Category: Diary

1765 March 7 (Thursday).  Billy to Brookfield having heard that Batchellor (by whom he had Sent) was come from Albany, with money for him.  Breck works for me.  Settled with Lt. Lock.  Mr. Belknap here in the Evening.

1765 March 8 (Friday).  Breck cutts Wood at the Island.  Jonas Kenny with him part of the forenoon.  Dines here and works there all the Afternoon.  Mr. Chaplin of Sutton here.  Calls to See me and promote Acquaintance.  He asks me to change with him some time or other.  I told him I know not how to do that.  N.B. I had Spoke freely of Church Government and vindicated Pastoral Authority.  Shewed my Dissatisfaction with the Sutton, and his Proceedings in his Ordination.  But we parted in Peace.  At Eve Brother Hicks from Boston and Cambridge.  N.B. he has been down about 5 Weeks, waiting on the Court about his Land-Bank Affair.  He lodges here.  It looks as if there was great Opposition.  I know not what the Commissioners would say in Vindication of them Selves.

1765 March 9 (Saturday).  Brother Hicks goes home.  Breck and John Sled wood in the Morning from the Island.  Deacon Tainter kindly comes with Wood — and then goes to encourage and assist my Sons.  Mr. Hananiah Parker leaves £4.13.4 lawful Money, for Billy.  Dr. Hawes, having visited Neighbour Adam Rice, who has grievously cut his Foot with an Ax, dines here.  Breck a. and p.m. cutting Wood at the Island; and p.m. John helps him.

1765 March 10 (Sunday).  Read Prov. 3.  Preached on 1 Joh. 5.21.  P.M. Read Mark 6 from v. 30.  Preached on Mat. XVIII.1.2.3.  May the Lord Himself add His Blessing!  Master Cushing dined with us.  In the Evening another Portion of Mr. Boltons after our Common Exercise.

1765  March 11 (Monday).  Capt. Brigham and Mr. Tainter came from the Precinct-Meeting to desire me to go and pray with them, which I did.  After Meeting made a Visit to old Mrs. Woods; and to Neighbour Adam Rice under his Lameness.  At Evening Billy returns from Brookfield, and in a good Measure Succeeded.  Breck cutts wood for me, again at the Island.

1765 March 12 (Tuesday).  Town meeting by Adjournment.  N.B. Master Richard Martyn here and with him a young man, Hawkins, a Taylor who works in the Same shop with him at the North End.

1765 March 13 (Wednesday).  I complyed with a Request of Mr. Hutchinsons.  Rode to Grafton, dined and preached a Lecture on Ps. 56.12 for the promotion of Early Piety and especially Singing.  Returned at Eve.  Very bad travelling: but especially in the Evening.  A great Favour that I had Lieutenant Harringtons Company: We made a visit to Mr. Moses Brigham who grows worse.

1765 March 14 (Thursday).  Master Cushing leaves us and goes to the North End to Deacon Paul Newtons.  Mrs. Maynard dines with us.  Preached on Heb. 12, part of v. 22 and 23.  Deacon Tainter and Mr. Bellows here when Mr. Gale wanted Something to be Said about the Andrews Affair.  Mr. Gale paid me in Cash and Notes £75.6 old Tenor.  Mrs. Maynard and her little Robert Breck, lodge here.  Billy and Breck cut Timber on t’other place, for a Corn Barn.

1765 March 15 (Friday).  Mrs. M. dines here, and p.m. her Aunt and She visit Neighbour Pratts.

1765 March 16 (Saturday).  Breck and John go to draw Timber out of the woods into the Road.

1765 March 17 (Sunday).  Read a.m. Eccl. 4.  Preached a. and p.m. on Isa. XXV.6.  Administered the Lord’s Supper.  P.M. read Mark 7.  Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Parker dined here.  At Eve read as usual, after Family Exercises, in Mr. Bolton, ch. 8 and 9, of Part 1 of Sect. 2.  May the Lord add His Blessing to all these means!

1765 March 18 (Monday).  Paid Mr. Wheelock 4 Dollars.  Gave him 54/ money for Tea and Some Paper: and delivered him my Watch to carry to Mr. Gowen Brown at Boston.

1765 March 19 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1765 March 20 (Wednesday).  Dr. Edwards on the Stile of the S.S.

