Category: Diary

1764 September 13 (Thursday).  The storm continues, but not so great as yesterday.  Mr. A. Nurse helps me form another plank-step for the Pulpit.  P.M. Capt. Wood here.  Towards Night my son Baldwin from Boston.  Tells us his Wife is very much out of Health yet, and is at Dr. Frink’s at Rutland: and the Child is at Nurse at Noah Hardys at Brookfield.  He lodges here.

1764 September 14 (Friday).  Mr. Baldwin for Brookfield.  John cutting Stalks again.

1764 September 15 (Saturday).  Nathan Kenny and Ebenezer Maynard junior help John in Cutting and Picking up stalks: and they finish that Work.  Mr. Beeton here, complaining again of A. Bruce’s unreasonable Denying and refusing to let him enter into my House, to live there, notwithstanding my Consent that he should.  Billy at Eve says a Load of Beetons Goods went by the House, and were lodged at Capt. Maynards.  Strange stubbornness!

1764 September 16 (Sunday).  See Natal.  Read Prov. 19.  Preached a. and p.m. on Cant. 85.  P.M. read Mat. 25.3.  O that God would accompany His Word and Ordinances with a divine Influence!  Master Cushing and Mr. Hastings of Shrewsbury (who is deaf) with his Wife, dined here.  P.M. he sat in the Pulpit.  At Eve I read in the Family part of Dr. Doddridges Sermon on Mat. 11.23.

1764 September 17 (Monday).  Visit Mrs. Hardy (Phinehas’s Wife) who is languishing.  Pray with her.  She has much Hope concerning her spiritual State.  I dined there.  Then visit Mrs. Grout (Josephs wife) who is also in a Weak state.  I proceeded to Mr. Daniel Nurse’s, Mr. N. Ball’s, and to the widow Smith’s.  At the last House (by Mr. Balls forwarding it), I prayed after we had sung part of a Psalm.  Returned at Eve.  N.B. my Wife had visited at Bruce’s and She had many Things to Say of the Great Clash which Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Bruce had this afternoon upon Beeton’s Account.  And Billy comes over with an Errand from Beeton to desire me to do something though I can’t tell what, to perswade Bruce.  The Lord pity ‘em under their miserable Circumstances and Temptations!

1764 September 18 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1764 September 19 (Wednesday).  Mr. Barns and I went to the Meadow I had of Capt. Maynard that I might direct him in setting up my Part of the Fence between Mr. Andrews and me.  Mr. Fessenden from Dunstable, and dines here.  The Noise is about Lt. Bakers Case with sherriff Collins at the Superior Court.  P.M. I rode to Mr. Tainters.  N.B. Great Plenty of Peaches there.  I brought home many for Pickling.  Dr. Crosby here.  At Eve Mr. Tainter and his wife — Lt. Ward also, and Sundry others.

1764 September 20 (Thursday).  Catechized at the Meeting-House a. and p.m.  About 40 Boys and nigh as many Girls.  Mr. Aaron Nurse my Butcher to kill Some Mutton.  Little B. Gott Maynard goes to his Fathers, having been here nigh five Months.  Mrs. Johnson.

1764 September 21 (Friday).  My son Baldwin brought his wife from Rutland.  She is in a poor, weak state of Health.  Samme came from Boston and Alexander came with him.  Mr. Fessenden and Mrs. Johnson here: So that (with Breck who comes home to night) we have no small Number of us all.  Nor is it a little Interruption only.

1764 September 22 (Saturday).  Mr. Baldwin (in a Chair) to Brookfield by the way of Worcester and Rutland.  Mr. Fessenden to Prince Town.  Mr. Bowman dines with us.  Wants Advice about his Answer to Oxford.  Lucy is left with us.  Mrs. Johnson at work here still.

1764 September 23 (Sunday).  A.M. read Prov. 20.  Preached on Cant. 8.5.  Mr. Cushing and Miss Mary Steward dined here.  P.M. read Mat. 26 to v. 35.  Preached on Rom. 7.7 and used Some of my Notes on the 10th Commandment.  The Select Men who were of our Congregation were called to go to the North End, on occasion of one of the Children of Mr. Jotham Bartlet, a youth of about 14, who ‘tis thought has the small Pox.

