Category: Diary

1764 August 9 (Thursday).  Gave Mr. Seth Morse £8.10.9 old Tenor to buy me a Barrell of Flower.  Breck mowing and raking at the Meadow.  At Eve Mr. William Winter and his Daughter, Mrs. Rachel, came, and they lodged here.

1764 August 10 (Friday).  Mr. Winter and his Daughter, after Dinner, left us to go to Worcester.  P.M. Breck (by help of Moses Smith from Capt. Woods) got home and Stacked at the back of the Barn, two Jaggs of Hay — and Since I have so little Help and it is so difficult to obtain it of others, and meet with so many Disappointments about it, I have concluded to let the rest of the Grass Stand.

1764 August 11 (Saturday).  Deacon Tainter came in the Morning to plow in my Corn-Field in order to our hoeing it again but my plough was broke, and therefore to mend; and I had no Rie to sow; he had himself a great deal of Hay and Oates to take Care of at home; so that he returned without doing any Thing.  But 4 Young Men, Levi Warrin, Elisha Forbush by Proxy, John Forb. in his room; Thomas and Joseph Bond, came and hoed the Corn in my Orchard and finished before 10 o’Clock.  Breck and John plowed for ‘em.

1764 August 12 (Sunday).  Read Prov. 15.  In preaching a. and p.m. I used Expositions on Mat. 5.21.22 with some Additions etc.  The Occasion was this, I Spent a great deal of Time in consulting Authors, Some Number of them upon the passage I was writing upon, viz. Mat. 16.19, and although I had provided as much as might suffice for an Exercise, yet it would be a detriment to break off there — though it was my Design to deliver it, till I found that the subject I was to repeat in the a.m. would best profit, by going on with the Same p.m. and that the a.m. Exercise would be greatly hurt without.  I proceeded to deliver the rest also; which therefore I did.  Widow Smith and Mrs. Hannah Rice dined here.  Admitted the latter into the Church.  N.B. Read p.m. Mat. 23.

1764 August 13 (Monday).  I walked to Pratts and several Maynards.  Mr. Winter and his Daughter here a.m.  They have been to Worcester and are returning to Cambridge.  Deacon Tainter, with Boy and Horse, comes to plow among my Corn, which is behind the Meeting House — but first sows it with Rye — [which?] Breck and John hoe, and (with some small assistance of two or three at sunsetting) finished the Field.

1764 August 14 (Tuesday).  Transcribing the Result of a Council at Ipswich on Chebacco Affairs, July 30, 1748, which Mr. Eliot of Boston has furnished me with the Original of.  At Eve visit Mrs. Bowman.  Mr. Gay and his wife (who was Miss Mary Devotion, my wifes Kinswoman) and his Sister Ballantine of Westfield, and her son John going to College here, and all lodged here.

1764 August 15 (Wednesday).  Mr. Gay etc. left us for Dedham.  Mrs. P________ to Capt. Maynards, Miss Betty Gott being come from Springfield, there, and Sent for her.  P.M. Mr. Holbrook from Boston, accompanyed by Mr. Richard Surcomb, the Baker, makes us a Visit.  Mr. Nurse cutts down my Oates at Cook-Field.

1764 August 16 (Thursday).  Capt. Woods Pot-Ash at work.  I was there to See it.  Brewer the workman, to manage it.  Messrs. Holbrook and Surcomb return and dine with me.  At Eve I wait upon ‘em to Capt. Woods, they having never seen the working of Pot-ash.  They were now smelting.  These Gentlemen tarry with us over Night.  N.B. Mr. Barns help me p.m. in gathering up my Oates.

1764 August 17 (Friday).  Messrs. H. and S. leave us.  Sent Mr. Eliot the Result of the Ipswich Council in 1748.  I gratify Mr. Lock in Sending John to Southborough with his Horse to help his Brother Josiah up the Steep Hills.  He went to Brittons.  Mr. Lock helped me at Eve, along with Lt. Bakers Young man, in getting in my Oates.  Our Kinswoman Miss Betty Gott came.  N.B. I gave Squire Whipple a Certificat concerning his son Abner, directed to Rev. Mr. Bulkley Olcott at No. 4 to be Communicated.

1764 August 18 (Saturday).  Miss Betty with us.  P.M. Mr. Nathan Stone junior came to Preach for me; and he asks me whether I would be willing to go to Yarmouth to his Ordination if the Church there Should send to us?

