Category: Diary

1759 June 16 (Saturday).  This Day, being according the Old Stile the 15th, makes up Thirty five Years Since I gave my Answer to the Call given by the Town of Westborough to settle in the Work of the Ministry among them.  And to Day (by the kind Motion and Endeavours of Capt. Benjamin Wood) Eleven persons came gratis and hoed my Field at the back of the Meeting House.  They were, Capt. Wood and his Son, Mr. Williams and his son, Mr. Daniel Hardy, Mr. Hezekiah Pratt, Mr. Moses Twitchell, John How, Adam Rice, Amon Le Blanc for Capt. Fay, and William Bowman for Neighbour Barny Newton, and they finished the Field by 11 a.m.  A great Kindness and Relief to me!  May God Himself reward them!  Mr. Twitchell tarried and helped me in the East Yard, till noon, and dined with us.  P.M. Mr. Davidson, of Douglas, heretofore of Sutton, concerning whom so much was done there and at Oxford, was here, and detained me a great While: but it does not appear to be in my power to give him peace.

1759 June 17 (Sunday).  Read Neh. 10 and Act. 20.  Preached a.m. on Eph. 1.11 and p.m. on Eph. 4.18.  Mrs. Hardy, wife of Phinehas, widow Thankfull and Widow Elizabeth Rogers dined here.  After Exercises we attended the Funeral of Mr. Benjamin Tainters youngest son, Josiah-Wood Tainter, who dyed by the Canker, and very soon.  Capt. Wood and I rode together in his Chair.

1759 June 18 (Monday).  Visited Hannah Woods (eldest Daughter of Widow Patience), She being exercised with grievous Fitts.  Visit also Ensign Miller and dined there.  P.M. Mr. Richard Kelly here; have Controversie with him about the Doctrine delivered yesterday of the divine Decrees.  N.B. Adam Rice draws off and loads up 6 Barrells of Cyder which he buys of me, together with a 7th to fill up with; and gives me 40/ old Tenor per Barrell.  He sat out for Boston this Evening in Company with several other Neighbours with their Teams — and some with Cyder.

1759 June 19 (Tuesday).  Deacon Tainter was so kind as to take my Mare to teach her to draw, and I had his sons young mare to ride to Holden, it being the Time of Association there.  The Ministers there were Messrs. Cushing, Martyn, Stone, Smith, Buckminster, Morse.  See Association Minutes.  Lodged at Mr. Davis’s.  N.B. Mr. Davis much out of Health.

1759 June 20 (Wednesday).  This Day was to have been a Fast; but we have information that next Week is to be a public Fast through the Province.  At the Lecture Mr. Mellen prayed and Mr. Cushing preached on Hab. 3.2.  N.B. Mr. Maccarty came to Day, and with him Sir Sparhawk.  There came also Mr. Farrar, a young preacher.  When I came home, found that Capt. Allen and his Wife had been here this Afternoon (though they knew I was not at home) and my Wife also was gone to see her Cousen Maynard.  N.B. Artemas Bruce has brought up the Baldwin Horse here.

1759 June 21 (Thursday).  I visited Hannah Woods who has Fitts Still.  Sarah rode my Mare to Marlborough.  Capt. Benjamin Eager of Shrewsbury dyed last night.

1759 June 22 (Friday).  Adam Rice returned from Boston last night.  Adam got 2 Dollars per Barrell.  He paid me £13.15.0 old tenor with which I was Satisfyed.  Sarah returned from Marlborough.  Alexander ploughs among the Corn with my mare.

1759 June 23 (Saturday).  Sent a Letter to Brother Hicks, in answer to his of the 18th in which he replys to my Daughter Sarahs concerning Money which She delivered him when he went to Boston, to lay out for her.  My Letter I gave to one Mr. Offin Burnham of Sutton.  My Wife went to Mrs. Dunlops and Mrs. Pierce’s.  Mr. Fessenden and his Brother here.

1759 June 24 (Sunday).  Rode over to the North End, and preached there a. and p.m. on Eph. 1.7 and baptized Samuel the son of Samuel Allen.  At Eve I returned.  Mr. Martyn came here and preached a.m. on Prov. 8.33.34.35.  P.M. he preached on 2 Cor. 3.18.  Master Fessenden and his Brother, also Mrs. Hannah Rugg, heretofore Pratt, dined here.  John broke out with the Meazles yesterday; to Day is pritty full — has a Fever.  Is confined to the Chamber and bears it patiently.  I desire to committ this matter to God relying upon His infinite Goodness and mercy to my Children who are exposed to be exercised with the Distemper.

