Category: Diary

1765 November 7 (Thursday).  Took leave of my Children and came to Spencer to Dinner at Mr. Eaton’s: where dined Mr. Moses Baldwin, minister of Kingston or Pelham.  I preached the Lecture on Ps. 116.14.  After Lecture proceeded on my Journey as far as Mr. Conklin’s and lodged there.

1765 November 8 (Friday).  In returning dined at Mr. Maccartys.  P.M. called at Mr. Pains and delivered a Deed of my Son Ebenezers to be recorded.  N.B. Col. [Murrey?] of Rutland there.  He was one of the Committee to view the Road in Brookfield about which my sons Forbes and Baldwin have Trouble from Mr. Joseph Gilbert.  Called at Capt. Curtis’s, who is returned from Yarmouth.  Tea at Mr. Job Cushings.  Arrived at Eve here, in safety: and found all well.  Thanks to our great Preserver!  My Wife informs me that, on the last Lords Day, not Mr. Steward, but Mr. Moore preached: Texts Mat. 5.44.  Love your Enemies.  Rom. 12.12.  Continuing instant in Prayer.  That on the 6th assembled a number of people from several Towns, led by Mr. Jonas Warrin of Upton, to Sing: had their Meeting at Capt. Woods — though I had given Mr. Warrin no Encouragement.

1765 November 9 (Saturday).  Gave my Self to prepare a Sermon for tomorrow.

1765 November 10 (Sunday).  Omitted Public Reading because I Should have so great Occasion to use so much of the Chapter I designed to preach upon.  It was Esther 3.  My Text was in v. 15.  “And the Decree was given at Shushan the Palace — but the City Shushan was perplexed.”  Miss Betty Gott and Miss Hephzibah Maynard dined with us.  P.M. read Hos. 9 because of the present Times; and preached on v. 12, using my former preparations with some Additions according to the present Aspects.

1765 November 11 (Monday).  Visit Young Richard Barns who was lately hooked in his Eye by an Ox.  Mr. Chamberlin Sends a Cart with Turnips, Apples, Cabbages.

1765 November 12 (Tuesday).  Visit Mr. Thomas Twitchels Son, Sick of a Fever.  N.B. A Number of Persons have kindly offered me Cyder.  To Day Capt. Jonathan Fay and Mr. Phinehas Hardy, each send a Barrell, which Mr. Joseph Grout brings home.  Mr. Ezekiel Miles and wife, also Capt. Thomas Mellen, with Message from his Brother of Chauxit here.  At Eve Squire Brigham with Message from Mr. Hutchinson concerning a Fast at Grafton next Week.  N.B. John has been ploughing yesterday and to Day with my Oxen, at the Island, and preparing for sowing Rie.  Yesterday Jonas Kenny helped him: to day Nehemiah Maynard.

1765 November 13 (Wednesday).  Am reading variously — magazine for June — etc.

1765 November 14 (Thursday).  My people wondrously kind in giving Cyder.  Mr. Solomon Baker Sends me Word that if I will send a Barrell, he will fit.  Have had the like Word from Several more.

1765 November 15 (Friday).  Deacon Tainter comes with two Barrells of Cyder, which are given — one by himself, the other by Lt. Harrington and 4 Bush.  Apples for Sauce.  Silas Hill comes with the Deacon.  John fetches home Mr. Bakers — Silas gets ‘em down.  Providence cast him (accidentally to us) for my help, both to the Deacons Help and mine here.  Sarah undertakes to make a Cask of Apple-sauce, for which End She bought a Quantity of Cyder etc.   This Evening came Mr. Daniel Forbes and Mr. Zebulun Rice to See Me; but it proved a very great Interruption to me in my Studys and preparations for the Sabbath ensuing; and was to my great sorrow: for Such unseasonable Visits do unhinge me to a Sad Degree.

1765 November 16 (Saturday).  Gave my Self to my work as strictly as I could but I was not able to finish what I aimed at.

1765 November 17 (Sunday).  Did not read publickly a.m. because the Chapter which I was yet upon in Some Expository Discourses, had been read already, viz., Isaiah 5.  Preached from v. 13-18.  At noon I proposed to the Church and Congregation to keep a Fast on account of the public Distresses — and left it to Consideration till the Afternoon.  Mr. Fessenden and Master Cushing dined here.  P.M. I read part of Luk. 10 and gave, for the Exercise, some expository observations partly which I had written; and partly was assisted from my exposition of Mat. 10 v. 5 to 16, i.e., to p. 6 with many Variations; as were very Necessary, in comparing one of these Missions, with the other.  At the Close of the Service I appointed, with the Consent of the Church and Congregation, a Fast to be (God willing) on next Wednesday come sennight, which would otherwise be our Lecture Day.

