Category: Diary

1764 November 22 (Thursday).  Mr. Martyn and his Wife, Mr. Maccarty and Mr. Bowman dined with me.  Mr. Maccarty came to preach my Lecture yet very few of the people attended.  He preached a good Sermon on Gal. 6.14.  Mr. Bowman and Master Cushing here after Lecture and the latter at Evening.  I would fain urge him to set up a Singing School in this Parish.  I was at Mr. Bonds.  Visit old Capt. Forb.  Mr. Barns moves out of Rolfs House.

1764 November 23 (Friday).  Deacon Tainter and Artemas Bruce kill my Bell-Cow.  Mr. Aaron Brigham and his Mother Winchester from Boston, call here, and give me some Account of their Disquietments in Grafton through great Uneasyness with Mr. Hutchinson.  Mr. Simon Newton and Wife here.

1764 November 24 (Saturday).  Deacon comes again very kindly to weigh, cutt out and salt up my Beef.  The Cow weighs 424 lbs.  Lend Mr. Tainter one Quarter.

1764 November 25 (Sunday).  Very Cold; omitted the Public Reading by reason of the extreme Weather and what we had to do to Day.  Preached a.m. on Ps. 116.14.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Deacon Tainter, Master Cushing and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. preached on Mat. 26.48 and read v. 9.  I acquainted the Church with the Request of Simon Newton and his wife (Bridget) to have two of their Children baptized, of their having owned the Covenant, one in Bedford, and he had been for his Certificat, but was disappointed by Reason of the Ministers being from home; but that he designed to obtain it as Soon as he could.  The Other had owned the Covenant at Southborough.  They both had enjoyed privilege at each place abovesaid.  That they had neglected their Duty of a long time, through various Accidents but were sorry for it — and prayed the ordinance might be administered, if not on his, yet on her Account.  I proposed it; and no objection being made, I baptized ‘em.

1764 November 26 (Monday).  I Set to my Preparations but had much Interruption.  Toward Eve came young Mr. Dor and tarryed with us.  My Brother Pierpoint also came from New Haven and lodged here.

1764 November 27 (Tuesday).  Mr. Dor returned home.  Mr. Pierpoint dined with us; and p.m. he left us, going a great Journey to Boston, to New Hampshire and to Rochester.  Dr. Rice at Even.  N.B. Mr. Dike of Sutton brought me another letter from Mr. Wigglesworth about the Cleaveland Society and their Conduct.

1764 November 28 (Wednesday).  Rev. Hawley of Mashpee has Sent me two Maps of N.E. Branch of Susquehanah River and of the Town Onchaquagua.  Received two extraordinary large Dunghil Fowls from Mr. Samuel Allen.  Received also from Boston, my Brother Samuels Account of his Daughter Loyds being favoured with a Child whom they have called Dorcas Bowes.  N.B. Many kind presents were brought us by our Neighbours.

1764 November 29 (Thursday).  General THANKSGIVING.  Preached on Ps. 34.1.3.  N.B. Mr. Batherick Sat Quercy tune in Treble Time, notwithstanding his former Opposition.  No Company, though we invited divers persons.  May the Lord accept our offerings!

1764 November 30 (Friday).  Am now confined at home (by a snow storm) when I Should have gone to Capt. Maynards, who by so strangely delaying to pay me, greatly perplexes me.  I read an excellent sermon of Mr. Wigglesworth of Ipswich on the Death of the late venerable Mr. John Rogers, on 2 Cor. 4.7.  Breck works for me a.m.  He and John Thrash Oates.  P.M. Breck goes to his work at Capt. Maynards and I Send by him to desire Captain to come here before tomorrow noon.  Towards Eve Billy returns from Medfield.  In the Eve he setts some Glass where windows had been broke.

1764 December 1 (Saturday).  The Winter comes on in its proper Garb; the Snow Storm continuing and pritty Cold.  I rode nevertheless to Southborough and Mr. Stone hither.  I went to Capt. Jonathan Wards and bought a Gown, one side Calim[an]co, the other Camloteen.  12/6 per yard each.  10 yards of the former — 7 1/2 the latter.

1764 December 2 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough on Gal. 1.15.16.  Might I have Experience of what I deliver!  Returned home at Eve.  Mr. Stone preached on Phil. 4.3, last Clause, and Luke 12.20.  N.B. As I met him he brought me what my wife had prepared for me, Supposing me inclined to have gone from Southborough to Boston.  But I chose to go home, not being sufficiently furnished for that Journey.

