Category: Diary

1761 April 12 (Sunday).  A.M. read Ps. 10 and preached on Rom. 13.11, but had no New-composed Sermon for p.m.  Having read Gal. 4, I named for my Text Mat. 13.24.25 and acquainting the Congregation that I did not expect to have been with them to Day and was not therefore prepared to carry on the Meditations which I had begun in the forenoon, but must deliver them what I had already delivered some Years ago to them — to many of them — but there was Some Number I perceived in the Audience who had never heard them and I conceived it probable that those that had, it being so long ago, had very much forgot, as I confessed I my Self had, a very great part or the most of it: but they being very Seasonable Things for them at this time of the Year (for I had so chosen the Sermon for that purpose) I hoped that if they received ‘em with meekness, they would by the divine Blessing be apposite and profitable to them — and then proceeded to deliver the Exposition No. 217 and part of No. 218, viz. to Head 4 in page 4 of that Number.  N.B. Propounded Molly Hills, wife of Benjamin Hills, and Persis Rice, Daughter of Zebulun Rice, to join in full Communion with the Church and told the Church and Congregation that as the former was somewhat of a stranger, I had writ to Rev. Mr. Joshua Prentice of Holliston, and had received an Answer that She had discharged her Duty there, and there was no Impediment to her being admitted to Special Ordinances here among us.

1761 April 13 (Monday).  Alexander and Breck about various Necessary Employments about the Fences, Creatures, Family Affairs etc. and Nothing about their Books.  I write a Number of Letters — to Mr. Stone, to Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Forb., my son Ebenezer.  Send to Brookfield by Isaac Baldwin who dines here — and at Eve I send Mr. Samuel Hardy who tells me he has Sold his place to Elijah and Constance [?] Hardy, for 1400£ old Tenor.

1761 April 14 (Tuesday).  Alex and Breck with Mr. Bakers oxen plough in the orchard 1 Bush. Barley.

1761 April 15 (Wednesday).  Capt. Wood with two Teams — his Son John and Levi Rice to assist, besides my two Boys to drive — ploughs the rest of my Stubble at the Island: and finish by dinner, but they did not dine here.

1761 April 16 (Thursday).  At Deacon Bonds, Mr. J. Warrins and Seth Morse’s in the morning.  Looked for Messrs. Martyn and Stone to come and dine, but neither came.  I had Sent to them and Mr. Hutchinson to confer upon the Affair of preaching at Providence.  P.M. Mr. Hutchinson came.  Did not care to embitter the Visit with the disagreeable Subjects of Some of his Letters.  But having mentioned the Things to him, told him I hoped those things would be as if they had never been etc.  Agreed with him to change next sabbath come sennight.  Was at Widow Newtons at Eve.

1761 April 17 (Friday).  Deacon Bond with a Yoke of Oxen plows and Sows for me peas, wheat etc.  N.B. Mr. Jonathan Pierce here with his Account against my late son Thomas: which I settle, giving him a Note for 13/9.2 Lawfull money.  And as to the Saddle Trees yet in the Shop, he is to take ‘em and make what he can of them.  And I must make him what Allowance may be just and reasonable.  P.M. My wife and I dine at Capt. Woods (at his repeated Desire) but after Dinner I return to my Study.

1761 April 18 (Saturday).  My Boys have been over to t’other place to set out Apple-Trees, and Weed the Currant Bushes.  They also brought some Trees and sat ‘em.

1761 April 19 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 11 and 12, Gal. 5.  Preached on Rom. 13.12, which may God grant success to for our Saving Good!

1761 April 20 (Monday).  [No entry.]

1761 April 21 (Tuesday).  Deacon Tainter Setts up the Dial, by my Shop.  The Inhabitants meet together at the Meeting House to give in their Invoice.  And Messrs. David Maynard, Edwards Whipple and Edmond Rice come to me to know whose that Dial is, that if it is the precincts, they may set it where they have a mind to, and not where Deacon Tainter pleases.  [Marginal notation: Lieut.] Mr. Tainter with his Team, and Ensign Harrington with his, plough my Field behind the Meeting House.  N.B. send £3.3.0 by Mr. D. Hardy to Mr. Pierce for his son Jonathan.  Isaac Baldwin here in his Return from Springfield and Brookfield.

1761 April 22 (Wednesday).  General Fast.  Preached a.m. on Judg. 1.27, which I made upon this Occasion, which was (as well as for the season) the Designed Expedition towards Messasippi.  P.M. the Time for preparation having been so Short, and so much Company, and many Hindrances yesterday, I delivered Sermon on Eccl. 12.13, and the whole with some addition in this Exercise.  N.B. At noon the Well Crotch and draught pole at my Well broke and the whole Machine fell down to the Ground.

