Category: Diary

1760 September 14 (Sunday).  Read Job 34.  Omitted the Afternoon reading by Reason of the Multiplicity of Exercises and Sacred Business of this Day.  Preached a.m. on Song 6.12.  Administered the Lords Supper.  N.B. Sarah (the wife of Robert) Cook at Communion.  Mrs. Walker of Houssatonnock Number 4 with us also: and dined here as did Deacon Tainter.  P.M. my Time in the week being exceedingly taken up with visiting, Lectures etc. I was obliged to use former preparations not being willing to Extemporize.  I preached on Isa. 9.6, last Clause, from page 313th to 322.  After Sermon, transacted the Affair of Mr. Joseph Joslin and his Wife who have taken John and Jane King Maynards Child to bring up and they promising etc. it was baptized.  To Day I likewise read a Second Letter from the Church at Cold Spring, desiring a Council there.  This Request was left to Consideration.

1760 September 15 (Monday).  I visited Mr. Williams under his terrible Sore.  N.B. Seth Rice being there I could not tarry long to any good purpose.  P.M. I visited Abner Warrin who is Still lower, and there are Slender Hopes of him.  Dr. Morse of Sutton, Dr. Willson and Dr. Crosby there together in Consultation; and conclude his Case next to Desperate.

1760 September 16 (Tuesday).  Vid. Natalitia.  Mrs. Martyn made us a Visit and dined here.  P.M. Young Mr. Barrett and his Wife, Mrs. Crosmans Son and Daughter, together with two Ladys of Mr. Barretts Relations, made us a visit — but I could not wait upon any of these as at other Times.  It was a great Trouble to me.  As was, besides, my being Summoned to the Superior Court at Worcester.  I rode to Mr. Williams to See him under his Lameness before I went out of Town.  N.B. I dealt with him in Some plainness about his vices — prayed with him and parted with him as fearing we Should never See one another in this world again.  Rode to Shrewsbury nigh Evening.  At Mrs. Cushings were old Madam Prentice, Mr. Martyn and Mr. Stone.  Were there also Mr. Badger and his Wife — So that I returned to lodge at Capt. Allens.  There I found Mr. Pemberton and Elder Halsey, and therefore could not lodge there — yet Supped with them and went to the Tavern (Mr. Hen. Baldwins) — where I was kindly entertained.

1760 September 17 (Wednesday).  Break fast at Capt. Allens with Pemberton and Halsey.  Rode to Court but the Boxford Case with Mr. Rogers took up the Day.  No body invited me to dinner.  I went to Mr. Maccartys and dined well there: with Messrs. Martyn, Hall and Putnam of Pomfret.  At Court p.m. the Same Case as a.m.  At Eve at Mr. Maccarty’s.  Lodged at Capt. Dolittles.  N.B. He was of the Jury and did not come home all night.  Mr. Oliver Carter lodged with me.

1760 September 18 (Thursday).  The Leominster Case all Day.  Dined at Judge Chandlers, he having Sent an Invitation to all the Ministers — Except Mr. Rogers and Marsh to come.  Messrs. Pemberton, Martyn, Stone, Bridge, Goss, Harrington, Davis and Maccarty there.  N.B. The joyfull News arrived of the British Forces taking Montreal on the 8th Current.  To God all Glory!  The Court was held, by the Leominster Case, till half after nine at night.  Lodged as last night.

1760 September 19 (Friday).  Broke fast at Mr. Bridge’s (the Barber).  N.B. Capt. Ezra Taylor there.  I returned home — and the more earnestly to see my poor Neighbour Williams (if he be yet alive) — till I met Dr. Crosby, who told me he was grown better, and his Hand in an hopefull Way.  Dined at Mrs. Cushings.  N.B. Paid Cousen Maynard her Interest, to May last.  Visited and prayed with Mr. Williams before I went home.  N.B. Aged Mrs. Lovell, Mr. William Pierce’s mother lies dead.

