Category: Diary

1758 December 23 (Saturday).  Very tedious Weather.  Billy writing and Cyphering.  Mr. Brag and his wife going home to Shrewsbury from the Buryal of their mother Burnap.  Deacon Tainter brings Sundrys from Boston.  Brick [sic] has Such Desire to learn Lattin again that he has sent for an Accidence.

1758 December 24 (Sunday).  So cold I omitted the Public Reading both a. and p.m.  I was afraid while I was in the pulpit, one of my Feet have been touched by the Frost: but through divine Favour I escaped.  Preached a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.16.  Old Mrs. Tainter and Miss Betty Johnson dined here.  The latter tarrys over night.

1758 December 25 (Monday).  Bright and Cold but not So cold as it was.  Mr. Morse comes with two Teams with Rails from his place.  One of the Teams but 3 Cattle.  Miss Betty makes Breck a Jacket.  She lodges here.

1758 December 26 (Tuesday).

Miss Betty works here a.m.  Dines here; as does Miss Patty Dunlop.  Afternoon the former goes to Merchant Rice’s.  The other is upon the Affair of her Fathers Rates.  Billy uneasy to be gone to Brookfield.  Deacon Bond brings 4 Load of Wood to Day.  My pile increased to upwards of 50 Load in the whole.  Peter LeBlanc junior of Shrewsbury with Amon here.  Our Days are a shadow and we have no abiding!  But besides their Brevity they are Evil.

1758 December 27 (Wednesday).  Tedious winter like Season.  Rains and freezes So that it is very difficult stirring.  Mr. Joseph Gamel dined here: he is come to live in this Town, at the Widow Rogers’s.  At Eve Mr. Daniel Forb. here.  We are full of the News from the Ohio — giving Thanks that DuQuesne is in our Hands, though we mourn on account of French Cruelty there.

1758 December 28 (Thursday).  Mr. [sic] Betty Johnson at 10 a.m. making Jacket for Alexander.  The Thaw and Flood very remarkable.  Bridges flooded etc.  Memorable deliverance of my little Hannah.  The Cellar Door was left open, and She in her Go-Cart, pitched down, and went to the bottom — yet without any great Hurt.  To God our preserver be all Glory!

1758 December 29 (Friday).  Billy returned to Brookfield.  Alexander went with him part of the way to bring back my mare.  Mr. John Burnap carryed away Miss Betty Johnson in the morning.  Alexander does not return as we expected he would.  But we are the Care of Heaven at home and abroad.  P.M. Isaac and Josiah Baldwin here.

1758 December 30 (Saturday).  Alexander returns in safety, having lodged at t’other House.  He went to Leicester with Billy.  N.B. My wife has been for some time exercised with rheumatic pains, and of late her right Knee is greatly Swelled.  I desire to wait upon the Sovereign Will of God!

1758 December 31 (Sunday).  The God of Patience has brought us along through the Changes of another Year to the concluding Day of it; and, with all our other Mercys, permitts us to enjoy our Spiritual Privileges and Advantages.  Our Sabbaths reach to the End of the Year.  To His Name be Honor and Glory!  And that whilst there have been So many Tumults in other parts of the Christian World, We enjoy our Sabbaths and solemnitys without Molestation.  This Day we publickly read 2 Chr. 34 and Joh. 19 from v. 23 — to the End.  Preached on 2 Cor. IV.17 a. and p.m.  The Widow Thurston and Miss Betty Johnson dined here.  After our Evening Exercises in the Family we read Sir Mathew Hale’s Contemplations — particularly the Great Audit and Account of the Good Steward.  A very Solemn and awakening Subject — which although I had read I Suppose many Years ago, yet those articles are very moving and I wish we may be favoured with a lasting Impression.  I had given to my Family an Affectionate Exhortation and Charge after our Evening Family Exercise — which may God keep alive in all their Hearts!  And now may this concur to raise up and enliven the most serious reflections and Resolutions.  That we may end the Year as we would desire to end our Lives.  O that it might be in the true, holy Fear of God, and may the Special Grace of God magnifyed towards us!  I go to bed with deep humblings for long unprofitableness — and deep Concern about how it will be with me at my concluding Hour.  But I would in all humility committ my Self to a most gracious God relying on His infinite Mercy, and the Merits of the glorious Redeemer!

