Category: Diary

1757 June 9 (Thursday).  Still hot and dry.  My Daughter Lucy left us, and went with her Husband to Brookfield.  The Company that went from hence with ‘em, were, his Father and Mother and uncle Samuel Baldwin, Dr. Gott and Miss Betty Williams and Thomas and Suse.  At 9 a.m. was the Funeral of Mrs. Rachel Rice, wife of Mr. Charles Rice.  Her Death is much lamented.

1757 June 10 (Friday).  Very dry yet.  My two sons Alex. and Breck are weeding still.

1757 June 11 (Saturday).  A most sorrowful Drought.  P.M. I met with a grievous Interruption in being called away to visit Old Mrs. Whipple, who is in a low Condition.  Examined and prayed with her — found her in a very agreeable frame, and hope she is Sincere.  But it was a great Dammage to my preparations.

1757 June 12 (Sunday).  Read 2 K. 18.  Preached on Jer. 50.7 because of the present melancholly aspects.  P.M. read Mark 11, and not being able to prepare the designed afternoon sermon I repeated with some enlargements Sermon 1 on Job 15.11 on Consideration of the Death of the late excellent Mrs. Rachel Rice and altho’ I would be humble for my Defects, yet would be thankful for the Assistances afforded, so that it became a peculiar season.  I was much moved my self and hope Others were so.  O that God would grant an abiding Effect!

1757 June 13 (Monday).  Amon LeBlanc here: he hoes a.m. and they finish at the Island.  He divides the Cow Yard at the Barn and fences a piece of Ground for Tobacco, and cleared beyond the Orchard.  P.M. came our Kinswoman Mrs. Anne Brigham and Mrs. Dane (Mr. Smith of Marlborough’s Sister) to see us.

1757 June 14 (Tuesday).  Amon cleared.  My Wife went to See old Mrs. Whipple.  Mr. Batherick here.  I read to him the Agreement I had written, and we both Signed it.  He informs me of the great Difficulty in watering the Cattle.  Offers to try for a Well over at the lower side of the Pastures, if I will Send an Hand — which I agree to.

1757 June 15 (Wednesday).  Amon goes to t’other House and works there in digging a Well to water the Cattle, which he tells me at night they have accomplished.  At Eve came Mr. Edwards of Stockbridge, and Mr. Hauley, Missionary, and lodged here.

1757 June 16 (Thursday).  I accompanied Mr. Edwards and Hauley a few Miles upon their Road being my Self going to Mr. Jabez Snow’s to the burying of his infant son.  N.B. Mr. Edwards Shewed me his Book against the Adversarys of the Doctrine of Original Sin, especially against John Taylor.  N.B. God was pleased to grant us a refreshing Shower of Rain this morning.  I think there has been no rain since May 24 till now.  D.G.  But it was neither Extensive nor lasting.  Mr. Moses Twitchel and Abraham Bond at work at the Clearing towards Mr. Nurses, he not having yet finished the Piece he undertook last year.  P.M. Mr. Daniel Miller cleared for me, and asked me only 4/ Old Tenor for it.  At Eve reckoned with Mr. Rolf and paid him all.

1757 June 17 (Friday).  Neighbour Barny Newton breaks up a Field South East of my House with twenty Oxen: both yesterday and to Day.

1757 June 18 (Saturday).  One Mr. John Bish from Providence here.  Sells Thomme Sugar and Chocolat.  The Drought increases.

1757 June 19 (Sunday).  Read 2 K. 19.  Preached on Jer. 50.7.  Mr. Jonas Twitchells Wife and Daughter dined here.  P.M. read Mark 12 and on Consideration of the lamented Death of my Dear and Much honoured Master, the Rev. Mr. John Barnard of Andover, I preached on Mat. 24.46, using chiefly what I delivered some years ago on that Text — from page 27th to the End: with Alterations and Additions.

1757 June 20 (Monday).  Amon Blanc at work Clearing a.m.  P.M. prepares for planting Tobacco — plant the Yard by the Barn.  I visited old Mrs. Whipple again.

1757 June 21 (Tuesday).  Amon and my two Sons Alex and Breck hoe again at the Island Field.  Mr. Cushing and I rode together to Association at Mr. Barretts.  N.B. I had Mr. Timothy Warrins Mare.  N.B. Mr. Martyn and Mr. Smith came to the Meeting, and no body else.  Mr. Barretts Concio on 2 Tim. 4.8.  To my shame and Grief I was very drowsy.  May God forgive my Sloth!  N.B. Deacon Barrett and his Wife, and Mr. Chamberlin on a Visit there.  As I went I called to see Capt. Wood’s Wife, who is under a Salivation at Hopkinton for her Lameness.  Mr. Cushing and I lodged at Mr. Barretts.

