Category: Diary

1765 January 31 (Thursday).  It proves a very Sorrowful Time, by Such heavy Snows.  But The Lord is our Preserver.  May we be [Cared?] for by Him!

1765 February 1 (Friday).  Am desired to go to Mr. Masons Funeral.  Mr. Martyn is Sent for but does not Come.  Mr. David Maynard comes to bring my Horse, and accompany me part of the way.  I dined at Capt. Maynards.  The Carpenters finish there.  Attended and prayed at the Funeral: but did not go to the Grave.  In returning call at Bruce’s and Beetons.  At Neighbour Pratts, who is ill.  Billy and Breck come home from Capt. Maynards.  Mr. Chamberlin endeavoring to break the way out to the great Road, comes with a little wood.  Samuel Brigham rode home with me.  Mr. John Wood here, with his own and wife’s Relations, to be read to the Church.

1765 February 2 (Saturday).  God takes Care of us from Day to Day, though this Season is so singularly difficult, especially as to Wood.  Sundry Neighbours come and bring what they can.  Deacon Tainter comes to see how we fare and brings Some in his sleigh.  Messrs. Nathan Maynard and Artemas Bruce bring one Load with a large Team, of wood nigh them.  And dine here.  P.M. Mr. Nathan Maynard and his Brother Ebenezer bring another Load.  Mr. Chamberlin another Load.  Messrs. Benjamin and Jonathan How another.  All gratis.  N.B. Mr. Le Blanc from Salem dines here.  I ask him to come to Meeting and dine with me tomorrow.  He consents; which I think he never did before.  At Eve my son Baldwin and Alexander Oliver from Boston in a two Horse sleigh; and tarry with us.

1765 February 3 (Sunday).  Read the other part of Prov. 30.  Preached again on v. 8 and 9.  Master Cushing, Mr. Le Blanc, who was at Meeting a. and p.m., Son Baldwin, and Alexander dine with us.  P.M. Read Mark 4 to v. 21.  But by reason of Visits and Funeral for 4 Days last Week and frequent interruptions about Wood etc., could not prepare for the Afternoon sermon, except Introduction, Alterations and Additions to a sermon on 2 Pet. 3.9, by the Help of which I was enabled to form I hope a useful Exercise from Ezek. 18.23.  After Sermon admitted John and Martha Wood into the Church before the Congregation.  At Eve, besides our usual Exercise, Repetition etc. read further in Mr. Bolton.  Which may God bless to the awakening of each of us!

1765 February 4 (Monday).  Mr. Baldwin gives me his Account which much surprizes Me.  I deliver him £100 old Tenor for Mr. Forbes: and he gives me a Receipt.  He and Alexander leave us.  Billy has, of Mr. Wheelock, part of Deacon Storers House to work in; the shop not being big enough for him and Breck, though it was for Thomas.  P.M. Mr. Whitney here to desire me to go to his House next Thursday and marry his son Eli.  John went, with Difficulty, to Mr. Allens Mill.

1765 February 5 (Tuesday).  Deacon Tainter brought a Quarter of Beef which he borrowed of us.  He dined here and carryed me, also Sarah and Sophy to Mr. Jonah Warrins where I preached on Heb. 12.15.  Monsieur Le Blanc attended with us.  N.B. I wrote to Oxenbridge Thatcher Esq. respecting the Time appointed by the Court for the Claimants of Land fallen into New Hampshire: Sent also to Brother Samuel.  Gave the Letters to Mr. Joseph Grout.  But 50£ old Tenor I delivered to Mr. Nathaniel Ball for my Brother from Mr. Forbush.  It being money which I pay him upon my Note to him.  And by this, pay the full of it.

