Category: Diary

1767 March 13 (Friday).  Wrote a Letter to my Son and Daughter Baldwin in Answer to his on the Death of his youngest Child — to the Care of Rufus Putnam for Conveyance.

1767 March 14 (Saturday).  Deacon Tainter returning from Boston brings a Letter from Samuel which informs me that my Aged Brother is So feeble that he chiefly lies on his Bed.  May the Great God be His support and prepare him — and Me! — for Dissolution!

1767 March 15 (Sunday).  Deacon Tainter came to me in my Study, and asked whether considering the Cold Weather, by reason of which he thought there would be few at Meeting, and considering that a number would be like to stay away through Disquietment?  Deacon Bond also not returned from Court, it would not be better to put by the Sacrament?  I answered on the Contrary — that the whole Stream of my preparations flowed that way — my Daughter Suse was to be admitted etc.: besides that the putting by the Sacrament Should be most safely by the vote of the Church.  Here upon he yielded, and we went on.  But by Reason of the Cold omitted the Public Reading.  Preached a. and p.m. on Heb. XIII.12.13.  Admitted Suse — May God accept of her and grant His Grace to so enable her to walk answerably!  Administered the Lords Supper.  Brethren Daniel Forbes, Zebulun Rice, Levi Brigham and Benjamin Tainter, went out.  Mr. Whitney and Capt. Brigham were not at Meeting — tis said these, and perhaps some of their Wives, absented them Selves because of Disgust with me, on the Score of my Controversy with Mr. Warrin and his Wife.  Am heartily Sorry; but they have none of them said a word to me of their Trouble, which is neither kind nor regular.  Mr. Cushing and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. on Heb. XIII.13.  May God teach me these Lessons, and prepare me for His holy Will!  In the Eve read Mr. Bolton from p.  307 to 317.  O that God would greatly quicken all of us by those searching Truths to a close Enquiry into our Selves!  I bless God I had some very serious Thoughts of my self.

1767 March 16 (Monday).  Town Meeting to build a Work House.  They vote it, and to set it by Mr. Warrins.  Visit Lt. Bakers Child, which remains bad yet, under her Scald.  Mr. Timothy Warrin here, all in Dissatisfaction.  At Eve he is here again to ask me whether I Shall be at home tomorrow Evening and to inform me that a Number of Brethren (if I please) will be here then.  I sent by Dr. Hawes (whose wife makes us a good Visit) to Squire Whipple, Mr. David Maynard and Mr. Gale, to come tomorrow p.m. sun [one?] Hour high.  This affair exercises my Mind.  But I desire to wait the Will of God!

1767 March 17 (Tuesday).  I awoke early with troubled Thoughts on the Warrin Affair.  Early Squire Whipple Stept in here, but did not tarry.  I have lent Mrs. Johnson my Mare for her John [Arnold?] to go with a Cart, to Marlborough and Southborough.  Carrys 4 Leggs of Pork to Deacon Woods Malt House, for Bacon.  I borrowed Mr. Nurse’s Horse, and visit and pray with Mrs. Bradish.  Thence to the Warrins.  Had Discourse with Timothys Wife — find her very different from what I ever knew her before.  Her Husband came home — at first was very angry — at length we came to an Agreement.  And I dined there.  Master Cushing came in, and I read the Agreement to him.  Mr. Warrin assures me I shall find him the same at Even — I may trust him if there be no writing.  I returned home, and desire to Committ my Cause to God resting in His Care, protection, Direction and Restraint!  At Eve there came Squire Whipple and his Brother Edwards Whipple, and Mr. David Maynard.  There came also Mr. Timothy Warrin and his Wife, and Master Cushing — and further, Mr. N. Whitney, Daniel Forbes, Zebulon Rice and Mr. Tainter, Capt. Jonas Brigham and his Brother Levi, Mr. Seth Morse likewise.  I acquainted them we had agreed — whereupon Mr. Whitney Seemed Glad, and encouraged to go on, and to finish the Difficulty so.  This was of happy Influence — and the Agreement which was writ to Day at Mr. Warrins, was read, and I gave my Consent to it.  Mr. Warrin had some [Hammisings?] and Questions — and wanted some alterations in some part of it; but I put him in mind of its being our Agreement — and I was not willing to depart from it.  Capt. Brigham, and his Brother and Mr. Tainter, were not fully Satisfyed with it.  Mr. Daniel Forbes wanted the word, Wrong Should be put in, along with Mistake — but I made no alteration.  At length it was So far closed, that we gave up, and Each of the Papers, viz. the Paper writ by Mr. Cushing, and the Copy I gave Mr. Warrin, were both of them burnt.  So that (through divine Goodness) we parted amicably, as I hope.  Thus had I deliverance out of this Snare.  May God be praised and His Name magnifyed!  May I have Grace to be Cautious and Watchful, at all Times henceforward!

