Category: Diary

1760 August 10 (Sunday).  I could not Change with Mr. Martyn as I depended upon doing, he being pre-engaged to Mr. Smith, who made it too difficult to gratify my Request to come here, he not having his own Horse etc.  I was Sorry for this Disappointment, but was obliged to do as I could not help.  Read Job 32 and 1 Cor. 15 to v. 20.  Preached a.m. on Dan. 5.25.  P.M. repeated with omissions and Alterations the 2 sermons on Rev. 3.2.  O that God would accompany it with divine Power!  Especially into my own Soul!

1760 August 11 (Monday).  This Morning, having Mr. Nathaniel Balls mare to draw in my Chair, my wife and I sat out upon our Journey to Rutland and Brookfield.  We broke fast at Capt. Allens — though late — called at Mrs. Cushings and at Capt. Biglows in Holden — dined late at Mr. Davis’s — arrived Safe at my Son Baldwins and found them all well.  D.G.  We also lodged there.

1760 August 12 (Tuesday).  A.M. viewed the work at the New Meeting House.  Visited Mr. Buckminster.  Dined at my son Baldwins, having brought Mr. Buckminster and his Wife with us there.  P.M. my son and Daughter in their Chair rode with us through Rutland Woods to Brookfield.  My son Ebenezer and his Family Well; and at Mr. Forb.’s where we lodged.

1760 August 13 (Wednesday).  Dined at Mr. Forb.  P.M. Mr. Forb. and I visited Mr. Bartlet, Squire Howard, and Mr. Joseph Chaddock.  N.B. Took up two Notes of Hand given Mr. Chaddock by my son Thomas with what Interest he required — viz. £23.14.0 old Tenor.  Lodged at Mr. Forb.

1760 August 14 (Thursday).  Broke Fast at Dr. Gotts.  My Son Ebenezer and I (on an Horse provided me) rode to Ware River Parish.  Dined with Mr. Thayer at his Lodgings there.  Proceeded to Mr. Lulls.  Shewed him the Letters which I received from our Arbitrators on our Townshend Affairs, viz. Lieut. Daniel Taylor of Townshend, and Mr. William Jones of Lunenbourgh.  Mr. Lull not having Money at that time to pay his part of the Charge demanded by them, I took his promissory Note for 70/ old Tenor and told him that I would write a Deed for him of the 35 Acres which though he had given me Deed of as part of Equivalence to me for the Lot I lost, yet the Arbitrators had not Seen meet to grant to me: This Deed I am to keep as Pledge till Lull pays me this promisory Note and the Interest of it.  We changed our Notes of Obligation to stand by the Judgment of the Arbitrators.  I also took two of Mr. Lulls Deeds in Trust to get ‘em acknowledged at Concord Court if either of the Witnesses are living, he promising to bear the Charge I must be at in doing it.  Also he desires me to search in the Registers Office at Cambridge for the Deed given by Capt. Adams of Concord to Mr. Lull, of one half of Coll. Taylors Right in Townshend.  We supped at Mrs. Cutler’s — returned to Mr. Forbush’s in the Dark and Rain, and I lodged there, Mrs. P________ there also.  My Daughter so near her Time as very much to keep her mother there.  N.B. My Baldwins returned to Rutland.

1760 August 15 (Friday).  Rain.  Can’t journey home.  It held up p.m.  Mr. Forb. and I rode out to visit the Squires Convers and Ayres — the former not at home.  At Squire Ayres’ Capt. Thomas Gilbert acknowledges the Deed which he had given my Son Ebenezer of Jonathan Gilberts place.  At Night Mr. Forb. in Ebenezer’s behalf acquaints me with his great straits and Difficultys, to my great Grief to hear when I am so little able to do what is necessary for his Relief.

1760 August 16 (Saturday).  My Daughter Forb. has been so ill in the Night past, She prays we would not go home as I designed.  Was at Ebenezers.  Dined at Forb.  P.M. Mr. Forb. and I rode to see Mr. Parsons and Capt. Gilbert, where was Mr. Joseph Bowman with his Aunt Walker from Blanford.

