Category: Diary

1765 June 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Wellman, returning from St. Johns, calls here.  Tells me Mr. Hobby of Reading dyed on Tuesday, and is to be buryed to day.  My Son Baldwin; and dines here.  Thomas fetches 3 Load more of Ashes etc.  Catechetical Exercise.  31 Young Women.  We began at Question 55.  We are to begin next Time at Question 59.

1765 June 21 (Friday).  My Son Baldwin leaves us for Brookfield.  Thomas and John finish laying Ashes on the Corn and ploughed and hoed.

1765 June 22 (Saturday).  Thomas and John hoeing.  I rode to Westminster.  Had Lt. Tainters Horse.  In my way, Called at Mr. Billings’s.  Dined at Mr. Morse’s, where was Mr. Asaph Rice going to Westborough.  P.M. called at Mr. Millens but he was gone to Worcester.  Arrived at Capt. Daniel Hoar’s at Evening but very Wet.

1765 June 23 (Sunday).  Mr. Asaph Rice preached for me — on [blank].  I preached at Westminster, a.m. on Gal. 1.3, p.m. on Col. 1.7.  Epaphro’s — a faithful Minister of Christ — Preparatory to the Choice tomorrow.  I dined at Capt. Hoar’s, but after Meeting I made a visit to Mr. Marsh; hoping it might be of Service.  He was Sociable and hospitable.  I drank Tea there.  He invited me Strongly to tarry all Night — and though I denyed, they put out my Horse — but I returned to Capt. Hoars and lodged there.

1765 June 24 (Monday).  Went over to Mr. Joshua Biglows and went to Breakfast there: though he was not at home, his Mother (who has been bed rid 18 Years) and his wife (who is Daughter of Deacon Knowlton of Shrewsbury) and his sister were there.  N.B. Mr. Reuben Miles came to see me a.m. at Capt. Hoars; and told me he was dissatisfyed with the Church’s proceedings in the Graves Case, but so much having been done already by the Church and by the Council that had been upon it, he did not know but that he must resign.  Deacon Joseph Miller came to see me, and he opened more particularly the Difficult part of the Graves Case; so that by hearing both sides, I might be better able to discern the Truth.  Repaired to the Meeting House.  Waited till 4 o’Clock.  I perceived that the whole Number of the Church was 33.  N.B. Mr. Marsh and one more member never came.  Minutes of the last Church Meeting read by Deacon Miller, their Moderator, by which it appeared that they had chose and sent for me to be Moderator in the Affair now before them.  Prayer was made for divine Assistance.   It was then enquired whether the Church Stood right and were ripe, to proceed to the Choice and Calling of a Gospel Minister among them.  Upon its being intimated that they were (and after I had answered Deacon Holden, and given some Character of Mr. A. Rice), it was asked whether there was any Objection against the Churches going on etc.  This was repeated — and it was the 3d Time; and no Objection was made.  Then their votes were called for — 28 Votes.  Every Vote that was brought, was for Mr. Asaph Rice.  Then a Committee was chose to acquaint him with it — and the same are to acquaint the Select Men, that the Town may come together.  After prayer and Blessing the Meeting was dissolved.   I called to bid farewell to Mr. Marsh.  Rode to Chauxit and lodged there.

1765 June 25 (Tuesday).  Mr. Millen presents me with his sermon on Sebastian Smith.  Dined at Mr. Morse’s — where was Mr. Rice.  I transcribed the Minutes of the Meeting and delivered them to him for Deacon Miller.  N.B. Mr. Rice is the sixth Candidate the Church in Westminster have given a Call to, since the Dismission of Mr. Marsh.  Messrs. Dix, [T.?] Frink, P. T. Smith, Samuel Cotton, Wythe, before him.  Returned home.  May God be praised who has preserved and succeeded me!  And that my Family is in Peace!  Miss Sally Putnam has been here some Time making stays.  My Daughter Baldwin, better.  Thomas Arnold is ill and does not come this Week.  N.B. Hear that Mr. Abraham Beemans House was broke open last Sabbath.

1765 June 26 (Wednesday).  Borrowed Mr. Nurse’s Chair, and my Wife and I rode over to Mr. Martyns Lecture.  Dined there.  Mr. Stone with us.  I preached on 2 Cor. 8.9.  Returned at Eve.  Letter from Billy, of the 18th that my Oxen and his Cow have strayed away from him.

1765 June 27 (Thursday).  Deacon Tainter kills a Calf for me and carrys half of it to Boston for me.  Mr. Sumner and his wife came to see us, and dined but I rode to Southborough.  Dined at Mr. Stones, and preached his Lecture — from Joh. 15.9.10.  At Eve returned in safety.

1765 June 28 (Friday).  Lent Mr. Zebulun Rice my Mare to go to Allens Mill.  P.M. My Daughters, Lucy and Suse, ride over to Capt. Maynards to See Miss Betty Gott who came there, we hear, last night.

1765 June 29 (Saturday).  Thomas Arnold came — but was feeble — plowed a little a.m. and went home.

1765 June 30 (Sunday).  Read Song 5.  Preached on Mat. 18.12.13.14.  Miss Betty Gott dined here.  P.M. read Mark 16.  With alterations delivered a Sermon on Hag. 2.7 to page 10.

