Category: Diary

1757 July 14 (Thursday).  Amon hoed a.m. and mowed at the Island p.m.  Mrs. Gleason here again, and wants to have her Child baptized: but is in Some hurry to get home again because of her Baby, and therefore does not give me much Opportunity to discourse with her; but tis Evident She has not proper Qualifications to wait upon God in a right manner neither do I think her Husband has.  So that though I have Inclination to Serve them wherein I can; yet I cannot in Conscience proceed as yet.

1757 July 15 (Friday).  A.M. Amon mowed to make up for the lost time by the Rain on the 12th p.m.  At noon he was not well and went home.  Mr. Forb. of Brookfield came from Cambridge.  He dined here: tells me there is no Commencement this Year but the Degrees are given in private.  He goes to his Fathers and designs to go as far on his Journey tonight as Worcester.  N.B. Mrs. Hammond Visits me; and is so indisposed here that I don’t know what to make of it.  She asks to be allowed to partake at the Lords Table tomorrow — this Surprizes me.  I ask her to wave it for this Time, because She is Such a Stranger to me.  It proves very rainy.  My little matter of Hay is out in the Wet.  4 or 5 Cocks made up.  The rest was mowed this morning.  Mr. Hammond came for his Wife at Eve.

1757 July 16 (Saturday).  Mr. Hammond came here about his Wife’s Affair.  She takes it hard that I deny her coming to the Communion.  I am in much Difficulty, not thinking it my Duty to disclose my Suspicions; but a way was brought about in providence which I hope will help me.  It is this, Mr. Hammond is uncertain whether She belongs to Weston Church, or whether She was not dismissed to the Church in Lincoln.  Upon this and her not being Well so that it is uncertain whether she will come to Meeting to morrow, we conclude to wave it for this Time.  It is so showery, nothing can be done about Hay.  Natty Martyn brought a Letter from Leominster.

1757 July 17 (Sunday).  Read 2 K. 21.  Preached on 1 Cor. 10.4, last Clause.  Administered the Lord’s Supper.  P.M. read Mark 14 to v. 27.  I had exerted my Self in the forenoon So as to deliver all I had prepared (though it was I think somewhat above an Hour).  Therefore I repeated sermon on Isa. 40.8 which I had delivered nigh 20 Years ago — but now with Some Omissions, Additions and Alterations.  N.B. Stopped the Church and read a Letter from aggrieved Brethren of the Church in Leominster, desiring our Assistance in Council on the 26th of this Month.  I left it to the Churchs Consideration.

1757 July 18 (Monday).  Amon worked — hoed.  They finished hilling.  He mowed p.m. in Newton Meadow.  P.M. visit Mr. Wood returned from Hopkinton and from Salivation.

1757 July 19 (Tuesday).  A.M. I went to See Old Mr. Kelly who is dangerously ill.  P.M. to Mr. Martyns to confer with him about the Leominster Affair, there having no man come to me from thence, that I could enquire of.  Found him resolved to go next week to See his Daughter Minot instead of going to Council, She being very near her Time.  I returned at Evening.  Amon and Adam Rice mowed in Newton Meadow — the latter only a.m.  He was So ill he went home. Hear that Nathan Knowlton (about 24 Years) was buryed to Day.

1757 July 20 (Wednesday).  I visited Deacon Forbush who is ill.  N.B. A Course of Lectures was this Day begun (according to the Agreement at the last Association) at Shrewsbury and Mr. Barrett preached — but I could not attend.  He came here at Evening and lodged here: he told me his Text at Lecture was Rev. 3.1.  Amon reaps in the Orchard but does not finish it, for I Sent him to the Meadow near night to rake and secure Hay there.

1757 July 21 (Thursday).  Mr. Barrett and I walked up to Capt. Woods, where I left him.  Capt. Wood kindly lent me his Team to get in Hay and Rie.  Amon, and Adam Rice worked here.  They got in two Jaggs of Hay – and having finished reaping the Orchard they bound and got that in — nigh 3 shock of it — and they began to reap the field behind the Meeting House.  N.B. received a Letter from Mr. Stone by Coll. Ward — reprehending for not designing to go to Leominster Council, whereas I told Mr. Carter I could not — and therefore they ought not to have sent to us.  Wrote an Answer to it.  Am greatly rejoiced on Account of the divine Favour in bringing the British Fleet safe to Halifax.

1757 July 22 (Friday).  Amon brings to work here Stephen Robishow, son of Mr. Joseph Robishow of Uxbridge; he offers himself to be hir’d to reap to Day — and I set him to work.  They reap Part of the Field behind the Meeting House.

1757 July 23 (Saturday).  It proves a very rainy Day.  Amon Blanc and Stephen Robishow, having lodged here last night, go off this morning.  Mr. Phinehas Gleason here.  I instruct him but cant consent to baptize his Child.