1764 August 19 (Sunday).  Read Prov. XVI.  Mr. Nathan Stone preached for me, a. and p.m. on Eph. 5.14.  I read p.m. Mat. 24 to v. 28.  Sir Cushing dines with us.  After meeting Capt. Maynard and wife, here.  Mr. Stone, at Evening, returned to his Fathers.

1764 August 20 (Monday).  John Kelley, Son of long Kelley, of Hopkinton here again, demanding pay for a Shirt which he says he afforded to Capt. McKeen to bury my Son Thomas in — and although I have understood that Capt. McKeen told him, he Should See to it, to pay him for it, and has received all Thomas’s Wages, for that End that he might pay all his Debts and funeral Charges, I gave him 3£ old Tenor and made him a present of Mr. Guthries’s Trial of a Saving Interest etc.  I took no Receipt, but Mr. Aaron Nurse and Miss Betty Gott were present.  Mr. Moses Nurse in great Trouble and wants to borrow money.  I wrote him a Note to Mr. Green, but it was to Small purpose.  Mr. Green at Eve paid me £4.12 old Tenor.  At Eve came Mr. Abercrombie from Pelham.  Brought me a Collection of Pamphlets relative to the Secession in Scotland in the year 1732 and 1733, viz. Mr. Ebenezer Erskines Sermon at Perth at the opening of the Synod, from Ps. 118.22.  The true state of the process against him — and the Representations of Masters Eb. Erskine, James Fisher, William Wilson and Alexander Moncrief etc. etc.  He lodged here.

1764 August 21 (Tuesday).  Mr. Abercrombie to Boston.  Miss Betty goes with him as far as Marlborough.  Mr. M. Nurse again and prays me to undertake to get him some Money at Marlborough, for Squire Taylor had Sued him.  I rode to Ministers Meeting at Mr. Smiths.  As I went I called at Mr. Edmund Brighams to see Reuben Bellows who lies there ill of a Fever.  Prayed with him.  Got Mr. Brigham to go for me down to Capt. Wards to desire him to lend me 9 Dollars.  Dined with the Association.  All there.  Obtained of Mr. Loring to preach my Lecture tomorrow.  After Meeting I went to the Widow of Ephraim How — and left my Message to Capt. Ward Should fail and my good Neighbour Nurse Should Suffer Dammage for want of the money.  I borrowed a Johannes of Mr. Stephen How, and gave him a note for it.  Returning the way by Mr. Brighams, called and received of him (for he Succeeded) the 9 Dollars abovesaid and hastened home, though it grew dark, to meet Neighbour Nurse that he might be relieved, and hasten to Worcester early in the morning But (notwithstanding he told me he would come at Eve, for I had his Horse) he came not, which troubled me; forseeing the Evil he must fall into: and I had taken Such Pains, and successfully for him.

1764 August 22 (Wednesday).  I rose early — hastened to Mr. Nurse — got him up out of his Bed — gave him the money I had borrowed of Capt. Ward; 9 dollars.  He said he feared it was not enough (yet 20£ old Tenor was all he asked for) hereupon I gave him 47/ Old Tenor of my own, and endeavoured to hasten him away that he might get up before the Court and prevent all further Charge.  But fear he did not go Seasonably.  He lent me his Mare to go as far as Mr. A[n]drews’s for I heard his wife was ill.  I went but met with ill reception.  Mr. Andrews came into the Room — but would not Speak to me, nor come near to me, although I greeted him kindly, he turned his back nor would he answer.  When I spake of Gods Goodness to them in his Wife’s Deliverance etc. he only hurryed out again.  I observed to her that I perceived I came undesired, Seeing Mr. Andrews would not so much as Speak to me — and if so I would go home again.  She answered How do you think we can desire any Favour of you; since you count us to have the Spirit and Practice of Separates?  I answered I was sorry They were got to this.  The Nurse offered me something to drink: I told Mrs. A. that a little Cold Water if I could have her Love with it, would be preferable.  At my leaving her I told her I had come on purpose to make her a Christian Visit.  But since it is thus!  I go away weeping.  And Seeing Mr. Andrews in the Bar-Room, I bid him Farewell.  He nodded but did Speak to me, that I heard.

 

Venerable Loring came, and dined with me and preached my Lecture from Luk. 24.45.  Then opened he their understanding etc.  May the Lord reward him and bless his Labors!  After Lecture came Mr. Bridge from Framingham to desire me to preach his Lecture tomorrow se’nnight; when there will be expectation of Something upon Singing.  N.B. Mr. Bowman, Master Cushing and Brother Hicks here, at Tea etc.  Mr. Loring would leave us though it looked like rain:  and it came, after he had set out.

