Category: Diary

1760 November 23 (Sunday).  Read Job 41, 2 Cor. 6.  Preached a. and p.m. on Ps. 1, first Comma.  At the Close desired the people to come seasonably to meeting.  Told ‘em that whereas Some had been wont to say that if I would come seasonably, the people would come Seasonably, I had for Several sabbaths come somewhat Seasonably; but it was not to Effect, but that Many persons still came late.  I observed that in the publick Worship, the former part usually was adoration of the divine Being –that many persons lost that — for I had taken notice concerning Some, that for the Space of a Twelve month they were but very few Times present at the Beginning of the Prayer.  I assured the assembly I Should endeavor to be Seasonable unless Some extraordinary Occurrence prevented; or Persons unreasonably detained me with their particular Cases.  N.B. I had desired them to come at 11 o’Clock exactly on the approching Solemnity; and to come together and not so Scatteringly as had been the Custom.  At Eve was much indisposed and went to bed early.

1760 November 24 (Monday).  Have had a very poor Night — Pain in my right Cheek chiefly.  And it proving a Wet Day, I went not to the Burial of Mr. Elijah Rice’s Wife — that is to his House which is in Upton — but sent him a Note how it was with me.  Mr. Joseph Morse of Hopkinton dined with us.  P.M. Mr. Benjamin Tainter bears me a message from Mr. Elijah Rice who waits upon the Corps, and the Procession are moving along requesting I would pray with them somewhere.  I directed them into the Meeting House; and prayed there.  I went not to the Grave, because of my Indisposition, and because of the Wet.

1760 November 25 (Tuesday).  My Sons, with Mr. Pratts Team, cart muck out of the Stables.  P.M. Nathan Kenny helps them and they get out the Summer Dung and muck of the Cow-yard.  P.M. Mr. Fessenden here.  Also Mrs. Maynard.  I asked Mr. Fessenden to preach the Thanksgiving Sermon.  He answered that he had none — what Text would I give him etc.?  My Son William came from Brookfield.

1760 November 26 (Wednesday).  I was So indisposed that I concluded it was best to have Mr. Fessenden prepare.  I had also good forwardness of Preparation — mine was on Exod. 15.11.  P.M. Mr. Fessenden came — and Stydyed [sic] and lodged here.  N.B. a Letter from Mr. Hutchinson by Thomas Stow, concerning my Preaching at Providence which is upon much more welcome Subject than some [others?].

1760 November 27 (Thursday).  Publick Thanksgiving but the Weather so Stormy I did not go out.  Mr. Fessenden went to meeting when it was about 7 m. past 11.  There being nobody but Mr. Batherick, besides my Family, he waited a while till somebody else came.  Allowing my Watch to be a little too fast, he could not be supposed to begin before 11.  But I had requested the Congregation would not exceed 11.  I had promised to be Seasonable.  The Congregation did not assemble in Season.  He preached on Ps. 107.8.  He came home 5 m. before One.  Many Seemed Disappointed at the Exercise finishing So soon.  Am informed Mr. Blanc was at meeting.  Billy invited him to come here to dine, but he chose to go to Deacon Tainters.  Mr. Fessenden lodged here.  I had put on Blister and a Poultis — by means of which the Swelling of my Face went down, and Pains of my Teeth ceased.  D. Gr.!

1760 November 28 (Friday).  Mr. Fessenden — and my 4 Boys went to school.  Billy after dinner left us.  I walked abroad.  Mr. Rhody Smith here.  At Eve no Hezekiah Fay (as was appointed him) here.  Neighbour Zebulun Rice at Eve makes me a Visit.

1760 November 29 (Saturday).  I rode up to Mr. Bakers.  Alexander and Breck winnow Rye.  My wife exercised with Pains — Some of them She thinks of Cramp.

1760 November 30 (Sunday).  I rode over to Mr. Martyns and he hither.  I preached on Mark 8.34 a. and p.m. and lodged at Mr. Martyns.  N.B. He found and read a Letter of Mr. Monis’s to Mr. Woodrow in Scotland, in which there is an Account of his (Mr. Monis’s) Birth, Education etc.