1759 June 25 (Monday).  John keeps his bed — the Meazles being all over him and a Fever attending — but no bad symptoms.

1759 June 26 (Tuesday).  John so much better that I carryed him down below.  Dr. Crosby dined here.  I can’t but regret all interruption to Day.

1759 June 27 (Wednesday).  Dr. Charles Pyncheon of Springfield here at Mr. Forbush’s request that something might be done about Dr. Wilsons going Surgeon of the first Battalion under Brigadier Ruggles.  Nathan Kenny mowed my fore Yard, Garden and part of my little pasture.  I am my self most closely engaged in my preparations.

1759 June 28 (Thursday).  Public Fast on Account of the Expedition against Canada.  The Fleet we hear has sailed for Quebec.  I preached a. and p.m. on Ps. 60.9 to 12.  May God bless His word and accept our Supplications!

1759 June 29 (Friday).  Visited at Mr. Eleazer Williams, his oldest Daughter ill and languishing, and 3 or 4 others sick of the Meazles, and prayed there.  Visit Joseph Harrington who is sick of a Fever and prayed there.  After dining at home attended the Burying of Mr. Eb. Chamberlins infant Child.  N.B. Mr. Joslin uneasy that I don’t baptize Jenny Maynards Child on his account, he having taken it to bring it up; whereas the parents are rather to be laboured with and brought to their Duty, that it may be done upon their Account and not a strangers.

1759 June 30 (Saturday).  Yesterday Morning Mrs. Hannah Rice came early to desire me to let her go and live in my t’other House (though there is a Family there already).  To Day having thought of the matter (as I told her I would) I Sent her word that I declined it, because of the Difficult Circumstances of my Case — upon which she sent me a Letter full of Resentment — and to which I thought it necessary to write some Reply.  N.B. Mr. Whitney, Deacon Tainter and his son, and Mr. Joseph Bruce came to help me in half-hilling.  A valuable Token of their Kindness.  May God reward ‘em for it!  P.M. Mr. Fessenden at Tea here.

1759 July 1 (Sunday).  Read Neh. 11 and Act. 21.  Preached the first Sermon on Eph. 4.18 and p.m. repeated with Alterations sermon on Ps. 78 against Hypocrisie: but used 1 Tim. 4.2, former part, for my present Text.  May God be pleased to impress the awful Truths upon all our souls!  I beg earnestly that my own Heart may be properly affected therewith.  Master Fessenden dined here.

1759 July 2 (Monday).  My Children much indisposed — tis probable some of them have the beginnings of the Meazles.  I visited Lieut. Forbush who as also his son Ebenezer is confined by sickness.  I Should have gone to Hopkinton to see whether Dr. Wilson has a Mind to go Surgeon in the Army, according to the Desire of Dr. Pyncheon that I would; but it prov’d a very rainy Day.  Alexander carelessly fell from the Baldwin Horse and incapacitated him for Business.

1759 July 3 (Tuesday).  I rode over to Mr. Isaac Pratt’s and improved him to make a pair of Breeches for Me, since he so ingenuously own’d his Defect as to my son Thomas’s.  Samuel very drooping.  So is Sophy: Sarah and Hannah not well — but I miss Alexander most, because my Field behind the Meeting House is unhoed.  P.M. I preached at Mr. N. Whitneys on Mat. 7.9.10.11.  My wife according to her appointment went to Marlborough with her Cousen Maynard.  Suse went with me to the private Meeting.

1759 July 4 (Wednesday).  My Wife did not return last Night from Marlborough.  My little Sophy broke out thick with the Meazles.  Samme somewhat but not perfectly: the rest are about House.  Mr. Moses Twitchell mowes for me, here at home.  P.M. Deacon Tainter sends a Boy to hoe and Phinehas Forb. comes with him: afterward the Deacon himself now the Third Time to forward my Corn Field.  He tells me it was somewhat hurt by the late Frost.  At Eve my wife returns.  Mr. Twitchell goes home.

