Category: Diary

1758 August 5 (Saturday).  I rode to New Braintree to visit Mr. Ruggles.  My son Baldwin accompanyed me.  We called to see Mr. Jedidiah How, both going and returning.  We called also at Samuel Harringtons junior.  We dined at Mr. Ruggles’s.  In returning called at Lt. Stone’s.

1758 August 6 (Sunday).  Preached at Brookfield a.m. on Ps. 46.1.10 and p.m. on Gen. 18.19.  Dined at Baldwins.  P.M. baptized Darius Son of Ensign Adams: Elias, of Ebenezer and Eliza Parkman; Jeduthun of Jeduthun and Lucy Baldwin; Martha of Obadiah and Martha Deland; and Adonijah, of Abner How.  May God grant that each of mine may keep the Way of the Lord and May He be our Refuge and Portion!  I lodged most commonly at my Daughter Forb.’s.

1758 August 7 (Monday).  Old Lieut. Gilbert very kindly waited upon me all Day, in visiting as I most inclined.  A.M. we went to Mr. Watsons where we had an handsome Breakfast.  We dined at Justice Convers’s.  The Esquire went with us Capt. Wolcotts where I lodged a Letter for Mr. Forbush and one for Billy in the Army.  I rode also to See the Ministers of the other Parishes, and the forementioned Gentlemen with me — but Mr. Fisk was not at home so that I did not see him.  The Visit to Mr. Parsons was late, about or after Sunsett.  My return to my Daughter Forb. was therefore in the Evening.  Her Infant remains in the same low state in which I first saw it.

1758 August 8 (Tuesday).  I sat out, and my son Ebenezer with me, to ride part of the way, to come home.  But Capt. Wolcott and his wife met us, with News from Mr. Forb. that he was coming home.  One Mr. Forsey had travelled part of the way from Albany with him; but at Kenderhook he missed his Watch and turned back to look it; but it was thought he would be here by the middle of the Afternoon.  I therefore went back with them in Company, to my Daughters and we dined there.  P.M. Capt. Wolcott and I visited Capt. Witt.

1758 August 9 (Wednesday).  Mr. Forbush not being come, Dr. Gott and I, and my Son Ebenezer with us, rode up the Road to meet him; but saw nothing of him — yet heard still of him, that he was coming.  I dined at Deacon Cutlers.  Went to Nicols’s — where I was long detained by the heavy Rains.  Returned at night very Wet — to my son Baldwins, where I lodged.  N.B. Dr. Munro gave further account of Mr. Forb.

1758 August 10 (Thursday).  Am waiting for Mr. Forbush.  Dr. Gott and Mr. Uriah Gilbert take Horses and resolve to go till they meet him though they Should go to Springfield.  Dined at my son Baldwins.  My Daughter Baldwin somewhat feeble, dull and relaxed again.  Afraid she shall return into her former Disorders.  My Son Ebenezers Wife is troubled with sore Breasts and sore Nipples.  At Eve I being at Mr. Forb. and a Number of his Neighbours waiting to See him, he came.  And though yesterday he lay by at Springfield, having taken physick there, yet now he was in a Comfortable State.  N.B. he found not his Watch; though his going back was So great an inconvenience to him that he was obliged to ride 70 Miles that Day; which proved too hard for him and caused the illness which detained him at Springfield.

1758 August 11 (Friday).  I took leave, commending them all, and particularly the feeble tender Infant to a Gracious, almighty God and savior.  Dined at Mr. Eatons.  Called at Mr. Roberts and Maccartys — and Cushings — got home in safety.  And my Wife’s Breast healing.  D.G.  But my little Children exercised with the terrible Cough.  N.B. Mr. Joseph Dorr junior who was to have preached for me last Lords Day Sent a Letter that he had a Boil so situated that he could not come.  My Wife sent to Deacon Tainter to provide somebody: he went to Mr. Asaph Rice, who went to Mr. Martyn and he to Mr. Stone who came and preached here.

1758 August 12 (Saturday).  I had been gone so long that my Domestic Affairs took up a great deal of my Time.  But I wrote part of a sermon on Isa. 45.22 but not finishing it

1758 August 13 (Sunday).  I preach two old sermons with Alterations and Additions, viz. a.m. on Mat. 10.29 to 33, p.m. on Mat. 7.28.29.  Read 2 Chron. 19 and Joh. 8.  N.B. Mrs. Mary Stewart Dined here.  Master Rice here after Exercises.

