Category: Diary

1766 August 15 (Friday).  P.M. Mr. Francis Whipple here, in penitence, and desiring to offer his Humilliation and to join with the Church, is examined.

1766 August 16 (Saturday).  Mr. Cushing returns from Boston with his Sister Bridget — but see nothing of Mr. Moore, or my Daughters: Though I have somewhat depended upon his so seasonably arriving that he, or Mr. Bowman of Oxford would assist me in preaching tomorrow.  One Mr. Morris, a poor Lame man, of Uxbridge, dined here.

1766 August 17 (Sunday).  Neither Mr. Moore nor Mr. Bowman have come to my help.  Know not what has befell my Daughters.  Leave them under the Care of divine Providence.  Read a.m. Isa. 32.  Preached a.m. on John 4.23.24 etc.  Mr. Cushing and sister dine with us.  P.M. read latter part of Joh. 4, but preached what I could deliver of an old Discourse on Joh. 4.23.24 because of the Chapter which was read.  Was obliged to omitt several parts of it and to make various alterations.  But may God be Pleased to render these feeble Endeavours effectual to our saving Good!  N.B. Mr. How that was so bad is better.  O that God would grant him His Almighty Grace, to awaken and convert him!  Mr. Cushing here after meeting and prayed at Evening but returned to his Lodging.

1766 August 18 (Monday).  Was at Capt. Fays to get Linseed Oyl.  Visit Mrs. Wood and pray with her.  P.M. to Mr. Tainters in order to get him to hasten the Crossing the Ground which he plowed last Year.  Mr. Moore returned with my Daughters Sarah and Suse from Boston, but last from Medfield, where they kept Sabbath.  The Girls had lodged three Nights at Squire Adams’s.  They are, I hope, benefitted both of them in their Health, by their Ride, but especially as they had Opportunity when at Boston, to go out upon the Water with a Number that went to the Light House.  N.B. The Company were our own Relations — Brother P________ and his son Nat and Wife and son, Mrs. Winter, Mr. Oliver, Mrs. Bradford, Mr. Loyd and wife, my Samuel.  N.B. Brother Samuel was gone to Scarborough.  N.B. Mr. Cushing came and took his sister, and carryed her home.

1766 August 19 (Tuesday).  Rode to Ministers Meeting at Northborough.  Mr. Barret being absent, I was desired to deliver a Concio which though unexpected I did from Tit. 3.4 to 8, especially the last of these verses.  Lodged at Mr. Martyns with Mr. Loring.

1766 August 20 (Wednesday).  Mr. Moore (who has been at our House, till now) came from thence, with Mr. Cushing, to ministers meeting.  Mr. Goss preached the Lecture on Luk. 14.24.  P.M. Mr. Moore goes to Oxford.  At parting I gave him Some Special and particular Advice respecting his studying and preaching.

1766 August 21 (Thursday).  Got Mr. Bakers Chair for my Wife and Sarah to ride to Dr. Wilson, on the Account of Sarah’s Breast.  At Eve Mrs. P. returns — informs that Sarahs Breast has broke, and the Doctor has lanced it also.  She is left to board at Capt. Clarks.  N.B. Mr. Job Lane (who has been preaching at Sheepscot and has a Call from thence) dined here, and by him I Sent to Mr. Pierpont at New Haven.  Mr. Hezekiah Bellows of Oxford and Mr. King of Sutton dine also.  Painted the Front Pediment Pillars, Casing etc. of the Great Door and the N.W. Door.

1766 August 22 (Friday).  Am much taken up with Domestic Affairs.  Read Mr. Simonds excellent Treatise of the Deserted souls Case and Cure.  Deacon Tainter here, and I deliver him Mr. Frosts Manuscript Sermons, which are designed for the Press.

1766 August 23 (Saturday).  I sent yesterday by Capt. Wood to Capt. Tyler of Mendon or Upton to pay a Demand upon Mr. Benjamin Hills’s Books, of a Debt my son William is charged with, or otherwise he must be sued.  Capt. Wood makes return this Day, that he payd it Yesterday at Worcester, and took a Receipt of Mr. David Hills, Brother of Said Benjamin.  I visited and prayed with Mrs. Wood, who yet remains, but is become blind.

1766 August 24 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 33.  Mr. Bowman of Oxford preached for me a. and p.m. on Joh. 6.44, former part.  He, his spouse, Mr. Cushing and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  Read Joh. 5, former part.  At Eve stopped the Church and proposed Mrs. Thankful Rice (wife of Ensign Josiah) and Mrs. Bowmans, to be dismissed — which was complyed with.  N.B. Letter from William of his Designs etc. etc.