1761 April 23 (Thursday).  Mr. Edwards Whipple, Mr. Whitney and Capt. Wood assist me in Cutting a Well-Crotch in Capt. Maynards Land west of the Meeting House, and Mr. Zebulun Rice joins them in getting it home with 4 Oxen under a Drag.  Mr. Whitney goes home, the rest dine with me: but it proved so rainy they could not get it up.  Mr. Biglow, and old Mr. Seth Morse here.  Miss Betty here, having stayed over the Fast.

1761 April 24 (Friday).  Capt. Wood and Mr. Zebulun Rice work upon the Well-Crotch till noon and dine here.  Several Neighbours are here to help raise it up, viz. Messrs. Phinehas Hardy, Barny Newton, and a Number of young men, Noah Hardy, Adam Rice, John Wood, Amon Blanc, Nathan Kenny.  And, except the two last, they dined here.  Miss Betty here.  At Eve Ensign Willard of Grafton here.

1761 April 25 (Saturday).  Miss Betty — making a Coat for Alex of blue serge, had at Mr. Hill’s.  Rainy, yet Mr. Stone came.  I rode to Grafton on Mr. Ebenezer Maynards Mare.  Mr. Hutchinson to Southborough.

1761 April 26 (Sunday).  Preached at Grafton a.m. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.18, last Clause.  Mr. Stone at Westborough on [blank].  I baptized Lydia of Nathaniel Whitney junior, and Thankfull of [blank] Powers.  After Exercises, was at Mr. Prentices and in the Evening visited the French Neutrals, DuGas.  Lodged at Grafton.

1761 April 27 (Monday).  Rose early.  Sat out without seeing Mrs. Hutchinson.  Came home and prayed etc. with my own Family.  Miss Betty.  Mr. Stone went home last night.  Mr. Hutchinson here this fore noon.  Began Harveys Dialogues Vol. 1.  Brother Forbush here.  Mrs. Persis Forbush, wife of Daniel junior, here.

1761 April 28 (Tuesday).  Rode to Marlborough Ministers Meeting.  (But this was after I had (on Mr. Beetons Mare) rode to Mr. Grows to visit his Daughter Whitney and prayed with them.)  Had Mr. Ebenezer Forbush’s Horse to Marlborough.  Dined at Mr. Smiths.  Messrs. Loring, Gardner, Martyn, Stone, Morse, Maccarty, Davis, Mellen, also Mr. Peter Thatcher Smith, preacher, there.  N.B. Mr. Barnet not there, though I had taken Pains, at his Desire, to inform him.  Mr. Goss was coming but fell from his Horse, and was carryed home hurt, in a Chair.  N.B. Conversation chiefly on the Conduct of the Boston Ministers at the Installment of Mr. Cummings, and the Animadversions thereon in the late Newspapers.  Mr. Stone drew up something for us, by way of Exculpating (as its called) but it dropped.  N.B. Mr. Mellen relates Some extraordinary Things respecting two Boys in his Parish, their Name, Dole, from Newbury; who have upon them as people Think, Signs of Witchcraft.  I lodged at Mr. Smiths.

1761 April 29 (Wednesday).  In the Morning rode to Deacon Tainters, Taylor.  Thence to Miss Betty Eagers, where I was so free as to offer to breakfast.  N.B. a very rainy Time.  Attended the public Lecture.  Mr. Maccarty preached on 1 Cor. 5.7.8.  When I returned to Mr. Smiths missed one of my Gold Buttons out of one of my Sleeves.  In returning home went to Mr. Noah Church’s: and Smoaked a Pipe at Mr. Joseph Brighams.  Miss Betty Johnson works here yet: makes Breck a Jacket.

1761 April 30 (Thursday).  I visited Old Capt. Forbush.  At Night my Son Baldwin from Boston.  Miss Betty.

1761 May 1 (Friday).  Mr. Baldwin leaves us to go home.  Has orders to let Ebenezer have Serge 2 yards 1/4 @ 45/, Shalloon 1 yard, Buttons and Silk and Hair, for Samme a Coat, and Leather for a pair of Breeches.  Miss Betty.  Visit old Mrs. Fay.

1761 May 2 (Saturday).  Miss Betty still.

1761 May 3 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 13 and 14 and Gal. 6.  Preached a.m. on Joh. 14.15.  Administered the Lords Supper, after admitting Mrs. Molly Hills and Miss Persis Rice.  N.B. Shrewsbury destitute.  Mrs. Miles (Deacons Wife) and Mrs. Jemima Allen, wife of Mr. Obad. Allen of Shrewsbury, dined here; as did Mrs. Parker and Miss Betty Johnson.  P.M. I preached on Rom. 13.13.  N.B. Read James Bellus’s Confession.  And I added an Exhortation to him and to the young people.

1761 May 4 (Monday).  Mr. Samuel Forbush ploughed a.m. at the Cook Field.  P.M. it was too rainy to work.  N.B. Mr. Jonah Warrin brought home my Chair which was lent him last Saturday to carry his Wife to meeting yesterday.  Miss Betty Johnson.