1757 July 24 (Sunday).  Read and gave expository Remarks on 2 K. 22.  Preached on Ps. 119.126.  P.M. read Mark 14 from v. 27, and on occasion of the Council in the Ensuing week preached on the Divinity of our Lord, repeating with alterations and additions Sermon on Isa. 9.6, those words, The Mighty God.  After Exercise stopped the Church on the Leominster Affair.  See the Church Records.

1757 July 25 (Monday).  Amon, and Mr. Moses Twitchel go to mow in the ministerial meadow.  They both lodged here.  Barny Newton gets in part of my Rye in the South West Field.  Deacon Tainter brings me Mr. Martyn Pratts Horse, to ride on to Leominster.  P.M. came Rev. Mr. Bucknam of Medway with his Delegate Mr. Joshua Partridge, on their Journey to Leominster.  I rode with them to Mr. Morse’s and we lodged there.

1757 July 26 (Tuesday).  We got to Leominster, to Mr. Oliver Carters, the House appointed for the Entertainment of the Council.  And there met fourteen Churches by their Ministers and Delegates; and of the Church of Groton by their Delegates: in all, 15 Churches.  The Church in the North part of Westborough did not Send at all: for Mr. Martyns going to Concord was a prevention of it.  Before even the Churches proceeded to form into a Council it was Strenuously moved by me, and Some Others that a Message might be Sent to Mr. Rogers to See whether he would join with his Brethren in laying their Difficulty before us: and I apprehend it would have been happy if this had succeeded, or if he had been at this time Sollicited to join in choosing a mutual Council.  But it was more successfully pushed to form.  Accordingly we formed — and then it was again moved to send to Mr. Rogers.  A Committee was appointed and went — but brought back the sorrowful return, of refusal.  I, with 17 more lodged at Mr. Carters.  Amon and Twitchell mowed and raked in the Ministerial Meadow; Alex and Breck also there p.m.

1757 July 27 (Wednesday).  Had the publick Hearing.  Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth prayed publickly.  Mr. R’s adhering Brethren came: one Mr. Colbourn principal.  Dr. Peabody, and Mr. Nathaniel Rogers (though members Otherwhere) appeared for him also.  N.B. Their Unhandsome Letter to the Council.  When the Assembly broke up I would have gone to Mr. Rogers’s to see him and his Wife etc. but when I came out into the Evening Air, having no Jacket on, it was too cold for me and I was forced to return to Mr. Carters, where I lodged.  Amon and Mr. Twitchell at the Meadow.  Mr. Zebulon Rice p.m. is here reaping.  Jo-Ben Rice also reaped p.m.

1757 July 28 (Thursday).  This Day we Spent in reviewing our Minutes, and reading over Papers, debating and Voting.  The work of writing required my very Close attendance all Day So that it was as much as I could well Stand – but God supported my feeble frame.  Mr. Eliezer Rice carted home 3 Load of Hay and carryed in the remainder of my Rye.  Amon and Twitchell to the Meadow.  My son Thomas worked there most of the Day with them.

1757 July 29 (Friday).  Neighbour Hezekiah Pratt brought home a Load of Hay from Ministerial Meadow.  Mr. Twitchell worked for Neighbour Eliezer to pay for his work with his Team Yesterday in Carting home Hay.  Amon did not work but Mr. Twitchell work for me at Neighbour Eliezer Rice’s, in pay for his Carting Hay.  At Leominster the Business was to form and publish the Result of the Council, the principal Difficulty and weight of which work unavoidably lay upon me: but Mr. Wigglesworth wrote the preamble, and the Advice part, Mr. Pemberton the Exhortations.  I was So early and closely applyed to it, Obliged to forego dining with the rest; that I could not well stand it: however there was much pains taken to Support and strengthen me.  It was 3 or 4 o’Clock p.m. before we could go to the Meeting House.  Mr. Marsh of Narragansett No. 2 and Coll. White, as we were riding to it, affirmed they heard no Such Question put to Mr. Rogers last Tuesday, as our committee affirm, respecting his joining in Calling a mutual Council, and yet they were (they said) in the room all the time (said Committee were there; and close by them when they Spake to Mr. R.).  When we came into the Meeting House, there was handed to the Moderator by Mr. Smith of Marlborough a Letter from Mr. Rogers, in which he affirms he heard not the Question put by the Committee whether he would join etc. in calling a mutual Council?  The moderator called upon the Committee to testify; and they did So, in the face of the Assembly.  I also read what they Signed as attesting in our minutes.  In brief, it was conceived that this Letter was come utterly too late, and we could not but look upon it as with an ill design, Seeing that Mr. R. had been, we have reason to think, informed that this was our apprehension, Some time ago; and therefore if he was o’ mind to do any good by Such a Letter to us, he would not have deferred sending it till all our work was done but publishing it.  The Result was therefore read, and Mr. Pemberton prayed, after which the Council was adjourned without Day.  Esquire Baker and Mr. Whitney accompanyed me to Dr. Stanton Prentice’s in Lancaster.  There we sat out after Sunsett and rode home by Moon Light — got here between 12 and 1, safe by the Blessing of God.