1765 November 18 (Monday).  Mr. Martyn and his Wife visit and dine with us.  At Eve came Rev. Mr. Theophilus Chamberlain, Missionary to the Indians from Brookfield — supped and lodged here.  N.B. Mr. Rob. Wilson and his wife and sister Caryl Supped here also.  Levi Rice helped John to Day in Carting out Muck.

1765 November 19 (Tuesday).  Mr. Chamberlain left us for Boston.  N.B. I wrote by him to the widow Dunlop at Cherry Valley.  Jonathan Batherick worked here a.m. carting out muck etc.  I wrote to sundry Neigbhouring Ministers for help in the Fast.  At Eve Mr. Cushing begins a singing School at [blank] and my son John goes to it.

1765 November 20 (Wednesday).  Sent by Mr. Morse, 3 Years Magazines to Mr. McAlpine.  My Wife and Sarah go to Southborough.  They have Lt. Bakers Chair.  John harrows a.m. and plows in a little Rye.  Read Mr. Samuel Willards (of Beddeford) Sermon at Ordination of Mr. Hovey, and Mr. Thompsons sermon on Mr. Willards Death.  Prefaced by Mr. Prentice of Charlestown, containing an Account of Mr. Willard: which may God bless to me for my own highest Benefit!

1765 November 21 (Thursday).  Rode to Grafton Fast, which was on account of the Troubles of the present Day.  Mr. Maccarty prayed and preached a.m.  Text Prov. 14.34.  I performed in the Afternoon, nor would Mr. Hutchinson do any thing.  I preached on Esth. 3.15, adding much to my former Sermon on that Text.  May God grant His Blessing, above all! and may He smell a Sweet Savour in our religious Offerings — Grant our Petitions, and deliver us out of our Distresses and Perplexitys.  Returned at Evening.  Received a Letter from my dear Kinsman Elias Parkman, Apprentice to Mr. Rich. Salter at Boston.  I can’t but wish the Special Blessing of God upon this youth and his sister, for my dear Brother’s, their Grandfathers, Sake!

1765 November 22 (Friday).  Deacon Tainter comes from Boston and brings a Letter from Mr. Holbrook, informing me of the Death of Mrs. Chamberlain (Mrs. Holbrooks Mother in Law) and that Mr. Surcomb was ill of the Gout.

1765 November 23 (Saturday).  Mr. Mellen and his Wife going to Hopkinton.  Desires me to change with Mr. Barrett, and he himself will preach for him, if I will go to Mr. Martyn, who must go to Mr. Morse, who must go to Chauxit.  I went accordingly to Mr. Martyns and lodged there.

1765 November 24 (Sunday).  Mr. Martyn to Mr. Morse’s.  I preached at North End a.m. on Esth. 3.15, latter part, p.m. on Isa. 4 v. 5.  Returned home at Eve.  Mr. Barrat for me on Job. 16.19, Isa. 59.1.

1765 November 25 (Monday).  Very Cold morning — froze hard.  John had not finished plowing in Rye last Saturday; and to Day, it was too Cold; tryed, but could not now.

1765 November 26 (Tuesday).  Mr. Thomas Brigham of Marlborough dyed yesterday morning.

1765 November 27 (Wednesday).  Very rainy morning, but it was the Day appointed to be and was observed in this Parish as a Day of Fasting, Humilliation and Supplication to God on account of the Public Trouble and Distress by the Stamp Act.  Mr. Stone came through the Rain and prayed and preached a.m.  His Text, Ps. 96.10.11.12.  At noon he left us to go to Mr. Brighams Funeral.  But Mr. Sumner came, and prayed and preached p.m.  His Text, John 7.13.  May the Lord pardon us and accept our offerings, and bless the Labours of His Servants and have Pity on us and on our Land, for Jesus sake!

1765 November 28 (Thursday).  Rode to Shrewsbury, to Mr. Sumners.  Dined there.  Preached the Lecture on 1 Cor. 11.20.  In returning visit old Major Keys (who was 91 last Aug.) and his wife, who has been bed-rid many Years, and prayed with them.  Visited also Mr. Joseph Knowltons wife, and prayed there.