1764 December 3 (Monday).  N.B. Capt. Maynard had come on Saturday and brought me 3 Johannes only.  So that I remained still perplexed for want of money for my Brother Samuel and other Occasions.  Mr. Smith of Marlborough was so very kind as to visit me and dined here: but returned at Evening.  Mr. Daniel Hardy, having been with me heretofore to desire me to preach at his House, was here again this Eve, for the Same Purpose.  Neighbour Prat was so kind as to send me a Load of Wood, and brought a Spare Rib and a Piece of Pork.  Samuel Brigham comes to board here and go to school.

1764 December 4 (Tuesday).  My Wife rode with me to the Private Meeting at Mr. Daniel Hardy’s.  I preached on Eccl. 8.11.  And yet there have been many persons killed of late by the Hand of divine Providence.  Mrs. Maynard here at Eve but said Nothing to her of Captains Neglect to pay me or the Difficultys I am brought into by means of it.

1764 December 5 (Wednesday).  Visit Joseph Joslin who lies in a low Condition at Mr. Daniel Warrin’s.  Prayed with him and a Number besides who attended.  From thence I went to Mr. Haskill’s.  They were at Dinner.  In compliance with their sollicitations I eat somewhat and drank with them.  But dined at home.  Mrs. Lock and Some others assisting Sarah in quilting, dine here.  Miss Hephzibah Maynard came, and tarrys for that purpose.  Lodges here.  Mrs. Rolf moves away to Grafton.  N.B. Mr. Zebulon Rice the Evening.  The Conversation much about Mrs. Andrews.

1764 December 6 (Thursday).  Capt. Wood kills an Hog for me.  Nathan Kenny helps him.  At Eve Deacon Tainter kindly came and cutt and salted it for me.  Weighed 171 lbs.  Mr. Fessenden came from Gloucester and he, and Dr. Rice having dined here, he left us again to return there.  Capt. Wood here and Supped with us.  N.B. More concerning Mr. and Mrs. Andrews Conduct.  May the [Lord] Himself grant me Wisdom and Patience under all my Tryals!  But it amazes me that such a Number of the Brethren of this Church are disquieted with me, and will not be convinced of the Disorders and Irregularitys of the Chebacco Separates, nor of the ungrateful Behavior, the very unchristian and abusive Conduct of these Persons.  The society of young men came at Night and asked me to preach to them.  I consented to do it as Soon as I could but know not which week to pitch upon as yet.  N.B. Mr. Joseph Green here and pays me £12.16.16.2 old Tenor, which he says is all So I finished with him.

1764 December 7 (Friday).  Miss Hephzibah Maynard here still.  John Went to Mill and Paid Mr. Allen 18/ for a pair of his large Fowls.  P.M. Came Mrs. Martha Wood with Desire to Joyn with the Church and was Examined.  At Eve her Husband (Neighbour John Wood) came, but was not Examined at this Time, by Reason of it being too late.  When it was late came also Mr. Bowman — who invites Mrs. P________ and me to accompany him and Mrs. Bowman to Oxford the week after next.  Breck came and carryed away home Miss Hephzibah Maynard.

1764 December 8 (Saturday).  Although I am in expectation of Mr. Asaph Rice to preach tomorrow, yet I kept my self as steddily Employed in my preparations as I could.

1764 December 9 (Sunday).  Mr. Rice came to us this Morning.  I read Prov. 26, Mark 1 to v. 23.  Mr. Rice preached for me.  His Text 2 Cor. 6.2 a. and p.m.  He prayed before each sermon.  Mr. Cushing dines here.  Both drink Tea, sup and lodge here.  N.B. I read Mr. Bolton on right Comf. distressed Consciences, for the Evening Family Exercises from page 79 to 100.

1764 December 10 (Monday).  Wrote to Brother Samuel by Mrs. Sarah Johnson, and gave here 3 Johannes, viz. 50£ for my Brother and 4£ for sundrys on our own Account.  Master Cushing to school.  Mr. Rice dines with me.  P.M. Visit Mr. Morse’s Child, which is ill, and prayed there.

1764 December 11 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1764 December 12 (Wednesday).  Though it was a snow storm yet Mr. Martyn having writ to me, I would not disappoint him.  Dined there and preached his Lecture from Gen. 3.15.  The storm prevailed so that I consented to tarry there all Night.

1764 December 13 (Thursday).  A very Cold Morning but left Mr. Martyn, having delivered him 2 Dollars from Mr. McAllister for Lime.  Went to Mr. Michaels shop and bought of him 6 lbs. of Cotton @ 18/ old tenor per pound.  Called at several Houses of my own Parish.  Dined at Capt. Maynards but without him, he being sick o’ Bed.  I got home safely though my Mare had two unhappy Falls, which made me dismount.  One Yesterday, the other to Day: but, through divine Goodness, without any Hurt.  Mr. J. Wood Examined.