1757 June 22 (Wednesday).  Mr. Smith the Public Lecture on Ezra 9, part of 13 and 14.  The Association voted compliance with the late Convention Vote recommending Special Seasons of prayer and Reformation of manners at this extraordinary Crisis of our public Affairs: and determined upon a Course of Lectures, in our five Congregations and in Southborough.  Mr. Cushing and Mr. Martyn returned with me.  N.B. Amon etc.

1757 June 23 (Thursday).  Amon and my Boys are still hoing the foresaid Field.  Mr. Martyn a.m. with one Mr. Oliver Carter of Leominster.  They dine here.  Mr. Carter wants Advice and Direction under the Difficultys with Mr. Rogers their Minister.  Thunder storm.  Refreshing Showers.  Thanks to God!

1757 June 24 (Friday).  Amon again and my Boys Hoing.  P.M. Mr. Cornelius Cooks Wife of Wrentham here to see us, with her sister Hardy.  N.B. a Striped Cotton gown made for me.

1757 June 25 (Saturday).  This Day we had the great Blessing of Rain p.m. after a very distressing Drought.  D. O. M.  Gloria!  I rode to Marlborough, Mr. Smith to Mr. Martyns.  Mr. Martyn to preach for me.  Mr. LeBlanc and his Daughter Mary returned from their Tour.

1757 June 26 (Sunday).  A very Rainy Day till late in the afternoon.  To God be praise and Honor!  I preached at Marlborough a.m. on Jer. 5.20-25 and v. 29.  P.M. on consideration that a Fast is appointed to be on the next Thursday partly on occasion of the Drought; but receiving to Day Such refreshing and plentifull Showers, and Such soaking Rain, I preached p.m. on Isa. 65.24.  Mr. Smith returned at Evening but I tarried there all night.

1757 June 27 (Monday).  I returned home in the morning.  My Boys finished the Second Hoing.  Amon here to help ‘em.  The rest of the forenoon and p.m.  Cleared.  Old Mrs. Whipple dyed yesterday, and was buryed to Day, just 12 Weeks after her Husband.  And I remember She told me her Husband had said to her just before his Death, that he did not think She would outlive him above 3 months.  She Seemed to be a religious Woman and gave reason to hope She was in Christ nor was She afraid to dye.  She told me that when her Husband dyed, the Lord took her up, and manifested his Grace to her, more clearly than Ever.  I wish I might rightly improve Such a Death.  Lord make me know my End!  N.B. Great Disorder yesterday in the singing, which was led by Mr. Batherick.  N.B. Last Sabbath he himself went out; tis thought disturbed with the Singing.  Lt. Maynard and others set their Stables to rights, having been greatly disordered by the Storms, a Year and more agoe.  N.B. Sent Mr. Ebenezer Cutlers Money (reposed with me for that End) to Rev. Stone of Southborough per Hand of Judge Ward, who was here again about printing my Sermon on Ez. 22.30.  N.B. Abner Sawyor of Lancaster dined here.

1757 June 28 (Tuesday).  Amon begins to mow.  The Grass most exceedingly thin and dry — next to none of it: but we cut it in hopes it will Spring again through the Great Mercy of God.  Wrote Answers to Mr. Hutchinsons odd Letter of Yesterday, in which he desires to change next Sabbath but I am promised to Mr. Cushing and complains that we have had no more correspond of late, yet rides by my Door from time to time without Calling.

1757 June 29 (Wednesday).  Amon mowing again.  Mr. Nathan Whitney brought me a Letter from Mr. Edwards now at Boston and a Copy of proposals for printing his Defence of the great Christian Doctrine of Original Sin.

1757 June 30 (Thursday).  Publick Fast on Account of the War and the Drought.  I preached a.m. on Jer. 50.7 and p.m. delivered sermon on 2 Chron. 20.12, latter part with many Alterations and Additions.  Do earnestly wish we may have a proper sense of our State, and a Spirit of Prayer to look to God for Help.

1757 July 1 (Friday).  I visited old Mr. Rice, Mr. Joseph Bruce, LeBlanc, Deacon Tainter and Bond, but got home to dine with my wife.  P.M. Nahum Eager comes from Brookfield with Letters — and informs that the Cow which I gave my Daughter Lucy, has been Some time missing, and was in hopes to find her here — but we have Seen nothing of her.  At Eve Neighbour Hammonds Wife came up and called here.  Capt. Fay here and wants the money I lately borrowed of him.