1760 September 20 (Saturday).  Attend old Mrs. Lovells Funeral.  N.B. Rode with Capt. Wood.  Deacon Burnap dined here.

1760 September 21 (Sunday).  Read Job 35.  Having been gone so much of the Week, I was obliged to use former preparations.  A.M. delivered part of the Exposition of Exod. XIX from p. 11 to page 18 (which is the End).  P.M. Omitted the Reading — having Church Bus’ness and the Time elapsed.  Preached on 1 Chron. 29.15.  See Church-Records.

1760 September 22 (Monday).  Rode to Southborough to talk with Mr. Stone about Cold Spring.  He had read his Letter to the Church, and they had refused — but when I told him the Urgency of the Case; and especially Coll. Lincoln (who happened to come very Seasonably) Setting in with me; for he had come lately through Cold Spring, and Saw somewhat of their Necessity; he was gained over to resolve to lay it before his Church again, and to go if the Church Should consent.  He also called at Coll. Brighams to warn him to get ready for the Journey.  N.B. Coll. Lincoln and I dined at Mr. Stones.  P.M. I rode to Marlborough to Mr. Hezekiah Maynards and to Lt. Brighams in quest of an Horse.  Returning home, visited at Mr. Edmund Brighams.

1760 September 23 (Tuesday).  A great Cold by yesterdays Ride.  Was very aguish when I went to Bed last night.  Visited Abner Warrin who is lower and weaker.  I discoursed on the Evidences of Faith, whereby he might try himself, but I came away without his, or any one’s mentioning our Praying together.  Dr. Crosby and Deacon Barretts Son Samuel (in his Return from New-Haven) dined here.  P.M. Mrs. Cushing of Shrewsbury waited on her Mother, Old Madam Prentice here, to make us a Visit.

1760 September 24 (Wednesday).  A.M. at Dr. Crosbys Desire I attended his Dressing Mr. Williams Sore Hand: and his Opening another in the Elbow of the Same Limb.  Prayed there — but was very faint in Time of Prayer.  P.M. Church Meeting on Cold Spring Affair — although the Meeting was appointed at this Time partly in Order to have a fuller Meeting than on Lords Day, it being then a rainy Time, yet there were but 16 of us together.  We proceeded, and Voted Compliance.  See Church Records.  I also acquainted the Church that one Reason why I desired ‘em to meet on a week Day was to acquaint them that they must provide for my going as to an Horse to ride on.  This I left them (after the Blessing) to Settle among them Selves.  N.B. Mr. Thomas Twitchell here again in Order to his joining to the Church.

1760 September 25 (Thursday).  So poorly with my Cold that I could not go from Home.  P.M. Rebecca Hardy here on the Affair of joining with the Church.  N.B. I wrote to Master Minot of Concord about his drawing a Quit Claim of Capt. Daniel Adams’s Right in what I bought of Mr. Lull.  This I sent by Mr. Daniel Adams of Westborough.  Wrote also to Mr. John Foxcroft, directing to the recording Adams’s Deed to Lull, and to search for the Record of Adams’s deed to Parks.  Sent this by Mr. James Bowman junior to his Brother Joseph at Cambridge.

1760 September 26 (Friday).  Go not from Home — by reason of Indisposition and most of the Family are ill with Colds.  At Eve wrote by Mr. Beeton to Mr. Ebenezer Rice at Annapolis.

1760 September 27 (Saturday).  Mr. Bridge here in his Way to Grafton — changing with Mr. Hutchinson.

1760 September 28 (Sunday).  Read Job 36 and 1 Cor. 16.  Preached a. and p.m. on Ps. 1, a.m. on v. 1, p.m. on v. 2 first Clause.  Mr. Ithamar Bellows din’d with us.  His Horse is left here for me to go my Journey upon tomorrow.

