Category: Diary

1758 October 14 (Saturday).  Thomas rode to Marlborough to wait upon Mrs. Anna Brigham up here; but She was engaged in taking Care of a poor sick woman, one Mrs. Kitchin, a Wife of one of the Regulars, who was trying to go to her Husband, but was taken ill upon the way; So that Mrs. Brigham did not come.  N.B. One Edward Lyscomb of Taunton, a Soldier in Coll. Doly’s Regiment, was here in his way home: He had been under Coll. Bradstreet at the taking of Cataraqui and Fort Frontignac; and had divers of the Spoils which they had taken from the French.  At night Mr. Bliss called at the Door, in his way to Grafton, Mr. Hutchinson being gone to Concord.  N.B. Mrs. Matthews here with her Relation.

1758 October 15 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 26 and Joh. 14.  Preached a. and p.m. on Rom. 12.2.  Mrs. Matthews made her profession of Religion, was baptized, and admitted into the Church.  N.B. Mr. Martin Pratts Wife, and the Widow Sarah Smith dined here.

1758 October 16 (Monday).  An unhappy Morning to me by reason of my hasty Answer to Mr. Jonah Warrin — when he asked me whether I met with any difficulty about my Wood?  I answered Yes — but the manner of expressing it, was with too much Warmth.  May God forgive what was amiss!  My Daughter Sarah rode with Mr. Tainter, his Wife and Sister Forb. to Brookfield.  N.B. Sent by her Mr. Roberts Life of Czar Peter Vol. 2 and 3 and to my Daughter Forbes 6 Edwards on Original Sin.

1758 October 17 (Tuesday).  My own Mare being gone it was with much Difficulty, but I obtained an Horse, and rode to Mr. Hall in Sutton, according to the Appointments made to attempt something for the Reconcilement of the Ministers and Churches there.  Mr. Cushing was there: Mr. Dor soon came and with him Mr. Webb of Uxbridge; who being desired by Mr. Hall to assist in the Reconcilement before us, became one with us.  And we had the Happiness to see the two Ministers aforesaid reconciled with respect to their ministerial Rights; and they respectively Signed the Terms.  After which we prepared the way as we could, respecting all other Matters.  We all lodged there.  A stormy, rainy Night.

1758 October 18 (Wednesday).  Messrs. Hall and Wellman were, to our great rejoicing, brought to an Amicable Composition, and signed reciprocally a Paper, containing mutual condescensions and Engagements which We all witnessed, and the Instruments were interchangeably delivered.  Mr. Dorr also left a Paper of Advice with Rev. Mr. Hall, as Mr. Wellman had signed his Consent to what is Called the Uxbridge proposals — and this last did indeed precede the Paper of amicable Composition abovesaid.  So having dined (and the Weather agreeable) we joyfully parted.  Called at Mr. Hutchinsons, and at Winchesters (at which last I left what I had drawn up for his Will).  When I got home aged Judge Ward was here, and desired me to marry him.  I rode home the Horse I had borrowed, to Mr. Nurse’s; the Judge returning there (for there the widow Smith, his Designed Bride, Sojourned) and I marryed them in presence of Mr. Aaron Nurse, Eliza Pierce and Nathan Kenny.  Sad News that Mr. Solomon Woods is dead.

1758 October 19 (Thursday).  Mr. Hutchinson preached my Lecture on Act. 5.31.  N.B. Esquire Samuel Brigham here after Lecture.  Mr. Benjamin Tainter returns from Summers and Brookfield, and confirms the sorrowfull Tidings of the Death of Mr. Woods — that he dyed at Western in his returning from the Army.  A Sorrowful and wide Breach!  The Lord pity his poor Widow and Children — and his aged Mother and miserable Brother Isaac!

1758 October 20 (Friday).  Mr. John Mead here in great Affliction by reason of the Death of his Landlady at Newton.  Capt. Foster’s Wife here and brings us Several presents.  She dines here.