1765 November 29 (Friday).  Miss Patty Richards here yesterday and to day making a Calamanco Gown for the Mother, and two homespun Gowns for the Children.  Master John Morse comes for Suse and carrys her to their House.  Mr. Tainter, Capt. Wood, Mr. Martyn Pratt and Paul Biglow with 16 Oxen, to which are added Mr. Nurse’s and mine, break up the rest of the further field.  Mr. Hutchinson and Deacon Merriam at Eve in their Return from Concord Council, who have been settling the Affair of one Mr. Wheeler etc.

1765 November 30 (Saturday).  The last Monday’s Paper informs me of Death of my dear Kinsman Mr. Ephraim Langdon, usher of the North Latin school, at Boston.[1]  May God sanctifie this Death! and especially to his sorrowfull Mother, and to his only sister (Mrs. Eliot) nor would I forget Venerable Master Wiswall, to whom Mr. Langdon was no small Support.  May God grant me to be my self, ever in Readiness!

[1]“Thursday Evening last departed this Life, after a short Illness, in the 32^nd Year of his Age, Mr. Ephraim Langdon, Master of the North Grammar School in this Town. – His Funeral is to be attended from the Rev. Mr. Elliot’s, precisely at 4 o’Clock, this Afternoon.”  Boston Gazette, Nov. 25, 1765 (issue 556), p. [2].

1765 December 1 (Sunday).  Omitted the public Reading because of the many Dutys besides, and the Shortness of the Day.  Preached a.m. on Joh. 6.35.  Administered the Lords supper.  P.M. preached on Isa. 5.19.20.  Mr. Cushing, Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  In the Eve read in Mr. Jenks’s Meditations.

1765 December 2 (Monday).  Master Cushing is moved to lodge and keep school at Mr. Andrews’.  And as he goes to Mr. Johnsons at Evening to teach singing, he calls in here to teach my Daughter Sarah — he is modulating her Voice.

1765 December 3 (Tuesday).  Breck came from Townshend — and brought Billys Oxen for me to keep.  Mr. Job Lane, a young Preacher, came from Brookfield and dined here.  Tarrys with us over night.  Billy also came from Townshend.

1765 December 4 (Wednesday).  Though it has been very stormy in the Night, yet it cleared up this Morning.  Mr. Lane leaves us for Bedford.  We have not only Sorrowfull News of the Death of Mr. Cornelius Cook, once of this Town; but of the sad Condition of Several of his sons — That Daniel is hanged, and that Thomas has been condemned and has broke Jayl.  It occasioned sorrowfull Reflections on Such vicious Lives!

1765 December 5 (Thursday).  A rugged, Cold season.  Public Thanksgiving.  Preached on Ps. 67, especially 3d and 5th v.  Which may God be Pleased to accompany with His special Blessing! and graciously accept our Offerings!  But had no body to partake with me at my Table.  Such Invitations as I made, fell through — and other whom I would have asked, could not get to Meeting: especially few women could get there.

1765 December 6 (Friday).  Breck closes up a Shelter for Cattle.  Billy to Medfield.  I wrote a Letter by him to Squire Adams.  Deacon Tainter here and urges my going to Mill-River.

1765 December 7 (Saturday).  The Morn very Sharp Cold — but the Deacon comes with his Horse and the Day proves more moderate.  I rode to Mill-River.  Mr. Frost hither.  His wife much better.

1765 December 8 (Sunday).  Preached at Mill-River on Luk. 19.10 a. and p.m.  Squire Tyler dined with me and came in with me to Mr. Frosts at Eve.  Dr. Jenison a Child very dangerously ill.

1765 December 9 (Monday).  Mr. Frost returned home last night.  We visit Dr. Jenisons Child.  I prayed with it and them.  Mr. Frost rode with me to Venerable Mr. Dorr’s — and we dined there.  Mr. Dorr in much Comfort.  Mr. Frost left me there; and I tarried all night.

1765 December 10 (Tuesday).  Mr. Dorr is able to attend a Funeral.  The Young Gentleman his Son, accompanys me to Squire Tylers — where we dine.  N.B. one Holbrook of Uxbridge there, much raised in Temper against Ministers abetting the Singing of the present Times.  Squire Tyler rides with me to Mr. Fish’s.  Called at old Mr. Dunlops in my returning home.  Found Mr. Samuel Fay and his Wife here.  Billy is come from Medfield.  N.B. Friend Daniel Southwart of Smithfield has been here at the Door, in my absence and left his Love to me.

1765 December 11 (Wednesday).  Billy and Breck return to Townshend; and John goes with them to bring back my mare.  Mr. Joseph Bruce brings my Great Coat from Brookfield and takes my sons.  I was obliged to tend the Cattle etc. — John being gone — and got Cold.