Category: Diary

1758 March 17 (Friday).  Mr. John Haven here on Quest of a place to set up Merchandizing in.  The Day Warm and pleasant my Wife goes out abroad.

1758 March 18 (Saturday).  Cloudy, raw Cold.

1758 March 19 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron 3.  Luk. 20.  Preached a.m. on Joh. 15.1 and p.m. on v. 5.  O that I might be a living Branch of the true Vine!

1758 March 20 (Monday).  Deacon Tainter came and killed a Sow for me.  Weighed 256.  I went over to the other House, that Mr. Batherick and I might divide the Scaffold English Hay.  I made a Visit also to Lieutenant Maynards — but before I could have much Opportunity with him, he is partly taken up with Company in the Outer room and does not come to me; and then came and told Me he must go down to Lt. Bruce’s: and So left me.  I tarried Some time Still in the West room, there being Several poor Widows that I might be profitable and comforting to.  I also took the Opportunity to charge the Children and Servants of the Family.

1758 March 21 (Tuesday).  In great Expectation of Mr. Martyn and his Wife to See us, having Sent to them by Nathaniel Rugg; who assured me he would do the Message.  I not only stayed at home for this purpose, but provided an handsome Dinner — but they did not come — nor has either of them been here since my Wife’s lying in.  Mr. Asaph Rice Supped with me.  N.B. One Simon Millen here Yesterday and wants to hire my old place.  Lt. Maynard and Eliezer Rice go to Boston about Commissions.  The Latter here for my place.

1758 March 22 (Wednesday).  I dined at Mr. Edwards Whipples, being in my way to Mr. James Maynards, whom I visited — and his son John etc.  N.B. I presented to Granny Maynard Dr. Edwards on Repentence.

1758 March 23 (Thursday).  Thomas Hardy is going up to Brookfield this Morning.  I wrote to Ebenezer (who keeps School at Deacon Cutlers in Brookfield) to go to Mr. Lull for the Deed I left with him last Oct. 5.  I wrote also to Suse.  P.M. preached a Lecture to Young people and in Special at the Request of the Society of Young Men; on Luk. 12.5, which I composed now on this Occasion.

1758 March 24 (Friday).  Su Bimeleck here (with a Bastard Child about a month old) whom I reprove.

1758 March 25 (Saturday).  My wife much indisposed by Reason of a grievous Cold.

1758 March 26 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 4, Luk. 21.  Preached a.m. on Joh. 15.5.  I delivered about 12 pages (or the Quantity of two short Sermons) although it was all I could prepare because it could not be well divided — and I was desirous to give as much of it at once as I well could, for the Sake of a Number of Strangers from Hopkinton here, who would be more likely to understand it by these means.  Young Mr. Barrett of Hopkinton here at Dinner.  Tells me his Father was scalded, and is very lame.  P.M. repeated sermon on Ps. 73.24 to p. 14.

1758 March 27 (Monday).  My little son Samuel having come up home to be with us over the Sabbath — now he rides behind me back to Mrs. Mary’s again.  I visit Mr. Benjamin or Jacob Garfield whose Child is sick.  Visit old Mr. Bradish and his Son Jonas.  Afterwards went up to make a Visit to Esq. Baker and his Family — but he said he was very busy in writing, and was sorry it was Such a Time that he could not wait on me: yet we sat down together a little Space — and there coming a man or two to the Door, who desired to Speak with him — their Business was So much preferred to mine that I could not with Decency force my self upon him.  I had however told him that I was come on purpose to See him and that I had no temporal Bus’ness with him at present.  Intimating plainly what my aim and Design was; and reminded him how disappointed I was in Such an attempt heretofore.  See Sept. 5th last.  Concluded with inviting him to come and See Me; which he partly engaged.  N.B. Mrs. Baker up Chamber at her Loom; could not but know I was there, but did not come down.

1758 March 28 (Tuesday).  Visit Mr. Williams and his, they having been very Slack in coming to see us.  Nigh noon set out for Hopkinton (though a Cold Day for the season) yet the sun had such Power that the Waters flowed by Reason of the last nights Rains, and the wasting snow, to a very great Degree.  Brother Barrett very lame, but somewhat better.  First Saw young Mr. Barretts new wife.  Dined there, though late.  Returned at Eve.  N.B. Miss Lydia Bowman with me part of the way.  Very Cold riding home.

1758 March 29 (Wednesday).  Almost all my Family much indisposed with Colds.  Mr. Ebenezer Rice having Spoke to me Several Times for my old Place, I consent to his having it this Year.