1765 February 6 (Wednesday).  Get my Preparations well forwarded, though by these Means can read but little.

1765 February 7 (Thursday).  Mr. John Wood Comes with a sleigh and Span of Horses and carrys me to their house first to take in his Wife etc. and then to Capt. Fays to take in Miss Eliza, the Bride, with her Bridegroom, Mr. Eli Whitney, accompanyed with a considerable Number on Horseback.  We proceed to Mr. Nathaniel Whitneys — where the marriage of the forementioned was solemnized.

1765 February 8 (Friday).  Mr. John Bowker dyed yesterday at his Fathers at Sudbury.

1765 February 9 (Saturday).  John Pratt, only Son of Neighbour Hezekiah Pratt, is taken very ill, and this is the 3d or 4th Day of the Pleurisy.  Am sent for.  He is rational.  Discourse with him and pray with him and the distressed Family.

1765 February 10 (Sunday).  Read Prov. 31.  Preached on Prov. 30.8.9, the 8th especialy.  P.M. read Mark 4.21 to the End.  Preached on Mat. 17.14 to 21.  A pritty full Congregation considering it is winter.  May God bless the word to all.  N.B. Sent for to John Pratt who grows worse.  He is delirious.  Prayed by him with the Family and Neighbours.

1765 February 11 (Monday).  Neighbour Pratt sends for me in the morning but I was going without his sending for me.  John worse.  Prayed and counselled them.  P.M. Visited Mr. Edmund Rice’s wife who languishes.  Was obliged to go on Racketts from Mr. James Maynards.  N.B. Master Cushing returned from Shrewsbury.  He returns me my Note of Hand to his Mother and I burnt it.  N.B. she gives in the Interest — which was from July last.

1765 February 12 (Tuesday).  Rode over to John Pratt.  He is still delirious.  Prayed there.  His Case seems hopeless.  I pity my poor Neighbour and his Family.  The Lord be gracious to them.  We are reduced as to wood.  Get Mr. Moses Nurse and Mr. Timothy Warrin to afford a Load apiece, which they bring and send.  Deacon Tainter in his sleigh carrys Sarah and me to Southborough.  Dine at Mr. Stones.  Return at Eve.  John Pratt near his End.  Amasa Maynard came for me.  Went.  Found he was dying.  Prayed and Exhorted.  Left him breathing — but he expired — 27 years old.  My Son Ebenezer and his son Thomas, with Daughter Suse from Brookfield.

1765 February 13 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer and I rode over to Deacon Bonds and dined there.  Then visited old Deacon Forbes and his Sister Steward, Mr. Kendal, his Daughter Bowker etc.

1765 February 14 (Thursday).  Ebenezer delivered me my Bond given to Mr. Forbes as Guardian of the Gilbert Children, for Forty pounds Lawfull Monday, bearing Date Feb. 16, 1758.  N.B. It appears by the back of the Bond that I have paid of Interest for this Money 56 Dollars — but deduct 20/ old Tenor: remains 124£ 10/ old Tenor.

1765 February 15 (Friday).  Attended the Funeral of John Pratt.  A very mournful Time!  May God Shew Mercy to the poor distressed Father, and the bereaved sisters!  A great Concourse of People, though it was difficult stirring.  Billy is one of the Bearers.  My Wife too tender and lame to be there, but my two Daughters that could, and Breck and John, were there.  The snow is Still so high, that they carry the Corps over the Wall of the Burying Place.  Dr. Crosby here after the burying.

1765 February 16 (Saturday).  Billy finishes his Sleigh.

1765 February 17 (Sunday).  Read Eccl. 1.  Preached a. and p.m. on Heb. 21.23 to 26, but principal Regard to v. 23.25.  P.M. read Mark 5.  Master Cushing and Mrs. Crosby (Doctor’s Wife) dined here.  In the Eve (besides our usual Repetition), read another Chapter in Mr. Bolton.

