Category: Diary

1755 June 4 (Wednesday).  I preach’d my Lecture on Ps. 68.1.  Very hot weather — and follow’d with Thunder.

1755 June 5 (Thursday).  Mr. John Rogers and Rody Smith digging Stones.  Billy brought over Rails from  t’other Place, and carry’d out Ashes to the Cook Field, and laid ‘em on the New-broke ground.  Thomas has been drooping for Several Days — today Seems worse.  P.M. went to Mr. Daniel Forbush to the raising of a New House.  Went in to Ensign Millers — who grows weaker with his Paralytic Shaking.

1755 June 6 (Friday).  My Son Thomas has Fever and Ague.

1755 June 7 (Saturday).  Judas [Jonas?] Rice here and paid Thomas and me in behalf of his Brother Asaph.

1755 June 8 (Sunday).  Read 2 Sam. 8.  Preach’d on Gen. 49.10 latter part.  Administer’d the Lords Supper.  P.M. read Isa. 44 and preach’d on number 5.  N.B. my old Neighbour Mrs. Elizabeth How din’d with us.

1755 June 9 (Monday).  Went over to the Funeral of Captain James Eager,[1] who dy’d last Saturday Morning in the 69th year of his age.  My Company chiefly in going and returning was Captain Baker and his wife.  N.B. My Kinsman Bryant of Stoneham, going to Grafton, call’d here.  I would Seriously reflect upon my own Speedy Departure.  O that God would fasten and ripen the Impressions upon Me!

[1]An early settler of Westborough who had served as selectman.

1755 June 10 (Tuesday).  Rody Smith work’d with Billy in hoeing Corn.  Mrs. Prentice and with her one Mrs. Logan, gong to Charlestown, call’d here.  I perceive they are plung’d very deep into Errors; and Yet Seem exceeding Spiritual, heavenly and Purify’d — at least Mrs. Prentice.[1]  ‘Tis Said they are Nicolaitians, and yet Perfectionists.  O the infinite Mischief done by such to the Church of God which they profess to have the most fervent Affection to!  May God grant ‘em a Discovery of the Evil; and may I and all others be preserv’d from their Mischievous Reveries!  My Kinsman Briant call’d here in his Return.

[1]Mrs. Solomon Prentice of Grafton, at other times known as an “immortal.”

1755 June 11 (Wednesday).  Thomas Still lies by, with the Fever and Ague.

1755 June 12 (Thursday).  Was at Captain Fays Training — I din’d at his House; and he din’d all the Company and all that Came, on free Cost.  N.B. I Spoke to the Company to avoid Intemperance and Disorders.

1755 June 13 (Friday).  Mr. Kenny and his son Nathan I hir’d to hoe my Corn with Billy.  P.M. Mrs. Winchester here, and requests me to write a Letter to her son John Chamberlin at Stockbridge, which I gratify’d her in.  She also gave us a melancholly Account of the Conduct of Mrs. Prentice and her Party.

1755 June 14 (Saturday).  Mr. Batheric Shews himself one of a mutinous Spirit against Military Officers — this was in some Conversation I had occasionally with him near the Meeting House.

1755 June 15 (Sunday).  Read 2 Sam. 9.  Preach’d on Isa. 44.5, a. and p.m.  Lieutenant Bruce’s wife ill: was pray’d for.

1755 June 16 (Monday).  Variously hinder’d from visiting Mrs. Bruce.  Chiefly was disappointed of what I expected from Mr. Bruce, an Horse to ride on to them.

1755 June 17 (Tuesday).  My Son Ebenezer’s Wife, with her young Child, and my Daughter Lucy rode in my Chair to Brookfield.  Rode to Mr. Martyns and with him to Bolton, to Ministers Meeting — Messrs. Cushing, Seccomb and Morse all that were at Mr. Goss’s besides us.  N.B. Mr. Morse perswaded in his Mind that God will remarkably bring down his Enemies and gave us a Concio to that Purpose.  My Daughter Elizabeth and Lucy rode to Brookfield in my Chair.  Lodg’d at Mr. Goss’s.