1761 May 5 (Tuesday).  A very remarkable Morning.  For the Ground is covered with Snow, and it continues to snow hard.  It is Somewhat unhappy with us as to Hay, our English being all gone, and as to wood, for we have no Small wood left.  But God Careth for us!  The Lord Pity those that are in greater Straits than we are!  P.M. Deacon Tainter came for me to go to the private Meeting at his House.  I went.  My Daughter Sarah with me.  A greater Number were present than I expected.  I preached on Jam. 1.22.  An handsome Entertainment followed, but our main Concern Should be to profit by the word of God, This last being the principal Food.  Miss Betty here making Leather Breeches for Alex and Breck.

1761 May 6 (Wednesday).  Bright.  The Snow goes as fast almost as it came.  Miss Betty makes Leather Breeches for Breck.

1761 May 7 (Thursday).  Nathan Kenny with a Pair of Steers and Capt. Woods Oxen helps Alex get out Muck.  P.M. Mr. Samuel Forb. plows at the Island.  Miss Betty makes me a Pair of Knit worsteed Breeches.

1761 May 8 (Friday).  Ebenezer Forb. plows at the Island.  Miss Betty leaves us.  Owe her 4£ 1/ old Tenor for 13 Days and 1/2 at 6/.  Alex had Mr. Nathan Maynards Mare to wait on her to Coll. Brigham.  At Eve Mr. Beton informs that Capt. Maynard has Sent over word to the Street that my Sheep are pounded.  It appears to have been done by Neighbour Barny Newton and without having informed me of their Getting in upon his Grass Since the Fence was mended.  I went up to his House and expostulated with him.  N.B. Miss Hannah dined with us to Day.  I paid her in full 3£ old Tenor.

1761 May 9 (Saturday).  Sent for my Sheep out of the Pound, and sent ‘em up to Neighbour Newton to be yoked and fettered.  I provided yokes, viz. 7 and 3 more soals and Crotches.  He accordingly does the work.  I viewed both Newtons and Betons Fences.  Found Betons very Defective and Newtons part of it very bad, and Newtons outer Fence mended but newly.  Capt. Woods was mended since Tuesday last.  N.B. Alexander worked for Mr. Samuel Forb.

1761 May 10 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 15 and 16 and Eph. 1.  Preached a.m. Expos. on Mat. 12.30 with many Alterations.  P.M. On Rom. 13.13.  Mr. Stone being gone to preach at Providence, sundry people of Southborough were at our Meeting.  Capt. Taplin and wife, and two of Miss Betty Johnsons sisters, dined here, as did Mr. Joseph Bowman likewise.

1761 May 11 (Monday).  I took a Walk to Capt. Maynards and Mr. Hows, to my other House (the first time since Artemas Bruce lived there), to Mr. Frosts, Bathericks, Barns’s etc. nor dined till I got home.  P.M. Miss Dilly Fay here in Humiliation and under Examination.

1761 May 12 (Tuesday).  Under Difficultys and Perplexitys about preparing our Ground for planting.  But I obtained of Mr. Batheric to send his Son and his Oxen, and Mr. Samuel Forb. Oxen, to plough in the forenoon.  We had a Scheme for harrowing p.m. but it fell through.  I was Obliged to go to Shrewsbury to carry Interest money to Mrs. Cushing of a 200£ Note given last Year.  Was forced to borrow 5 Dollars of Mr. Hill to enable me to pay it, because I could neither go nor Send to Mr. Bellows.  I rode to Dr. Crosby and gave him 6£ old Tenor to deliver to Mrs. Cushing.  Visit Lt. Rice and his wife, both of them Sick.  Visit Mr. Joseph Miles, who is rather worse.  Dined at Mr. Benjamin Willards in Grafton.  Obtain Mr. Abraham Temples Horse for my Journey to the Election and Convention.  As Soon a I came home, and designing to engage in my Study, was forced to go about the Neighbourhood to prepare for harrowing tomorrow, Since we were so sorrowfully Disappointed for to Day.  Mr. Bowman keeps School at Mr. Nathan Maynards.

1761 May 13 (Wednesday).  Mr. Nathan Maynard with his own Mare and Steers, and Pratts Steers with them, furrowed for me at Cook-Field.  P.M. Sheep Washed.

1761 May 14 (Thursday).  My Boys try to strike out a.m. in Vain with Neighbour Zebulun mare.  P.M. John Wood at 3 o’Clock Strikes out.

1761 May 15 (Friday).  Mr. Samuel Forbush Strikes out and p.m. old Mr. Rice, his Son Zebulun and Grandson, Capt. Wood and John and Wheelock, Neighbour Barney and Batherick, came and planted my whole Ground at the Island.

1761 May 16 (Saturday).  Almost all of us much indisposed with Colds — as many people are.