Category: Diary

1756 December 16 (Thursday).  Cold.  Yet my Daughter in Law came over and brought her Child.  P.M. She and Lucy went to See the French folks.  Billy cleared part of the Day next to the Young Orchard Fence.  Mrs. Mary Nurse is Still at Work here.

1756 December 17 (Friday).  Cold Snow Storm.  Mr. Hall of Sutton on his Journey home, turns in and tarrys with us.  He purposes to me this Question, Whether a Child baptized by Ezekiel Cole, shall be baptized again?  N.B. Cole has acknowledged his sin and folly in professing to be ordained and to act as a Minister: and the Father of the Child desires it might be baptized notwithstanding all that was done by Cole; yet it is allowed that Coles Ordination was as good as Wadsworth’s and the rest of the Separate Teachers, who have baptized many; So that the Conduct about this Instance of Cole’s, though but a single one (for the Other which he baptized was dead), would be of considerable Influence whether one way or t’other.

 

I told him I believ’d that if the Case was mine I Should baptize the Child, at least under those Circumstances.

1756 December 18 (Saturday).  Mr. Hall undertakes the rest of his Journey home.  Lt. Tainter goes to Watertown designing to Boston next Monday and carrys a couple of fat Geese, one to Mrs. Stoddard, the Other to Brother Samuel.  N.B. Mrs. Mary Nurse goes p.m. to her Uncle’s.

1756 December 19 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Mat. XXV.10 with v. 3.4 much referred to.  P.M. having delivered a.m. as much as I could prepare, I delivered p.m. two Sermons preached above 20 Years ago on 1 Joh. 2.17 because of the Shortest Days in the Year, which Should affect us with the transitoriness of all Earthly things; and because of the Death of the Venerable Secretary Willard, and the Venerable Mr. Fox of Woburn; both which may God Sanctifie!  For Surely both Church and State will tremble when Such Pillars are removed: and what shall we do for Gap-men when So eminent persons are taken away!

 

At Eve spend Some time again in looking over Mrs. Pierpoints Journals or Diary: and do wish and pray I might thereby be greatly quickned.

1756 December 20 (Monday).  Another great Storm of Snow; but through the undeserved Goodness and Bounty of God We have Health and Habitation, Raiment, Food and Fuel.  To His name be Glory!  May we have Grace to improve what we are favoured with and Hearts rightly to Pity the Destitute and Distrest’d!

1756 December 21 (Tuesday).  Though the Snow is so deep yet Mr. Benjamin Tainter comes with a large Team and breaks the Way with a load of Wood.  Mrs. Mary Nurse is carryed home by her Uncle Ebe.

1756 December 22 (Wednesday).  Breck is brought home from Ebenezer because he is Lame, having cut his right Legg with an Ax, before the former Sore on his left is healed.  P.M. my Wife and I rode in the Slay to Monsieur Le Blanch’s.  The poor Man is still much out of Health: the Woman much better.  They conducted with much Civility, and presently prepared Tea for us.  But I could make very little Opportunity to convey Instruction about Religion.  When I injoined to mind those great Matters etc. he told me they did more about those Things than the English People here did: the Young People here, he said, were very wicked so that he would not let his sons go much among them.  This was to my great Grief and Obstruction in what I would fain do for them.

1756 December 23 (Thursday).  Ebenezer here and carrys Lucy over with him, his Wife being not well.  I feel inconveniencys Still by the Remains of Rheumatism in my right Arm and Hand.  Desire to resign to the holy and Sovereign Will of God.

1756 December 24 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1756 December 25 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1756 December 26 (Sunday).  I preached a. and p.m. on Mat. 25.10.  May God accept, pardon and bless me and His people!  Mrs. Foster (wife of Capt. of Holliston) dined.  Brother Harrington at t’other House, but So beat out with his Journey (having been to Colchester, Norwich etc.) that he did not come to Meeting.  In the Evening was in Some peculiar manner affected with Eternal Things and was enabled through Gods rich Grace and Goodness to pour out my Soul in fervency before the Lord.  Was also in Some Measure humbled and melted under a Sense of Sin.  O that it might be continued and increased!  And that my dear Spouse and Children might experience the divine Almighty Spirit in his awakening and renewing Influences!