1755 June 18 (Wednesday).  Mr. Stone and Mr. Mellen[1] came.  I having never preach’d at Bolton, was urg’d to preach the Lecture, Seeing Mr. Barrett[2] who was appointed to do it was absent, and it being a remarkable Juncture of the Forces marching to Providence to take Ship there, and many moving westward, and the Preparations ripening apace for the Expedition against Crown Point, I preach’d on Josh. 7.4.13.  P.M. Mr. Martyn and his Wife were my Company back as far as their House, where, because of the Storm (of Rain) prevailing I Stop’d and lodg’d.

[1]The Reverend John Mellen of Sterling.

[2]The Reverend Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

1755 June 19 (Thursday).  I return’d home.  Attended a Catechetical Exercise to Young Men (about 24 of them) and afterwards visited Mrs. Bruce in her illness.

1755 June 20 (Friday).  Ebenezer finishes Weeding.  Billy comes home Sick from thence.

1755 June 21 (Saturday).  Dr. Willson[1] of Hopkinton having visited Mr. Daniel Warrin, return’d and din’d here.

[1]John Wilson, the physician.

1755 June 22 (Sunday).  Read Sam. 10.  Preach’d a.m. on Eccl. 12.13.  P.M. read Isa. 46, and preach’d from number 8.  N.B. made Some use of 2 pages of Sermon on Tit. 2.6, viz. part of page 15, all 16, and part of 17.  Deliver’d also 12 Articles of Religion which I recommended to Young People especially.  N.B. a great number of Bills for Prayer and Thanks — but p.m. I happen’d to forget to take Notice of two of them that were put up then.  They were Lieutenant Bruce’s for his Wife; and Mr. Eliphalet Adams on occasion of the Death of his Mother: Lieutenant Bruce came into my House, and the Storm abroad was great, Thunder, Lightening, and Rain.  Yet the Storm of Brother Bruce’s Passions was more grievous; uttering many bitter and grievous Things; neither could I at all lay his Passionate Heat by anything I could Say.  He went away talking and in a Rage, notwithstanding it was the Sabbath, and the Storm which Should have Struck Terror, into each of our Hearts.  I could not Suffer him to go away in Such a Frame.  I put on my Great Coat, and went to the Meeting House, ready to declare it was not with Design that I omitted the Note, but through forgetfullness — as I went I Spake to him at the Stables to Mollifie him — and entreated him and all others that were there to go into the Meeting House; but neither of them did.  When I got into the Meeting House I was Somewhat out of Breath by my running through the Rain.  There were many more in the Meeting House (probably) than I expected: Yet I then conceiv’d it best for the prevention of further Mischief to declare that it was through my Infirmity and no otherwise that his Case was Neglected: I also mention’d to them the Reason of my coming to Speak of it to them, viz. the violent Anger which he was in, and continued in, though I did all in my Power to Compose and Satisfie him: and that he assur’d me he would never bring me any Papers (to desire Prayers) any more.  When I return’d from the Meeting House, he being Still at the Stables, I Stop’d there again and there labour’d to pacifie him: but all was in Vain.  So that I left him with telling him that I had done and Said enough (and indeed it was too much) I would not trouble my Self any more.  This was a just Chastizement from God upon me, for my own Sloth and Negligence!  the Lord be mercifull to me a Sinner!  Mr. Elizer Rice’s Wife Stop’d here because of the Storm and Supp’d with us.

1755 June 23 (Monday).  I made it my Business to Visit Mrs. Bruce.  But went to Mr. Adams’s first, because he was poor.  N.B. I Sent by the widow Beeman to Mr. Eliphalet Adams, that it was only through forgetfullness that his Case was omitted in the Prayer.  I visited the Widow Beaman also.  As to Lieutenant Bruce, he now receiv’d me civily — no word of yesterday; only when I parted while I had him by the Hand I told him I would not have any Difficulty between him and me, and he answer’d Smiling, “with all my Heart.”  At Eve was at Captain Maynards.  Lieutenant Maynard pitches upon Friday for Breaking up for Me.  N.B. My Daughters Elizabeth and Lucy not return’d yet.  Alpheus and Abner Newton a.m. draw off Stones from the Ground behind the Meeting House, with Six oxen.  2 Yoke Abners, and one Yoke Neighbour Zebulun Rice’s.