1767 March 18 (Wednesday).  Visit at old Mr. James Maynards on account of his Daughter Lock’s sickness at Sudbury; but Mr. Maynard was not at home.  N.B. I called at the Mill and at Squire’s as I went.  Rode to Mr. Temple’s and dined there.  Thence to Mr. Gleasons — but my chief Design was to visit Mr. Joseph Knowlton, who is very low — was [Waiting?] to pray with him, and did so.  Would fain see Betty Cutter who had had such a Terrible disorder — but she passed by without my Knowlege.  And though I called at her Fathers when I returned back at Eve, and would gladly have seen her — but She was gone out.  This is the 4th Time that I have tryed to see her, but not succeeded.  I visited Deacon Miles and his wife.  Prayed with them.  Went to the Widow Miles’s.  Found her still in Trouble.  Called at Dr. Crosbys when I came back.

1767 March 19 (Thursday).  Reuben Pratt works for me, swingling Flax.  I confine my self as much as I can to study, self Reflexion, and observing the Providences of God especially among us of late — etc. etc.  May the Lord be with me to teach me His holy will!  Support me under such dark Dispensations!  And prepare me for what may yet be in the womb of Providence which may be for my Tryal.  At Eve was at Mr. N. Maynards who paid me Cash £50.7.6 and in Notes £40.15.9 — in both £91.3.3 old Tenor.

1767 March 20 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1767 March 21 (Saturday).  I designed to have gone to Southborough, Mr. Stone having writ to me about Changing tomorrow: and I had agreed and depended (God willing) upon it: But a great storm of Rain prevented it.  John went to Capt. Maynards and brought my Mare from thence — and took Cold.

1767 March 22 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 49.  Preached chiefly on v. 4.  P.M. read Joh. 14.  Preached on Joh. 4.24, first Clause, and used Catechetical Exercise on the Nature of God, viz. from p. 39 to 46.  Widow Bellows and Widow Thurston dined here.  At Eve read in Mr. Bolton from p. 326 to 336.  N.B. I read from p. 317, by my Self.  May God bless all these Exercises, for our Saving Good!

1767 March 23 (Monday).  My Wife rides with me to visit Miss Belknap who is Sick and I prayed there.  We called at Mr. Bradish’s.  N.B. His Father in Law Mr. Moreton, ill there.  Called at Mr. Seth Woods’s and at Mr. Bellows and Ebenezer Chamb.  But we dined at old Mr. Chamberlins.  N.B. Mr. Bellows, when we were taking Leave, broke out bitterly, thus, “If you would not forbid our going to hear that precious Minister” — meaning Mr. Cleaveland.  I Answered that if he was ever so worthy in preaching yet if he walked disorderly, we could not encourage the going to hear him.

1767 March 24 (Tuesday).  Visit Lt. Bakers Child and prayed by it.  Visit Mrs. Rachel Hardy — dined — prayed.  Visit at the Millers.  Was at Mr. Daniel Forb. — but there was no word of Bitterness.