1764 August 23 (Thursday).  Mr. Fessenden returns from Dunstable, dines with us, and Says the People there have given him a Call.

1764 August 24 (Friday).  Mr. F. after Dinner leaves us again to return to Dunstable.  Lt. Baker is breaking up part of his Land on the plain before us.  My Wife goes to visit Mrs. Andrews.  Mr. Simeon Newtons Wife here with Huckleberrys, and I buy a Quantity of them.  Hear Capt. Brigham has killed a great Bear.

1764 August 25 (Saturday).  Miss Betty Gott returns, and goes to her sister Maynards.  But her sister Brigham and her young Child Neddy came from Marlborough with her, and stays with us.  Have Writ a Letter to Mr. A. Bruce to consent to Mr. Beetons going into the House.

1764 August 26 (Sunday).  Mrs. Brigham with us.  I read publickly Prov. XVII.  Preached on Ps. 116.14.  Administered the Lords Supper.  P.M. read Mat. 24 from v. 29 to the End: and delivered what I had been Some time preparing, on Mat. 16.19.  It took me more than an Hour, and with Small Addition would have sufficed for two Sermons; but it was best to deliver it together at Once.  May God grant Success!  Baptized Eight Children, viz. 6 of Mr. Adonijah Rice’s, one of Mr. Ebenezer Forbush’s, and one of Mr. Adam Rice’s.  Mrs. Brigham and her sister Maynard, as well as Master Cushing, dined here.  At Eve instead of Repetition read part of Mr. Doolittle on 1 Joh. 5.13.  In the Morning Exercise at Cripple Gate.

1764 August 27 (Monday).  Wrote to Mr. Lull by John Maynard — to warn him that if he does not pay me, nor Secure me better in my Right, within 3 months, I Shall esteem the 35 Acre Lott (37 it Should be) mine and may dispose of it.  I visit Mr. Phinehas Hardys wife who is very low again.  Thomas Rice of Pownalborough, Esq. there.  We dine there.  I prayed with them.  Deacon Tainter here at Eve.  N.B. I saw him going over to A. Bruce’s p.m. and I had desired him to use his Endeavours to perswade Mr. Bruce to let Beeton move into the House.  He said he was going there for that End.

1764 August 28 (Tuesday).  Went to Squire Whipples, who took my acknowledgment of a power of Attorney, which I Send to Brother Breck of Springfield per Miss Betty Gott.  Mr. Nurse fails in getting Money for me to carry to Capt. Ward.  Go to Mr. Greens to get some of own of him, but fail there also.  At Night Mr. Green brings me 10£ 16.10d old Tenor.

1764 August 29 (Wednesday).  A.M. Closely engaged in preparing for the Lecture tomorrow.  P.M. my Wife and I (in Mrs. Nurse’s Chair, but my own mare) rode to Framingham.  In our Way called at Mr. Stone’s, where was one of President Burr’s Children, viz. Sally — in her 10th year.  May God vouchsafe His Blessing on her, and her Brother at the Jersies.  Arrived at Coll. Buckminsters and lodged there.

1764 August 30 (Thursday).  We went to Mr. Bridge’s and dined there.  Besides Mr. Bridge, there were Rev. Messrs. Stone, Smith, Lock, Eli[ab?] Stone, and Mr. Bridge of Sudbury.  When we went to Meeting I was obliged to pray as well as Preach, though there were so many ministers present.  It was both a Sacramental and a singing Lecture.  Therefore I preached on Ps. 57.12.  After the Exercise, the Singers and many others tarried; and Some Number of Tunes were sung with eminent skill.  Mr. William Brown waits upon us to his House.  Alexander well and contented.  We supped and lodged there.

1764 August 31 (Friday).  We were agreed about the Binding Alexander but have no Blanks, nor Time to write Indentures.  Mr. Bridge came there.  We returned to Coll. Buckminsters and dined there.  Called at Dr. Hemingways and Mr. Stones.  Arrived here at Evening.  Great Trouble with the Sheep’s breaking in etc.  But a worse trouble arose with and about the Mare, being very willful when we got near the House — and I was obliged to correct her etc.: for which Mrs. P________ was much disturbed.  The Lord forgive what occurred!

1764 September 1 (Saturday).  I rode down to Southborough and Mr. Stone came here.  N.B. My Sheep which were very disorderly, Mr. Aaron Nurse fetters.