1765 March 21 (Thursday).  Mr. Nathaniel Ball here with Complaint against Mr. Hutchinsons keeping Such a Number of Schollars.  I advised him rather to use humble, endearing, Mollifying Methods, than to proceed informality [sic].  Mrs. Rolf here.  Catechized at the Meeting House.  A.M. 53 Boys and p.m. 25 Girls.  Mr. Kendal here very poorly with bad Cough, and spitting Blood.

1765 March 22 (Friday).  Mr. Grindall Rawson [1](late of Yarmouth) came, and Said he understood I wanted to Speak with him.  N.B. He came from Mr. Stone’s, where was Mr. Smith.  And they (I suppose) Sent him here.  He gave me a Distinct Account of his Troubles with his Wife etc. etc.  He dined here, and it being Stormy, and the Snow prevailing, he lodged here also.

[1]Grindall Rawson (1721-1794; Harvard 1741), SHG 11:58-64.

1765 March 23 (Saturday).  Mr. Rawson, when it broke away, left us.  Said he was going Westward.  Mr. Tainter brought two load of Wood from home and Breck being Sledding [sic] from the Island (2 turns), Mr. Tainter brought another from there.

1765 March 24 (Sunday).  A great Storm; but few at meeting — fewer p.m.  Read Eccl. 5.  Preached a. and p.m. on 1 Joh. 5.21.  By reason of the unusual Difficulty of the Season I omitted to Read p.m.  Deacon Tainter, John Maynard, his Brother Antipas, and Timothy Parker dined here.  The Storm prevailed and was impetuous; Timothy Parker tryed to go home, but could not.  He returned here and was obliged to lodge with us — though we are concerned lest his Brother etc. Should think he is overcome by the violent Wind and drifting Snow.  Blessed be God we are in Safety!  May it please Him to Pity all the distressed!

1765 March 25 (Monday).  Timothy Parker is Sent home early, conceiving his Brother would be much disquieted concerning him.  Few stir to Day, by reason of the deep and drifted Snow.

1765 March 26 (Tuesday).  Jonathan Batherick here.  Tells me he has got me out 200 Posts and 100 Rails.  I agree to give him Four Dollars for his Work.  P.M. came Mr. Tainter and brought his Wife’s uncle, Mr. Daniel Wood of Somers, who informs me of a wood newly discovered in a Tract of Land in New York Government called the Nine partners, which (wood) will not consume.  That Mr. Andrew Storrs of Somers, and Mr. [blank] Johnson of Wallingford preachers, certifyed him of it; and that it was known and tryed at the College at New Haven.  N.B. In the Evening Mr. Zebulun Rice, Precinct Clerk, brings Me the Book for me to write a Receipt of my having had my sallery of the late Treasurer, Mr. Whitney.  I complyed.

1765 March 27 (Wednesday).  John goes to mill to Mr. Johnsons.  I was at Mr. Wheelocks shop, and he lends me his Watch because he left mine at Boston.  Reckoned with Mr. John Wood and paid him by a note to Mr. Gale.  Reckoned with Mr. Tainter and paid him by Ditto.

1765 March 28 (Thursday).  John went to Mr. Allens and bought another large Fowl 10/.  I went on the Snow to t’other House, viewed the great Pine Tree.  Mr. Beeton urges me to go to Capt. Maynards that the Captain may Satisfy me for the Tree.  I went with him but the Captain is gone a Journey.  Mr. Beeton promises in Mrs. Maynards hearing that if I will let the Tree alone he will assure me two hundred of good Floor Boards — or the Tree and he will be at the Charge of the Team to get it to Mill.  N.B. I told Mr. Beeton in the hearing of Richard Barns junior that I had not sold to Capt. Maynard nor to any man, a passage way through that place to the ministerial Lot (that is, during my Life).  Reckoned with Mr. Beeton and paid him 3.14.0 Old Tenor in full.  Lent my Mare to Mr. Richard Barns, to go to Marlborough.

1765 March 29 (Friday).  Mr. Hall of Sutton here from Hollis.  Informs me that Rev. Mr. Thomas Parker of Dracut was buryed last Thursday (yesterday sennight) and that it was Collonel Oliver Wilder of Lancaster who dyed lately, Suddenly as he sat in his Chair.  The Lord prepare me for the awfull Hour!