1767 March 25 (Wednesday).  Preached the Lecture at Southborough on Joh. 6.35.  Went to Capt. Woods, paid him the Ballance of my Account.  Returned at Eve.  Dark and Rainy.  N.B. My son John ill.

1767 March 26 (Thursday).  Dr. Haws visits John and he takes Physic, which works but once upward but many times downward.  I Catechized Children.  51 Boys, 29 Girls.  May God succeed what I have said to them.  Deacon Tainter very bad.  I visited, and prayed with him.  He tells me that Mr. D. Forb. and Mr. Z. Rice were at their House last night, and very full of Disquietment etc.  And that his son was with them in it.  Mr. Temple met me, and wants me to go to his House to Baptize his new-born Infant.  But I was promised to others.  Mr. Edmund Rice had come at Noon on the like Errand — but I was otherwise engaged.  At Eve I marryed Timothy Warrin junior to Thankful How.  Mr. Richard Martyn brought home his Wife, as I hear.

1767 March 27 (Friday).  Mr. Brewer comes for me to go to Mr. Temple’s.  They desire baptism for their Child.  A Number of people were gathered.  I proposed it to them.  They consented and advised to it.  We prayed but the Child Expired.  The Doctor (Ball) declaring it to be dead, I desisted from Baptizing, but we prayed again.  And having offered a few words in Exhortation I returned home.

1767 March 28 (Saturday).  I am obliged again to forsake my study and go to the Burying of Mr. Temple’s Child.  N.B. After the Burial, Mr. Temple’s Brother Br[ewer?] rode my mare to Mr. Temple’s to be kept there awhile.  I have attempted something of Sermonizing; but by reason of many other Employments this Week, could not accomplish my Purpose.  I have visited, preached, catechized etc. every Day this Week.

1767 March 29 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 50.  Preached on the divine Attributes from Job 36.26.  Used Catechetical Exercise from p. 46 to 52.  Deacon Tainter remains bad.  His son Simon dines here.  P.M. read Joh. 15.  Preached on Isa. 49.8, using the Close of sermon on 2 Cor. 6.2, viz. from p. 23 to p. 30.  Before Night Mr. Benjamin Tainter brings a sorrowful Letter from Mr. Morse of Shrewsbury, dated at Westminster, informing that his Daughter Rice dyed this Morning about 7 o’Clock, is to be buryed tomorrow at 11 and that my presence there is much needed.  ‘Tis very Shocking to us!  The Lord Sanctifie it to the bereaved Husband, Parents, etc.!  I wrote to Mr. Morse in the Evening of the impossibility of my being there etc.

1767 March 30 (Monday).  In the Morning wrote to Mr. Rice of Westminster and attended the Burial of Mr. Beetons Infant.  P.M. rode to see Deacon Tainter who remains bad yet.  Was desired to carry the Agreement between the Deacon and his son Benjamin.  I assisted them in some of the Reckonings and Accounts.  The Deacon Committs his Bond and mortgage to me to keep.

1767 March 31 (Tuesday).  Visit Lt. Bakers Child.  At Mr. Nurse’s.  John is so much better that he goes to Mill (to Mr. Whipple’s).  P.M. Visit Mr. Moreton who lies ill at Mr. Timothy Warrins.  When I got there, They were going to see their Father Tainter who tis thought is near his End.  At Eve Mr. Andrews comes to me at my Fence and Demands Satisfaction for what I said at his House when Mr. Cleaveland was there as if he did not live peaceably etc.: and for my Reading a Paper about his wife at Church Meeting.

1767 April 1 (Wednesday).  Miss Bridget Cushing came (by help of her Brother John) to tarry a little while.  Capt. Baker of Bolton comes with an Horse for me to go to Deacon.  Find him very low; Dr. Darling and Dr. Ball there and do all that in them lies — but strive in vain to put up his Bowels into place.  Excrements (as tis conceived) are voided at his Mouth.  Prayed with him.  Mr. Andrews being there I gave the Deacon an Hint to exhort him to peace — which he did, and both of us: and was much in Exhortation to all.  Parted with him very Solemnly.