1758 August 14 (Monday).  Capt. Wood Sent me a good Quarter of Veal — but his Wife being gone to see her sister Oake, I had the Captain and Dr. Rice to dine with me.

1758 August 15 (Tuesday).  It was my Design to go to Marlborough to Day but the Rain prevents; and prevents my having any Thing done in my Meadows.  The Waters are so very deep.  A most Melancholly Time!  A Sore Token of divine Displeasure!  May we be properly humbled before God!  A number of Neighbours here to hear Mr. Forb.’s Letter which he wrote to Rev. Eaton (of which I have a Copy) presently after the [Retreat.?] the French at Ticonderoga.  And Mr. David Maynard Collector delivered me some money.

1758 August 16 (Wednesday).  News that Cape Briton is given up to the British Crown.  A very rainy Season.  Much Grain and very much Hay in suffering State.  Neighbours often here to hear Mr. Forb. Letter and hear what he says of our shameful retreat July 8.

1758 August 17 (Thursday).  Fair.  I rode to Marlborough to Mr. Daniel Wards to pay 50£ O.T. for my son Forbush and took up his Note.  Carryed with me a remarkable Book which I borrowed of Mr. Smith, the History of the Devil, which I have read and found Some usefull Things in.  But heard he was gone to Stow — and therefore did not go.  I had designed also to see the widow Brigham — but I sent her Interest money by Mr. Willard Wheeler, School Master.  Returned and dined at home.  P.M. attended a Catechetical Exercise to Young Women.  Delivered my Second Exercise on the Assemblys Catechism, which is from page 5 to 10.  24 young women present.  N.B. did not sing by reason of my hoarseness — but read the Stanzas — viz. Ps. 36.7-11.

1758 August 18 (Friday).  The taking of Cape Briton repeatedly confirmed — the Glory be to God!  May we have Grace Suitably to improve this Favour!  Mr. Ebenezer Millers Wife here examined.  Judge Ward.  Such Interruptions very hurtful to my studys.  Thomas a great Cough.

1758 August 19 (Saturday).  It did not rain, but the threatning Signs urged our getting in the Rye that Stands abroad.  Thomas a.m. in getting home Rye.  It is damp; Some of it grown.  N.B. had Mr. Zebulon Rice’s Team.  Received a Letter from my Kinsman Winter of Boston informing me that the King of Prussia has gained a Complete Victory over Count Daun, the Austrian General; killed him and 12 or 15000 or more, of his Troops.  Thus does God arise, and his Enemies are scattered.  We hope to hear further of this joyfull Occurrence.

1758 August 20 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 20, Joh. 9.  Preached a. and p.m. on Isa. 45.22.  Deacon Forb. dined here and brought me a Letter from Mr. Forb. of Brookfield correcting what was amis in his Letter to Mr. Eaton concerning our Armys Shameful Retreat from Ticonderoga.

1758 August 21 (Monday).  When I went to Marlborough last Thursday I dropt the Book which I was about to return to Mr. Smith.  To Day I rode again to Marlborough in Search after it.  Went to Landlord Wards especially but to no purpose — at length I found it at Mr. Hezekiah Maynards.  Was at Esquire Brighams to ask Cousin Nanny to Come to Westborough.  I returned home at Evening.

1758 August 22 (Tuesday).  Wrote to my son Forb. and to Billy, and carryed the Letters to Capt. Bezaleal Eager for Conveyance.  Then proceeded to Ministers meeting at Mr. Morse’s.  Where were Messrs. Cushing, Smith, Buckminster and Davis.  There was no Concionator — By Request Mr. Morse delivered an Exercise on [blank].

1758 August 23 (Wednesday).  At the Public Lecture Mr. Buckminster prayed; I preached on Psal. 4.7.  May God bless it to our Saving Good!  N.B. Neither Mr. Stone nor Mr. Martyn and Mr. Stone were absent.  Mr. Mellin came to Day; brought his wife.  A number of other Women there.  In returning to Westborough called (with Mr. Cushing) to See the old French folks Mons. Pierre LeBlanc, etc. — and at Capt. Nat. Allen’s.

1758 August 24 (Thursday).  Have had no Stroke of Haying ever since the 15th of July till to Day, p.m. Joseph Harrington mowed in my Newton Meadow.  I rode to See my Ministerial Meadow.  Was at Solomon Bakers; Whipples etc.  At Night marryed Solomon Mathews to Lydia Bowman.  N.B. Sarah rode to Marlborough — Dr. Rice in Company.  Judge Ward here and wants to engage me in the Affair of John Maynard and his wife, but I declined it.  My Wife also obliged to be under Strict Guard, in the Conversation.