1760 August 17 (Sunday).  Mr. Forb. prayed before sermon.  I preached on Joel 3.13 a.m. to p.12.  After Dinner Mr. Forb. rode to the West Parish and preached for Mr. Parsons.  While I for him on Dan. 5.25.  May God pardon my great Defects and Miscarriages and add his almighty Blessing!

1760 August 18 (Monday).  Much against my Daughter Forb.’s Inclination, but much obliged thereto by our unavoidable Calls other where, my wife and I sat out on our Journey home.  Broke fast at Capt. Wolcotts.  Dined at Judge Chandlers.  Drank Tea at Capt. Allens — having called at Mrs. Cushings.  Found our family comfortable.  D.G.  N.B. Mr. Welman preached for me yesterday, on Ps. 2.12 and on 1 Pet. 3.20.

1760 August 19 (Tuesday).  Mr. Davis and afterwards Mr. Loring, came from Shrewsbury in their way to Ministers Meeting.  Mr. Loring had preached last Lords Day on the Death of Mr. Cushing: and attended there the Funeral of Mr. Joseph Knowlton, a most excellent man, and pious, experienced Christian.  Mr. Loring had also preached yesterday at Mr. Joseph Miles’s.  We rode to Hopkinton Association.  Mrs. Barrett better.  Mr. Cushings Death much lamented — especially in Mr. Davis’s Answer to his Question: what is the Import of Luk. 12.35.36.

1760 August 20 (Wednesday).  I was very feeble, faint and feverish last night — and Slept but little; yet being better this morning, through the divine Goodness I went to Meeting.  Mr. Goss prayed.  I preached on 2 Cor. 4.16.  May God Himself grant an Efficacious Blessing!  But ardently wish especially that I may my self be properly moved!  For how great Reason have I in peculiar manner to Consider my outward Mans Decay, and to be concerned for the renewing of my inward man, Day by Day!  N.B. some special, moving Intercourse with Mr. Loring.  But (may God have the Glory!) this Meeting was in general one of the most profitable Meetings.  Mr. Davis was my Company home but he proceeded on his Journey.  Mrs. Maynard at Tea here.  At Evening Mr. Abijah Gale here — he manifests Dissatisfaction that Mr. Welman preached here — but goes away satisfyed.  I understood by him that some Number besides went to other Meetings — which I am sorry for.

1760 August 21 (Thursday).  Mrs. Biglow here with her Relation.  Mr. Moses Nurse is so behind Hand in his Haying and Oat Harvest, that he having been very kind to us, has help from us.

1760 August 22 (Friday).  Deacon Tainter returns from Brookfield, informs that my Daughter Forb. is yet well and comfortable.  The chief Engagement of my Mind is upon my preaching at Shrewsbury but can’t prepare a new sermon on that Occasion.

1760 August 23 (Saturday).  Mr. Joseph Bruce here and manifests his uneasiness at Mr. Welmans preaching here.  He wants to be Examined in order to his joining with the Church — but I am so engaged in my preparation for the Sabbath that I Can’t attend upon it.  Young Mr. Dorr here.  Dined here.  Wants to know when I will go and preach at Providence Town, where he has the Care of the Pulpit.  But I cannot give any Encouragement about it.  Mr. Fessenden here also.  I rode to Shrewsbury and lodged at Mrs. Cushings.

1760 August 24 (Sunday).  I preached on Occasion of the Sudden Death of Rev. Mr. Job Cushing, at Shrewsbury a.m. on Luk. 12.36.37, former parts.  P.M. on Zech. 1.5 and gave some Character of him.  May God be pleased to add his almighty Blessing!  May all of us be thoroughly awakened and quickened that We also may be always ready!  I returned at Eve — found Mr. Swan here.  He had preached for me a.m. on Joh. 3.8 and Ps. 37.37.

1760 August 25 (Monday).  I gave Mr. Swan the Compendious History of the Reformation and one of my own (printed) Discourses on Ezek. 22.30 and hereby wholly Satisfyed him on the account of the Eusebius which I bought of his mother in his behalf, Some Years ago at Lancaster.  He left us.  P.M. Capt. Woods Mother and Wife came to See us.  I sat about my Preparations for the Sabbath.