1759 July 5 (Thursday).  Samme and Sophy keep their Bed all Day: Hannah partly broke out — so are Sarah and Alexander and keep on the Bed considerable part of the Day.  I rode over to t’other House and to look up Help to hoe.  Dined with Cousen Maynard.  P.M. Visit the Widow Betty Rogers, her Daughter in Law Suse having been sick lately.

1759 July 6 (Friday).  Divers of the Children have purgings.  Samme has also signs of Canker.  He sleeps very much.  Sophys Meazles were in splotches and Spread over her yesterday.  To Day she is better but is confined to her bed.  Sarah is chiefly upon the Bed, breaks out in a Measure and So does Alex — but neither of them fully.  The latter has a great Cough.  Hannah also Somewhat more broke out, yet the Distemper is to no ripeness with her.  Mr. Twitchell came and mowed a while but the Rain beat him off.  John Howe came to hoe, but could do little else than plough, with Mr. Twitchell, a.m.  They dined here.  Twitchell after dinner left my Work by reason of the weather.  John Howe goes to hoeing.  Several Neighbours came to help — viz. the Four Maynards, David, Ebenezer, and Nathan, and Cousen Maynard Sends two hands, Solomon Maynard (whom Captain has hired) and Jacob Garfield, with a Cheese.  So that my Field is a little enlivened again.  And Mr. Twitchel returned again to his Mowing and worked till late and lodged here.  A very faithfull, diligent Man!  I wish I might be as faithfull in my Business as he is in his.

1759 July 7 (Saturday).  Mr. Twitchell mows for me.  We have a sick House.  May God be gracious to us.  Hannahs Meazles fully out, and she is very touchy and troublesome.  P.M. Cousen Maynard kindly Visits us and helps her Aunt in tending the Sick.  Mrs. Newton comes at Night, and these two watch with them.

1759 July 8 (Sunday).  Patty Dunlop (by Desire) comes in the Morning to assist us and tarrys till next morning.  Read Neh. 12 and Act 22.  Preached a.m. on 2 Tim. 3.7.  P.M. repeated two Expositions, viz. on Mat. 5.9 and on v. 10.  N.B. In the forenoon Exercise I used great Plainness and Freedom.  May God Himself be pleased graciously to own and accept what was agreeable to His Will.  Cousen Maynard remains with us.  She and her Daughter Nanny at dinner here as were Master Fessenden, Patty Dunlop.  All the Children continue ill, though Samme and Sophy tis hoped are somewhat better.  We desire publick prayers for them.

1759 July 9 (Monday).  Patty Dunlop and Miss Nanny Bradish watched last night.  The Children are better, through the divine Goodness and Mercy; To God be Glory!  Mr. Twitchell came p.m. and mow’d.  Mrs. Kimbal of Hopkinton dyed yesterday and is buryed to Day.

1759 July 10 (Tuesday).  Mr. Twitchell mows for me all Day notwithstanding it was very rainy.  I am reading Persian Letters.  N.B. The melancholly account of Mr. Ponds unhappy Conduct, at Narragansett No. 6.[1]  May God Sanctify it to my own humbling and Caution!  And O that He would pity all his Ministers under their Many Temptations and Infirmitys and remember the gracious promise “Lo I am with you etc.”  The Children much better.  All of them go abroad, though they are weak still.

[1]Other than Parkman’s reference to the “melancholy account,” Clifford K. Shipton was unable to learn anything more about the dismissal of Daniel Pond (1724-c. 1797), Harvard Class of 1745, from his ministry in Templeton; SHG 11:567-68.

1759 July 11 (Wednesday).  Having been repeatedly requested, I made a Visit to Mr. Joseph Miles, who remains in a poor, weak, dark distressed Condition.  I conversed with him, but he would speak but rarely.  His Wife was very full and manifested great Concern for him.  Dr. Crosby came.  We prayed together.  I returned to dine at Home.  P.M. raked Hay at the Island, and my two Boys Alex and Samuel are able to help me which though it be but in some Measure yet is it a great Favour.