1765 February 18 (Monday).  [No entry.]

1765 February 19 (Tuesday).  It is so bad riding on Horseback, that I went in my sleigh to see Mr. Ebenezer Brigham who is very bad again; and especially has terrible sores, like Cancers, upon his Hands.  I dined there.  Visit at Mr. Bradish’s, where also are Jacob Garfield and his Family.  P.M. at home here were Dr. Haws and his Wife to visit — but Sarah and Suse had walk [sic] to Capt. Maynards.  Mrs. Maynard Sent a Goat Skin for a Pair of Breeches for Elias.

1765 February 20 (Wednesday).  Mr. Tainter dined here, having brought some Wood.  Bought a little skin at Mr. Wheelocks for Elias and get Mrs. Johnson to make them and because the Goat skin is So large as to be like to be enough for John, She is to make him a pair with that.  Was at Mr. Zebulun Rice’s where was his son Putnam, come for his Wife.  Mr. Gale at Evening.  He pays me 73£ old Tenor.

1765 February 21 (Thursday).  Mr. Putnam carrys home his Wife.  May the Lord go along with them!  At night a Message from Mr. Brigham who is very bad.

1765 February 22 (Friday).  Visit Mr. Ebenezer Brigham again and pray with him.  Many there.  I conversed with him with much Fervency, and it seems to succeed in some Measure.  D.G.  Dr. Ball and Fales there, and Expect Dr. Wilson and Dexter: but it looks as if in vain.

1765 February 23 (Saturday).  Breck has worked several Days for me.  To Day he goes with my Oxen and fetches 4 or 5 hund. of Hay from t’other Barn.  Billy returns from Medfield and Boston.  John Maynard with him.

1765 February 24 (Sunday).  Read Eccl. 2.  Preached on Mat. 17.22-27.  Mr. Cushing, Mrs. Maynard and Mr. Jacob Garfields wife, dined here.  P.M. read Mark 6 to v. 29.  As I thought it best to deliver my whole preparation in the forenoon, and could not prepare another sermon, I repeated on Rom. 5.15.18.  Am informed that Mr. Ebenezer Brigham expired yesterday p.m.  N.B. Read at Eve another small Portion of Mr. Bolton.

1765 February 25 (Monday).  Paid Billy £13.15 old Tenor.  Sent by Billy to Mr. Hills 2 Guinea’s.  Mr. Jonah Warrin asks me to preach at his Son Morse’s next Week.  I hope Mr. Warrin is Satisfyed as to the Doctrine of restraining Mercy being (in some respects) above pardoning Mercy.  Read in Mr. Oxenbridge’s Plea for the dumb Indian in M.S.  At Eve Mr. William Woods desires me to attend the Funeral tomorrow.

1765 February 26 (Tuesday).  Was at the Funeral of Mr. Ebenezer Brigham.  Prayed but did not go to the Grave, because he was buryed at Southborough.  Mr. Stone attended also — and went with the people.  Finished reading Mr. Oxenbridges Plea for the dumb Indian in M.S., a learned, laboured Piece, and containing a great many usefull Things — a great many astonishing Things relating to the evil Treatment the Indians in Mexico, Guatimala, Peru, Chili, Hispaniola etc. met with from the Spaniards — especially Montezuma and Attabalipa Emperors.

1765 February 27 (Wednesday).  Walked on the Snow to Mr. Nurse’s.  Reckoned and Settled with him.  Visit Neighbour Pratt in his Sorrows.  P.M. at Mr. Wheelocks, when Capt. Nat. Dwight of Belchers town (formerly Cold Spring) came to me under their great Difficultys and brought Letter of the Council to re-convene.  He lodges here.

1765 February 28 (Thursday).  I found that Capt. Dwight had Letters for all the Churches to which the Members of the Council at Cold Spring in the year 1760, belonged, and that he had one for Mr. Stone.  I therefore thought it best to confer with Mr. Stone about it, and therefore rode with Capt. Dwight to Southborough.  But Mr. Stone was gone to preach at Framingham.  We were therefore obliged to go there if we would See him.  We dined at Mr. Bridge’s.  Mr. Stone preached on Luk. 13.34.  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem thou that killest etc.  Came back to Mr. Stones and I lodged there.  Capt. Dwight at Coll. Brighams.  But Coll. Brigham was with us at Mr. Stones in the Eve, when Consulting what to do.