1760 December 1 (Monday).  I rode to Mr. Daniel Wheelers to engage Nero for my son Baldwin.  Returned home.  At Eve the Committee met here, viz. Mr. Whipple, Phinehas Hardy, Daniel Forbush, and Ebenezer Maynard (Capt. Wood was gone out of Town) to enquire into what Deficiencys there have been unpaid.  And I gave ‘em such Account as they well accepted.  N.B. Mr. Ebenezer Maynard paid me the full of his Rate for last year — and I gave him a Receipt in full (of all that he was appointed to collect for me for the year past, viz. 66£ 13.4).  Hephzibah Maynard came, and lodges here.  N.B. Mrs. P__________ has had So much pain, that She is almost ready to threaten we shall be alarmed very Soon.

1760 December 2 (Tuesday).  Alexander thrashes Oates at the old Place, all Day.

1760 December 3 (Wednesday).  He does also this forenoon.  P.M. Preached my Lecture on Job 21.14, former part and 15 latter part.  Used sermon on Prov. 3.17 from page 21 to 30.  After Lecture Mr. Fessenden, Mrs. Maynard etc.  We hear Dr. Gott has the Small pox in Brookfield.  Sarah Fay (Daughter of Ensign Jeduthun) here to be examined; but such a Variety of Company here I thought I could not composedly and profitably attend upon her; yet I did Spend a little Time in instructing and directing her.  Deacon Tainter was also here.

1760 December 4 (Thursday).  Jej. Priv. precipue propter presentem statum Uxoris Chariss: propter Statum Populihujusce ad Curam meam Commissi; and Eucharistiam appropinquentem.  At Eve Mr. Zebulun Rice, and his Brother Oliver from Hardwick, here.  Deacon Tainter also.  I read Dr. Mayhews Discourse on the Death of Judge Sewall.[1]

[1]Jonathan Mayhew, Discourse Occasioned by the Death of…Stephen Sewall (Boston, 1760).

1760 December 5 (Friday).  Towards Eve I rode to Mr. Edwards Whipples.  Spoke with Mr. Pratt about assisting me when my Wife Should need the Help of Women: He was immediately very ready, to my great Relief, considering the tenderness of my Health.

1760 December 6 (Saturday).  Mr. Fessenden here.  Daily Conversation is about the Small pox, which we hear of here and there.  Tis feared that Jacob Garfield at Capt. Maynards has it.  We don’t carry home Hephzy (who has been with us all the week, from Monday) because of it.

1760 December 7 (Sunday).  I omitted the public Reading.  Preached on Exod.15.11 a. and p.m.  Administered the Sacrament.  My Wife not at meeting.  Deacon Forbush, Deacon Tainter, Master Fessenden, Mrs. Maynard, dined here.  The Small pox not yet come out upon Jacob Garfield, and tis hoped will not.  Hephzibah goes home.  At Eve a Letter to Sarah from her Brother Baldwin at Brookfield, informing that last Thursday night Dr. Benjamin Gott dyed of the Small Pox.  I Sent for Capt. Wood, who was lately come home from a Journey to Brookfield to come here and acquaint me with what he had heard of it.  He came; but had not returned home that way — and therefore could say but little new, of the Matter.  How sorrowful this stroke to poor Mrs. Gott!  And to that Neighbourhood.  But the Lord has done it!

1760 December 8 (Monday).  Mr. Francis Whipple came and took the Account of Mr. Fessendens Board here last Spring to carry to the Town-Meeting, which is at t’other End of the Town.  At Eve Mr. Phinehas Hardy informed me that the Town would not provide a School — nor money to pay a school-Master.  I gave him a Line to put into the Notification for a precinct Meeting.

1760 December 9 (Tuesday).  Sad News of Jacob Garfields being broke out.  P.M. Sarah Fay here to be examined and I attended upon it.  Mr. Joseph Baker takes my two fat Piggs, which weigh 150 — and he brings me a Pig from his Brother Solomons (which he says weighed there 136), which I am to have for the Pigs he carryed away, he allowing me the Difference between their Weight @ 16d per pound.

1760 December 10 (Wednesday).  Deacon Tainter and Capt. Wood came to kill the Baker Pig, but first weigh it; and though he had had a good Breakfast, yet he weigh’d but 130.  I sent for Mr. Baker, who came; and on his part, tells me he had weighed at home the pigs he had of me — and, though last night, when he weighed them they fell Short but half a Pound a piece — yet this morning he weighed them and they fell short 16 Pound.  But we left our Affair in the Hands of the two Neighbours here with us, who proceeded to kill the Baker Pig.  Deacon Tainter dined here.  Fresh News that Jacob Garfield has the Small Pox at Capt. Maynards.  Mr. Fessenden came from the Very House, and informs here that it is now beyond all Doubt.  May God please to pity the poor Youth — all immediately concerned; and all of us!  My wife endures great Pain and Distress from Day to Day.  I desire tenderly to sympathize, and devoutly to Committ her Case to Him who alone can relieve and help.