1758 October 21 (Saturday).  Six Barrels of Cyder from Deacon Tainter, brought by Abiel Chamberlin, who dines here.  Little Hannah ill yet.

1758 October 22 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 27, Joh. 15.  Preached a. and p.m. on Song 5.1.  Adminstered the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.  Deacon Tainter and his wife, Mrs. Bond, Mrs. Steward and the Widow Patience Forbush, dined here.  O that God would be graciously pleased to bless Such Opportunitys for our Saving Advantage!

1758 October 23 (Monday).  Mr. Ebenezer Rice Sent me a Line requesting that I would go over there to Day and divide the Hay and Indian Corn; which, p.m. I complyed with.

1758 October 24 (Tuesday).  Deacon Burnap receives and pays for one of Edwards on Original Sin.  William Dunlop here being newly come from the Lake and brings me fresh news from my Billy.  My own Boys are employed about my Corn and have the Assistance of one of Mr. Rice’s Twins: thus, Alexander goes over in the morning and with Mr. Rice’s Oxen and Mr. Pratts Cart, assisted by Joseph Rice (or rather the Twin with his) my part of Crop of Corn is brought over and laid upon my House; and after Dinner they go to my Cook Field, and cutt up and bring home part of that.  Thomas helps them in loading and driving home.  Rain at Eve.

1758 October 25 (Wednesday).  Boys are husking.  P.M. rainy.  Nathan and Jonas Kenny husk.  At Eve my Daughter Baldwin with her little son came.  They sat out yesterday from Brookfield; accompanyed by the Widow Gilbert hither to assist her.  They lodged last night at Mr. Baldwins in Shrewsbury, where they left my mare, which they brought with them from Brookfield so far.

1758 October 26 (Thursday).  A very winter like Face on every Thing.  We have the pleasure of my Daughter and her little son here, together with their Nurse.  Alexander goes to Shrewsbury for my Mare and brings her.  Am confined by the storm from visiting Several Familys where there have been Bereavements by the War.  My sons are husking — but my own Business succeeds but poorly.  Alas, that I am so sluggish!  I had need be quickened, for the holy God has awfully smitten us, in taking away a most eminent person, the Rev. Pious and learned Mr. THOMAS PRINCE of Boston who dyed last Lords Day Evening.  He was one of the most usefull Men we have had for a great while.  Help Lord etc.  N.B. Joseph Thurston brought a Barrell of Cyder from Mr. Hezekiah How to whom I had lent one.

1758 October 27 (Friday).  Storm continues, and our Wood very short.  P.M. Thomas to Marlborough to bring up Mrs. Brigham.  At Eve Capt. Wood and Ensign Harrington here, and though I Should prize their Company at another time, yet I cant but regret its robbing me of the Evening I so peculiarly depend upon for my Studying and preparing my sermons.

1758 October 28 (Saturday).  My Daughter Baldwin, her son and Mrs. Gilbert go to Sudbury, Thomas having returned with Mrs. Brigham and her Son.  P.M. to my sorrow was again interrupted and called away.  Mr. John Maynard came for me to go to his Brother Phinehas’s little son Joel (about 2 Years old) who had fallen into a Kittle of boiling water, and they fear Death is nigh.  I went.  Returned at Eve.

1758 October 29 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 28 and Joh. 16.  Preached a.m. on Rom. 12.2.  N.B. Mr. Hutchinson being gone to Connecticut many Grafton people are here.  Deacon Merriam and his Wife; Mr. Hezekiah Taylor and his son dined with us.  P.M. On Occasion of the Death of that Excellent Minister of Jesus Christ, the Rev. Mr. Prince of Boston, I again delivered sermon 1 on Act. 20.28, only with New Introduction, with Alterations and addditions, as were requisite.  N.B. Lt. Eliezer Rice, Moses Twitchell, and Constantine Hardy are returned from the Army.