1760 August 26 (Tuesday).  I walked to Lt. Forb. and to Capt. Forb.  At noon to Capt. Bakers and Neighbour Zebulun Rice’s.  Read to the latter, Reasons why no one ought to be offended at Mr. Wellmans preaching here.  P.M. Jonathan Grout here with [blank] Harrington of Grafton who borrows my Chair to go to Watertown.  Mr. Joseph Grout here to be Examined.  Deacon Tainter at Eve; and Mr. B. Hill.

1760 August 27 (Wednesday).  [No entry.]

1760 August 28 (Thursday).  I have heard that Deacon Forb. was under Some Disquietment about Mr. Wellmans preaching here.  I therefore, having Business that way, went to him to talk with him about and shew him the Reasons for my employing him.  N.B. Mr. Abraham Knowlton of Shrewsbury with me.  We ride to Ensign Millers to Speak with Deacon Kimbal.  P.M. Mrs. Maynard rode over, waits on Mrs. Instant and Miss Suse Loe.  At eve Mr. John Fosket junior brings an Order from Mr. William Jones junior of Lunenbourg, which I paid, it being for two Dollars, for his Fathers Service on the Lull Affair.  Nathan Kenny came with a Waggon and carryed over to Capt. Maynards Six Barrells, and brought from Mr. Parker one Barrell of New Cyder: he having made two and somewhat more.

1760 August 29 (Friday).  My Wife went over to visit Mrs. Parker and tarryed the Afternoon.  Mrs. Sarah Grout here and was examin’d.  P.M. Mr. Daniel Forbush here to talk with me about Mr. Wellmans preaching here.  I gave him the Reasons: but I told him that I was not aware it would disquiet so many of my people.  If I had, I would not have asked him.  We had no roughness of Temper; and he goes away quiet.  At Night Capt. Fay came; asks me to preach at his House next Tuesday: but I was obliged to deny him, because I purpose to go a journey next week.  He asked me whether it would be agreeable to me that Mr. Hutchinson Should preach there?  I told him Yes; for I should be glad of all means for their Spiritual and Eternal Good.  He left me a present of Cheese and Apples.  But no word about Mr. Wellman, though he was one that went somewhere else to Meeting that Day he preached here.  [Marginal notation: My Daughter Forb. was delivered of a son, which afterwards was called Eli.]

1760 August 30 (Saturday).  Mr. Batheric Called — and he came upon the Affair of Mr. Wellmans preaching but not warm, nor much disquieted — to what some others are.  I observed that his Uncle Thomas Forbush was (by his late Discourse with him) on Mr. Wellmans Side and in his Commendation.

1760 August 31 (Sunday).  Read Job 33 and 1 Cor. 15 from v. 20.  Preached a. and p.m. on Heb. 12.25.  May God grant His almighty Blessing.  Admitted the Wife of Cornelius Biglow junior into the Church.

1760 September 1 (Monday).  Samuel Forb. with a Yoke of Oxen, and a Yoke from Mr. Zebulun Rice’s, and another from Mr. Joseph Baker ploughed my Summer tilling Ground at the Island.  I rode to Mr. Edwards Whipples, Solomon Bakers and Pratts, to provide for my Mason next week.  P.M. Mr. Baker sent his young man to help at the ploughing.  Sold my Mare to Mr. Joseph Baker for his Father, for 55£ Old Tenor to be paid in 3 months.  Mr. Zebulun Rice the witness — he wants to learn the Rules of Musick; of which I gave him a Sketch this Evening.

1760 September 2 (Tuesday).  On Mr. Zebulun Rice’s Mare I sat out on my Journey for Mr. Lulls Benefit, to get his Deeds acknowledged by the Court at Concord.  I was much troubled with having Such a Lame, dull Creature.  Turned to Squire Brighams at Marlborough to get a better, but did not succeed.  I dined there.  Proceeded to Sudbury.  One Burbank of Sutton my Company.  Called at Widow Baldwin’s.  Mr. Farrars at Lincoln.  At Capt. Adams’s there.  Young Mr. Farrar Shews me the way to Mr. Lawrence’s.  N.B. we called and drank a Glass of Wine at Judge Russells.  Lodged at Mr. Lawrence’s, with his Father.

