day and din’d with the Family.  Blessed be God!  Lieutenant Tainter here.  Settled my accounts with him.  Had I been well I should have endeavour’d to preach to Day at Mr. Grows.  But in divine Providence am prevented but desire to have my Heart with my Brethren that Seek the Lord there.  May God graciously assist them and accept their Offering!

1754 February 8 (Friday).  Through divine Goodness grow better but am interrupted with divers Visitants.  Colonel William Ward din’d here.  P.M. Mr. Ammiel Weeks of Brookfield.  Mr. Cornelius Biglow much engag’d in gathering and bringing Money and Notes.  Snow.  Mr. Hezekiah Maynard from Marlborough from Mr. Smiths[1] to desire my Help at a Fast there next Wednesday.

[1]The Reverend Aaron Smith of Marlborough.

1754 February 9 (Saturday).  Mr. Biglow here again.  I let him have Sam Bumpso’s Gun for 7£ old Tenor, he promising that if either I, or Sam or Mr. Timothy Warrin repay him this Money, we may have it again.

1754 February 10 (Sunday).  Winds very high in the Night.  I ventur’d to the Meeting though Cold.  A.M. read Judg.  P.M. read Heb. 10.19 to the End.  Preach’d on Ps. 51.11.  Mrs. Beeman din’d here.  Mr. Joslin and Mr. Ithamar Bellows Wife and Several Children in that Corner of the Town, Sick; and tis fear’d of the Distemper.  My son Ebenezer not at Meeting, he having cutt himself lately.

1754 February 11 (Monday).  Ebenezer here at Eve.  He seems Somewhat Sick of the Bargain with Mr. Smith of Brookfield and yet does not appear Willing to Throw it up.  He hopes I will Send for no more Indian Corn from the Other House.

1754 February 12 (Tuesday).  Another Very Cold Tuesday.  Sent by Mr. Ephraim Sherman to Boston — for Mr. Fleets Paper as well as Mr. Kneelands.[1]

[1]Thomas Fleet published The Boston Evening-Post; Kneeland, The Boston Gazette.

1754 February 13 (Wednesday).  Went to the Fast at Marlborough though it was very Cold.  Overtook Lieutenant Tainter who was going likewise, and he return’d with me at Eve.  Mr. Stone preach’d a.m. on 1 K. 8.37 to 40.  Mr. Gardner[1] pray’d p.m. and I preach’d from Ps. 119.59.  May God hear in Heaven forgive and Bless his people for His Name’s Sake!  As we return’d at Eve in the Cold, we visited Mr. Jacob Amsden,[2] who Seems to have met with a great deal of Trouble and Affliction which may God Sanctifie to him for his Spiritual and Eternal Good!

[1]The Reverend John Gardner of Stow.

[2]Of Westborough.

1754 February 14 (Thursday).  Lucy rode with Ebenezers Wife to See Mrs. Martyn[1] and Mrs. Molly her Daughter who, we hear, are not well yet.  Lucy brings me at Evening a most bitter Letter from my Brother Martyn, full of Misrepresentations and hard Reflections.  God grant him to See his Errors and retract them!  But Darts foreseen may be better warded off.  I confess I have been full of fears Time would come when our Peace would be broke up.  I was early premonish’d what I might Expect from him; and have all along been watchfull and upon my Guard — and have been very far from Willingly giving the least Ground of Offence.  Have always defended him when I have heard any Word to his Disparagement, and been ready always to give him a good Character; or oblige him in any Thing in the World that lay in my Power, or any of his:  and would Still Serve him with my whole Heart.  I therefore look upon this as a sore Frown of Heaven:  and do beg of God to Sanctifie it to me; and Since it bodes exceeding ill with regard to the Interest of Religion among us, I would heartily mourn and grieve for it.  May God avert the Omen!  These Things came upon me a little the more heavily because I had in the Day preceeding receiv’d an undesirable Letter from Mr. Abraham Smith of Brookfield, in which he tells me he shall come down with his Family the beginning of next Week if he does not hear from me and it contains also some Threatenings.  I went over presently to Ebenezer p.m. but he was gone to help Mr. Daniel Maynard drive to Marlborough the Cattle he had bought of my Son (the Oxen I gave him) for 75£ old Tenor — but Ebenezer Came over in the Evening.  I visited old Mrs. Rogers who is sick.