1758 October 30 (Monday).  This Parish met to See whether they would Settle my Sallery and get me my Wood this Year: and sent a Committee to me, Messrs. David Maynard and Ephraim Bruce, to desire me to go to the Meeting House.  They said they wanted to know what would satisfie and Content me.  I went and spoke to them to this Effect.  That I mov’d for no Addition at present, during this Time of Distress and Trouble with them on account of the public Calamities: for that I heartily Sympathized with them, that Indeed I desired my maintenance among them might not be left at the loose rate that it had been heretofore; it being (as I apprehended) greatly to the dishonor of God and hurt of Religion, greatly to their own dishonor and the Damage of their own Spiritual Interests — and the Objection that I know of against settling it of no force — but since I had understood that that was not the point to be laboured, they having got over that — (for so it was represented to me) I would not insist on it.  And as to the how much, Since the Times were now peculiar they might do this, pitch upon a Medium which might be satisfactory on both sides — that if they were distressed might be considered on my part but if there should be peace and they Should be prospered and blessed and my Circumstances called for it, they might add to me accordingly.  It grew late, there were but few there.  When I left them they soon voted to do as they had done — and so left it as they found it — 500£ old Tenor including for my Wood, which I might get as I pleased.  N.B. Capt. Wood here at Evening.  Also Capt. Tainter from Watertown.

1758 October 31 (Tuesday).  Have received but slender supply from Mr. Maynard the Collector for my Journey — but the Necessitys of my Family required it, that I Should go.  Mr. Batherick helped my son Alexander, in Cutting down the remainder of my Indian Corn.  Mr. Joseph Chaddocks wife here to be examined.  Dined at home.  A second Dinner at Mr. Stones.  Lodged at Mr. Cushings at Waltham, but he was gone to Ordination at Andover.

1758 November 1 (Wednesday).  Went to Old Mr. Strattons early and took up of him 20£ old tenor for which I gave him a second Note.  Rode into Boston, to Mr. Procters at the Alms-House.  Proceeded to Visit The Widow of the late Rev. Mr. Prince: and there was Shewn by Miss Sally Prince a Letter from Dr. William Shippen of Philadelphia, giving an Account of the Death of Mrs. Edwards, widow of late president Edwards — to my great Grief — my Brother Samuel who is in great Affliction by the low Condition of his only Son William B.  He has been sick above a Month of a Fever; and is now very delirious.  Sister Lydia Champney is there to assist them.  Dined among my Relations at Mr. Winters, but not at Brother Samuels, there being a great many there — and much Trouble already.  My Brother being out of Hay, and Weather rainy, so that tis difficult to get supply; my Mare was kept at Mr. Lowders.

1758 November 2 (Thursday).  Billy (my Brothers son) no better.  Visited among my Relations as I could consistent with my Business.  Dined at Mr. William Winters, after I had attended the Lecture, which was preached by Mr. Mather on Rom. 8.10, a Funeral Sermon for the late Rev. Mr. Prince.  P.M. at Vendue at Mr. Winters — and at Evening at Mr. Churches Vendue also.  At the latter bought 3 yards of Broadcloth @ 50/ old Tenor per yard and 10 yards of Russell @ 14/.  Lodged at Brother Samuels.

1758 November 3 (Friday).  Very much hindered by assisting my Brother Samuel in writing Letters to England to the Heirs of Mrs. Poyutz deceased.  Visit Cousen Oliver — he goes with me to see the Train of Artilery which came from Louisbourg.  Paid for my Goods at Mr. Church’s.  Dined at Cousen Nathaniels.  Paid Miss Abiel Page.  N.B. paid for 1/2 a pound of Tea more than I conceive I had of her.  It being charged to be in August, whereas I had none at that time, not being then at Boston.  At Eve rode out of Town, leaving my poor Nephew in the Same Condition which I found him in.  O that it might be a warning to all young Men!  I stopped at Mr. Abiel George Hatter in Roxbury; took and paid for 2 Felt Hatts for my little Boys.  Mr. Potter of Brookline having sollicited me to go there to lodge with them — I did so: and was most respectfully Entertained there.  N.B. she had lately lain in.