1760 September 3 (Wednesday).  Rode to Lexington, hoping to find Mrs. Mary Lock, one of the Witnesses I was in search for — but having dined at Mr. Clarks, was obliged to ride to Woburn, she being the Wife of Deacon John Wright.  Found her, declared my Business, and She, with her Husbands Concurrence, consented to go to Court.  I lodged at Mr. Shermans.  N.B. At Eve he came from Cambridge, where the Governor had visited, and dined to Day.

1760 September 4 (Thursday).  Mr. Sherman rode with me to Mrs. Bows at Bedford; and to Concord; where also came Deacon Wright and Wife.  Coll. Lawrence presented the Deeds to the Court at their Sessions to Day — but it unhappily fell out that the Seal of one of the Deeds was torn off; and therefore it was concluded that two Justices Quorum Unus Should Swear what Evidences appeared, and this Should be in perpetuam re; Memoriam — I was desired to dine with the Court; which I did — as did Mr. Bliss and Mr. Joseph Emmerson of Nissitisset.  After Dinner Mr. Danforth and Coll. Elisha Jones came to Dr. Minots, and there Swore Mrs. Mary Wright who was one of the Witnesses to Jonathan Parks Deed to Benjamin and James Lull of Rights in Townshend.  And Coll. William Lawrence, Major James Prescott, and Capt. Josiah Sartell, were Sworn respecting Isaac Farnsworth Hand Writing, who was one of the Witnesses of Jonathan Parks Deed to Lull of his Half of the Hundred Acres (which were the House Lott in Townshend).  These Gentlemen were so generous as to give me what they had done.  And I payed Deacon Wright 30/ for his Wife’s coming 13 miles on this occasion, and for their Returning home.  N.B. I put up wholly among the Minots.  My Bags etc. at Master Minots, the Mare I rode, at Coll.’s widows; and visit there at Eve.  Supped and lodged at Dr. Minots, with Mr. Martyn.

1760 September 5 (Friday).  A variety of Consultations about Lulls Deeds.  Young Mr. Foxcroft undertakes to search the Records for Capt. Adams’s Deed to Lull and to Parks.  Mr. Martyn and I call at Mr. Bliss’s — and at Squire Whitings.  I buy and pay for a Book containing the Disputations in former Times in this Country about the Baptizing any other Children than those of Church Members.  In returning home we met Mr. Caleb Sawyer of Leominster and reads a summons to us to appear at the Superior Court at Wor’ster which was to our sorrow.  Stopped a little at Deacon Rice’s; where we were kindly invited to dine, it being noon: but Mr. Martyn was rather inclined to dine at his Brother Witts in Marlborough and would have me go with him.  He had also sent his son Richard before him to give Notice of our Coming.  We therefore rode there.  But Mrs. Witt was from Home; and the wealthy old Gentleman, though he had been at Court for a great many Years, yet had never learnt to invite us to dine with him; nor to ask us whether we had any need of Eating, at that time o’ Day; though he must of necessity know that our ride had been long Since we could have been refreshed: He Seemed to avoid all Such Questions.  Therefore hungry, disappointed and ashamed, we were obliged to remount our Horses, and ride up into Town to Search for Something that might relieve our Appetites.  We stopped at Dr. Dexters, and it So happened that they had not dined; but desired we would accept of a Dinner with them.  We needed no great Courting.  We dined there heartily.  Thence we visited Mr. Smith.  Arrived Safe at Evening.  D.G.

1760 September 6 (Saturday).  P.M. Jabez Ward Esq. and his Son Jabez here, and drink Tea with us.

1760 September 7 (Sunday).  I changed with Mr. Martyn, who preached on Song 1.6, latter part and Prov. 4.23.  I preached on Dan. 5.20and Mat. 16.24.  Mr. Smith, who had preached at Shrewsbury was at Mr. Martyns at Evening.  I returned home.

