Category: Diary

1754 July 12 (Friday).  Mr. Arnold of Grafton here, and obtains of me a Copy of Mr. Hutchinsons Second Paper (or Confession).  Thomas and William mowe and make Hay at the Island, and Lieutenant Tainter Carts up a few Cocks of it.  It is So Cloudy Weather and now and then Sprinkles of Rain, that the Hay does not make as we could wish.  Mr. Baldwin Strikes me up an Extempore Gate before my House.  Plants in fore yard.

1754 July 13 (Saturday).  Thomas finish’d mowing at the Island.  Dull weather a.m. brighter p.m.  I hiv’d a Swarm of Bees my Self, my sons both of them gone to the Island.

1754 July 14 (Sunday).  Read 1 Sam. 3.  Mr. Forbush preach’d for me on 1Cor. 11.29.  I administer’d the Lords Supper.  P.M. read 1 John 3.  Mr. Forbush preach’d on Eph. 5.8.  They went to their Father Forbush at Evening.

1754 July 15 (Monday).  Went to the Ministerial Meadow and found there Messrs. Jonas Twitchell and John Rogers mowing.  Rody Smith was gone to Captain Maynards for Rum but mow’d the rest of the Day.  My son Thomas got in a Jagg from the Island and then mow’d at the Meadow p.m.  P.M. I rode with Mr. Forbush to Waltham and lodg’d at Mr. Isaac Brown’s.

1754 July 16 (Tuesday).  Set out from Mr. Browns early; broke fast at the Reverend Mr. Adams’s[1] at Roxbury.  We proceeded to Mr. John Barkers at Boston, whom Mr. Abraham Smith I Suppose has dependence upon to testify against me; but who in Discourse, tells me he was astonish’d at Smiths Impudence that Night he was at my House, and the next morning likewise, than ever he was in his Life; and says he doth not remember that he so much as once heard me express my Self towards Smith in any unbecoming manner.  To this Mr. Forbush was Witness.  Thence we went to Dr. Pyncheons[2] and din’d there.  Spent the Chief of the p.m. at Brother Samuels, Captain Storers, and Mr. Kneelands.[3]  We return’d as far as to Mr. Adams’s and lodg’d there.  At home Thomas and Billy rak’d at the Meadow a.m.  P.M. prov’d rainy, and at night a great Storm of Thunder and Lightning and Rain.

[1]Amos Adams (Harvard 1754) served Roxbury, 1753-I775.

[2]Joseph Pyncheon, the physician of Boston and Springfield.  Sibley, VIII, 90-95.

[3]Samuel Kneeland, the printer of Boston.

1754 July 17 (Wednesday).  Commencement.  Mr. Forbush and I set out early from Mr. Adams’s and went to Cambridge.  Mr. Forbush took his second Degree.  I din’d in the Hall.  We lodg’d together at Sister Barretts having left our Horse and Chair under the Care of Brother Champney.  Thomas and Billy, and Rody Smith rak’d at the Meadow, and on 18 Neighbour Eliezer Rice, Hezekiah Pratt and Edwards Whipple brought three Load of Hay from the Meadow.

1754 July 18 (Thursday).  Subscriptions for my Collection of Poems promoted by Mr. Forbush who got a Number of them among his Acquaintance and others, and at Mr. Hancocks[1] Chamber, Mr. Tucker[2] and Mr. Webster[3] subscrib’d.  Din’d at Mr. Appletons[4] where I also mention’d the Collection.  N.B. Mr. Walker Merchant of Boston there, with whom I have much Conversation.  Mr. Forbush and I rode up to Mr. Woodwards of Weston, and lodg’d there.

[1]Belcher Hancock, the tutor at Harvard.

[2]The Reverend John Tucker (Harvard 1741), the minister of Newbury.  Sibley, XI, 78-91.

[3]The Reverend Samuel Webster of Salisbury.

[4]The Reverend Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge.

1754 July 19 (Friday).  We Set out early from Mr. Woodwards, and broke fast at Mr. Isaac Baldwins.  N.B. Jeduthun there.  We fish’d in the pleasant Pond beyond the Garden.  Mr. Forbush took Ebenezers Mare which Baldwin rode down, and rode to Abraham Smiths to talk with him, as well on his own as on my Account.  Baldwin rode home with me in the Chair.  Found all well and Comfortable.  D.G.  Neighbour Eliezer Rice brought home another Load of Hay from the Meadow.  Thomas and Billy work’d part of the Day for Neighbour Eliezer Rice, and part of the Day at the Meadow.  N.B. Mr. Jonas Twitchell work’d 2 half Days for me.

1754 July 20 (Saturday).  Thomas and Billy at the Meadow.  Mr. Forbush went to Upton.  I rode to Shrewsbury and prevail’d with Mr. Cushing to go in my stead to Worcester: Mr. Maccarty having obtain’d of Mr. Forbush to supply his Pulpit; but if I would undertake it, he would Supply mine.