1758 November 4 (Saturday).  Set out from Mr. Potters — dined at Dr. Hemingways.  At Mr. Stows find they are ripening for a Council.  Arrived safely and found my Family well.  D.G.  N.B. Cousen Brigham and her son go home.  I met them at Bruce’s.  Soldiers return home apace.

1758 November 5 (Sunday).  Read 2 Chron. 29, Joh. 17.  Repeated sermon on Rev. 22.17.  Mrs. Hardy (Samuels wife) and widow Thurston, dined here.

1758 November 6 (Monday).  Mr. Hall of Sutton returning from Framingham (where he had been to preach and administer the Lords Supper to the people lately under Mr. Solomon Read) dined here.  Deacon Tainter brought me a Second Load of Wood.  P.M. I attended the Funeral of Mr. Phinehas Maynards only Child, which died by means of the Scalld on Oct. 27.  At Eve Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlin here.  He gives me a Barrell of Cyder and will take Care to bring it or that it be brought.  Mr. Jonathan Cook here, being returned from the Lake — says that Capt. Maynards Company were so Sickly and indisposed, that there were none but what had been at one time or another taken off from Duty except my Son William and two more.

1758 November 7 (Tuesday).  It rained — yet I rode to Sutton.  Deacon Tainter with me.  Deacon Bond could not go with us.  Mr. Smith and Deacon Woods came to us at Mr. Hutchinsons where we all dined.  In Sutton we met at Mr. Samuel Bucks junior.  13 Churches.  Mr. Welds and Mr. Bean’s instead of Mr. Porter of Bridgwater and Mr. Cook of Cambridge: but the Church of Sturbridge came not at all.  We formed into a Council: adjourned to the Meeting House — Mr. Dorr the moderator prayed.  And the Night coming on and we being Wet and Cold, adjourned to tomorrow morning 9 o’Clock.  Mr. Cushing and I lodged at Mr. Simon Tainters.

1758 November 8 (Wednesday).  We had a public Hearing in the meeting House — both parts of the Day.  At Eve adjourned to Mr. Bucks it being very Cold winter like Weather.  Lodged as last night.

1758 November 9 (Thursday).  Another Day of Hearing — but at Mr. Bucks; and lasted till past ten at Night.  Lodged as before.

1758 November 10 (Friday).  In the morning visited Mrs. Fuller my aged Kinswoman; and Mr. Trask.  Had our Debates in Council.  A very tough Time.  Dissenting apprehensions in the Council itself.  We were unhappily divided much as we were sent for.  Shameful Weakness.  The Council continued at it all Night, so that no man of all that great Body went to Bed; but I who was necessitated to retire which I did (with Leave) at about 3 o’Clock in the morning.

1758 November 11 (Saturday).  When we were at Breakfast and onward it was Still very dark and distressing, to see how much was before us, and how divided we were.  It was thought best to adjourn.  The adjournment was to next May.  And four ministers were chosen to labour with the people in the Mean time.  Messrs. Webb and Fish for the other side, Mr. Morse and I for the Pastors and standing part.  But I refused having been so often and my affairs at home forbidding it.  Mr. Dorr was chose in my room; Mr. Cushing if he fails.  But we called the people in to try whether some thing might not be done at the present.  It had a great Effect.  I first of all laboured with Mr. Wellman to acknowledge that in this Day of Temptation he had done amiss in some Things etc.  He accordingly made a penitential Speech to them.  This had some influence on Deacon Gould yet he would defer the reconcilement till he could think further, promising to take pains with himself etc.  I was very sorry he was so imperfect in his Acceptance of what Mr. Wellman Said.  Squire Goddard and Mr. Greenwood, with their sons, also stood off.  But Mr. Barton and Mr. Richardson were pritty much melted: humbled themselves and asked forgiveness and were restored by Vote of the Church.  A great Number of the Standing part, viz. Squire Barnard, Deacon Chase, Capt. Holman, Mr. Kidder and Mr. Tainter expressly and with Tears in their Eyes, having took Barton by the Hand and mutually asked and granted forgiveness — and then removed, with the rest of the Standing part of the Church to the other End of the Room, and compleated the Reconcilement, with those, though Others of the withdrawing members would defer a while.  Mr. Fish prayed and gave Thanks — the Council’s adjournment was declared; we dined, and returned home.  Found my Family well.  D.G.  Mr. Jonah Warrin brought one Cord of wood to Day.  This begins his finding wood.