1760 December 11 (Thursday).  Deacon Tainter came and tells me the Affair of the Piggs is Settled that the Weight Shall be allowed according to what they were at each of their homes, viz. mine 150, and Mr. Bakers 136; which gives 14 lb. overplus for Baker to pay me for @ 16d per pound as we at first agreed.  Deacon weighs the Dead pig and finds it (as he says) 96.  He cutts and Salts it up for me.  N.B. Deacon was troubled with me that I would not consent to give 2/ per pound for Bakers Pork, and so settle the Affair that way; where as that was what I had all along refused to do — because 2/ was the Boston price, and no allowance for carrying down and besides he said they had weighed my pigs and they fell short 15.  N.B. one Mr. Fuller from Middleton here to get Deacons Testimony about an Horse he had cutt for Terrant Putnam of Sutton.  I write the Testimony at the Deacons Request: and he signs it.  P.M. I preached at Mr. Seth Rice’s to his aged mother; from Phil. 1.21.  N.B. Mr. Rice did not come till the Exercise was over.  Capt. Wood was he that ‘Companyed me.  We visited Mr. James Maynard.  And I Stopped at Capt. Woods in my Return home.  My wife an Evening of great Pain.

1760 December 12 (Friday).  Capt. Rolf came to see me (now first) after his Return and tells me had no success in his Attempts at Albany to get my late son Thomas’s Wages: That he applyed to Coll. Bradstreet, pay-Master, Several Times: That he presented a Memorial to General Amherst, and waited upon him personally; but he referred him to Coll. Bradstreet; to whom he went in Vain — being turned off with various pretences; but that he finally flattly denyed him.  It was the Same with the other Cases he was entrusted with, viz. the Widow How’s, and the Relations of William Stone deceas’d.

1760 December 13 (Saturday).  My Wife Still in much Pain, but holds up.  P.M. Mr. Fessenden here.  He has been at Capt. Maynards Barn and conversed with Mrs. Maynard — but went not into the House.  Jacob Somewhat bad, but not dangerously.  Mrs. Maynard was glad of a Pamflet I Sent containing Directions published by Mr. Prince from Dr. Williams of Boston’s Manuscripts, about the manner of managing the Small Pox.

1760 December 14 (Sunday).  A.M. Exercise on Job 42.1-9.  P.M. read 2 Cor. 7.  Preached on Ps. 1.3.  Mr. Fessenden and Dr. Crosby dined here.  Abner Warrin has grown worse, and desires Continuance of Prayers.

1760 December 15 (Monday).  Although it was rainy I visited Abner Warrin.

1760 December 16 (Tuesday).  Am closely engaged — in reading various Authors –Viz. Nature delineated — Bishop of Londons Discourses — Magazines Sent me by Mr. Fessenden.  Also about my preparations.

1760 December 17 (Wednesday).  My Wife every Day in much Pain.  At Eve Mr. Chamberlin here about the Paper of Subscriptions for Mr. Stones sermons.  Mr. Fessenden here also, says he will take half my Subscription.  He sups here.

1760 December 18 (Thursday).  Though it was a Snow Storm Mr. Barrett and Dr. Willson came from Capt. Woods towards Eve to See me.  When they were gone came Hezekiah Fay and was Examined.

1760 December 19 (Friday).  Mr. Hezekiah Pratt here, and at Eve Mr. Nathan Maynard.  I talked with both of them about the Bus’ness of the Meeting to be next Monday.

1760 December 20 (Saturday).  Mr. Parker here — tells me he thinks he is not obliged to tend my Creatures at t’other Barn without a special Consideration for it: whereas I conceived he under took to do as Mr. Ebenezer Rice did, who was very free and willing to do it.

1760 December 21 (Sunday).  A very rainy Day.  The Snow was so filled with Water that the Roads are very bad.  Mr. Fessenden came in the morning and preached for me a. and p.m.  His Texts were Prov. 28.9 and 1 Joh. 1.7,latter part.  He dined here, and tarryed over Night.  His Horse also.  N.B. His Exercises Valuable especially his afternoon.  And may God add his Blessing, and make his Servant an Instrument of His Glory!  I prayed before the last Sermon.  Omitted public Reading a. and p.m.