1764 September 24 (Monday).  Mr. John Woods little Polly being very ill I visited there and prayed and Dined there with Dr. Wilson and Mr. Bowen who studys Physic with him.  They came here afterwards.  Mr. Harrington and Lady were here in their way to their Aunt Tainters.

1764 September 25 (Tuesday).  Mr. Barnabas Newton with my Oxen, Capt. Woods, and Mr. Nathan Maynards, ploughed Stubble at my Cook Island.  Visit Polly Wood and prayed.

1764 September 26 (Wednesday).  I rode south.  Was at Deacon Bonds.  Much Said about Mrs. Andras.  [Same came?] for me.  Mr. Martyn and wife and Mrs. Williams of Marlborough and Daughter here.  Dine with us.  At Night am called to go up to little Polly Wood.  Went and prayed etc.  She seems to be just gone.  N.B. Capt. Fays Conv[ersatio?]n the Discourse Mrs. Andras.

1764 September 27 (Thursday).  Deacon Tainter here.  His Son Supplys me with a Quarter of Beef.  Weighs 82 lbs.  Part with 40 lb. to Neighbour Lock.  Deacon Cutts our Beef out.  He dines with us.  P.M. Mrs. Maynard visits us.  Also Mrs. Cushing and Mrs. Morse of Shrewsbury: the latter with her young Child, Annis.  They lodge here, as does Master Cushing.  N.B. Mr. Bowman here — informs me that Oxford has met and added 500£ old Tenor to his Settlement.  N.B. Polly Wood dyed this Morning.

1764 September 28 (Friday).  Mrs. Cushing and Mrs. Morse left us, to go and dine at Capt. Maynards and then return home.  Mrs. Warrin of Upton (Bekky) din’d with us — as did Misses Judith and Joanna Stone.  P.M. Funeral of Mr. John Woods little Polly.  The Lord sanctify it!  Mrs. Parker, widow Newton and Mrs. Bowman here.  Mr. Fessenden and his Mother.  The last 7 drank Tea here, and the two last lodged here.

1764 September 29 (Saturday).  I had an ill night with pained Bowels and lax.  Mr. Fessenden goes to Prince Town — but waits on his mother to his Brother Johns.  Samuel leaves us to go to Framingham in his way to Boston.  N.B. One Mr. Anderson Dana, a Drover, from Ashford, desires to leave a tired and lame shoat here till he comes back from Boston: or will sell it @ 3 Coppers per lb. alive.

1764 September 30 (Sunday).  Read Prov. 21 and preached on Rom. 7.7, repeating another Sermon on the 10th Commandment.  For I was interrupted by Company Every Day of the week, so that I could not prepare for both parts of the Day.  But p.m. having read Mat. 26 from v. 36 to the End, I preached on Mat. 16.21.  Master Cushing and Mr. Fessendens Mother dined here.  N.B. I read Mr. Benjamin Mixer’s Petition for a Contribution for Joseph Joslin — and left to the Consideration of the whole Congregation but up to the Deacons and the Committee.  Read a Letter from the East Church in Yarmouth to desire our Assistance in the Ordination of Mr. Nathan Stone junior.  N.B. See my young Oxen from Brookfield this morning but know not who brought ‘em home.

1764 October 1 (Monday).  Much interrupted and disturbed by the breaking in of Sheep and Hoggs (my own) into my Field.  P.M. had Lieutenant Bakers two Yoke of Oxen to join with my own two Yoke to plow stubble at Cook Island.  Nathan and Jonas Kenny helped me; and my John and Natty Chamberlin were also with the Team.  N.B. Messrs. Daniel Forbes and Daniel junior’s wives made us a Visit — and each brought a Cheese.  Send by Mr. Nathaniel Ball for my Mare from Boston which Samuel rode on.

1764 October 2 (Tuesday).  Still very much afflicted by in-breaking to the Fields.  Towards Eve rode to Deacon Bonds.  N.B. we do not meet without something of Mrs. Andrews.  At Eve Deacon Tainter here.  Very kind and ready to help me.  May God graciously reward him!