1759 January 1 (Monday).  Notice of the Commencement of the Year.  Cannot but gratefully recognize the divine Benefits, especially through the Co [?]  I thought it proper to take Some Special religious use of this Year past: would praise God therefor; But would deeply humble my Soul before God for my aggravated multiplyed Miscarriages — beg of Him the continuance of His Favours with the Addition of Such other as shall be needed, but especially that He would grant Grace rightly to improve them — It is also most fit and but a reasonable Service to renew the Dedication of my Self in Covenant unto God: this therefore (though in a poor manner) is attempted.

 

At Evening I had comfortable, Spiritual Conference with Mr. Nathaniel Whitney.  May God bless it to each of us; and quicken us to make more such Opportunitys!  He pays 20/ O.T. for his News paper.

1759 January 2 (Tuesday).  Deacon Tainter kills my Fatt Heiffer.  Joseph Gamel helps him — and they dine here.  P.M. at the private meeting at Esquire Bakers; on Rom. 14.8.  At Eve I visited Neighbour Nurse whose Swelling in his Thigh increases.

1759 January 3 (Wednesday).  Lieut. Joseph Stone of Brookfield here — says he is come with a Message from my son, to have Breck go up again: and he’ll come for him tomorrow.  At Eve Deacon Burnap of Hopkinton and Deacon Tainter comes and weighs and cutts out my Beef.  Weight was 19 Score and Eight pound, the Quarters — 35 lb. Tallow.

1759 January 4 (Thursday).  Breck goes to meet Lt. Stone according to agreement but returns again; Lt. not coming to go up.  Mr. Joseph Bowman keeps School at Deacon Tainters.  I Send Alexander who begins to learn Latin: Samuel and John also go to School.  Mr. Greenw. of Sutton here.  Their Disquietment with Mr. Wellman no less.  Mrs. Jane King Maynard here in order to get her Child Baptised — and is ready to make her Confession.  She tells me her Husband is gone off: it is not known where.

1759 January 5 (Friday).  Breck goes again to t’other House to wait for Lt. Stone — who came here, and dined with us — p.m. he sat out for Brookfield.  Miss Betty Johnson came about 10 a.m.  Mr. Daniel Forb. dined with us.  P.M. Mr. Hall of Sutton here in his return from Boston.  N.B. Mr. Samuel Forb. of Upton brought me from Boston my (mended) Baxter Vol. 1, and Fox’s acts and monuments — Vol. 2, which I have borrowed of my Kinsman Mr. Samuel Procter, Keeper of the Alms-House, Boston.  At night, near 11 o’Clock (or full 1/2 after 10) comes Noah Bigolow with earnest Desire to go over to their House.  His Father he says is in great Distress on account of his Mother who is well-liquored (I think was his Expression) and by further enquiry I find there is a great Rout.  I could not go.  I was not well enough to Venture — but told him if they needed me in the morning, and he would come with an Horse I would go.  O wofull Condition of the poor, miserable Family!  May God of his infinite Mercy pity them, convince, reform and pardon them And direct me in my Duty to them!

1759 January 6 (Saturday).  No Horse from Bigolow’s — bad riding and bad weather and I am engaged in my preparations.  Thomas had the promise of my mare to go out of Town — but though he brought her over from t’other Barn, yet does not use her because of the dangerous Holes in the roads, and bad weather.  Miss Betty Johnson.

1759 January 7 (Sunday).  We are to bless God that not only the New Year has begun, but He permitts us to begin the Sabbaths of the Year!  To His Name be Glory!  Read 1 Chron. 35 and John 20.  Preached a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.18.  And O that God would pardon my Weakness and Miscarriages, and add His efficacious Blessing, for my own as well as the people’s profiting!  In the Evening after Family Exercises, read some accounts of the Martyrs and their suffering — especially Mr. Lamberts.  May God grant us Establishment in the Faith!