1760 September 8 (Monday).  Deacon Kimball came to finish the lathing, and then to plaister my Kitchin.  Capt. Wood early brought down the Lime from Mr. Joseph Bakers.  P.M. Rebecca Hardy came to be instructed etc.  Dr. Walton of Pomfret here at Evening.

1760 September 9 (Tuesday).  Visit Cornet Brigham who is Sick of a Fever.  P.M. visit Abner Warrin who languishes; and Ebenezer Miller who also is in a relaxed wasting State; Mr. Daniel Forbush and one of his Daughters, who are Sick — Monsieur LeBlanc.  Deacon Kimbal.  N.B. Dr. Walton at Breakfast here.

1760 September 10 (Wednesday).  Mr. Martyn, having dined here, preached my Lecture on Song 1.12.  N.B. Deacon Kimball.  Letter from Mr. E. Rice at Annapolis.

1760 September 11 (Thursday).  I rode to Shrewsbury in my Chair; Daughter Sarah with me, drawn by Mr. Parkers Mare.  Capt. Allen acquaints me with the Death of his Son Samuel at New Providence.  We dined at Mrs. Cushings.  Old Madam Prentice there.  I preached on 1 Joh. 1.7.  After Lecture visit Mrs. Allen in her mourning for her Son.  At Eve we returned home well.  D.G.  Deacon Kimball.  N.B. Sorrowful Account from Dr. Crosby of my Neighbour Williams’s Hand, which he slightly hurt in getting Wood; but it has festered greatly.

1760 September 12 (Friday).  Visit and pray with Mr. Williams.  His Hand looks terribly.  P.M. Deacon Kimball finishes; having made up 4 1/2 Days, at 25/ O.T.  Letters from Mr. Farward and Mr. Forb. to go to Council at Cold Spring.  And from my Son Ebenezer who has been sick, but is recovered.  D.G.  Samuel returns home.  My Rowing mowed by Deacon Tainters young man.  Dr. Wilson has visited Neighbour Williams and thinks he will dye.

1760 September 13 (Saturday).  Find in the News Paper of the 11th the Death of Honorable Judge Sewall after about 10 Days Confinement in the 57th Year of his Age.[1]  He was the very Glory of this Province; and I don’t know but that Universally esteemed so.  I had the Happiness of Acquaintance with him from early Youth.  We were not only Classmates at College but school-mates.  And he did me the Honor to invite me with a Singular endearingness to his House: telling me, I knew he took a particular Pleasure in my coming to See him.  It is a most heavy Loss!  The Lord sanctifie it to the Land — to the Surviving Judges, to the rest of our Classmates; and in a peculiar Manner to unworthy Me!  O might I Suitably reallize my own Decease!  Isa. 3.1.2.3.  “For behold the Lord.  The Lord of Hosts doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah –the Judge — the Prudent — the Honorable Man — the Counsellor — and the Eloquent Oratour.”  Visited Neighbour Williams and desiring I might be alone with him, all left us — and I dealt in some plainness with him as to what I conceived to be his particular sins:  but he entertains a great deal of Hope concerning his spiritual Welfare.  P.M. Mr. Fessenden here.  I advise him before he preaches any more, to be examined; but to be sure to join with some Church and go to the Communion.

[1]Stephen Sewall (1702-1760), Harvard 1721, youngest of seventeen children of Major Stephen and Margaret (Mitchel) Sewall and a nephew of Samuel Sewall.  After graduation he kept school in Marblehead, served as college librarian and then as tutor for the classes of 1731, 1735, and 1739, turned down a call from the church in Marlborough, and then studied law.  In 1739, he was given a place on the bench of the superior court (or as it is now called, the supreme judicial court), even though he had never appeared on either side of the bar.  After the death of Chief Justice Dudley (Harvard 1690), he was elevated to his place.  According to Parkman, Sewall attended the Latin School in the North End, although he does not appear in the Latin School catalog.