1757 July 2 (Saturday).  I rode to Shrewsbury.  Met Mr. Cushing at Mr. Joseph Knowltons, his Son Nathan being Sick.  Called at Mr. Garfields to See him in his low Condition.  I prayed at each of these Houses.  But what peculiarly affected me was what I met with at Mr. Samuel Fays, his Daughter Dilly being with Child — she says by Aaron Garfield.  A most Sorrowful Providence for he has left her, and denys his being the Father of the Child.  I lodged at Mr. Cushings and he here.

1757 July 3 (Sunday).  I preached at Shrewsbury on Heb. 10.31 a. and p.m.  Mr. Cushing for me on Joh. 1.1 and on [blank].  I baptized Jonah son of Benjamin Maynard.  I returned home at Eve, as did Mr. Cushing also.

1757 July 4 (Monday).  Amon clears Ground, and both my Boys with him.  Madlin and Mary LeBlanc here p.m.  Mrs. Larthun from Mill River Sells 24£ Tobacco to Thomas.  Ensign Harrington here.

1757 July 5 (Tuesday).  Very great Rain.  Amon came, but went home again, having got out a little Corn which is all he does for me to Day.

1757 July 6 (Wednesday).  Amon mows at the Island.  I am taken up in fulfilling my engagement to Capt. Fay of whom I had borrowed Money.  And I provided to pay him.  I borrowed Thirty pound old Tenor of Deacon Bond, and the rest as I Should need it, of Deacon Tainter.  I visited Mr. Solomon Woods young Child at the point of Death.  Visit Ensign Miller.  Called at Mr. Hammonds to See his Wife who is newly come to live here.

1757 July 7 (Thursday).  Mr. Ebenezer Rice sent us String Beans, the first we have had.  P.M. My wife and I went to the private Meeting at Capt. Fays.  N.B. Mr. Grows Rebuke to me for my being late.  He said their Time was one o’Clock; whereas I Supposing it was 3 in long Days had told Capt. Fay I should be there then; which he said nothing against: but we agreed to that Hour.  Preached on Job. 15.11.  And O that God would give his Special Blessing!

1757 July 8 (Friday).  Dr. Crosby here.  P.M. there was (as I was informed) an Earthquake.  May the Lord of His infinite Goodness and Mercy grant us Grace to improve it!  I suppose the reason why I did not perceive it was, my attention at that juncture to Shutting a Door which was repeatedly thrown to by the Wind.  So that I thought no other than of the Motion by the Door. Mr. Phinehas Gleasons Wife here.  I examined into her Qualifications for special Ordinances though they had both of them owned the Covenant in Framingham.  I was not well satisfyed with their Attainments.

1757 July 9 (Saturday).  Thomas with the Boys got in two or three Cocks of Hay from the Island: but it was with great Difficulty, having no Team.

1757 July 10 (Sunday).  I read 2 K. 20.  Was Somewhat lengthy in the Exposition.  Preached on Ps. 119.126.  Joseph Bowman dined with me.  P.M. read Mark 13.  Preached on Job 15.11, former part; repeating Sermon on that Text, with some Alterations.

1757 July 11 (Monday).  Amon LeBlanc did not come to work.  I walked into my Neighbourhood to look up Money, to borrow, Since the Constable can’t pay me.  Dined at Mr. Moses Brighams where I borrowed 25£ old Tenor.  This I carryed 22£ 10 of, to Deacon Tainter, hereby returning what he kindly lent me last Thursday.  Called at LeBlanc’s and at Mr. Hammonds.  N.B. Silas Biglow, a lame Youth, Son of Mr. Samuel Biglow of Shrewsbury here and lodged with us.

1757 July 12 (Tuesday).  Mrs. Biglow, Mother of said Silas, and Mrs. Hardy (wife of Aaron) dined here.  Very rainy p.m.  Amon here and hoed a.m. — not p.m.  My Wife and I, when it held up, rode to Mr. Jonah Warrins Solomnizing the Marriage of Seth Morse to Sarah Warrin.  Mr. Elijah Warrin and his Wife came home with us and lodged here.

1757 July 13 (Wednesday).  Amon here and hoed.  Mr. Stone preached my Lecture on James 4.8.9.  N.B. He brought with him his Wife, Mrs. Prince, widow of the late Dr. Moses Prince, and her Daughter, Miss Jenny — also Miss Betty Bethune, her Sister, who dined with us.