1756 December 27 (Monday).  I rode to the widow Forb. about Pork.  Bought a Side of an Hog of her, the other side being bespoke by her Brother Zebulun Rice; and thence I rode, through much difficulty in the Snow, to Ensign Harringtons, where I dined.  P.M. at Ensign Millers where I bought another side of Pork, the other side of that was sold to his son Seth.  N.B. When I returned home found Neighbour Blanc at my House.  He spent the Eve with us: Mr. Biglow came to wait upon him home.  Mr. Samuel Fay junior and his Wife here.  They and Mr. Biglow Supped.  N.B. My son Ebenezer here and brings 4 Quarters of Beef, being two Quarters more than I expected.  They weighed 450 lb.  He brought the Hide; weighed 74 lbs.  Tallow but 28 pounds.

1756 December 28 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer goes to Brookfield about the Gilbert place.  Neighbour Alpheus Newton kills a large Hog for me — weighed 269, and a smaller, weighed 152.  P.M. I made a Visit to the Widow Ward to talk with her and her Nephew Mr. Jonathan Ward, who was there, concerning Some uneasiness which the late Deacon Forbush told me there was among them and we were so happy as to remove the misunderstandings which were between us.  When I left them I visited the Widow Gale.  Was at Mr. Abijah Gale’s.  N.B. Capt. Thomas Amsden there.  Dr. Gott also.  The latter is come from Brookfield, and informs me that he is going to Settle in Marlborough.

1756 December 29 (Wednesday).  I visit Mr. Hezekiah How’s Wife who is dropsical and rheumatic as well as paralytic; but is better.  I dined there.  Visit at Benjamin’s: at Mr. Phinehas Maynards and at Mr. Seth Rice’s.  Mr. Tinny with me in returning.  N.B. Mrs. Mary Bradish keeps school at Mr. Tinny’s; and is greatly succeeded and admired in her Teaching.

1756 December 30 (Thursday).  I Sent Billy with a Letter to Mr. Kimball House wright in Grafton, to See whether he will take Billy to be his ‘prentice, but it does not succeed.  I send word also by him to Mr. Ball to Desire him not to come for Money I ow’d him, Mr. Pratt who owes me not having paid me.  N.B. I went to Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s and settled Accounts with him, and paid him all to this Day.  His Brother in Law, Charles, being returned from the Lake, I went to See him also — and dined at his Fathers.  N.B. Mr. Richard Barns, Silas Frost, and Moses Sever are also returned from the War.

1756 December 31 (Friday).  My Wife to Mr. Charles Rice’s — Merchants and Beetons.  Mr. John Nichols of Upton here — and has one of Mr. Hopkins’s History of Stockbridge Indians.  Mr. Samuel Fay here at Evening — tells me that in Boston he saw the Funeral of Coll. Pollard; the Cadets, of which he was Captain were in Mourning.  This Gentleman was also high Sheriff of the County of Suffolk, and has had a long run of Pleasure and Honour and as I suppose of worldly Wealth.  But behold a Period of human Glory!  It cannot descend after him.  His Gay Flourish and his enlivening Voice at Publick Ceremonies will be seen and heard no more!  May God grant that the Last Day of the Year may Suitably affect me with a Meditation on the Last Day of my Life!  But alas how far am I from what I ought to be!

 

I am very frequently much impressed with the thoughts of my Departure, and my State and Condition in that Eternal World into which I am hastening; and O how inexpressibly awfull that Day, that Hour will be when that work must be done, which is of Such Consequence to Me!  And O how important the Work I am now, in Life, to accomplish if I would have that Day and Hour to be comfortable to Me!  O God of infinite Mercy and Goodness, grant Me thine Almighty Grace to help a poor, miserable, helpless Worm!  For without Thee I can do Nothing!  Without thine Illumination, what hideous Darkness my Soul is filled with!  Without thy Strength, what mere Impotence am I!  Without thy Sanctification how Corrupt!  And without the Robe of thy Righteousness, O divine Savior What Raggs and Rottenness cover Me!  O that I were enabled to fly to Thee for thy most gracious Influences, that I may be truely Sensible of my State; may mourn for my numberless Offences, after a godly sort; may believe in the great and only Redeemer, to my Souls Salvation.  And might I obtain Such Evidences hereof as may be to my Support and Consolation in Christ Jesus!