1760 September 29 (Monday).  I undertook my Journey to Cold Spring — but I was very unfit for it by reason of a great Cold — and My Wife and all my Children were also oppressed with Colds and much indisposed.  I called and took Mr. Edwards Whipple, the Churchs Delegate, along with me.  Called at Mrs. Cushings.  Mr. Whipple and I dined at Capt. Stearns’s (My Dinner was gratis — and I Suppose the Entertainment for my Horse was also — for they were very generous).  We arrived at Mr. Forb.’s in Brookfield in Comfort our selves — but Daughter’s Breast very bad, and little Eli very ill.  Mr. Whipple lodged at Mr. Thomas Hardy’s.  I visited at my son Ebenezers but lodged (and my son Baldwin with me) at Mr. Forbush’s.

1760 September 30 (Tuesday).  My Son Forbush’s Child so very ill; my Daughter also so bad with her Breast, that Mr. Forb. does not go to Cold Spring.  Mr. Whipple and I go.  Called at the Widow Cutlers and at Lulls.  Arrived safe at Cold Spring, and dined though late there, at Mr. Forwards.  The Council formed in the Eve.  I was chose Moderator and prayed.  Lodged (with Mr. Stone of Southborough) at Mr. Forwards.

1760 October 1 (Wednesday).  The Council repairs to the Meeting House.  Mr. Stone prays.  [Marginal notation: Capt. Fuller, Lt. Fuller and Mr. Wilkins Sworn by Col. Timothy Dwight.]  We hear and Examine Capt. Dwights Evidences — and Mr. Forwards Defence and Remarks thereon.  I lodged as before.  N.B. The Council was in a great Deal of deep Concern by Reason of 1.) Capt. Dwight and his Party not so joining with the Church in Calling the Council, as we had been informed.  2) The punctuallness of the Evidence against Mr. F.  But Mr. F. has prepared a great Number of Affidavits from many of the Company who were under Capt. Fuller to the Contr.  Adjourned to Mr. Forwards; where the Council sat at Evening.

1760 October 2 (Thursday).  The Council sat again at the Meeting House.  Mr. Forward, who was in his Vindication and Defence last Evening goes on with the Same to Day.  N.B. as Mr. Wilkins’s Affidavit was rejected yesterday, because drawn up by Capt. Dwight, so [many?] brought by Mr. Forward to Day, were, on the same Account.  All is Dark and distressing.  We move to both Partys to agree.  We adjourn to promote it.  Capt. Dwight etc. make proposals which are ripened by Degrees — N.B. Sat at Eve at Capt. Dwights — and before we go to bed, though it was past Midnight, finished and Signed by each Party so that we Sung Praise to God (Dr. Watts’s Version of 133 Ps.).  Prayed and adjourned to Mr. Forwards tomorrow morning 8 o’Clock.

1760 October 3 (Friday).  We Copyed the Agreement — left an Extract from our Minutes concerning Mr. Forwards Character — and adjourned the Council without any particular Day: as in the agreement is requested.  N.B. Two of Mr. Forwards Witnesses who had Sent their Affidavits Sworn before justice Epes arrived from Middletown or Danvers, last night, but too late for us to improve because of the Agreement.  But this Morning they discover so much to one and another though they were not formally examined, as makes the generality Conclude that Capt. Fullers Evidence and those who were with him against Mr. Forward, were of little worth.  So that Mr. Forwards Character is relieved very much and I hope will be wholly recovered.  N.B. Had a Letter from Mr. Forbush yesterday, that his little son dyed the Day before:  And his Wife’s Breast has been lanced by himself.  To day he came up to Cold Spring; but we were come from Mr. Forwards — waited for him at Deacon Lymans.  I Stopped at Mr. Lulls at Ware River — and in presence of Mr. Forbush he promises to pay me what I have Expended about his Deeds — and what it shall Cost to have them recorded: and for security to me, he declares he shall not expect nor desire that I Should give him a Deed of the 35 (or 37) Acre lot, till he pays me his Note of Hand, and these re-embursements.  Mr. Whipple and I lodge at my son Forbush’s.  Visited my Daughter in Law in Brookfield — who is near her Time.  N.B. Laid out for Ebenezer 40/ for sundrys at Mr. Benjamin Hills, which I carryed up with me, and delivered to my son: and this Eve delivered him nigh 80/ in all this Journey 6£ old Tenor.