1758 August 25 (Friday).  A good Day for Hay and Grain.  D.G.  Joseph Harrington having lodged here, goes to work in the Ministerial Meadow; and Adam Rice with him.  At Eve Sarah returns from Marlborough and with her my Wife’s Kinswoman, Mrs. Anne Brigham and her son Samuel.  N.B. Divers Neighbours very kind in Supplying us with Pigeons — Mr. Pratt a Dozen and half and Deacon Bond offered as many as we would take.

1758 August 26 (Saturday).  Ensign Harrington carted two Jaggs of Hay from Newton Meadow; and Capt. Wood Sent his man p.m. to help.  These were gratis.

1758 August 27 (Sunday).  Read 1 Chron. 21, Joh. 10.  Preached a.m. on Isa. 45.22 and finished the subject though I preached above an Hour, and delivered my whole preparation.  P.M. repeated with some Alterations Sermon on Eph. 3.10 to page 15, only mentioning the following Heads from thence.

1758 August 28 (Monday).  Was exceedingly put to’t to get any work, in Haying, done.  There has occurred no Such time as this; when people So belated by reason of the Floods, and the War has called off So many thousands.

1758 August 29 (Tuesday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice helped me.  He worked partly in the Ministerial Meadow, and partly in my Newton Meadow also.  Capt. Wood with his Team brought home two load from the Ministerial — and both Captain and Neighbour Zebulon from 4 p.m. mowed in Newton Meadow.  N.B. the Captain gave me his work.  The Hay was so mean he reckoned the Cattle would never eat it.  Since therefore the work was worth nothing, he would have nothing for it.  N.B. Monsieur Francis Robishow and his sister Nanny and Son Jacques from Acton, and his sister Gordow with her son Isaac from Southborough, came here — and dined with us.

1758 August 30 (Wednesday).  No help but Alexander who raked in Newton Meadow — for Adam Rice is Sick — and his Father obliged to help Adonijah.

1758 August 31 (Thursday).  Rode to Dr. Chase’s to see his wife who is in a weak dejected state.  N.B. I there asked the Doctor in the hearing of Mr. Cornelius Biglow, what I was indebted to him, particularly for what he had done with regard to my Wife’s Breast?  And he answered I was welcome to it.  I presently after asked Mr. Biglow whether he took Notice of what the Doctor Said in this and he told me he did.  We presently had discourse with the Doctor about his not coming to Meeting, and the Reasons of his Conduct — but he gave none.  I visited old Mrs. Bruce, at the Desire of her son Ephraim who was at Dr. Chace’s (though not when the Doctor Said I was welcome etc.), She having lately broke or much lamed her Arm by a Fall.  I visited the Widow of Jonas Twitchell.  P.M. Monsieur Francis Robishow etc. (see the 29th) in returning, came here, and I had some Close Conversation upon the Difference of our Religions.  O that God would please to Open their Eyes, that they might be convinced of their Errors, and See and embrace the Truth of the Gospel!

1758 September 1 (Friday).  To my Grief I am forced to Spend a great deal of my Time in looking up Hands to work, but Succeed poorly — however, thus far; I obtain a Team of Neighbour Solomon Bakers which Aaron Nurse and John Pratt go with to the Ministerial Meadow and bring one Load from thence, which is all I have there.  N.B. Yesterday I Sent to Mr. Winter, in the Name of my Son Forbush, by the Hand of Barnabas Newton £39.7.0 Old Tenor.

1758 September 2 (Saturday).  A.M. Mr. Edwards Whipple came to desire me to visit his Father in Law, Mr. Joseph Green, apprehended to be near his End.  I went, discoursed and prayed with him: and I endeavoured to discharge in Faithfullness my Duty to him.  The Burden of the Song in all his answers was, not so well as I Should do etc.  This, I conceive, was owing to his prevailing Scruples — and his fearing he Should speak falsely, if he Said he wished, desired, hoped, etc.  P.M. I rode to Grafton; first to Mr. Hutchinson, who had writ to me some time agoe, about changing tomorrow.  This he was willing to do, but not to go to [blot] nor at Eve, though there was time enough.  I rode to Esq. Charles Brighams, to pay for my mare: but notwithstanding I took so much Pains, the Squire being engaged in his Hay, would not come to me to receive his money, but said he would come to my House next week.  I returned to Mr. Hutchinsons and lodged there.  Adonijah Rice and Noah Hardy mowe in my Newton Meadow.