1759 July 12 (Thursday).  Visit Mrs. Nurse and borrowed her Chair to go to Boston next week.  Neighbour Zebulun Rice Sends a son with a Team to cart in a small Jagg of Hay from the Island.  Some of my Children are drooping — at Times Samme, John, Hannah.  We have the Melancholly Account of the Hurricane the Night before last at Leicester by which the House of Mr. [blank] Lynde was blown to pieces with [blank] persons in it.  The particulars of the Damage not yet known here.

1759 July 13 (Friday).  Though I sat my self to study yet meet with many Interruptions.  P.M. frequent dropping in of Company.  Mrs. Foster and her Daughter Twitchell, Cousen Maynard — Mr. Artimas Bruce’s Wife.

1759 July 14 (Saturday).  Am oblig’d to write several Letters — viz. to Thomas at Stillwater in Hudsons River, To Billy gone over the Lake.  To Mr. Martyn to desire him to improve the ministerial meadow this Year.

1759 July 15 (Sunday).  Read Neh. 13, Act. 23.  Preached a.m. on 2 Tim. 3.7.  P.M. used the Exposition on Mat. part of No. 27 and No. 28 with some Additions.  Master Fessenden, Capt. Foster and his Wife dined here.

1759 July 16 (Monday).  I rose early; Sat out in Mrs. Nurse’s Chair and the Baldwin Horse some time before the Sun.  At Mr. Stone’s just when he rose.  Broke Fast at Coll. Buckminsters.  Baited at Mr. Ebenezer Hammonds.  Dined at Dr. Wheats at Boston where I arrived at about 3/4 after one; when they were almost ready to sit down at Table.  P.M. at Brother Samuels.  His Daughter Bradford had a Daughter about a fortnight old — named Elizabeth.  N.B. her husband came home two Days before the Child was born.  Mrs. Winter in a low Condition.  Put up my Chair and Horse, and lodged my self, at Brother Samuels.  Capt. Bradfords Brother from Rhode Island lodged there with me.

1759 July 17 (Tuesday).  Visited most of my Relatives — my Kinswoman Winter remains in a very low Condition, at Deaths Door.  Dined at Cousen Langdons.  Visited Cousen Hearsy who has returned to her Husband but she deeply regretts it.  At Eve at Cousen Oliver’s.  N.B. She was brought to Bed this Morning with a Daughter, which she calls Mary.  N.B. This Afternoon Lt. John Small of Scarborough having prepared a large Draught of the Eastern Country, by direction from the Governor and at the Province House, goes with me there to Shew it me, and it appears to be done with great Ingenuity and Correctness.  I lodged again at my Brother Samuels.

1759 July 18 (Wednesday).  My Brother Samuel made me a present of an handsome black Coat, lined with Alapeen, for which generous Benefaction the Lord graciously reward him!  I brought up my Daughter Baldwin from Dr. Wheats to Cambridge, it being Commencement, but it was so late that the forenoon Exercise was begun, and it was a very hot Day, So that I did not go to it.  I dined in the Hall.  N.B. Mr. Webster of Salisbury returned thanks; as whose appointment I know not.  But it look as if it was designed beforehand, Since he, though so young a man, compared with many others, Sat at the Governors Table.  Attended the public Exercise p.m.  President under Languor by reason of Indisposition.  Mr. Lovell Orator, with good success.  N.B. My Daughter Baldwin at Meeting also.  We lodged at Sister Barretts.  [Marginal note: I paid him 50£ and Mrs. Stoddard 30£.  I bought Salmons geographical Grammar and a Bible for Alexander.  These of Mr. Winter.]

1759 July 19 (Thursday).  I carryed her into the Library.  I dined at Mr. Appletons.  Was the oldest minister there.  Mr. Daniel Rogers of Exeter the only one besides.  Coll. Dyer of Windham there.  P.M. we rode to Watertown to Mr. D. Whitneys and to Brother Harringtons where we lodged.

1759 July 20 (Friday).  Rode home.  N.B. called at sister Baldwins and Mr. Wymans in Sudbury and at Miss Mary Shermans in Marlborough.  The Family at home were in some Comfort, except the drooping of some of those who had the Meazles.  Sarahs Relicks of the Distemper breaks out in a bad finger.  Samuel is weak and pale.  John has something of Fever and Ague: and Hannah has sore Eyes.  4 Letters from the Lake — 2 from Baldwin.  Mr. Barrett visits here while I was at Commencement.