1767 April 2 (Thursday).  Enoch Rice works a.m.; he sows Hay seed which I had of Mr. Phin. Hardy on 3 Acres of the Island; and spreads muck.  John droops again.  Brigham here yet.  My dear Friend and Brother Deacon Simon Tainter dyed!  He expired about 11 o’Clock a.m.  May God sanctify this Death in a peculiar Manner to Me and Mine.  Though my good Deacon is gone, yet God, who is All-sufficient, lives and is unchangeable for ever.  Held a Catechetical Exercise.  The morning rainy, and Some Girls who used to attend, are taken up at Deacon Tainters, So that I had but few.  10 of Others and 4 from my House.  We began at, What is required in the 8th Commandment, and I delivered an Exposition from my sermon on the Commandments (Exod. xx.15 from p. 2 bottom to p. 6, then p. 58 to 64, then from p. 6 several pages, and recapitulated much more).  Mrs. Anna Marbel, wife of Mr. Jonathan Marble of Grafton, desires that two Children, Henry who lives at Neighbour Newtons, and Anna that lives at Mr. Daniel Millers, may be baptized.  N.B. I wrote a Paper for reconcilement with Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, which I communicated to Mr. Cushing.  He lodges here.  Have the News of the Act for incorporating Ashby.

1767 April 3 (Friday).  Mr. Cushing takes the Said paper with him to see whether Mr. Andrews will consent to it.  Elisha Forbes has brought me a Runlet of Molasses, containing 6 Gallons and one Quart.

1767 April 4 (Saturday).  The sorrowful Day of the Funeral of Deacon Tainter!  I prayed among a great Concourse of people.  Read the Will there to the Heirs and some of their Friends; and delivered it to the Executor Capt. Baker of Bolton.  O that the Impressions by this providence may be deep and abiding!

1767 April 5 (Sunday).  I read Isa. 51.  Preached a.m. on Occasion of the sorrowful Death, on 1 Thess. 4.13.  Read also v. 14, but could not handle that.  Capt. Tainter and his Sisters, Hastings and Whitney, dined here.  P.M. read Joh. 16 and gathered up from divers parts of sermon on Isa. 57.1.2, a Discourse on the same mournful Occasion, and Subjoined some Character of the Deacon.  And wish it may be without Offence, and profitable!

1767 April 6 (Monday).  Drew up some Account of Deacon Tainter, and delivered it to Mr. Daniel Whitney of Watertown, to carry it to a printer.  Delivered to Mr. Simon Tainter, at his, and his Brother Warrins Desire Sundry Papers of the late Deacon Tainters — which I acquainted the Executor with, and he said he would endeavour that they Should be returned to me again, till the Will was proved etc.  Capt. Jonas Brigham here, disquieted about the Case of Mrs. Warrin — and about Mrs. Andrews’s.  I assured him it was not my Mind or Desire to say or do any Thing that Should invalidate the Agreement which the Warrins and I had made.  I owned there might be Some Mistake, as the Paper says.  I prayed him to join in Endeavours to restore Peace; and particularly that the Andrews’s and I might make up what was particularly between us — and then when we have accomplished That, we might do what is necessary about Churches or Ministers.  I asked him if he would accept of a kind loving Visit — and he accepted of it readily, and wished me to come — etc. etc.  Mr. Moore came from N. Shrewsbury and brought a Letter from Mr. Morse.  Mr. Cushing here at Eve and Supps with us.

1767 April 7 (Tuesday).  John with Cart and Oxen goes to Mill with 10 Bushels of [blank] and Six Bushels of [blank] to Mr. Whipple’s Mill.  Mr. Cushing carrys Miss Bridget home and Suse goes with them.  Mr. Moore to Oxford.