1760 October 4 (Saturday).  Took leave of my daughter Forb. (who is more Comfortable) and of all of them early this morning.  Mr. Whipple and I Sat out Some time before sun rise.  Got to Mr. Eatons to Breakfast.  Mr. Stone and Coll. Brigham lodged there, and had not broke fast.  Called at Mr. Maccartys.  We all (four of us, who were of the Council) dined at Capt. Curtis’s — where were old Madam Prentice, Mr. Jabez Richardson — and one Mr. Dana of Ashford.  This last travelled a good way with us.  N.B. Heard that Mr. James Maynard was badly wounded by a Bull’s hooking and tossing him.  We therefore went that way to see him.  A great Mercy of God that he was preserved from Death.  When I came home found my Wife ill, confined, and Dr. Willson with her.  She had a great Cold, Cough and faintness.  The Doctor took a Pint of Blood from her.  N.B. hear that Mr. Fessenden is to preach at Shrewsbury tomorrow.

1760 October 5 (Sunday).  I read Job 37 and 2 Cor. 1.  Preached a.m. on Rev. 1.8.  P.M. on Isa. 45.22 to p. 11.  Then recapitulated to p. 17, and from thence used the most of the uses to the End.  N.B. Mr. Martyn and his Wife are gone to Cambridge to see Mrs. Monis, who is sick.  Divers North End People at Meeting here.  Master Richard Martyn dined with us.  Read the Proclamation for Thanksgiving.  Was so full of fear least I should forget That, that I forgot to acquaint the Church of our success at Cold-Spring: and made no Mention of the Death of my Grandson, Eli Forbush junior.  My wife seems Somewhat better.

1760 October 6 (Monday).  Mr. William Torrey of Mendon here to look of my other place and I went with him p.m. to Shew it to him.  Capt. Brigham brought us a Cart load of Sand from the Pond.  At Eve Mr. Joseph Grout to be Examined, instructed etc.

1760 October 7 (Tuesday).  Training appointed for all Day but the Captain was so ill he held only the forenoon Exercise.  I prayed with them and dined at Capt. Woods with them.  N.B. Capt. Taplin among us — he being come from, and belongs to Fort Cumberland.  My Sons, Some of them hurt by an Horse’s running loose with my Chair.  Breck chiefly hurt; he and Samme Being thrown out of the Chair, when the Horse broke the Tackling, and broke loose from Chair and all, and run off, home: It being Mr. Beetons.  But it was wonderfull the Boys were not destroyed.  D.G.

1760 October 8 (Wednesday).  Alex. brought from Mr. Parker Seven Barrells of Cyder, made at Capt. Maynards Mill.  He had Mr. Nurse’s Waggon to bring it in.  At Eve Ensign Asa Brigham came from Boston, but full of Grief, as he had undertaken to bring me up a Large Looking Glass from my Brother William but nothing besides the Frame and the Case it was put into, remained whole.  The Glass was dashed into numberless Pieces.

1760 October 9 (Thursday).  Thanksgiving for the Reduction of Canada.  I preached on Ezra 9.13.14.  No body dined with us though I invited Monsieur LeBlanc and all his Family.  It was a Day of Great Joy and Gladness — but O how provoking it will be to God if we Should turn away again from Him, and Still committ abominations in His Sight!

1760 October 10 (Friday).  I visited Mr. Elijah Rices wife, and LeBlanc, also Abner Warrin.  Dr. Wilson there and comes home with me to dine with me; my Wife is Still but weakly.  Coll. Brigham here and lends me 50£ old Tenor.  Joseph Grout and his wife here on the 10th.