1758 September 3 (Sunday).  Mr. Hutchinson went to Westborough and preached a.m. on Josh. 7.9, p.m. on 2 K. 4.23.  I preached at Grafton a.m. on Jer. 50.7, p.m. on Joh. 14.6, latter part.  After the Exercises, Mrs. Prentice invited me to visit her Husband who was lame.  I did so and drank Tea with them.  I returned home at Eve as did Mr. Hutchinson.

1758 September 4 (Monday).  Mr. Francis Whipple comes and acquainted me that old Mr. Green dyed on Saturday evening, is to be buryed to day, and that I am desired to attend the Funeral at 3 this afternoon.  Thomas Bond works for me, raking and poling Hay in Newton Meadow.  And my son Thomas also assists p.m.  N.B. Cousen Brigham rode with me to the Burial of Father Green.  Monsieur LeBlanc was there.  One Thing especially was remarkable in Father Green in his Life Time, viz. his most reverent manner of attending divine worship.  I shall always remember his Seriousness and the Solemnity which was evident throughout his whole man.  I wish we might always imitate it.

1758 September 5 (Tuesday).  Mrs. Rice (Capt. Woods Mother) and Mrs. Baker (Esquires Spouse) make us a visit, p.m.  At Eve when they go away there was an heavy Shower.  This visit was the more remarkable as the Squire and his Family have been so great strangers here.  But Mrs. Brigham (her Neece) is full here.

1758 September 6 (Wednesday).  My wife and I rode over to Mr. Martyns — dined there.  I preached his Lecture on Joh. 14.6.  Delivered the two first sermons on that Text.  We returned at Eve.  N.B. There has been no body to Cart my poor Hay from Newton Meadow.  Went to Mr. Nurses at Night to get Nathan Kenny to go tomorrow to pole and Cart it.  An hard Tugg to obtain it.

1758 September 7 (Thursday).  Nathan came, but Alexander so full of pain he can’t help him.  Thomas has Such a Cough, he cant go into the Water.  Disappointed also about the Oxen I had bespoke to get the Hay in with.  It was the more perplexing because I had no great Reason from what Mr. Martyn answered me when I desired him to preach my Lecture to Day to expect him — so that I was obliged to prepare, my Self.  I hastily went up the Street to get Neighbour Adonijah Rice, but he was gone from Home.  I went to Barny Newton who had an Hand with him — but could not perswade him in any wise.  In this extreme hurry and Confusion, the young man (Nathan) whom I had obtained so difficultly last night, now waiting and nobody to work with him, I saw Deacon Tainter at Mr. Beetons Shop, and hearing him say he had been at Grafton yesterday and heard fine preaching there, the thought of our great Difficultys in this place for want of Help to get in our Hay which was suffering, there being so many sick in the Neighbourhood; more especially my own being obliged to let great part of my Grass, and some of the best of my meadow Grass, stand and die; and that I had with much trouble got cutt was in Danger of being lost (the thought of these and many more urgent things pressing upon me), I told the Deacon he should learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice.  You Mean says he, Mercy to Your Hay, dont you?  I answered Yes — and pass’d down the Road; for I was in a great Haste to find somebody that would go to work.  But not succeeding at Neighbour Newtons, as aforesaid I returned to Beetons shop, and told the Deacon (in Mr. Beetons Hearing) that I would not leave what I had said without adding that I acknowledged he had been so kind and ready to help me, that there was no Man like minded — what I said had this Effect, that he came down after me and pol’d out a Load of my Hay, with Nathan, to the shore.  William Stone came from Lt. Rolfs, and poled, with Nathan, the rest to gather to be stacked: Thomas with the Boys got up the Load which was poled out (having Mr. Zebulon Rice’s Oxen).  When the Deacon came up to my House, Mr. Martyn was come.  The Deacon invited us to dine with him — we mounted our Horses and did accordingly.  Mr. Martyn preached my Lecture on Ps. 73.28, former part.  Thus was I calmed after great Tumult and confusion in my Heart.  May God forgive what was amiss in me, at such a Time of Tryal!

1758 September 8 (Friday).  Neighbour Zebulun Rice (whom I was obliged to leave my study and go to last Evening) came to Day, and with Nathan Kenny stacked the Hay that was poled together yesterday.  And so I have now done Haying, after this Fashion — there being no Hands to cutt the Rest.