1757 July 30 (Saturday).  Very indisposed and unqualifyed for Study and had many Things to take me up, which prevented my preparing any new sermon.  Amon worked for me at Mr. Twitchells, to pay him for working yesterday.  And Neighbour Eliezer Rice brought home another Load of Hay.  N.B. Neighbour Moses Nurse sick.  I visited him.

1757 July 31 (Sunday).  Read 2 K. 23.  Preached on Rom. 5.12, repeating my Sermon on that Text, both a. and p.m.  P.M. read Mark 15.  Stopped the Church and read to them the Leominster Result.  N.B. I informed the Assembly, of a Lecture to be on Wednesday next, at the Other Precinct.

1757 August 1 (Monday).  Adam Rice mowed for me in the Ministerial Meadow a.m. only.  Amon Blanc did not work for me but for Mr. Joseph Bruce.  Jonathan Livermore junior a Sophomore, who keeps School at Mr. Whipples, informs me that Mr. Martyn did not appoint any Lecture yesterday; which much Surprized me, and the rather because it was So agreed upon at the Association and the Time and Place were written down; and it was also laid upon Me to preach; which therefore I had expected to do.  Rev. Mr. John Searl dines with us.  N.B. Neighbour Eliezer Williams young Child very bad.  I went in the Eve to See her.  Transcribed and Sent a Result to Deacon Greenough at Boston.

1757 August 2 (Tuesday).  Amon Blanc at the Meadow.  Adam mowed there p.m.  My Wife and I Visit the South East Corner.  Particularly observed Mrs. Mary Bradish’s manner of teaching Children to read.  Dined at Mr. Chamberlins.  At Mr. Jonathan Bellows’s Entreated his Wife to put an End to our Trouble with her — but She  resists it as much as ever.  N.B. Mr. Tinney tells me Mr. Martyn appointed no Lecture.

1757 August 3 (Wednesday).  Amon at the Meadow, a.m. and comes home with Mr. Edwards Whipple who brings a sixth Load from that meadow — and worked for Mr. Whipple p.m. to pay him for it.  There was a Lecture at the North End but I was not informed of it till it was over.  Mr. Martyn neither came nor sent to me — but Mr. Cushing there and preached as I heard afterward.  I transcribed a Result for the Brethren at Leominster.

1757 August 4 (Thursday).  Thomas very earnest about buying Merchant Rice’s House.  I visit Mr. Williams’s Child, which is much revived.  My son Thomas works for me at the Meadow — p.m. worked for Neighbour Eliezer Rice who brought up the last Load out of the Meadow, and run it into his own Barn till morning.  P.M. I preached at the Private Meeting at Mrs. Grout’s on Joel 3.13, first part.  My Wife with me.  We visited old Mr. Fay and his Wife and at Capt. Woods.  At our Return home found Mr. Oliver Carter of Leominster here, who is come for the Result.  He lodges here.  N.B. Mr. James Bowman brings me One of Mr. Niles’s Books against John Taylor of Original Sin.  N.B. Amon Blanc works not for me, but for Mr. Edwards Whipple.

1757 August 5 (Friday).  Mr. Moses Twitchel and Amon mowe a.m. in my Newton Meadow.  Mr. Carter after Breakfast (Coll. William Ward also with us) receives the Result.  With it I lend a select Volume of Choice Tracts, viz. the London Ministers of the Necessity of Believing the Trinity; Mr. Boyse of Dublin against Mr. Emlys etc.  P.M. Rain.

1757 August 6 (Saturday).  My two sons Alex and Breck rake in Newton Meadow.

1757 August 7 (Sunday).  Sorrowful Tidings!  That the French and Indians have shot, and carryed off prisoners, nigh 300 Men, who were a scout from one of our upper Forts; and that a great Army were coming to beset Fort William Henry.  I read 2 K. 24.  Preached a. and p.m. on Ps. 119.126 and finished what I had to say on that subject.  P.M. read Mark 16.  May God set home by His holy Spirit what has been delivered agreeable to his Will.

1757 August 8 (Monday).  Amon all Day.  Mr. Twitchell half a Day.  Got home one Load from Newton Meadow.  Visit Moses Nurse who is Sick.  News flies thick and fast of the Troubles at the Forts.  May God prepare us for all Events!  Read part of Mr. Niles against John Taylor.

