Category: Diary

January 20, 1766

1766 January 20 (Monday).  Master to his school.  Mr. Moore after dinner goes to Oxford, and having Mr. Forbes’s Chair on Runners, carrys Suse with him to go to Brookfield.  I visit Stephen Pratt, at Mr. Jonathan Grouts.  Singing School is now kept at the Sabbath House.  Mr. Cushing has given Sarah and John their Schooling.  Deacon Tainter returns from his Marketing and pays John for his Fowls etc.  N.B. Sarah Springs Mother dyed lately in a sudden manner in her Bed.

January 22, 1766

1766 January 22 (Wednesday).  Deacon Burnap here, paid him for his Shovel.  Visit Mr. Daniel Adams’s Wife in her languishment.  Dined.  Prayed etc.  Visited at Moses Severs House, but he was not at home.  His Wife Seems to have Some religious Concern.  When I returned, Mr. Fessenden here.  Breck putts up Shelves in my inner Cellar.  Send Mr. Forbes Jennings’s Origin etc. by Mr. Haven.

January 26, 1766

1766 January 26 (Sunday).  I read Isa. 8. a.m., Luk. 11. p.m. to v. 26.  Preached on Isa. 6.9.10.  Mr. Fessenden dined with us.  Master Cushing is gone to Shrewsbury.  N.B.  This morning before Day Mrs. P________ went to Lt. Bakers whose wife was in Travel.  And She returned before Meeting Time; the Child being born, and p.m. was baptized; Hannah.

January 27, 1766

1766 January 27 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Joseph Grout’s Son Joseph who is Sick — and pray with him.  In going from thence to Mr. Nurse’s my Mare’s foot Slid So suddenly from under her that She came down upon her side, but I dismounted without Hurt.  D.G.  Visit at Mr. Nurse’s, at Mr. Eleazer Pratt’s, and Mr. Jos. Harringtons, where I buy Cheese — and Sup.  I understand Mr. Hemingway keeps a singing School there.  So that there are 4 Singing schools this Winter in this Parish.  May they be under divine Direction!  Billy watches with Eliz. Whipple, whose Fitts continue still.  Received a large Letter from Rev. Hawley of Mashpee Dated Nov. [blank] last.

January 28, 1766

1766 January 28 (Tuesday).  Elizabeth Whipple had 13 fitts (as Billy says) last Night.  She has none a Days.  Mr. Whitney brought home for me Two Bush. and 1/2 of Malt from Mr. Mathis’s.  P.M. I rode to the South — Deacon Bonds, Mr. Kendals — Paid him in full and to his satisfaction for his Pork, yet gave him but 21d per pound; because it was generally but 20d at Boston as I was informed by many, about that Time, and it was sold for that in our own Neighbourhood.  Went to Mr. Daniel Forbes’s — and Supped there.  Called at Deacon Tainters in returning.  Alas!  I soon loose the pungent Thoughts which I have sometimes had of Death and Eternity.  The Lord awaken me, and all round me!

February 3, 1766

1766 February 3 (Monday).  I visited in the South of the Town — to Mr. Bowmans, Constantine Hardys, Isaac Adams’s, and Dunlops.  Went also to the Edge of Hopkinton — to Mr. Kinsmans and had Breck and John with me — for I bought a store shoat there, weight 106 at 1/3 per pound.  My sons led it home.  Visit at Gashets.  Dined at old Mr. Chaddocks.  Master Cushing here every Monday Eve, to teach Sarah to Sing, and he continues his other schools for singing, at Capt. Maynards and at Mr. Andrews’s.  Master lodges here.  Brother Hicks also lodges here.  He has been to Newbury and Boston.  He has brought me a Book [of fine?] Clean Paper, upward of 26 Sheets (as I suppose and has 29 in all) — and was bound handsomely: a present from my Cousen Thomas Barrett.

February 4, 1766

1766 February 4 (Tuesday).  Mr. Bridge brings his Bride to see us.  Mr. Fessenden and Capt. Maynard and his Wife walked over also.  And Mr. Smith who had been to Worcester, returns hither, to be with his Children in this Visit.  They all dine here.  After Dinner I left the Company and go to the private Meeting at Mr. Whitneys, where I preached on Rom. 13.12, which may God be pleased to bless!

February 5, 1766

1766 February 5 (Wednesday).  Capt. Wood, Messrs. Jonah Warrin, Zebulun Rice, Isaac Adams here with a Measuring Chain, and say they are Measuring from my House to Mr. Dunlops, to find a Center for a school House Spot.  I read old Dr. Mather’s Discourse on the Sin and Danger of Disobedience to the Gospel.  May a Blessing attend it!  Deacon Tainter comes from home on purpose to See how we were on’t for wood, as there were signs of a Storm and his Son, who provides is gone to Boston.  May God reward him for his Care!  At Eve Lt. Baker asks me to Marry his Son Silas (as he calls him) at his House, to morrow.