1754 July 21 (Sunday).  I preach’d at Shrewsbury for Mr. Cushing on Acts 3.19, a. and p.m.  N.B. read a.m. the Chapter of the Text.  P.M. read Mat. 18.  Mr. Fish[1] preach’d for me in the room of Mr. Forbush.  I return’d home at Eve.  Molly and her Child gone to Deacons.

[1]Elisha Fish of Upton.

1754 July 22 (Monday).  Thomas and Billy at Work at the Meadow.  Ebenezer carted one Load of Hay from thence.  I went to Neighbour How’s.  Billy breaks out with Poison.  Mr. Forbush and Wife to t’other House and lodg’d there.

1754 July 23 (Tuesday).  I rose Early and went to Esquire Bakers and to the Fays for Teams to fetch home Hay.  They agree to go p.m.  But by noon it began to rain, and rain’d exceeding hard the rest of the Day.  Mr. Forbush and his Wife and Ebenezer’s Wife rode to Mr. Martyns, but the former return’d here at Eve and lodg’d here.  Thomas went over a.m. to work for Ebenezer.

1754 July 24 (Wednesday).  Thomas work’d part of a.m. for me.  P.M. late he went to Ebenezer to hoe for him.  Jonathan and Joseph How came to hill for me, the former but a little before noon.  N.B. greatly put to’t for plough and for Horse — sent Billy to t’other Place for my own Mare.  Thomas Stay’d to Plough which was one of the Reasons of his being late to Ebenezer.  Billy works with Difficulty because he is so much poison’d.  Mr. Forbush and his Wife and little Daughter leave us to go to Brookfield.  Fair Weather, but can do Nothing about my Hay at the Ministerial Meadow — Some of which is in Cock, and some of has lain over the storm in swarth.

1754 July 25 (Thursday).  Thomas and William bring home two small Jaggs of Hay from Ministerial Meadow, which make Six small turns from thence and is all of the South side of the Brook.  N.B. Neighbour Eliezer Rice assisted — for which my sons work’d for him.  Our Kinswomen Mrs. Sally Brigham and her sister Mrs. Betty Gott[1] came to See us — but return’d to Marlborough at Eve.

[1]Sarah and Rebecca, daughters of the late Dr. Benjamin Gott, were Parkman’s nieces.

1754 July 26 (Friday).  Thomas and Billy hoed at the Island Field.

1754 July 27 (Saturday).  Thomas and Billy hoed a.m.  P.M. Thomas mow’d in Newton Meadow.

1754 July 28 (Sunday).  Read 1 Sam. 4, and made the Exercises of both a. and p.m. from thence.  Rain’d hard.  Read p.m. 1 John 4.  Daniel How din’d here.

1754 July 29 (Monday).  Fair.  Thomas mow’d Bushes a.m., and in Newton Meadow p.m.  N.B. Mr. David Batchellor and Brother Hicks din’s here.  P.M. Visit little Elijah Rice who is Sick.  Captain Maynard at Eve invited me to dine at his House tomorrow, a number of military Gentlemen having bespoke a Dinner there — and he Suppos’d his Honour (as he call’d Captain Baker but I thought he meant Colonel Williams) had Spoke to me of it, but no one had.  Captain said if I would come he would find me a room etc.

1754 July 30 (Tuesday).  At about 11 a.m. came Colonel Williams and with him Mr. Smith, Captain Uriah Eager, and two other officers with them, and the Colonel invited me to dine with him to Day.  He said he had depended upon Captain Baker to invite me, having given him Order, to do it, or else the Captain had said he would, but he was gone over to Bolton.  I walk’d over as far as Mr. Nathan Maynards in the middle and heat of the Day, but from thence had his Mare, which I also rode home upon.  I din’d with Colonel Williams, Major Willard, and the other Officers of this Regiment, at Captain Maynards.  The Design of their Meeting was to Consult about a general Meeting of the Regiment — agreeable to the Governor’s Proclamation.  Messrs. Cushing (who came from the Funeral of Mr. Morse’s Child), Stone and Smith, there.  After 4 o’Clock (the Hour I appointed) I attended the Catechetical Exercise to Young Women at the Meeting House.  N.B. Mr. Baldwin went yesterday to Brookfield, and Elisha Jones, one of his Prentice’s, work’d for my son Ebenezer during the Absence of his Master.  At Eve deliver’d Mary Latiner a Receipt from Mr. Abraham Smith of her Debt to Said Smith, but it was writ as from Mr. Richard Barns.  Thomas mows and rakes at Newton Meadow; but those who clear’d there left many Bushes unpick’d up, by which means it is very slow and bad mowing.