1765 July 1 (Monday).  Jonas Kenny mows a little in the Morning for me my Garden Allys and Borders etc. and John went afterwards to Mr. Nurses, to work for him.  P.M. Master Cushing (who keeps School at Mr. Tennys) — he tells of great Disquietment among the Church-Members of the North End, by reason of a sermon of Mr. Martyn a sabbath or Two before, which occasioned a Number to go out from the Communion Yesterday.  N.B. Deacon Tainter here to invite me, my Wife and Daughter Baldwin to dine there with his Brother and sister Kendal, at his House tomorrow; in our Way to the Private Meeting.

1765 July 2 (Tuesday).  No Body to mow — Thomas being too ill and does not pretend to come.  Besides, it proves rainy.  My wife and I go to Deacon Tainters and dine there — as aforesaid.  But my Daughter was not well enough to go.  Preached at Mr. Kendals on Hag. 2.7 from p. 10 to the End.  N.B. I have been obliged to send for Grain to Boston.  1 Bush. per Mr. John Wood.

1765 July 3 (Wednesday).  Sent for more Grain per Mr. Moses Nurse.  Mrs. Maynard and her sister Betsy here p.m.  Coll. Buckminster in his Way home, called here.  Mr. John Wood brings me up 1 Bush. Indian Corn and 49 and 1/2 lbs. Cheese from Mr. Goddards of Weston.  The Young Men (of the Society) meet upon Some special Affairs, and since Thomas Arnold is ill, and no other to be hired I mentioned the matter to one of them and he to the rest — who readily consent to come tomorrow Morning.

1765 July 4 (Thursday).  My Wife and I p.m. visited Mr. Joseph Harrington and his — and then Mr. Whitney and the young People that live there — drank Tea there — but especially may the visit prove to Spiritual Awakening!

1765 July 5 (Friday).  I perceived that Capt. Griffin of Oxford and his Lady had called here, but we not being at home proceeded to Lieut. Baker.  Supposing ‘em to have lodged there, I went up this Morning.  They had set out — but I hailed ‘em, and spake with ‘em — but could do no more.  At Night came Breck first, and afterwards Billy from Townshend.  The Oxen are come home likewise.

1765 July 6 (Saturday).  At Neighbour Nurse’s.  He has brought up from Boston 2 Bush. of Rye, which he had borrowed of me: and 4 Bush. of Indian Corn, for which he gave 21/ per Bush. and asks 5 per Bushel for Carting.  Breck mows a little — and p.m. hoes with John at the Island.

1765 July 7 (Sunday).  Read Song 6 and preached from thence a. and p.m.  In p.m. Exercise used more than 2 pages of Sermon on Song 6.12.  Read Luk. 1 to v. 39.  Mr. Streeton of Waltham, Miss Mary Steward and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  At Eve read Mr. Bolton from p. 310 to 328.

1765 July 8 (Monday).  Mr. Stone (I suppose) is gone to Council at Cold (or as he writes, hot) Spring.  Billy and Breck are framing my Corn Barn.  Nathan Townsend mowes part of my principal Grass, viz. between the Garden and Meeting-House.  Ben. Bryant, brother of late Lemuel Bryant of Braintree, but himself a Sordid Beggar, is here.  John tarrys out, at Mill, till almost Midnight.

1765 July 9 (Tuesday).  Received 36£ old Tenor (4£ 16 L.M.) of Capt. Maynard per my Son John.  I returned 3 Dollars which I borrowed of Mr. Wheelock, to Send for Corn by Mr. Nurse.  Rode to Lt. Harringtons, Forbes’s — at Deacon Forb. and Bonds etc.  At Eve found that Mr. Chamberlin and Mr. Bellows, had each of them Sent a son, who had mowed the remainder of the Lot between the Garden and Meeting House.  Billy and Breck are framing.

1765 July 10 (Wednesday).  Levi Warrin and Joseph Bond come and mow, beyond the Meeting house etc.  Townsend works for me again.  I bought Grass of Mr. Nurse, for half a Ton of Hay, and Townsend mows it.  P.M. T. mowes the rest of the Beeton Lot.  After Dinner Billy raises the Corn Barn and that being over, Billy and Breck rake and get in Hay.

1765 July 11 (Thursday).  Foster has my Oxen (for his Service in killing for me) to fetch a Load of Clay from Mr. Pelatiah Rice’s.  I rode over to Ensign Rice’s to buy Hay of him and visit Mrs. Lock, her Husband being confin’d at Worcester.  Billy rides to Medfield.  Breck works for me.  Miss Betsy and Hephzibah.

1765 July 12 (Friday).  Breck again for me.  Fetched Boards and Slit Work from Forbes’s Saw-Mill.  Also (by help of Jonas Kenny with him) the Clover I bought of Mr. Moses Nurse and got in the Hay of the West Pasture.  P.M. Billy returns and goes to work a while on the corn Barn, but is called off and goes with Dr. Hawes to help move his Barn,

1765 July 13 (Saturday).  Billy works on the Barn, boarding and Shingling.  Breck most of the Day busied about the Hay.  At Eve came Mr. Jonathan Moore, from Oxford.  Also Mr. Baldwin.