1755 June 24 (Tuesday).  Rode out to the Southward on the Affair of my Breaking up — and went to Mr. Jonah Warrins to See his Daughter Sarah, who yet remains under Disorders: To Deacon Bonds (whose wife lies in) and I din’d there: to Ensign Millers and had Some free discourse with him upon Original Sin, divine Decrees etc.: to Captain Fays who is to lead in my Team next Friday, but he was not at Home.  I find tis wish’d I had not troubled myself So much about Lieutenant Bruce’s Anger last Lords Day.

1755 June 25 (Wednesday).  My Wife and I, after Lucy came home with the Chair (N.B. she and Elizabeth came from Brookfield Yesterday) rode to See Lieutenant Bruce’s Wife; and went to Mr. Timothy Warrins Raising of one Barn and removing another.  Did not get home till late.  N.B. Billy, though drooping began to Mow a little.  Thomas has his Fits of Fever and Ague yet.  Dr. Joshua Smith extremely ill.

1755 June 26 (Thursday).  Mr. Benjamin Tainters Wife being in Travail, and like to expire sends in all haste to me to visit here.  I rode there, and pray’d with her.  After a few Pains more She was deliver’d of a Son.  We gave Thanks to God, and at her Desire we Sang Gods Praise; Singing Ps. 116.1-7.

1755 June 27 (Friday).  We broke up about an Acre and half, behind the Meeting House.  Our Team was of 20 Oxen.  Captain Fay with 4.  Lieutenant Brigham with 4.  Deacon Bond 2.  Lieutenant Tainter 2.  Mr. Zebulun Rice 2.  Ensign Miller 2.  Mr. Samuel Hardy 2.  My son Ebenezer 2.  The Men who came were Captain Fay, Lieutenant Brigham, Lieutenant Maynard, Isaac Miller, the Lads were Thomas Bond, Joseph Rice son of Mr. Ebenezer Rice and had Lieutenant Maynards Plough.  Lieutenant Maynard also at his Cost hir’d Mr. John Rogers p.m. to work for me among them.  At Eve Captain Maynard Sent Quarter Veal and Several Pounds of Butter — all this was given freely.

1755 June 28 (Saturday).  Both Thomas and Billy not well.

1755 June 29 (Sunday).  I read 2 Sam. 11, and preach’d on Eccl. 12.13.  P.M. read Ps. 51.17 before the Fast, fearing least I Shall be absent from here on that Solemnity.  N.B. I read the Same Ps. publickly.  And gave Notice at Eve to the Congregation that it was uncertain whether I Should be at home the ensuing Fast by reason of what I had engag’d before I knew anything of the Fast.  Mrs. Mercy Chamberlin from Stockbridge here and lodges here.

1755 June 30 (Monday).  Set out a little before Sun rise on my Journey to Groton; leaving Billy ill of (I Suppose) the Fever and Ague.  Broke fast at Mr. Martyns, and call’d and baited at Mr. Goss’s — din’d at Mr. Seccombs — supp’d and lodg’d at Mr. Trowbridge’s.[1]  It rain’d hard great part of the p.m. and was long detain’d by it — partly at Mr. John Stone’s in Groton — and I stop’d at Captain John Stevens’s (late of Townshend, now in Groton).  N.B. Mr. Lull there before me.  N.B. The New Meeting House in Groton, a Superb Edifice and cost the Town above 13000 [1,300?] £ old Tenor.

[1]The Reverend Caleb Trowbridge of Groton, Mass.