1766 August 25 (Monday).  Lt. Baker with 2 yoke of Oxen, Mr. Tainter with one Yoke, Mr. Joseph Grout with one Yoke, Mr. Pratts, Mr. Nurse’s and my own with Capt. Maynards plough, crossed my new Field in Part.  I visit Mr. Hezekiah Pratt who is ill of the bilious Cholic.  P.M. Mr. Bowman and wife and son, Their mother and Sister Baker, made us a Visit.  We hear that Solomon Prentice of Grafton, a Youth, fell with one Foot into the boiling Kittle of Potash.

1766 August 26 (Tuesday).  The like Team except Mr. Grouts (who gave me his work yesterday), Joseph Bond came in his stead — crossed again in the same Field, but did not finish it.  Lt. Baker gave his own and his Cattle’s work.  I visited at William Woods, his young Child being Sick.  I prayed with them.  Mrs. Johnson went to Hopkinton for Sarah, and does not return as we expected, which puts us into some Trouble.  Her sister being left alone also.

1766 August 27 (Wednesday).  Mr. Sumner has writ for me to go to their Association to Day; but Sarah’s not Coming gives me many fears: However, depending upon Gods good providence I went.  Mr. Cushing my Company up.  Mr. Conklin prayed before sermon.  Mr. Curtis preached.  His Text was Gal. 2.22, latter part, “for if Righteousness come by the Law then is Christ dead in Vain.”  Dined at Mr. Sumners.  Mr. Bowman and his Wife, Messrs. Stewart, Cushing and Edward Goddard junior there.  Returned at Eve and found Sarah was come home safely.  D.G.  N.B. Master Cushing delivered me 4 Dollars from Mr. Tainter.

1766 August 28 (Thursday).  Visit Mrs. Wood again and pray with her: dealt somewhat plainly with her, fearing She is deceiving her self, in her Hope.  On my preparations.  Sarah but weak and poorly.  Suse is in Family Business again.

1766 August 29 (Friday).  See of Caleb in the Almanack.  Dr. Crosby here p.m.  We look into the Acts of the Synod of Dort, for some Time.

1766 August 30 (Saturday).  John goes to Marlborough with a Bag of Wool for Billy — to be left at Merchant Barns’s for Conveyance, and a Letter to Mr. John Dexter, praying him to look again for Mr. Smiths Book Mason of self-Knowledge — but returns this word, that he can’t find it.

1766 August 31 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 34.  Preached a. and p.m. on 2 Thess. 3.1.  Mrs. Maynard and old Mrs. Morse dined here.  P.M. read Joh. 5, latter part.  May God grant we may truely profit by this Days Exercises!  At Eve my Wife and I, after our Family Services, walked up to see Mrs. Wood who seems to be drawing near her End.  Prayed with her.  To my Question Whether She understood so as to join with us?  She answers with a broken almost unintelligible yes.  Her Case very remarkable in this, that she seems not to apprehend that Death is approaching.

1766 September 1 (Monday).  Visit old Mr. How — and pray with him.  In my Way called to see old Capt. Forbush.  At Mr. Beetons saw Mr. Andrew Adams of Grafton.  Lament to him his sister Andrews’s Condition.

1766 September 2 (Tuesday).  Went to See Mrs. Wood; and She dys while I was at the House; but I was not with her till her last Breath.  I prayed and gave some Exhortation.  May the Lord be with us, that we may duely improve it!  P.M. Mrs. Cotton (Capt. Thomas Clarks Daughter) from Hopkinton made us a kind Visit.  Jos. Joslin accompanyed her.

1766 September 3 (Wednesday).  Mr. Smith dined with us, and preached my Lecture on Joh. 9.22.  Which may God accompany with His Blessing!

1766 September 4 (Thursday).  Mrs. Wood’s Funeral.  Mr. Barrett, his son, and sons wife came.  Dined with us.  Then went to Capt. Woods.  Mr. Barrett prayed.  May it please God to grant us to be sensible how frail we are, and quicken us to due preparation for Death and Judgment!  Mr. B. etc. returned at Eve.  Rev. Hall of Sutton, called here in his way home.  My Daughter in Law and her Daughter Betty came from Brookfield and lodged here.  N.B. Mr. Barnabas Newton with a Yoke of Oxen, Levi Rice, with one Yoke, Caleb and John with my own Cattle and Nathan Kennys — finished the Crossing my new Field.

1766 September 5 (Friday).  Eliza and her Daughter go to Watertown.  Elisha Forbes brings up a brass Kittle from Mr. Loyd at Boston.  Weighed 23 lbs.  Caleb mows Rowing.  My wife to Capt. Maynards and Mr. How’s.

1766 September 6 (Saturday).  Sarah very full of pain, and has Fever and great Pain in her Head as well as Breast.  Brother Hicks from Boston.  He is Engaged in Land Bank Troubles, and his Case against Mr. Danforth, soon to come on at Worcester Superior Court.