1764 October 3 (Wednesday).  I expected Mr. Maccarty to preach my Lecture but he came not.  Preached my self on Joh. 19.34.  Stopped the Church to acquaint them with Deacon Bonds Request that the Church would excuse him from going to Yarmouth Ordination because the general Court is prorogued to the 10th and he (a member of it) must attend it.  The Church accepted it, and voted to Send another.  They chose Brother Gale.  The Church also, by vote, left the money lately contributed for Vessels, to the Discretion of the Deacons.  N.B. Mr. Nathaniel Ball returns from Boston, but does not bring my Mare.  Soon came my Cousen Nathaniel on her.  He has been sick and is Still in a Weak Condition.  Mr. Green leaves me only 2 Dollars in Cash.

1764 October 4 (Thursday).  I walked over to Capt. Maynards.  Called at t’other House, in returning.  Continually interrupted.  Write, and Send, to Mr. Jonathan Moore of Oxford, to preach for me, while I am gone to Ordination.  Capt. Fay and Son came with a Team to get in my Corn.  There came many more to get it in and husk it: and they Sup with us.  They are, in all, 28.  After returning Thanks, we sang part of Ps. 4 in Tate and Brady.  But we need to be humble for the Frown of providence in the lightness of the Crop.

1764 October 5 (Friday).  Jonas Kenny helps John in sorting and Spreading the Corn.  Very few Baskets fit to grind.  Mr. John Bo[yle?] of Oxford leaves a man’s and a womans Saddle here for Mr. Ebenezer Cutler, merchant at Oxford.  At Eve came Mr. Wyeth, who tarrys with us.

1764 October 6 (Saturday).  Mr. Stones son Thomas with a Letter.  He goes on Horseback — next Tuesday Morn 9 o’Clock.  I Sent a Return by the Same.  Mr. Wyeth goes to See some of the Neighbours — dines at Mr. Ebenezer Forbush’s.  He leaves us p.m.  N.B. Mr. Michael Martyn came for the Saddles brought yesterday and had ‘em.

1764 October 7 (Sunday).  Read Prov. 22.  Sung Ps. 29, two first stanza’s.  Preached on Ps. 116.14.  Administered the Lords supper.  N.B. four New Tankards which the Deacons have bought last week.  Master Cushing and Mrs. Maynard dined with us.  P.M. omitted public Reading: but preached again on Rom. 7.7, repeating (with some few Variations) some of Expositions on the 10th Commandment.  N.B. So many interruptions and avocations again by Lecture, Harvest, Company etc. last week, that I could prepare only one Sermon, to my great Grief and Trouble.  N.B. Mr. Gale desired the Church might be stopped that he might speak with them and he was excused.  But we met with so much Difficulty in choosing Deacon Tainter who was however chose, that I could not but make a reprehesive Remark.

1764 October 8 (Monday).  My Kinsman goes to Capt. Maynards and brings from thence a Beaver Hat, which I consented to give a Guinea for, on Mr. Moses Nurse’s Account.  My Concern respecting my Journey, was Great.  Money very much Wanting, and Several other necessary Things also.

1764 October 9 (Tuesday).  The Time is come that I must undertake my Journey — but must herein break through Several, and No small, Difficultys: leaving my affairs under God with my Wife.  Rode to Mr. Stones, where I met with Mr. Smith.  We went to Mr. Bridge’s and dined there.  P.M. was obliged to part with my Company, they choosing to go through Dedham, while I was obliged to go through Roxbury.  N.B. Mr. Joseph Collins of Southborough my Company part of the way.  Arrived at Mr. Adams’s, where I expected to have received from my Brother Samuel a Pair of Leather Breeches, according to his Letter to me last week — but was sadly disappointed.  Lodged there.

1764 October 10 (Wednesday).  Rainy morning.  Mr. Adams is going to Falmouth to the Ordination of Mr. Samuel Dean.  I proceed to Mr. Bowmans — thence to Mr. Ezra Welds in Braintree, where I was met by Messrs. Stone and Smith, as we had agreed yesterday: and dined there.  P.M. to Weymouth and Hingham.  Lodged at Mr. Gays.