 

1757 January 1 (Saturday).  I was So closely engaged in my preparations for the Sabbath approching (this being Saturday) that I had not Opportunity to employ my Self as I had desired and purposed.  My many, unavoidable and pressing Cares which my Numerous Family oblige me to, having very much prevented (but neither can I clear my Self of the Charge of Sloth and Negligence) my preparing my Sermons in the Earlyer part of the Week.  Nevertheless I endeavoured in enlarged Devotions, and in divers parts of the Day, gratefully to acknowledge the unmerited Goodness of God to Me, as throughout my Life in general, So in the Course of the Last Year in Special to Me, to my Family, and to my People.  How wondrous the Sparing Mercy of God to me and Mine in a peculiar Manner in the Times of great Distress in the Summer; and afterwards so sore Visitation by the wasting Sickness!  I would therefore praise the Name of God for His undeserved Favour to Me Personally in sustaining me under and recovering Me from the Sore sickness, I was my Self Exercised by; viz. Fever, Jaundice and Rheumatism:  And for His distinguishing Lenity to my Family that So few of them had the Dysentery; and that those who had it, yet were Supported and carryed through it; And though that awful Distemper did So sorrowfully rage amongst us in this Parish for a While, and carryed off many of the Flock, yet that in the Middst of wrath the Lord was pleased to remember Mercy, and has Spared and restored So many!  O may God grant that we maybe truely humble, Penitant, thankful, Circumspect and faithful!  And now since He has been pleased to grant that a New Year Commences, may I, may we all, have Grace to Live to the Glory of our Adorable Healer and Preserver!  May All the Events before me, whether my Appointed Time be longer or shorter, be under the Ordering of infinite Wisdom and May I and Mine be ever Prepared for the whole Will of God!  I desire ever to repose my self in Him!

1757 January 2 (Sunday).  Read 1 King. 20 from v. 22 and preached on Mat. 25.10, last Clause, both a. and p.m.  P.M. read Mat. 22.  Old Mrs. Woods, Widow dined here.  At Eve read Mrs. Pierpoints Journals.  Breck learns in the Accidence.

1757 January 3 (Monday).  Magdalen and Mary Blanc here with my Daughters.  Adjournment of Town Meeting upon Debts etc.  Comfortable in Body though less So in Mind.  May God, who alone can, enlighten and strengthen!

1757 January 4 (Tuesday).  Billy with his Brothers Oxen goes to Marlborough for Sundrys my Wife bought of her Cousen Brigham, viz. Valences, [Head?] Cloth, Teister, Bed, Bolster, Pillows, and 1/2 Doz. Chairs.  Thomas setts out for Boston.  He has Mr. Samuel Fay junior’s Horse.  My Wife and I were invited to go to the Said Mr. Fays to Day to Visit them, but the weather proved too cold.  Capt. Baldwin from Brookfield.

1757 January 5 (Wednesday).  He leaves us to go to Sudbury etc.  A Cold Day this likewise.

1757 January 6 (Thursday).  I preached at Deacon Bonds on Joh. 4.24 to p. 4 and then used what I wrote on the Catechism of Gods being a Spirit.  At Eve visit LeBlanc.  N.B. My Wife with me, at both.  We went on foot, it being very pleasant inviting Weather.  Esquire Baker there.  N.B. LeBlanc tells me his sister Mary marryed an Englishman by whom she had a number of Daughters:  one of which marryed Governor Cosby, another Governor Enfield, of Annapolis, the last of which is the present Governor there and that his Kinswoman is also now living there.  When I came home found Mr. John Hemingway of Framingham here, and he Lodged here.

1757 January 7 (Friday).  Hemingway to Shrewsbury south End to keep School at Mr. Daniel Hemingways.  My son Thomas returns from Boston, brings me a Message from my eldest Brother that he is about Marrying to Mrs. Mary Hawkins (an old Maiden) within a few Weeks, the Lord willing.

1757 January 8 (Saturday).  Fowl weather.  Billy variously employed.  Shaves a few Lath etc.

1757 January 9 (Sunday).  Rainy — hot Fog.  Read 1 K. XXI a.m., Mat. 23 p.m.  The Exposition of the former was the Exercise for each part of the Day.  In the Evening went on with Mrs. Pierpoints pious Journals.