1759 January 8 (Monday).  Miss Betty Johnson who tarried with us over the Sabbath, is helping my wife in various Employments.  I had purposed to go to Mr. Biglows and to Mr. Barrets to Day but the Weather was too rugged for my tender Constitution.  At Eve walked to Mr. Zebulun Rice’s and Capt. Woods — but am Cautious of tarrying at the last.  Duly agree to go to Hopkinton tomorrow, God willing.

1759 January 9 (Tuesday).  Miss Betty Johnson leaves us; having made cloths for most of my Sons as well as for me.  Capt. Wood and I rode to visit Mr. Barrett and his son; They and theirs having gone through a variety of Changes, especially the Death of one Negro man (Scipio) and sickness of another (Titus) but great Mercys intermixed; their House saved from Burning — but especially young Mr. Barrett a son lately born John.  We dined there, and returning at Eve called at Mr. Crosmans.  N.B. was at Mr. Biglow’s as I went and enquired into the womans Conduct — especially last Friday night.  Found it very bad.  Am extremely grieved to find the Family So divided and disorderly.  May God grant ‘em His almighty Grace that they may See their wickedness and reform!

1759 January 10 (Wednesday).  P.M. I rode over to Mr. James Maynards to talk with him and his wife about their Daughter in Law, John’s Wife and her making a Confession.  Mr. Maynard not at home.  Mrs. Maynard Shews great Dissatisfaction with her and must have her acknowledge her Offence against them.  I visited Mrs. Lock also and exhorted her to prepare for her Duty in the Baptism of her Child.  I visited at Mr. Gleasons, but he was not at home — rode to Lt. Rice’s to make them a visit.  Capt. Wood and his Wife, and Dr. Crosby and his Wife there.  But one of the main and principal Things in my going out was to See Mr. Joseph Knowlton, who is in a low, weak state of Body, but of a spiritual Turn of mind, and comfortable Evidence of his Good Estate towards God.  I Supped there — prayed with Mr. Knowlton and the Family, his son and wife and a Number of Young persons besides attending.  Rain all the way in coming home — so that I was very Wet.

1759 January 11 (Thursday).  Thomas went yesterday to Marlborough and Sudbury — but returns this Evening and Timothy (son of Beriah) Rice, who lives at Westfield with him.  N.B. Mr. Goodale of Grafton dined here.  Mr. Zebulun Rice at Eve.  Pays for his News Paper from Edes and Gill; 20/ old Tenor.  Mr. Ebenezer Rice Sends his son Joseph with his Team to bring me a Load of pine which Alexander provided in my Hill.  Mrs. Biglow here — asks forgiveness etc.

1759 January 12 (Friday).  Mr. Ephraim Sherman junior returns from Boston having paid Two Dollars for me in full to Mr. Kneeland for 7 Edwards on Original Sin; which I now returned to said Mr. Sherman.  N.B. He brought me from Mr. Kneeland Mr. Thomas Barnards Sermon at the Manufactory Lecture, and Maylems poem on the Conquest of Louisbourg.  Deacon Tainter comes and kills a sow pig for me, weighs 126 pound.  He comes also kindly at night and cutts and Salts and Supps.  I present him Doolittle’s Young Mans Instructor and old mans remembrancer, which I formerly bought of Mr. Richard (afterwards Coll.) Saltonstall.

1759 January 13 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1759 January 14 (Sunday).  Read the Last Chapter of the 2d Book of Chron. and the Last Chapter of St. John.  Preached a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.18.  Master Bowman (who keeps the School) dined here.  In the Evening wrote a page on my subject.

1759 January 15 (Monday).  Gave my self to my preparations.  Mr. Jonathan Child dined here.

1759 January 16 (Tuesday).  Close at my preparations.  At Eve finish one sermon.  Thomas rides my Mare to Hopkinton.  N.B. I hear that to Day Rev. Messrs. Martyn and Maccarty and Capt. Josiah Richardson meet at Southborough on the Belknap affair.