1766 September 7 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 35 and John 6 to v. 35.  Preached a. and p.m. on Luke. 2.14 which I had delivered before in 3 Exercises.  But now in two — having omitted the Beginning and altered and added in many places.  I had prepared sufficient for a sermon, but could not finish the Subject I am there upon; which I shall choose to do if I can: but I could not prepare another for the Communion by Reason of the many Engagements and unavoidable Avocations of last Week from Day to Day.  I administered the Lord’s Supper.  Mr. Cushing and Mrs. Maynard dined here: as did Dr. Wilson and Jos. Joslin who Visits Sarah, and opens her Breast again.  At Eve read part of Mr. Henry Grove on the Lord’s Supper, p. 161.

1766 September 8 (Monday).  Had Dr. Hawes Chair and carryed Sarah to Hopkinton.  Alexander Chamberlin and his Wife here.  N.B. At Capt. Millers.  Viewed his survey of the Roads; West, to Albany — East, to Georges.  We dined at Mr. Barretts.  We go to Capt. Clarks, and I lodge Sarah there.  Return at Eve.  Find Billy here, and with him his Neighbour Barrett to accompany him to Medfield, to his Marriage.  N.B. Caleb has Lt. Baker’s Oxen again, with Nathan Kennys and mine to harrow our New Ground.

1766 September 9 (Tuesday).  Messrs. Wheelock and John Maynard come; they go with Billy to Medfield.  Mr. Zebulun Rice, makes a Barrell of Cyder for me, which we pick up in my Orchard.  Read Mr. Simonds Deserted Soul — an Excellent useful Book!

1766 September 10 (Wednesday).  A very considerable Quantity of Flax this Year.  Read Epistolary Correspondence between Pike and Sandeman, which is Sent to me by Mr. John Welch the Carver, at Boston.  Received a Letter of Vindication from Cousen Elias Parkman, relative to what occurred July 17th last.  Though it was a rainy Day, yet at Evening Billy came and the Young Lady (heretofore Miss Lydia Adams) whom he had last night marryed at Medfield.  Besides those that went with Billy then, none except her Brother Mr. Elijah Adams, came hither with them.  We were altogether unprepared, having no Expectation at all of them, but designed, tomorrow, to give our Selves to make Preparations for them.  Mr. Adams and Barrett lodge here.  The Others, respectively, went home.

1766 September 11 (Thursday).  My Son Billy and his Bride leave us for Townshend.  All the Company we have a Breakfast (besides my son and Daughter) is Mr. Adams and Barrett — And but two more join them to go home with them, viz. Messrs. Wheelock and John Maynard.

1766 September 12 (Friday).  Mr. William Pierce comes to work upon the Wall of the further Field.  Caleb and John help him.  Mr. Francis Hutchinson returning to Grafton, calls and dines here.  Lent him Ayres Arithm. and Sent him to Mrs. Johnson for her Hodder or Cocker.  P.M. I am Sent for hastily to go to Mr. Samuel Thurstons Wife, being in a Dying State.  I found her Departing — yet She seemed to have her senses so far as to consent to prayer.  I prayed — and She soon expired.  At my Return home found here, Mr. Whitman of Hartford and his Wife.  He is riding for his Health.  They were charged to come here by Mrs. Ledger, heretofore Ellery.  They lodge here, as did Mr. Asaph Rice and his Wife.  My Daughter Parkman and her Daughter Betty came; but went to Deacon Bonds, and lodged there.  Blessed be God who has continued my Wife and Me in the Conjugal Relation 29 Years together — which affords us Matter of Joy and Thanks — but Humilliation also for our great Defects.  The Lord pardon us, and grant us His undeserved Favour and most needed Grace still!

1766 September 13 (Saturday).  Our Company left us.  P.M. Mr. Stone here going to Grafton.  My Daughter and Grand Daughter came from Watertown.

1766 September 14 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 36 and preached a. and p.m. on 2 Thess. 3.1.  P.M. read Joh. 6 from v. 35.  Besides my Daughter in Law and my grand Daughter, Miss Peggy Fessenden dined here.  My Discourses to Day were Somewhat animated, and I spoke Plainly.  When I was Speaking of the Impediment to the word arising from pastoral Examinations I said I could appeal to those who had been with me upon that Occasion, that I had treated them tenderly and affectionately, Ensign Jeduthun Fay went out.  N.B. Mr. Hutchinson returning from Southborough, and Mr. Stone (who called here on Saturday last in his Way up) returning from Grafton, were here and Supp’d with us.  The latter lodged here.