1758 March 30 (Thursday).  Cold but somewhat more pleassant.  Thomas Suddenly lists and takes the Bounty Money — but what gives me trouble is, it is at the Instigation and by the Instrumentality, of John Dunlop, who I am informed has a Lieutenent’s Commission.  I visited LeBlanc.  Samuel Hicks from Sutton lodges here.  N.B. Capt. Fay calls his Company together at his House, at the Desire of Capt. Stephen Maynard in order to ‘list men.  Thomas and his Cousen Hicks goes there — and Thomas follows the Drum.  N.B. Catechized at the Meeting House both a. and p.m.

1758 March 31 (Friday).  I think there is Scarce any Article next to the Care of my own soul which lies upon my Spirits like this of my Son Thomas — the Thing it Self considering his proneness to bodily Indisposition; and the manner of his ‘listing when he might have done it under so many Superior Advantages — but especially the Frame of mind which I think him to be in whilst Things are thus.  But I desire to committ the whole to God!

1758 April 1 (Saturday).  Mr. Asaph Rice consents to preach for Mr. Barrett but desires me to change with him — accordingly p.m. I rode to Hopkinton and lodged there.

1758 April 2 (Sunday).  I preached at Hopkinton a.m. on Ps. 46.1.10.  P.M. on Ps. 78.34.35.36.  After meeting Lieutenant Wood acquainted me with the Desires of Mrs. Bethiah Parminter, formerly Tyler, who lies in a very low Condition, that I would go and see her: which I complyed with (taking Mr. Barretts Advice and Concurrence) and the said Lieutenant accompanyed me.  She seemed very low indeed; and fears She shall live but a few Days.  I prayed with her — returned to Mr. Barretts — where I lodged.  N.B. very Cold season.  While I was at Mrs. Parminters it snowed.

1758 April 3 (Monday).  Returned home.  Mr. Rice preached for me yesterday on Ps. 119.155.  Capt. Wood here at Evening.

1758 April 4 (Tuesday).  Closely Sermonizing.

1758 April 5 (Wednesday).  The general Talk and stir is about ‘listing, but I am close confined to my study.

1758 April 6 (Thursday).  Public Fast.  A. and p.m. on Ps. 80.  Young Mr. Barrett and his wife here at noon.  They came to Capt. Woods last night, and return to sup and lodge here again.  Capt. Wood, Mr. Rice and Mr. Barrett here at Evening.

1758 April 7 (Friday).  Granny Maynard being sick and prayed for Yesterday, I went to See her — found her very ill.  Doctors Greenleaf and Crosby there.  N.B. Mr. Hezekiah Pratt goes with his Family to the Funeral of his Daughter Rachel Noyes — her Death much lamented especially as it was somewhat sudden — the Day before yesterday.  Mr. Joseph Bowker of Simsbury here.  Mr. Barrett and his wife and Master Rice, at my Request, dined here, and the former stayed and drank Tea; but returned towards Evening to Hopkinton.  N.B. Extraordinary Flocks of Pidgeons.  Mr. Ebenezer Rice and his sons go over to work on my old place.

1758 April 8 (Saturday).  Mr. Zebulun Rice comes early in the morning to inform me that Old Mrs. Gashitt is Dead and they desire me to go to her Funeral, and I accordingly went.  Mr. Gashitt burys his mother in his own Ground, about 1/2 a mile south East from his House.

1758 April 9 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 5, Luk. 22.  Preached on Joh. 15.5.  P.M. repeated on Ps. 73.24, last Clause.  N.B. At Eve of the 6th, viz. of the late Fast, Mrs. Dunlop came and tarryed with us over night, having Some Special Affair, that she desired to speak with me about in the morning.  This was about her Husband being rated — but I referred her to Deacon Bond and the rest of the Assesors.

1758 April 10 (Monday).  It was Training Day, but they did not Send to me to pray with them though I tarried at home till 2 p.m., then visited Granny Maynard — who is in a low and dangerous Condition.

1758 April 11 (Tuesday).  Mr. Ebenezer Rice and two of his sons work over at my other place.  They are splitting out Rails.  I dined at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards.  N.B. Alexander goes with Deacon Tainter to Mr. Cutlers at Sudbury and brings home nigh 6 Bushels of Malt.  I read Thompson of the Spring.

1758 April 12 (Wednesday).  I visited Mrs. Ruhamah Pratt.  N.B. Mr. Winchester (who dined with me) went up with me.  Visited Mr. Moses Brigham and his Wife.  Mr. Jeduthun Fay likewise (whose wife lies in).  I am grieved for their miserable Condition, living without Gods Ordinances.  I went in to See the old People.  Mrs. Blanc and her Daughter Mary there.  At Capt. Woods, where Alphy Newton gives me a Narrative of the Marriage and Death of the late Charles Rice junior.