February 6, 1766

1766 February 6 (Thursday).  P.M. Lt. Baker Sent a Chair for me and for Mrs. P______.  We went to his House, and I marryed Silas Hill and Jemima Thompson there.  An agreeable Couple, and handsome Entertainment.  God grant the Joy may continue!  Young Thayer (Journeyman to Mr. Wheelock) Sings Anthems etc.  Much Time is Spent by the Young people in Singing.  I much prefer it to the usual Sports and Jigging at Weddings.

February 9, 1766

1766 February 9 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 10 and preached upon the 3d v.  P.M. read Luk. 12.Preached upon v. 19.20.  May God impress deeply, all our Souls with these awakening Truths!  These Subjects were the more agreeable to me, as this Day 30 year ago, was a Day of Sad Visitation to me and mine, by the Departure of my former Wife — a time ever to be remembered by me, as full of Wormwood and Gall!  And I desire my Soul may be humbled in me for the many Sins which provoked God most just and holy so to chastize me.  I would also bless His Name that He has Seen meet to continue me thus long Since, and that He waits in this atoning manner to be gracious.  My Son William was propounded in order to his joining with the Church.  N.B. Miss Betty Gott with us again — dines here.  Memorandum.  Mr. Jonas Bradish asked me at noon, to baptize his Child.  I acquainted him that I wanted to talk with him first.  I told him I had Sent for him to come to me: he said he had received Messages from me but did not know it had any Reference to this.  I answered that I did not forbid him to bring his Child, but desired he would give me Opportunity to discourse with him first.  He replyed that he was not willing to have any Uneasiness with any Body.  He would not bring it.  Accordingly although Water was Spoke for, it was not Set up.

February 10, 1766

1766 February 10 (Monday).  Jonathan Batherick undertakes to get me two hundred Oak Rails at the Ministerial Lot and Sharp them at 25/ old Tenor per hundred.  Visited at Mr. Solomon Bakers, Squire Whipple’s, Messrs. Edwards Whipple, Greens, Samuel Fays.  When I returned at Eve, Mr. Moore had brought Suse from Brookfield.  He lodges here; Master Cushing also.  Miss Betty Gott came with Mr. Fessenden and her sister Maynard p.m. and lodges here.  N.B. at Squire Whipples to day, his Wife gave an account of the late Troubles by Eliza’s Fright and Fitts.

February 11, 1766

1766 February 11 (Tuesday).  Billy and Breck have been waiting for snow, but none comes.  And they have been very much without Employ — except reading, writing, Cyphering etc. now and then a little Job for me.  But to Day Billy works at Mr. David Warrins in making Cart Wheels — and Breck works in the Shop in making a Maple Chest etc.  Mr. Moore to Brookfield.  Master to School; Miss Betty with us.  Mr. Constantine Hardy acquaints me his Wife last Eve had very perillous Travel and the Infant is Dead.  Ensign Benjamin Willard with new-leathered Bellows — he asks 30/ old Tenor.

February 13, 1766

1766 February 13 (Thursday).  Read Dr. Gills Discourse on Places of Religious Worship and Gods recording His Name there.  P.M. reckon with Capt. Wood and son and paid all by Notes to Mr. Tainter.  At Eve Mr. Tainter paid me £73.16.6 old Tenor, out of which I paid Thomas Arnold £37.15.0 (which with a Dollar he received of me some Time ago, makes 40£ to him and is in full of all Accounts with him).

February 14, 1766

1766 February 14 (Friday).  Sent by Mr. Wheelock Letter to Mr. Holbrook with his Hutchinsons History of Massachusetts and 12£ old Tenor for Mr. Surcomb.  Messrs. Elijah and Adonijah Rice break and swingle Flax.  Mr. Biglow, to whom I gave Order to Collector Tainter, for all my Debt to him and for a Dollar for Neighbour Pratt who says he has lost a Note which I gave him to Mr. Gale, for an Hat I bought of him.  Elisha Forbes brought 19 Bushels of Rye @ 30/ old Tenor.  P.M. Mr. Stone and his Wife, and Coll. Brighams Wife, here at Tea etc.  At Eve Mr. [blank] Crosby.  Billy works at Mr. Warrins: Breck writes: John Cyphers.

February 17, 1766

1766 February 17 (Monday).  Mr. Stone returns.  Having borrowed the Life and divers Tracts of the eminent Mr. Robert Bolton, of Mrs. Stone, am endeavouring to improve it.  Billy, though for want of Snow he can’t go to Townshend with a Sled, as he has long desired, yet goes upon my Mare, and carrys what he can.  At Eve came Masters Cushing and John Stone — also Mr. Bowman.  They Supped here.  Mr. Bowman brought me Mr. Forbes’s Burnet; the Sacred Theory, Vol. 1.  The two foresaid young Men lodged here.

February 18, 1766

1766 February 18 (Tuesday).  They left us.  Miss Elizabeth Stow, of Grafton, fell from her Horse, in the Road before my House.  She was Stunned at first, coming down upon her Head.  We led her in.  She came to, so far as to go on her way to Southborough and returned thus far, well.  To God be Praise, for His Great Goodness!  Breck and John to school.  Read part of Burnets Theory vol. 1 and Mr. Stones Notes of last Lord’s days Sermons, which at my Request, he sent me by his son John last Evening.