1757 August 9 (Tuesday).  Mr. Twitchell and Amon mowing at Newton Meadow and the Balks round the Island Field.  My son Thomas p.m. in carting home 2 Load.  I visited Moses Nurse.  Went to t’other House.  The Well Mr. Batheric and Amon dug in the back Pasture, dry.  Visit Mr. Ebenezer Maynard who and his wife have Fever and Ague — it has his Brother Daniel also.  Went to see their Father and dined there.  The Antient man is grown very weak; and I treat him as one Near his End: prayed with him.  We finish Haying.  News by Posts very frequently.  The Hearts of all Seem much moved.

1757 August 10 (Wednesday).  My Wife has Number of Young Women to quilt for her a Bed Quilt.  They were, Susan Newton, Elizabeth Chamberlin, Lavinia Baker, Persis Rice, a.m. and p.m.  Mrs. Morse (who was Sarah Warrin) and her sister, p.m.  Amon works for Mr. Moses Twitchell, for his work for me Yesterday.  I rode to Marlborough to the Lecture as agreed upon by the Association at Hopkinton.  Dined at Mr. Smiths.  I prayed the first prayer.  Mr. Loring preached on 1 Thess. 5.[1]7, pray without Ceasing.  Mr. Martyn prayed after Sermon.  He prayed 1/2 an Hour.  Mr. Loring was to have offered a Concluding prayer after his — but he grew tired.  He gave the Blessing.  O that God would pity His people at this remarkable Juncture!  For another Post came down last night who says, that though the Fort was not taken, yet the Enemy were all round about — and that except they have relief speedily they can’t keep it.  I visited our Kinswoman Mrs. Anna Brigham — and paid [Miss?] Nanny Woods (£3.7.6 Old Tenor) in full for making her Stays.  In returning home went to see also Mrs. Grace Barns widow one of my Creditors, whose Patience I am obliged to ask, as my Collector fails in paying me my dues.  My sons Alex. and Breck try to reap my Oates.

1757 August 11 (Thursday).  It grow grows very dry — Grass much diminished — a burning Sun and drying Wind — yet Some Sprinkling of Rain.  Boys reaping Oates.  Betty Chamberlin helps my Wife a.m. in Quilting.  I take Notice of her kind Disposition — and Sympathize in the Distresses her nearest Relations must be Supposed to be in at Stockbridge when our Enemys are so numerous, and the People in those exposed places in so imminent Dangers.  May an infinitely Merciful God appear for their Help and Deliverance!  At Eve Mr. Larkin Williams here in his return from Mendon, whither he had been to warn that part of the Regiment (as I suppose this had been) to be ready at a minutes Notice.  My wife blooded by Dr. Chase.

1757 August 12 (Friday).  P.M. Great Rain.  At Eve a comfortable Visit from Capt. Woods.

1757 August 13 (Saturday).  My son Thomas in going to fetch some sand, broke my Chair Wheel and returned empty.  News that Fort William Henry is taken.  Joseph Bowman here.

1757 August 14 (Sunday).  Read 2 King 24.  Preached a.m. on Prov. 18.10.  P.M. read Luk. 1 to v. 39 and I preached on Isa. 31.6 but used chiefly Sermon on Act. 3.19, from p. 14 to 19.  Joseph Bowman propounded. Rainy.  After meeting so cloudy there was no making any Observations on the Eclipse.

1757 August 15 (Monday).  There has been of late much Talk of Indians Seen in our Woods — at Uxbridge, Mill-river etc., which raises in many people Suspicions of what may be the Cause of it.  Amon came to work.  He reaps the rest of my Oates.  P.M. he mows Bushes.  I visited his Father.  Dined at Mr. Nat. Whitney’s.  The Company under Capt. Fay called together and every 4th man is taken to go out against the Enemy.  The Troop also meet at Capt. Bezaleal Eager’s, They being warned to go.  N.B. my son Thomas trades with William Stone to go in his Stead.  N.B. Capt. Wood and his wife here.

1757 August 16 (Tuesday).  William Stone goes into the service in stead of my son Thomas but he has my Gun and my Mare.  The Association meets here, viz. Mr. Cushing, Barrett, Stone, Smith, and Morse.  Mr. Morse gave an Exercise on Rev. 3.1.2.  At night Mr. Barrett went up to Capt. Woods to lodge there.  N.B. The public Troubles much increase for we hear that there is a French Fleet come to Louisbourg, of 20 Sail and 10,000 Troops: and can’t understand that Lord Loudon has Sailed from Hallifax.  Former Troubles were but Drops; now our Distresses come down in full Shower and storms.  Amon did not work for me.

1757 August 17 (Wednesday).  Mr. Martyn came — and Mr. Loring.  Mr. Morse prayed before the public Sermon: Mr. Loring preached; his Text was Ps. 2.6.  N.B. Elizabeth Chamberlin assists my Wife.  Amon not here.  N.B. Major Keyes, Mrs. Cushing, the widow Smith and Miss Molly Cushing dined with us.