1765 July 14 (Sunday).  Omitted Reading a.m. through a Mistake about the Chapter out of which Mr. Moore (who preaches for me) took his Text (For I could not read in Course, if I have his Help; because I had prepared something upon that Chapter).  Mr. Moore on Is. 63.1, latter part.  P.M. I read Luk. 1, latter Division.  Mr. Moore on Ps. 145.9.

1765 July 15 (Monday).  Went to Boston.  Sarah rode with me.  We had Mr. Wheelocks Chair.  Called at Mr. Stones in the Rain.  At Coll. Buckminsters who is ill.  At Mr. Browns.  At Mr. Goddards at Weston.  N.B. Paid for 40 lbs. Cheese at 2/9 old Tenor.  Got into Town before Dark.  My Horse is put up under Brothers Tenants Care.  We lodged at Brother Samuels.

1765 July 16 (Tuesday).  Sent by Mr. Batherick, to Mrs. P________.  Paid Mr. Hyslop for a Ream of paper — 5£ 5/.  For Montesquieu on the Spirit of Laws, and for a Bible.  Paid Mr. Condy 37/6 for 5 magazines.  Visit Mrs. Surcomb who had a fit in the meeting House lately.  Discoursed with Mr. Jonathan Parsons about my Cleveland Affair.  Dined at Procters.  Coll. Lydius at Mr. Quincy’s; where I visited him.  Visit Cousen Nathaniel.  At my Brother P________’s etc.  Received from Nat. Procter Scudder, which he has bound for me.  Paid him in full, 18/ old Tenor.  Lodged at Brother Samuels.

1765 July 17 (Wednesday).  Mr. Loyd very generous in shooing my Horse round, gratis, and divers other kind services.  My Daughter and I rode to Cambridge.  Put up Chair and Horse at Mr. Hicks’s.  We attended the Commencement.  Sir Rice waited on Sarah to his Chamber, and to the Meeting-House.  N.B. The largest Class which have ever come out of College.  And for the Attendants The greatest Multitude that, I think, I ever saw.  The Exercises very entertaining: Especially the English oration, the English Dialogue, and the Anthem at the Close.  I dined in the New, Sumptuous Hall.  Mr. Loring returned Thanks.  Was obliged to deny Mr. Fessendens Request of going to Cape Ann.  Supped at Mr. Appletons.  Mr. Haven and his Wife, and a son, there.  Lodged at Sister Barretts.

1765 July 18 (Thursday).  My Daughter and I rode up to Lincoln, and dined at Capt. Adams’s.  N.B. He signed a Certificat that he had given Deed to Jonathan Parks of half his Rights to Townshend.  His two Sons, Joseph, and [blank] who lives with him, were present.  We rode to Concord to visit Master Minot and the Doctor.  I visited Mr. Bliss.  Supped and lodged at the Doctors.  Mr. Smith of Marlborough and Mr. Richard Martyn also.

1765 July 19 (Friday).  Rode to Lt. Joseph Howards to find Jonathan Hill (to whom Mrs. Cutting of Waltham had committed a Bundle for my son William then at Townshend, which never arrived) and found him.  He resolves to search after the Bundle.  Dine at Mr. Smiths, and tarry till the Cool.  We call at Coll. Williams.  Tea etc.  Arrive Safe at home, through the Great Goodness of God.  Sir Biglow, his Mother and sister here, in their way home.  Billy has partly coloured the House — but it was so dry, and the Weather so hot, that it has Swallowed up Oyl and Colouring extremely.

1765 July 20 (Saturday).  Billy Painting the House Still, but much discouraged, by the great Expence and So little sign of Good.  John is hilling.

1765 July 21 (Sunday).  Mr. Martyn and I changed, but were almost melted with the extreme Heat.  I preached a.m. on Gal. 1.3, p.m. on Mat. 13.27 [i.e., 13.39], “The Harvest is the End of the World.”  Attended the Funeral of old Mrs. McAllister.  The Prayer (by Mr. Martyn) was made nigh the Meeting House.  I returned.

1765 July 22 (Monday).  The World is full of Reports concerning the Death of Sarah Brigham, Daughter of Mr. Thomas Brigham, of Marlborough, who had Some terrible Disease, and dyed miserably, not being able to undergo the Salivation She was put into.  Her Funeral is to Day.  Billy paints part of the Day.  Reaps part of p.m.  Breck and John Hilling.

1765 July 23 (Tuesday).  Mr. Richard Kelly mows for me, and Billy with him.  Breck and John are Hilling a.m., rake p.m.  Mr. Solomon Millers Wife here to be examined.

1765 July 24 (Wednesday).  Mr. Kelly having lodged here, works again for me to day, and Billy a.m. with him.  Breck mows the Barley and works the rest of the Day.  Miss Sarah Putnam at work here Several Days for my Daughter Baldwin.  Miss Betty Bucknam and her Sister Katy, going to Rutland, call here and dine with us.  Towards Night came Mr. Ballantine and his Son (as they were returning home) and lodge here.