1764 September 2 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough on Heb. 4.9 a.m., which I followed with another Discourse p.m. on Heb. 4, v. 11.  Mr. Stone preached again on Ps. 9.20 and p.m. on Jam. 2.19.  N.B. my Horse (which was Mr. Moses Nurse’s) ran home last Night, and Mr. Stone led back my own mare; but so late I could not return home.  But visited and prayed with Capt. Jonathan Ward who is sick.

1764 September 3 (Monday).  Mr. Stone and I visit Capt. Ward.  The Doctors there and dress his sore at his Throat.  Dined at Mr. Stones.  P.M. returned home, calling to see Reuben Bellows — the Warrins etc.  A Stranger broke out with the Small Pox at the North End.

1764 September 4 (Tuesday).  Private Meeting at Old Deacon Forbush’s, or Kendalls.  I preached there on 1 Tim. 6.12.  Deacon Bond, one of the select men, gives an Account of what they did about the Sick man, over upon the Great Road.  He lies at Bartlets, and is taken Care of.  The Lord Sanctifie this Providence to us and prepare for His will!  We hear that Brother Brecks Barn was burnt by Lightning last Thursday Night.

1764 September 5 (Wednesday).  Neighbour John Wood has my Mare to go in his Waggon to Boston.  I have his Fathers Horse to go to a Fast at Hopkinton, at the House of Capt. Townsend, on account of his Mother, an aged Woman, in great Spiritual Distress.  Mr. Frost prayed, Mr. Stone preached on Ps. 51.17 a.m.  P.M. Mr. Barrett prayed, and I preached.  My Text Rev. 22.17.  I went to Mr. Barretts after Exercises; but returned home at Eve.  N.B. Mr. Adams ordained at Lunenbourg, and Billy is gone to it.

1764 September 6 (Thursday).  I walked over to t’other House and to Capt. Maynards.  Got him to go down to Rutters Brook and to the Meadow which I have bought of him there: having appointed to meet Mr. Andrews there.  We went all there accordingly and the Captain Shewed us our Bounds.  We agreed about the Fence — that my part should be the upper End; and Mr. Andrews consented to have my Fence set upon the North Bank of the Brook.  Mr. Fessenden from Dunstable, but last from Ordination at Lunenbourg.  Supped and lodged here.

1764 September 7 (Friday).  Mr. Fessenden left us a.m. for Dunstable again.  Richard Barns junior thrashes Rye for me.  P.M. Mr. Hall of Sutton.

1764 September 8 (Saturday).  Mr. Wood sends my Mare home in the morning.  N.B. Lt. Lock, at my Desire, sends a Letter to Messrs. Edes and Gill to change the Place of the News Paper — from Johonnots to Mrs. Clarks.  Lydia has been with us for some Days; but is now not well and goes to Dr. Ball to be blooded.  Billy returned from Fitchbourg.  Has got a man there to work for him.

1764 September 9 (Sunday).  A.M. read Prov. 18 and preached on Mat. 16.20.  Master Cushing dines here as usual.  P.M. read Mat. 25 to v. 30.  Preached on Cant. 8.5.  Was somewhat fervent.  May God grant we may See plainly what a Wilderness we are in, while in our Natural State!  In the Evening instead of usual Repetition, read in Mr. Bolton on right comforting afflicted Consciences, Sect. 1, part 1, Ch. X.XI.XII.

1764 September 10 (Monday).  The late Frosts so great as to turn the Corn stalks white.  John carts part of the Day.  I am reading the Account of the Process against Mr. Ebenezer Erskine in Scotland — the beginning of the Seceding there.  John to Allens Mill.

1764 September 11 (Tuesday).  Mr. Kendal and his Brother Tainter with 3 Boys, Oxen, Horse and Ploughs, came kindly, and plowed stubble at my island.  Sent p.m. for Neighbour Zebulon Rice to help in driving and clearing the plough.  All Gratis.  John brings news from Mill (where he goes again to Day) that the Man who had the Small Pox at Bartlets is dead and was buryed last sabbath.

1764 September 12 (Wednesday).  It proves a very Stormy Time.  I am thankful I have so many Comforts, and pity those who are exposed.  Not only my Neighbour Nurse is gone to Boston with a Waggon, but his Sister Williams very much disordered in Body and weak in Mind, and one of her Daughters, attended by Nathan Kenny are gone to Dr. Samuel Wheat.  I am a good deal concerned for them.  Lydia David here Still, and Spins with Sarah.