1758 November 12 (Sunday).  This morning very Cold.  Ink is froze in my standish Jugg, though there was fire in my Chamber the Eve before.  A very Winter like time.  Read 2 Chron. 30, John 18.  Made an Exercise partly out of some of my sermon on Jer. 3.15, to which I added some preparations which I made for Leominster, but never delivered.  N.B. This was occasioned partly by the Business of last Week, but especially because this was the first Lords Day of our 35th Year Since the founding this Church and my own Ordination.  I would give Thanks to God for His Long suffering; pray for forgiveness of my unfaithfullness and unfruitfullness: and beg Grace to Quicken and assist for the future!  P.M. repeated part of Sermon on Rom. 12.18, occasioned both by the Divisions in Sutton, and the yet more distressing Disquietments in Southborough: having a Letter to communicate, and which was communicated, to the Church, from thence.

1758 November 13 (Monday).  Still very Cold.  This is the more distressing as many people have not got in their Corn — sawce etc.  My Cabbages are abroad and chiefly Spoiled, they being so hard froze.  At Eve Mr. Maccarty who is on his Journey to Boston, and lodges here.  He informs me that Mr. Charles APTHORP of Boston, a principal Merchant dyed Suddenly last Friday Night.  Surely Riches profit not in the Day of Wrath.  Immensest Heaps of Silver and Gold will not be sufficient to bribe the Kingdom of Terrors!  Nor any Discharge in this War!

1758 November 14 (Tuesday).  Mr. Maccarty pursues his Journey.  My Son Thomas takes an Horse (Daniel How’s) with him to Brookfield to bring down Sarah.  Judge Ward asks for his wife to live in my other House.

1758 November 15 (Wednesday).  I walked over to t’other House — to consult Mr. Rice about Mrs. Wards living there.  Visit Mr. John Frost, and the widow Elizabeth Rogers.  Judge Ward and his wife and Mr. Moses Twitchell dined with Mrs. Parkman — but I went to Capt. Woods to the Marriage of his Daughter in Law, Miss Patty Death.  My wife also at the Solemnity and Entertainment there.  At Eve she returned home because of the Child, but I went with the Company to Esq. Bakers and supped there.  To my great Grief I was detained there till it was nigh or quite Midnight.  Yet I broke away before the Second Table rose from Supper; and So had no Singing there.  N.B. Capt. Maynard at the Wedding.

1758 November 16 (Thursday).  Fine spring-like Weather.  Deacon Tainter, and afterwards Judge Ward, dined here.  My wife and I were invited by the Bridegroom, Mr. Baker to dine with them.  My wife went, but I did not, though they Sent an Horse for us.  At Eve I went up and waited on her home.  Thomas returned from Brookfield and brought Suse and Breck with him, and left Sarah in Suse’s Stead.  N.B. Widow Twitchell tells me (Mr. Ebenezer Nurse and Mrs. Rebecca Warrin present) that Judge Ward may go into her House if he will fit it up at his own Cost, and engage to leave it next spring when Mr. Jonathan Cook will want to have it.  Which I Acquaint the Judge with.

1758 November 17 (Friday).  Receive £57.15.0 Old Tenor, from my son Ebenezer by my son Thomas in trust for Mr. Thomas Frost.  Accordingly having Sent for Mr. Frost, he came this Evening.  I paid him all his Demand (which was 57£ 10/) and took up Ebenezers Note.