1760 October 11 (Saturday).  Visited Mr. Williams.  [P.M.?] Rebecca Hardy Examined.  [Marginal notation: On the 11th Lett the Shop to Moses Wheelock of Wrentham, for 6 months (his Brother Culluck chiefly transacting), for 4£ Old Tenor.]  Alex — having thrashed out our Oats — winnows up about 16 B.  P.M. He cutts up and gathers in the Corn in the Orchard.  Nathan Kenny helps him with their Waggon, and I have one of Mr. Nurse’s Horse’s [sic] to go to Southborough, Mr. Stone being come here.

1760 October 12 (Sunday).  I preached at Southborough a.m. on Eph. 1.7, last Clause.  P.M. on Ezra 9.13.14.  Mr. Stone here on Ps. 44.3 and on Rom. 12.1.  He propounded Joseph Grout and his wife, and Rebecca Hardy.  May the Lord add His Blessing to our Endeavors!  We each of us returned respectively at Evening.

1760 October 13 (Monday).  Visited Abner Warren.  Mr. Fessenden dines with us: he is returning over to this Part of the Town to keep school.  Deacon Knowlton comes to desire me to assist in a Fast to be kept at Shrewsbury on the 29th Current.  N.B. The Precinct Met to See whether they would make some Addition to my Sallery for this Year.  And whether they would come into some way to get my wood this year.  As they Sat up the Notification without me, So they wholly transacted with out me; nor sent me any message at Night of what they have done.  But I would humbly beg Grace from God to Prepare me for His holy and sovereign Will!  N.B. Mr. Artimas Bruce came for my wife and carryed her to Mrs. Tainters Groaning.  Capt. Fay, Capt. Wood, Deacon Tainter, Lieutenant Bruce, Francis Whipple, Phinehas Hardy, David Maynard, Edwards Whipple, Ebenezer Maynard, Hezekiah Pratt, James Miller junior, David Batherick, were all that came to the Meeting.

1760 October 14 (Tuesday).  My wife not returned.  I rode to the South East Corner of the Town.  Visited all the Families there.  Dined at Mr. Chamberlins.  Catechized at Mr. Joslins; but by reason of the Rain had but few to attend.  By Desire Sung after Catechizing; but almost alone.  At good old Mr. Bradish’s, and at Jonas’s.  There were his Father and Mother in Law, Morton from Poquaog.  When I got home my wife was here Mrs. Tainter being well o’bed: Neither did Mrs. P________ find any great Inconvenience by her going.

1760 October 15 (Wednesday).  Walked to Mr. James Maynards to See him.  When I returned found Miss Judith and Miss Mary Stone here.  Deacon Tainter at Eve.

1760 October 16 (Thursday).  Rebecca Hardy here, with her Relation.  Mr. Bacon of Plymouth going to Ashuelot, dines here.  P.M. Mr. Solomon Baker brings me a present of a Barrel of Cyder and two Bags of Apples.  Mr. Fessenden and Dr. Baker here, at Tea.  N.B. Received an unhandsome Letter from Mr. Hutchinson; and prepare some Reply to it.

1760 October 17 (Friday).  P.M. Mrs. Maynard and her sister Witt of Narraganset No. 6, made us a Visit.  N.B. an ugly drunken, Swearing, raging Pedler here.  At Eve Mrs. Walker of Houssatonock No. 4 here and Supped, but did not lodge at our House.  Mr. Joseph Grout and his Wife bring their Relations.  N.B. Heard to Day that my Daughter in Law is brought to Bed; that She has a Son; and that they call his Name Thomas.  Blessed be God for His Great Mercy and Goodness!

1760 October 18 (Saturday).  Mr. Ebenezer Maynard here and pays me in Cash 22£ old Tenor — This including what he had paid me and laid out for me, and a Number of Notes, amounted to £78.7.0.3 old Tenor.  Alexander gets Mr. Rice’s Team which Mr. Maynard putts to rights, and he and Breck go to getting in Stalks, Beans etc.  Received a Letter from Bowman at College inclosing Capt. Daniel Adams’s Deed to Mr. Lull.