1755 July 1 (Tuesday).  Set out from Groton with Captain John Stevens Esquire, and rode to Townshend.  Mr. Lull goes to Lieutenant Taylor in Townshend for the Plott of the Land which Mr. Lull would give me in Equivalence for the 70 acres which I lost; and he tells me that it lies on Pearl Hill about 2 1/2 Miles from Lunenbourg Meeting House.  Captain Stevens and I din’d at Mr. Hemenways.  P.M. when Mr. Lull and Lieutenant Taylor (whom Lull had chose for his Arbitrator) came, and we set to the Business.  But instead of the Lotts being on Pearl Hill as abovesaid, and as Lull had always told me, it was found in the Plott to be probably five Miles farther off, being 7 or 8 Miles from Lunenbourg Meeting House, and therefore I was dissatisfy’d with it.  It was therefore agreed that Lull Should not only give me a Deed of his third Division, but of his Sixth also, and if they Should appear to be both of them more than an Equivalence for the 70 Acre Lot and My Dammages and Disappointment — also my Expences, which Mr. Lull Should have born in finding the Bounds of the 100 Acre Lott, then I engag’d by writing to pay as the Arbitrators Should judge.  I also gave him from under my Hand to Quitt my Claim to the 70 Acres as Soon as I Should have my Equivalence for it in the Judgment of the Arbitrators.  Said Lull accordingly gave me a Deed of the Said 2 Divisions, one containing 62 Acres and the other 35 Acres, which Captain Stevens  took the Acknowledgement of.  And we agreed that Since we could not view them to Day — and So not this Journey — The two Gentlemen above Said Should take a Time and View them and Judge of them when they could with best Convenience.  I pay’d Captain Stevens 24/7 for this Day.  I lodg’d at Mr. Hemingways — but it was my great Grief that Mr. Lull went away uneasy because I would not be[ar] my Part of the Charge (not only of Viewing the Lotts when they Should be found but likewise) of looking them up.  Thus this troublesome Day finish’d.  May God please to discover what was amiss, and forgive it!

1755 July 2 (Wednesday).  Set out (from Mr. Hemenways[1]) and went to Lieutenant Taylors; who rode with me to Lunenbourg.  Visit Mr. Stearns.[2]  Meet with Mr. William Jones (Brother of Captain Elisha of Weston) who tells me he can assist us in finding the Lotts, and their Bounds which I have of Lull.  Din’d at Reverend Mr. Harringtons at Lancaster.  Arriv’d at Mr. Martyns before Night but tir’d and unprepar’d to preach to my own people.  Lodge there.

[1]The Reverend Phinehas Hemenway of Townsend.

[2]The Reverend David Stearns.

1755 July 3 (Thursday).  Publick Fast on Occasion of the Expeditions to Crown Point etc.  Mr. Martyn preach’d for me; and I for him.  My Text Ps. 51.11.  May it be accompany’d with a divine Energy to the Eternal Salvation of all of us!  Mr. Martyn preach’d a.m. on [blank].  P.M. on [blank].  I came home at Evening.  Billy, as well as Thomas, laid up with the Fever and Ague.  My Wife tells me that Mr. Hezekiah Pratt and 14 others came last Tuesday p.m. and hoed my Corn.

1755 July 4 (Friday).  Mr. Twitchell mows for me near my House, part of the Day and gives it.  Captain Codman of Charleston was poison’d lately by a Negro.  My Son Thomas has his Fitts yet, and Billy grows worse.  May God prepare us for his Sovereign Will!  At Evening Mr. Baldwin here.  N.B. Mr. Beeton broke up his acre joining to me.  He had 16 or 18 Cattle.

1755 July 5 (Saturday).  Mr. Baldwins Horse had got away in the Night; an Horse of Value; So that he is in Perplexity for Some Time this morning, but after a while finds him in the Burying Place.

1755 July 6 (Sunday).  Read 2 Sam. 12.  Preach’d on Isa. 65.24, a. and p.m. on Occasion of the Reduction of Chignecto, and Several other Places by Land by General Monkton, Winslow etc. and the Taking Several French Men of War by Admiral Boscawen on our Seas.

1755 July 7 (Monday).  Mr. Jonathan Bellows’s wife here complaining of Messrs. Belknap and Chamberlin; at Eve They here inveighing against her.

1755 July 8 (Tuesday).  Mr. Samuel Hardy mow’d here at home for me.  My wife and I rode to t’other House and din’d there.  Both Thomas and Billy their Fitt of Fever and Ague.