1765 March 1 (Friday).  Being at Southborough, and Col. Brigham and Capt. Dwight being at Mr. Stones; having heard Captains Story of their Troubles, I wrote a letter which I sent by him to Mr. Eaton of Spencer, another member and Scribe of our Council, to know whether there was not a Vote passed by our then Council, limiting the Time of its Continuance etc.  I return home.  Captain with me and dines here.  P.M. he proceeds on his Journey.  Mr. Daniel Forbes with a Message from Mr. Andrews to know whether I will as was proposed last Summer, lay our Differences before some Men to hear and Judge about them.  I return answer partly by reading my last Letter to Mr. Andrews — and added, that I was heartily for peace any way that was reasonable — that Indeed our Case was altered from what it was; and required now special Care.

1765 March 2 (Saturday).  Mr. Stone came here.  I went to Southborough, though wet Weather.  N.B. Sarah went up to Mr. John Wood’s and bought, in my Name, 100 lb. of Flax, at 6/6.  Mr. Stone also bought some.

1765 March 3 (Sunday).  I preached at Southborough on 2 Cor. 4.16 a. and p.m.  Mr. Stone preached for Me on Luk. 12.20 a. and p.m.  A Stormy Day and therefore but few at Meeting.  But at Eve Mr. Stone returned to Southborough, where I lodged.  The Lord bless His holy Word and Ordinances in each Parish for Saving Good!

1765 March 4 (Monday).  Returned home.  Called at Mr. Isaac Johnsons and prayed with his bed rid sister in Law.  Sent for more Flax per Mr. Wood, for Mr. Stone.  Prayed at the Town Meeting.  Lt. John Martyn dines here.  Payd Mr. John Wood for his Flax, by a Note to Mr. Gale.  Drew a Number of Notes to Mr. Gale, viz. for Mr. William Morse £5.17.0, Mr. Abraham Bond for 38/.  For Mr. Biglow 13/6.  Master Cushing lodged here.

1765 March 5 (Tuesday).  Master to school.  Mr. Artemas Bruce goes with me on the Snow, down to the Meadow to shew his Bounds.  Preached at Mr. Seth Morse’s on Joh. 7.17.  May God Himself add His Special Blessing!  N.B. An Arbitration at Capt. Wood’s on a Difference between Messrs. Timothy Warrin and Jonas Bradish, respecting the Widow Rolfs Cow.

1765 March 6 (Wednesday).  Attended the Funeral of another Newborn Child of Francis Whipple, a Daughter.  I wish this repeated Frown of Providence may Suitably affect him that he may be brought to Repentance.  At Evening came Mr. Andrews to See me — and he sat — and we both sat for Some time — with but little Conversation.  At length he desired he might ask me another Question.  He said Mr. Daniel Forb. had told him on Monday that I desired to See him.  I told him Yes — I was willing he should come here — he was welcome — I did not mean to send for him: but should be glad to have him free here.  He Said he was willing to go into the Same way that he had mentioned heretofore (of Some Men to hear us).  I told him I had Met with such Things from him and his Wife, as made me at a loss.  I was not willing to have it like the arbitration yesterday.  He asked why?  (or something like that).  I told him I wanted no such Noise and Rabblement as that was.  But I would not have him think I was afraid to lay it before proper Judges.  He asked who they were?  I answered that the way of Church proceeding was etc. and if the Church did not settle it, then there should be a Council — and if the Affair was with Ministers, then there Should be Ministers.  He said he would never while he lived be out one [rabin?] Penny towards one — and were it not for his Family he would not set his Foot again into that House, pointing to the Meeting House.  He said he did not come to dispute with me — and left me.