1757 January 10 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Joseph Knowlton, who is in a weak state, and his twin sons Samuel and Nathaniel sick of a Fever: visited Mr. Gershom Brigham, and Mr. Samuel Fay junior, also Abner Whipple who has a Fever.

1757 January 11 (Tuesday).  Magdalene and Mary LeBlanc here.  Mr. Hezekiah Pratt paid me 12£ Old Tenor for the Cyder Mill which he bought of me and I gave him his Note.

1757 January 12 (Wednesday).  I rode to Mr. Gashets, Chadocks etc.  Was in Quest of Mr. John Child the Glazier.  N.B. Monsieur LeBlanc moved from Mr. Bigolows to the School House.  Mr. Bigolow carryed me in his Whirry at Eve to see them.  There were Joseph LeBlanc and Marien Gordeau, Monsieurs 2d son, and Cousin, the first from Cambridge the other from Sherbourne, to see ‘em.  Mrs. Blanc very sick.  Mr. Biglow brought me home and supped with me.

1757 January 13 (Thursday).  Monsieur LeBlanc and his son Joseph (agreeable to my Invitation last Night) dined with me.  N.B. At Eve sent by Mr. Ebenezer Cutler £[70.10?].0 Old Tenor to be left at Mr. Winchesters for Mr. Nathaniel Ball of Grafton.  Mr. Joseph Batchelor was with him.

1757 January 14 (Friday).  Capt. Baldwin came this Evening and lodges here.  Mr. Thomas Twitchel here.  I reckon with him and pay him all, by a Note to the Collector Mr. Ebenezer Forbush.  Cold Night.

1757 January 15 (Saturday).  Capt. Baldwin consents to take Billy as Apprentice.  And he is to go up to Brookfield in a Fortnight or 3 Weeks.  Capt. B. Sat out to Day, facing the Cold, for Brookfield.

1757 January 16 (Sunday).  Read 1 K. 22 to v. 19 and gave Expository Observations.  P.M. read Mat. 24.  Preached a. and p.m. on Luk. 13.25-29.  Do earnestly beg I may feel the Power of Gods word my self.  Was very fervent in delivering a Solemn Charge to the Congregation p.m.  May it fasten upon my own Soul!  After I had delivered the Blessing I Stopped the Congregation and read the brief Pamphlet (the chief of it) entitled “a Call from the City to the Country.”  It respected united Prayer on Lords Day and Wednesday Mornings.  This I resolve by Gods Grace, to comply with as I can, myself, and do recommend it to my People.  Widow Thurston and Widow Rogers dined here.  At Eve looked again into Mrs. Pierpoints Journals.

1757 January 17 (Monday).  Very Cold.  Mr. Thomas Goodenow dines here.  P.M. Billy to an Artillery Training at Mr. Benjamin Tainters.  Mr. Rolf here, brings me a pair of Cork shooes.  I read Dr. Sewals and Mr. Prince’s sermons on the Death of the late Venerable and Pious Mr. secretary Willard.  O that God would raise up others such into Public Offices, for with Him is the Residue of the Spirit!  At Eve my Son Ebenezer here.  He is under considerable Affliction by his Mare’s being lame.  He had let her to Joseph Baker to go to Marblehead and was kicked by an horse in a stable.  This proves a bad sore.  Poor Daniel How, in a distracted Condition here.  God be thanked that We enjoy our senses!  May God pity such as are destitute, and give me and mine the Grace to make a good use of the powers vouchsafed us!

1757 January 18 (Tuesday).  An exceeding Cold Morning.  May we have a due Sense of God’s Power, Majesty and Glory!  May we be mercifully sustained!  And May all the poor and needy be supplyed, as through God’s great Goodness we are!  Magdalene and Mary Blanc here and dined with us.  Mr. Stone and Mr. Smith came from Hopkinton to see me, and dined here.  P.M. Judge Ward here.

1757 January 19 (Wednesday).  The Cold rather increases.  This was one of the Coldest mornings.  Lord Loudon upon the Road to Boston.  Judge Ward dined with us and p.m. I visited (by Special Request) Mr. Joseph Knowltons two sons again, Nathaniel being very low.  Had Mr. Williams’s Mare.  Called at Mr. Eliezer Rice’s.  Peter and Amon Blanc there.  N.B. There were two French men called at my House to day, their Names Peter and Simon Blanc – Cousins (as they say) of our Neighbours.