1764 October 11 (Thursday).  Sat out from Mr. Gays — called at Mr. Shutes — dined at Mr. Barns’s — but it was too late for us to reach Plymouth.  Lodged at Mr. Rands.

1764 October 12 (Friday).  Arrived at the antient Town of Plymouth.  N.B. Mr. Thomas Mayhew merchant very obligingly waits upon Mr. Smith and me to their Golgotha.  N.B. No Minister buryed there, but Mr. Little.  Go into their Principal Meeting House — visit Mr. Bacon, and Mr. Robbins.  Dined with the last.  Bought two Gallons of Angelica-Water of Mr. [blank] Foster.  Mr. Smith paid for it — 3£ 10 old Tenor.  At Eve arrive at Sandwich and lodge at Mr. Williams’s.

1764 October 13 (Saturday).  Leaving Mr. Smith at Sandwich, to preach for Mr. Williams, Mr. Stone and I proceed to Barnstable — dine at my dear Friends Mr. Green’s.  N.B. Mr. Joseph Mayhew from Nantucket there.  N.B. a young Gentleman (Mr. Lewis of Eastham’s son) now from Boston, tells us there are Letters from the Agent Mauduit, of Dark Cloud hanging over the Colonys, and the heavyest part of it, on the Massachusetts.  Mr. Stone goes on his Journey, and intends to preach at Mr. Cheevers[1] Parish at Eastham.  I tarry at Mr. Greens.

[1]Edward Cheever (1717-1794), Harvard 1737; SHG 10:124-26.

1764 October 14 (Sunday).  Preach at Barnstable for Mr. Green a. and p.m. on Jer. 50.7, last Clause.  Mr. Greens son, wife and Family live there at his Fathers: and he goes from thence, this Morning to his People and returns at Evening.  N.B. Their Custom is to have no sett Dinner but sup early and plentifully after Meeting.

1764 October 15 (Monday).  A.M. Mr. Green conducts me to the Fish-Flakes etc.  Mr. Mayhew, who went on the 13th to East Yarmouth, to preach for young Mr. Stone, returns.  Dine there, and p.m. went to Hianas.  N.B. a place of fine Oysters.  Eat of them at one Mr. Hallet’s.  We return to Mr. Greens, at Eve; and lodge there.  An Agreeable Excursion.

1764 October 16 (Tuesday).  Messrs. Smith and Williams come from Sandwich.  Dined at Mr. Greens.  Went with those Gentlemen to East Yarmouth.  N.B. had been a great deal concerned about Deacon Tainter; how he would bear the Journey, being old and under so great Infirmities: but behold he was got to Madam Dennis’s, the place of entertainment, before me — and there were also Coll. Brigham and Capt. Ward, from Southborough.  I lodged there: and the provisions and lodgings very good.  N.B. Deacon Tainter was directed to Call at Mr. Adams’s at Roxbury for my Breeches, but none came.  I was obliged to borrow, for my own were become unfit.  Besides Mr. Greens Goodness, who lent me a pair of Velvet, young Mr. Stone lent me a pair of black Leather to wear home.

1764 October 17 (Wednesday).  Mr. Green and other Pastors together with their Delegates being come, the Council was formed.  Mr. Green Moderator and his Son Scribe.  Mr. Stone’s Dismission from the Church in Lyn was read and he was admitted into the Church of East Yarmouth.  He exhibited a Confession of Faith — all were satisfyed, and every thing being prepared, we repaired to the Meeting House.  There Every thing was very Orderly, quiet and Solemn.  Mr. Smith of Marlborough began with prayer, Mr. Stone’s Father preached on 2 Tim. 2.12, latter part.  Mr. Green prayed and gave the Charge.  Mr. Josiah Lewis prayed after the Charge; I gave the Right Hand of Fellowship.  Young Mr. Stone appointed the Psalm and gave the Blessing.  May God pardon us and accept us all in Christ Jesus!