1759 January 17 (Wednesday).  At Monsieur LeBlanc’s.  His sons John and Joseph visit there.

1759 January 18 (Thursday).  Mr. Oliver Carter from Leominster comes with Request of Help in preparing them for the General Court; they being next Wednesday to Shew Reasons, if any they have, why the prayer of the Petition of Coll. White and others may not be granted.  He tarrys here over night.  I undertake to make some Remarks on the Result of the Council which Mr. Rogers of Leominster and his adhering Brethren called, and which sat November 29, 1757.

1759 January 19 (Friday).  Am prevented attending to my study by Reason of Mr. Carters being here, and my writing and copying the foresaid Remarks which are six Pages quarto.  I Send Mr. Carter to have his help in Copying papers — but he is preengaged.  Mr. Carter is obliged to tarry another Night.

1759 January 20 (Saturday).  This morning Mr. Carter receives of me the chief of the papers of our Council, engaging to return ‘em safely to me again.  They are No. 1 to 22, except 3, viz. No. 9, 14, 21.  I deliver him my Remarks — they are writ as for Mr. William Fairfield to whom I also Send a Line by Hand of Mr. Carter.  My Son John very ill.  Dr. Chase sent for and comes — Says the Child has somewhat of Pleurisy.  N.B. The Doctor says he will come in the Morning and will go to Meeting.  Whereas he has not been at our meeting this year or two as I suppose.

1759 January 21 (Sunday).  So extreme Cold I omitted the public Reading — preached a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.18.  May God render it effectual to our Saving Good!  Mrs. Dolly Rice dined with us.  John Better.  Doctor at Meeting p.m.

1759 January 22 (Monday).  I walked to Capt. Maynards to bespeak his Meadow that joins to me — which he promises to me So far as this that he says I may depend upon it, if he does let it to any body.  He acquaints me that he expects to be marryed tomorrow night; and desires me and my wife to meet him at his House on Wednesday Evening.  At Evening I reckoned with Mrs. Ruhamah Newton and paid her Interest and her Account — went over to Capt. Woods and Supped there.  John Worse again.

1759 January 23 (Tuesday).  In going to Lieut. Rolfs I went to Cramberry pond and Thomas being with me I put on the skates a little while (which I have not done for many years) to Shew him.  John and Jo. Blanc return home, but I saw them not.  Alexander a Second Time disgusted with Learning and would throw up, but I now keep him to’t, since I have thrown by Business I designed he should do, and willingly go without it for his sake.

1759 January 24 (Wednesday).  Mr. John Brigham of Sudbury (one handed man) dined with me, tells me Capt. Maynard and Mrs. Anne Brigham were marryed last Night.  Just before Night I went over to Capt. Maynards as he had desired, to meet him as Bridegroom with his Bride — (his phrase was he then designed to bring home his Wife).  My Wife did not incline to go, her Child was very tendfull — and John was Sick, though to Day much better; yet this is (according to usual Course) his sick Day.  To God be praise and Glory.  It was also somewhat odd that our Children were not invited to Wedding (as neither were we ourselves) nor were any of them to His Entertainment though many others were, not nearer related than they.  But ‘tis prob[ab]le their Thoughts were too much engaged to think much of This So Small Affair.  It was very Cold.  I walked there, and returned o’ foot.  I left at them at nine o’Clock, omitting Singing, rather than run the venture of being too late.  Asked Cousen Sally Brigham, Mr. Speakman and Master Wheeler who came with her, to lodge at our House.  But the Distance and especially the Cold, were sufficient Excuse with them.

1759 January 25 (Thursday).  John much better than he was a few Days ago.  At Eve Master Bowman, Deacon Tainter — Mr. Beeton from Boston.  Dr. Chase to See John.

1759 January 26 (Friday).  Stephen Robishow came in, in the Storm, his Father-in-Law, viz. Charles Barreve with him, but he did not come in — he went into my sons shop.  N.B. There has been a great Deal of Travelling of late, of the French people.