1764 December 14 (Friday).  Mrs. Johnson returned from Boston, who says she gave the Money (as above) to my Brother Samuel.  Deacon Tainter brings a Load of Wood, notwithstanding his Infirmitys and the Weather.

1764 December 15 (Saturday).  Son Baldwin from Boston.  N.B. he brought a Letter from Mr. Forbes, that I must pay what’s due upon my Bond to him for Ebenezers Gilbert Place.

1764 December 16 (Sunday).  Omit Reading a.m. by Reason of the Season and my having a long Exercise which I can neither divide nor Shorten.  It was upon Mat. XVI.22.23.  Dr. Rice and Master Cushing dined here.  P.M. read Mark 1 from v. 23 to the End.  Preached on Mat. XVI, chiefly v. 27, having handled verses 24, 25, 26 heretofore.  At Eve read in Mr. R. Bolton from page 100 to 121.  Billy is taken ill, and goes to bed with an ague.  And Mrs. P________ not able to go to Sleep or lie in Bed by reason of her Smarting Legg.

1764 December 17 (Monday).  Billy rides so well (through divine Goodness) as to go to his Work at Capt. Maynards.  Mr. Abraham Bond thrashes Rye.  I rode to Mr. Grows, he being very ill, and I visited Ensign Miller.  N.B. I dined at Mr. Joseph Harrington’s, where Master Cushing diets.  N.B. Gave an Order to Lt. Baker upon Capt. Maynard for an 100£ old Tenor to be paid to Mr. Bowman for Mr. Forbes.  But Lt. Baker agreed that it Should be dated as if paid December 1.

1764 December 18 (Tuesday).  Mr. Adonijah Rice winnows Oats — but chiefly Rye — 11 1/2 Bushels of Rye.  I preached a Lecture to Young men, from Mat. 22.37.38.  After Lecture Mr. Asaph Rice and Master Cushing here with Mr. Bowman.  There also came Mr. Jonathan Moore, Mr. [blank] Town and Dr. Throop from Oxford.  They Sung and Supped (as well as the first 3 and Mrs. Maynard and Mr. Caryl, drank Tea here).  Mr. Moore and Dr. Throop lodged here.

1764 December 19 (Wednesday).  Lt. Baker sent a Sleigh for me with those Gentlemen above named, to go up to their House to Breakfast and I take Leave of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman, who, waited upon by two Deacons, and expecting others, from Oxford; attended also by Mr. Asaph Rice, Master Cushing, my son William, Daughter Sarah, and sundry Relations [blank], remove home.  Deacon Tainter brings me home in his Sleigh and dines with me.  Lydia David came.

1764 December 20 (Thursday).  Such a storm as prevents all Expectation of the Return of Billy and Sarah from Oxford.  We have Lydia David to help us.

1764 December 21 (Friday).  Deacon Tainter brings two Jaggs of Wood.  Billy returns at Eve: but Sarah is left at Oxford.

1764  December 22 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1764 December 23 (Sunday).  Read Prov. 27 and preached on v. 1, the rather because it was the shortest sabbath of the Year.  Mr. Cushing dines here.  P.M. read Mark 2.  Preached on Mat. XVI.28.  At Eve, after Repetition and other Exercises, read Mr. Bolton from p. 121 to 134.  Much of Serious Concern upon my [suts?], for my self and others — fervently crying to God for His almighty Influences — O for a Blessing!

1764 December 24 (Monday).  On Capt. Woods Horse rode to see Mr. Grow.  Conversed and Prayed with him.  He is in much Distress of Body and Mind.  Read to him some parts of Zions Traveller.  N.B. I dined at Mr. Seth Morse’s.  Called at Ensign [marginal notation: Lieutenant] Harringtons and Mr. Daniel Forb.  In my return home at Eve, found that Mr. Jonathan Moore had brought home Sarah; and here were Master Cushing and Dr. James Hawes, who has lately come to live near us.  All of them Supped here, and the two first lodged here.

1764 December 25 (Tuesday).  Mr. Moore returns to Oxford; and Master to his School.  Lydia David goes home.  I visit Joseph Joslin — and Dr. Hawes.  N.B. This morning I sent my Watch by Mr. Seth Morse to Mr. Gawen Brown at Boston, to be cleaned.  Samuel Brigham came again to boarding.

1764 December 26 (Wednesday).  Though it is a great snow storm, we have but little Wood.  Neighbour Lock is so very kind as to come and see how we are, and helps John in getting Wood out of the Snow, into the House.  At Mr. Stones desire by his Son of Yarmouth (who was here lately while I was from home) I look over his Notes of his late Ordination Sermon.