1765 March 30 (Saturday).  I Sent John to Mr. Howes with a Letter I have lately received from Mr. Eaton of Spencer, upon the Dwight Affair.

1765 March 31 (Sunday).  Read Eccl. 6.  Preached on Mat. 18.4.5.6 and used all that I could prepare upon it.  P.M. read Mark 8 and had an Exercise from 1 Joh. 2.18 with new Introduction accommodating it to what I had lately delivered concerning Idols.

1765 April 1 (Monday).  Breck goes with my and Capt. Woods Oxen and Neighbour Newtons Cart to cart Timber for a Corn Barn.  Sheep, and Steers brought home.  The Portrait of Dr. Wigglesworth read.  At Eve Messrs. Bowman and Moore from Oxford.  Mr. Moore lodges here.

1765 April 2 (Tuesday).  Breck with Mr. Nathan Maynards Cattle and Mine, brings Timber and Hay from T’other House.  Calves come home.  Preached at Capt. Benjamin Woods, on James 1.22, which may God Succeed!

1765 April 3 (Wednesday).  Billy and Breck hewing the Timber, etc.  Mr. Smith and Mr. Fessenden (the last newly from Gloucester) dined with me.  Mr. F. leaves is designing to return from the Northwest tomorrow.

1765 April 4 (Thursday).  Billy hewing — Breck a.m.  P.M. John with Breck cart Timber from Mr. Beetons, and they bring all from thence.  N.B. Mrs. P________ rode with me to Mr. Tainters, where we dine; and there left her, for Mr. Tainter to wait on home at Eve.  I proceeded to visit Ensign Miller and prayed with him.  Then visit at Mr. Bowmans, I. Pratts, Twitchells, Dunlops, Joseph Morse’s, John Balls, [Mark?] Pratts, Deacon Forb. and Kendals, Mr. Kendals being very poor and low.  Prayed with him.  Called at Deacon Bonds and hastened home to meet Mr. Fessenden — but he came not.

1765 April 5 (Friday).  Billy and Breck hewing.  Sarah and Suse with my Mare in Mr. Wheelocks Chair rode to Mr. Martyns.  When they return they inform me that Mr. Fessenden went to Marlborough yesterday in order to go his Journey to Gloucester.  At My Preparations but meet with Hindrances.

1765 April 6 (Saturday).  My Subject requires Attention, but have unavoidable Avocations.  Billy otherwise employed.  Breck worked at the Timber part of the Day.  Deacon Tainter brought from Boston Magazines for Sept., Oct., Nov. and brings a Vine, a Mulberry Tree, Gooseberry Bushes etc. from Mr. Holbrook, with a Letter.  Letters also from Brother Parkman, Samuel and from Dr. Robie with Scudders daily Walk.

1765 April 7 (Sunday).  I cannot dispatch any more in my preparations on the Subject of Scandals, than may Suffice for the forenoon Exercise.  Read Eccl. 7 and preached on Mat. 18.7.  P.M. read Mark 9 and with new and proper Introduction, Additions, and Alterations formed an Exercise from Sermon on Col. 3.3, latter part, p. 19 to p. 25, from Ps. 83.3.  And the God of infinite Goodness Pardon my Deficiencys and give His Blessing for Christ’s sake!  At our Evening Exercise, instead of Repetition read Mr. Bolton, because I must return that Excellent Book before I can read it out.  N.B. Mr. John Pratt dined here, who brings word from Brookfield that my Daughter Parkman was lately delivered of another son.  Which may God almighty Bless!  Mrs. Dunlop and Mrs. Kelly dined here also.

1765 April 8 (Monday).  It being foul Weather Billy can’t frame the Corn Barn.  He finishes a sink in the Kitchin.  Breck cutts a few Gains in the Beams over the Barn Floor, and Saws and joints some Boards for Flooring in the Garrett etc.

1765 April 9 (Tuesday).  Fowl Weather prevents Billys working for me.

1765 April 10 (Wednesday).  Billy to Boston.  Mr. Stone here and dines with me.  P.M. we write a letter to Mr. Eaton and both of us sign it, to Mr. Eaton about the Belchers Town Affair.