1766 September 15 (Monday).  Mr. Stone left us in the Morning.  See the work done by Caleb etc. in the Almanack.  At 9 o’Clock I attended the Funeral of Mrs. Thurston.  After the Burial Mr. Tainter informed me that a Number of the Brethren designed to be at my House, upon the Affair of Mrs. Andrews.  It was now 1/2 after 11 o’Clock.  I told him I was obliged to visit Mrs. Smith who was in a very distressed Condition.  Her son Ezekiel had acquainted me with it: and I perceived her Case was growing desperate apace, and could not be neglected: I had also Company at my House (My Daughter in Law and Grand Daughter, who would leave me in the Morning, and under take their Journey home); Mrs. Parkman was preparing also to go with them designing to go further than Brookfield: Besides other pressing Affairs that would engage me this Evening — so that I was very sorry they Should come at Such a Time, and give me so short warning; that I could not be prepared for them.  P.M. I visited Mrs. Smith and found her in a very melancholy, desponding State.  Much in the Same Road to Despair, that her poor Brother (the late Mr. Joseph Miles of Shrewsbury) was in.  Capt. Benjamin Fay came there also.  We prayed — and I did my utmost to comfort her; but it seems to be in Vain.  I had run to See Mr. Artemas Bruce’s Wife, because of her weak State — and called to See Mr. Eleazer Pratts Wife who is Sick again; and prayed with her.  In the Evening, instead of my being in my Preparation for so remarkable Day with me, as to morrow, or attending upon the Affair of my Wife’s Journey, or enjoying the Company of those whom I so rarely see, and are so soon to leave me, there came in no less than 16 Brethren of the Church, viz. Deacon Bond, Capt. Fay, Capt. Brigham, Messrs. Nathaniel Whitney, Daniel Forbes, Zebulun Rice, Ithamar Bellows, Daniel Hardy, Elijah Rice, Thomas Twitchel, B. Tainter, James Bowman, Daniel Adams, Constantine Hardy, John Wood.  And I can’t tell but there were more.  I gave them to understand how unhappy it was to come at this Time; how unprepared I was for it — that I could not attend upon it — that it was unkind not to give me more seasonable Warning of their Design.  I prayed ‘em to consider how my Case was.  Nevertheless they tarryed and some of them especially were very Zealous in Mrs. Andrews Behalf — rejecting what ever Defence I could make: especially making light of the Results of the Councils, Letters of Ministers, Informations which a Number of Ministers have given me, besides other Persons, especially of late, of the great irregularity among that people at Chebacco.  Nor could anything I could Say appease them who so warmly withstood me — nor did it signifie for me to endeavour to Set them right in Things they had taken wrong.  Yet vehemently urging and pressing that I must be reconciled — that I must — though I had assured them that I had done many Things in order to it, and had informed them so, over and over — yet it was in Vain — especially with Capt. Brigham, Mr. Whitney, Forbes, Tainter, D. Hardy — and I fear I must add Deacon Bond.  This Altercation lasted till full, if not past, Nine o’Clock.  For I think it was 1/2 past nine when they left me.  May God look upon it and be gracious to us!  A Sorrowful Manner of concluding this Year of my Life.  The Lord Sanctifie it to me and give me Grace and Wisdom to conduct Suitably in this Day of Temptation — that I may be patient, and resigned, humble and penitent — and may God be gracious to all those who are dissatisfyed with me when I have taken so much Pains to give them no Cause for it!  My Wife is preparing to go to Stafford and if Brother Breck be so bad as we hear, I suppose She will go to Springfield also.  Secretary Oliver went last Monday through this Town in his Way to Stafford-spring.

1766 September 16 (Tuesday).  See Natal: My Wife and Daughter ride together in a Chaise, and John takes up Betty behind him on my Mare; but John is to go no further than Worcester.  The rest aim at Seeing Brookfield to night.  May they have a prosperous Journey by the Will of God!  Have word at Eve by John Belknap that my Son is gone up to Brookfield.  They were well, as far as Leicester about 12 o’Clock.  At Evening came Mr. Tainter and his Wife.  They brought a present of Peaches.  He had appointed to reckon yesterday, but he did not come Seasonably; therefore it was unavoidable to Night (unless I had too much exposed my Self).  He paid me all — and I gave him a Receipt for £166.13.4.  N.B. No Word passed, of any Andrews Matter.

1766 September 17 (Wednesday).  Employed in Writing Chiefly.  John returns from Brookfield.  Serious Reflections on the Andrews-Troubles etc. etc.

1766 September 18 (Thursday).  Catechized the Children a. and p.m.  N.B. 54 Boys: 28 Girls.  Mr. Loyd returns from Brandford and Stafford, and Mr. Peace Casneaut, who (having the Jaundice) has been to the Spring, with him.  They dine here in haste.  But they would not tarry with us — but pushed along, to get as far as they could.  Mrs. Rice, Wife of Elijah here after Catechizing.  I carry on her Examination.  At Eve walk’d up to See Capt. Wood, in his Solitariness.  N.B. He seems to urge my taking some Brethren of the Church, or more, and visiting Mrs. Andrews.