1754 July 31 (Wednesday).  Before the Rain came heavy, I ran up to Mr. Elijah Rice who came with his Team and got in nine Cocks of Hay from my Newton Meadow but presently the storm came on and it was a very rainy Day.  I had agreed yesterday with Mr. Stone to preach his Lecture to Day but the Rain prevented.  But Mr. Baldwin came from Brookfield p.m.

1754 August 1 (Thursday).  Joseph Bowman and Richard Kelly reap’d, bound up and with Mr. Timothy Warrins Team Carted in my Rye — Thomas and Billy helping them.  My Wife rode to Deacon Forbush etc.

1754 August 2 (Friday).  Thomas can make but very Slow Work at the Meadow it being bad to Mow — Billy helps him.  At Night Mr. Solomon Stow brought me from Mr. Kneeland 6 of Clark on Infant Baptism.[1]

[1]Peter Clark, A Defence of the Divine Right of Infant Baptism (Boston, 1752).  Earlier, Clark had published The Scripture-Grounds of the Baptism of Christian Infants (Boston, I735).

1754 August 3 (Saturday).  Thomas and Billy work at the Meadow.

1754 August 4 (Sunday).  Read 1 Sam. 5.  Preach’d on 1 Sam. 4.22.  P.M. read 1 John 5.  Preach’d on Isa. 9.6.  Mr. Foster din’d here.

1754 August 5 (Monday).  Thomas and William at the Meadow Still.  At Eve came one Mr. Jonathan Fuller of Oxford, and brought in a Chair my Neece Mrs. Tabitha Hearsey, who is in great Affliction by reason of her Husband — she is returning to him at Boston at least to See what his Pleasure is about her Goods which were allow’d her at their Parting.  She has also her Daughter Hannah.

1754 August 6 (Tuesday).  My Kinswoman etc. pursue their Journey.  The Lord conduct and defend her!  Being nigh out of Cyder I rode to Mr. Harringtons for supply.  Thomas and Billy mow and rake a little at the Newton Meadow:  and Neighbour Moses Nurse brings up a Load of Hay from thence.  Mrs. Prentice,[1] I hear, at Grafton, and that her Exhortings have Success.

[1]Mrs. Solomon Prentice was one of that fanatic band of “immortals” in the vicinity.  [Additional note: See Ross W. Beales, Jr, “The Ecstasy of Sarah Prentice: Death, Re-Birth, and the Great Awakening in Grafton, Massachusetts” Historical Journal of Massachusetts 26:2 (1997): 101-23.]

1754 August 7 (Wednesday).  Thomas and Billy still at the Meadow.

1754 August 8 (Thursday).  Thomas and Billy at the Meadow this Day also.  Neighbour Moses Nurse Carts a large Load of Hay from thence.  Mr. Thomas Twitchell Examin’d.

1754 August 9 (Friday).  Thomas and Billy went to the Ministerial Meadow and Mow’d the North Side of the Brook, and rak’d up about 9 Cocks, and left about as much more.

1754 August 10 (Saturday).  Thomas and Billy were going to the Meadow to rake the rest which they left Yesterday, and to bring it home but it prov’d a rainy Day.  Mr. Bond brought a Load of Boards from Mr. Jonathan Forbush’s Mill; the Boards of those Loggs which I had last Winter of Mr. John Kelley of Hopkinton.

1754 August 11 (Sunday).  Read 1 Sam. 6.  Preach’d on Chapter 4.22.  Mr. Foster din’d here.  P.M. read 2 John.  Preach’d on Rev. 1.18.  May God add his Special Blessing!

1754 August 12 (Monday).  Thomas and Billy went in the morning to the Ministerial Meadow to look after the Hay which they lately Cut there — but they were drench’d by that time they rak’d up the Rest of the Hay — a very Heavy Rain.

1754 August 13 (Tuesday).  I rode to Mr. Thomas Chaddocks, who being ill had desir’d Prayers.  N.B. Mr. Samuel Wood late Miller of Upton there.  Visit at Gashitts also.  When I return’d at Eve Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard here.  Desires me to try what I can do to reconcile Abijah Gale and Isaac Amsden.

1754 August 14 (Wednesday).  N.B. Thomas with Ebenezer’s Team and Help brings home the last Load of Hay from the Ministerial Meadow.  Thomas goes p.m. to help Ebenezer but is not well.  I visited Ensign Mathis of Southborough and came home by Isaac Amsdens, Esquire Liscombs, and Mr. Abijah Gales, calling at those places; and endeavouring what I could a Reconcilement.

1754 August 15 (Thursday).  Lieutenant Tainter plaistering at the Sides of the Pulpit, din’d here.  Mr. Thaddeus Gale here about his Brothers Affair.  Mr. Jonathan Bond comes from Boston with a Letter from Mr. Joshua Winter informing me that my Neece Mrs. Lydia Davis at Halifax dyed of a Dropsie July 3 last.  Mr. Jonas Twitchell here to be Examin’d.