[1]Wife of the Reverend John Martyn of Northborough.

1754 February 15 (Friday).  Thomas and Lucy ride Ebenezer’s Mare to Brookfield and they carry a Letter from me to Mr. Abraham Smith to prevent his coming and if he pleases throw up the Bargain:  Ebenezer being much against going there, though he was So much for it before:  Says he would give Smith 50£ rather than not throw up.  P.M. I borrow’d Lieutenant Forbush’s Horse and visited Mr. Chamberlins, Ithamar Bellow’s, and Mr. Joslins Family, because of their Sickness — and old Mr. [sic in Walett] Garfield who is very bad tis fear’d of a Malignant Fever.  N.B. Mr. Chamberlin with me from House to House.

1754 February 16 (Saturday).  Having Sent a Letter by my Son Thomas yesterday to Mr. Cushing to desire him to Change, he came here and I rode there.  N.B. was Shav’d by Dr. Smith[1] at his House.  A Somewhat Cold Time but I got up safely, and rested Comfortably, D.G.

[1]Joshua Smith of Shrewsbury,

1754 February 17 (Sunday).  I thought it very Seasonable to preach on Mat. 24.44, a. and p.m. considering the Sickness had entered into the Town of Shrewsbury and Mr. Benjamin Goddard had dy’d there and others had been taken ill of it.  But it happened likewise to be the Next Lords Day after the Funeral of the Honourable Edward Goddard[1] Esquire (and but a little while since the Death of his aged Wife) at Framingham:  but his son Edward and Family now desir’d Public Prayers.  O that I myself might be ready for my own Decease!  At Eve I return’d home.

[1]Goddard, a prominent citizen, held numerous town offices, was a justice of the peace, and a member of the Council of the province.  Temple, Framingham, p. 566.

1754 February 18 (Monday).  Wrote some proposals and offers to my son Ebenezer which I sent by Lieutenant Tainter, having understood that both son and his wife were under Discouragement.  Lieutenant Tainter has taken fruitless pains with Mr. Grout for an Horse for my Wife to ride to Boston upon.  And although I depended upon my son Ebenezer to go down with his Mother instead of Thomas who is gone to Brookfield; and that he might wait upon his Father Harrington respecting our Trading with Mr. Smith.  Yet he also throws it by.  Lieutenant Tainter therefore strikes in and proposes to go with my Wife in my Chair, with my own Mare.  This therefore

1754 February 19 (Tuesday).  They undertake, a.m.  But p.m. was the most violent Storm of Wind and Rain, So that I was exceedingly concern’d about ‘em.  But they (as I heard afterwards) got safely to Colonel Buckminsters and lodg’d there.

1754 February 20 (Wednesday).  Lieutenant Forbush brought me his Horse on which I rode to old Mr. Nathaniel Hudsons[1] Funeral.  He was in his 85th Year according to his Children’s Reckoning.  I went from the House of Mourning to visit old Mrs. Garfield who lies very bad of the Pleuretick Fever which has been of late very Mortal in Neighbouring Towns.  Mr. Grove and Mr. Joseph Woods din’d with me, and Mr. John Brighams wife here all the afternoon.

[1]Of Marlborough.

1754 February 21 (Thursday).  My Son Thomas return’d from Brookfield last night to t’other House without Lucy, but with Mr. Abraham Smith.  P.M. I went over to Mr. Smith and spent the afternoon there.  I return’d home at Evening not a little troubled that after all my Endeavours to gratifie my son, both he and his wife are not willing to Venture to go to Brookfield, but however my son does gratefully acknowledge what I wrote to him by Lieutenant Tainter.  My Thoughts are deeply engaged on these Matters.  We talk’d of Recanting the Bargain with Mr. Smith, who seems willing if we might both of us be just as we were before we began — and I thought to take him but left it untill the next Morning.  Finish’d a Letter to Mr. Martyn in Answer to his of the 12th.