1760 December 22 (Monday).  My Wife has had a poor Night — but is up, though full of distressing Pain this morning.  May God prepare us for His holy and Sovereign Will!  N.B. This Day was a Precinct Meeting, at which by the Warrant they were to hear what I had to lay before them and act upon it.  While I was preparing for it, Mr. Stone came to See me, and dined with me.  Desires me to assist him in a Fast on next Wednesday, occasioned by the Small Pox among them.  He also desires me to read over his Sermons which he is going to publish; and leaves ‘em with me for that End.  When the Precinct were met they Sent Mr. Daniel Forb. to me to See what I had to lay before them or would go to them my Self.  I went my Self.  Capt. Wood was Moderator.  I read what I had prepared, and Spoke also somewhat further, by word of Mouth.  The main thing designed was to remove the misunderstanding about my Sallery, inasmuch as although the Precinct had reckoned it, but £29.6.8 L.M. I conceived it was £55 L.M.  And what I offered besides the Paper, which I left with them was “that I did not come to make any Complaint to them — that I was not (as I hoped) the uneasy man that I had been represented by some — as if I would be contented with Nothing they could do — (or do what they would) that my Principal aim with them now was what was contained in the Paper — That I had a gratefull mind for what they had done for me.  Had No Demands to make upon them — that if they would come to a Vote that 55£ was my Sallery taking into Consideration what that would then buy or pay for, of the Necessarys of Life, or of Labour I would give them a Receipt in full to last June.  That if there was reason to move to them for the further additions in proportion to what they had done when they first gave me 500£ old Tenor or my wood — yet neither of these were so directly my purpose at this Time.  But as they could not but see what I stood in Need of, I Should at present, leave those Things to them, hoping they would reallize that, as I was in their service, if I was burdened and perplexed their work must go on heavily, and their best interests must suffer Damage: but if I was relieved and assisted, I could go on chearfully, and if I was faithfull (which I earnestly desired to be, and requested their Prayers that I might be) the advantage would be theirs.  Thus their Comforts would be [mine?], and mine would be theirs.”  Having delivered my self to this purpose, I retired.  In the Evening the Committee of the Precinct were here to acquaint me with what was done.  Which was that they had voted to account my Sallery to be 55£ Lawfull Money, from June next, if I would give a Receipt in full to June last.  This I did and wrote it in their Book; the Committee having first given me an Order to the Treasurer for what was yet behind of Deficiency etc.  Thus this grievous Burden that had greatly oppressed me, was taken off, although it leaves me still far less provided for than my Circumstances call for.  But I desire humbly to committ my self and mine to the Providence of God who will Care for me.

1760 December 23 (Tuesday).  Sent the Agreement between Mr. Parker and me, over to him by Alexander.  For though I designed my self to go, yet Mr. Joseph Baker not coming with money as I expected, and not being very well, I deferred my own going.

1760 December 24 (Wednesday).  I rode in Deacon Tainters Sleigh with him, his Son and Daughter, to Southborough-Fast, which was on account of the small pox there.  Mr. Bridge prayed a.m. and Mr. Smith preached on Isa. 32.9.  P.M. Mr. Martyn prayed, and I preached on 1 Pet. 5.6.  May God Himself accept us and add His Blessing!  Returned at Evening in the Same sleigh.  Mr. Baker payed me 55£ old Tenor for the Mare etc.

1760 December 25 (Thursday).  Went over to Mr. Parker.  Payed him 22£ for the Sheep and 6/ Interest.  Payed him also for 2 Gallons of Sperma Ceti Oyl, which came to a Dollar; and for a Tin Lamp, which was 1/4 of a Dollar.  To make him quiet in tending my Creatures I gave him gratis my part of the Sheep Pasture which he had wanted to hire of me for his sheep.  And promised to take my Sheep over to the New place.  N.B. My Daughters, Sarah and Suse were last night, much affected and made faint, by reason of a pot of Coals in their Bed Room.

1760 December 26 (Friday).  Mr. Fessenden at Eve.  I finished my preparation for the Sabbath this Evening.  Mrs. P. much exercised with distressing Pain.

1760 December 27 (Saturday).  The School finishes for this time, by Mr. Fessenden at Lieutenant Bruce’s.