1758 April 13 (Thursday).  Old Mr. Dunlop in my Garden — Sows Carrot Seed.  P.M. rode to Deacon Bonds, paid her [sic] the remainder of a Note given him by me for two Dollars which was to pay Mr. George Crossman for a Wigg he has made me a few Months agoe.  Visited at Mr. Jonah Warrins.  N.B. having my Gown on and thereby my Right Legg prevented extending over the saddle when I mounted, and my Mare briskly Setting out as Soon as I was upon her, I was thrown off to the Ground, but through divine Goodness received not much Hurt by it.  D.G.

1758 April 14 (Friday).  The newly enlisted Soldiers for the designed Expedition are this Day mustered by Coll. Williams at his House in Marlborough.  Among those who ride to Marlborough a young man calls here occasionally who says his Name is Ebenezer Trask of Mendon, Son of Robert, Son of Nicolas Trask.  My Son Thomas goes as one enlisted under Capt. John Ward.  He returns at night, not having been called.  His Captain not there; nor Lieut. Dunlop who enlisted him.

1758 April 15 (Saturday).  An unusually fine, warm Day!  Mustering Business is continued.  Thomas goes again — carrys a Letter from me to Coll. Williams containing a Representation of my sons Case, who has been ensnared in the enlisting by most vain promises, and that he is subject to Such indispositions of Body as render him incapable of the service.  Upon which the Coll. excuses him.

1758 April 16 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 61, Luk. 22 to v. 39; preached a.m. on Exod. 31.12.13.  Improved chiefly the Exercise on [that?] Text — but with frequent alterations.  The Occasion was, I spent my Time chiefly in preparing a Discourse on Isa. 57.1.2, which I delivered on occasion of the Sorrowful News of the Death of my much esteemed Brother in the Ministry, the Rev. learned and pious Mr. Jonathan Edwards — March 22, last who dyed at Nassau-Hall, being lately removed from Stockbridge to be President of that College.  An inexpressible Loss!  The Lord Sanctify it to me for my greatest Quickening!  The Lord Pity His Churches, the again so Suddenly bereaved College and Family — especially His Mournful Handmaids Edwards and Burr!  N.B. Mrs. Steward, the Widow (of Mr. Bezaleel) Smith, and Mr. Noah Hows wife dine with us.

1758 April 17 (Monday).  I rode to Mr. Daniel Millers to See his wife under Spiritual Griefs — and I dined there.  Brother Forbush there also.  Adam Rice works for me — ploughed stubble at the Island — with my Ebenezers Steers, and Capt. Woods Oxen.  At Eve Billy from Brookfield and acquaints me he listed and was mustered last Friday under Capt. Samuel How, hired by Lt. Adams, and is to wait on Lt. Joseph Stone.  This throws me into fresh Trouble; but may God Himself Support and direct me!  Yet I am easier than in the Case of my Son Thomas because he is sturdier for his age; and I can’t be utterly Opposite to some one or other of my sons going.  But still he is alas too young, and Small: a mere stripling!  but most of all, I fear going in the paths of irreligion!  The Lord grant he may have a New Heart and lead a New Life.

1758 April 18 (Tuesday).  My Son Baldwin came here in his Journey from Brookfield to Boston.  We ride down the Road together till I turn to Marlborough where is the Ministers Meeting to Day.  Present Messrs. Cushing, Martyn, Stone, Buckminster, and Davis.  Mr. Davis’s Concio, a good, serious Discourse.

1758 April 19 (Wednesday).  Have not time to visit my Wife’s Relations.  At Meeting was unusually Cold by reason of the wind of the Front Doors blowing fresh upon me as I sat at the Table under the Pulpit.  P.M. in returning home called at Mr. Ephraim Hows and Settled my Account of Interest with him and over paid 20/ of principal — took up my old notes, but gave him a new one for £10.13.4 L.M.  Called at Mr. Joseph Brighams who is sick, confined by Indispositions.  At Evening arrived at Home under Disadvantages for the keeping my Mare: for though I have English Hay enough (as I hope) at my old Barn, and have great plenty of Meadow Hay here, I have now no English Hay at all here.

1758 April 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Martyn preached my Lecture on Heb. 13.9 middle Clause — it is a good Thing to have the Heart established with Grace.  He was much indisposed, but delivered a good sermon; which may God be pleased to bless to our great Quickening.  N.B. Sent this morning to t’other Barn for Hay for Mr. Martyns Horses.  N.B. Mrs. Miller (Daniels wife) here in her Distresses — chiefly on Account of her prayers.  N.B. Mr. Ebenezer Rice moves Some goods into my other House and he and his sons are at work there.