1767 April 8 (Wednesday).  Town Meeting to reconsider the Vote about the place of the Work-House, and to Vote to have it stand near the Stables, before my House.  Upon discerning men there viewing the Ground I went out and Spoke to them and at the Motion of several I went in to the Meeting House and remonstrated against it, and prayed them to set it otherwhere.  They reconsidered their Vote and placed it where it was voted at first.

1767 April 9 (Thursday).  Publick Fast.  I preached a.m. on Ps. 51.1 and p.m. Formed an Exercise from sermon on Rom. 2.5.  After sermon Contributed (in pursuance of the Brief) for the Relief of the sufferers in Noble-town, which may God accept!

1767 April 10 (Friday).  Capt. Wood and Mr. Ebenezer Maynard kill an Hog for me, which weighs 225 lbs.  Capt. Wood asks me in Mr. Barretts Name to assist in a Fast at Hopkinton next Monday.  P.M. Richard Temple comes, and offers himself to live with me 4 months for 55£ old Tenor.  He dines and goes to work awhile, and I pay him for it.  Mr. Seth Morse here to talk with me about Mrs. Warrins Case.  He informs me of Conversation he was in of late at Mr. Manassah Hows in Southborough, Coll. Taylor being also present, etc. etc.  This gives Ground for Apprehensions.

1767 April 11 (Saturday).  I rode to Southborough, and Mr. Stone hither.  We met at Mr. Gale’s.

1767 April 12 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.18, last Clause.  P.M. baptized Octavia, Daughter of Joel Matthews; and Charlotte, daughter of Asahel and [blank] Matthews.  Mr. Stone returned home at Eve.  I tarried at Southborough.  Mr. Stones Texts were a.m. Ps. 8.1 [blank] and p.m. Ps. 51.17.

1767 April 13 (Monday).  Consult Mr. Stone upon the threatning aspects in Westborough.  Rode over to Hopkinton to the Fast at the Widow Gibsons where a.m. Mr. Barrett prayed and Mr. Fish preached on Joh. 11.43.  We retired at noon to Mr. Jacob Chamberlins, and were refreshed.  P.M. I prayed, and preached on Ps. 62.8.  The Occasion of the Fast was, her little son, of 6 years of Age, was delirious.  I returned home.  From time to Time my Troubles increase.  Mr. Samuel Thurston works here for Mr. Daniel Miller — plowing with my Oxen and Capt. Woods.

1767 April 14 (Tuesday).  Deacon Bond came to count the money of the Contribution.  It was £17.6 old Tenor.  I was informed that some body had made Complaint to the Grand Juryman of Southborough.  I rode to Mr. Martyns to talk with him upon my Difficultys.  Dined there.  Mrs. Wit of Marlborough and Mr. John Marrett, there also.  Mr. Marrett gave me his Order to pay Mr. Daniel Forbes 13 lb. 6.8 L.M.  They have a Church Meeting about Mr. Allen and Mrs. Rice.  In coming home called at Squire Whipples to consult him.  Though he is friendly and comforting, yet The Storm seems to increase more and more.  It takes away my rest by night, and fills me with much Distress.  The Lord look upon me in my sore Affliction!  At Eve was at Capt. Woods to solemnize the Marriage of Mr. Nathan Townshend and Miss Sally Putnam.

1767 April 15 (Wednesday).  Richard Temple lodges here last night.  This morning sows peas for me.  I agree with him to come next Monday to live with me four Months for 55£ old Tenor.  Mr. Jonas Bradish, with old Mr. Rice, Capt. Wood and my son John, goe to the Southermost Bounds of the Pine Field — and lays out some Land there, to be added to my 13 Acres and 14 Rods.  In Coming home Mr. Tainter overtakes me, and we have Discourse of my present Difficultys and what to do for my Extricating.  Says he will be friendly to the utmost he can consistent with what is right and fit.  P.M. Mrs. Maynard and her sister Betty here.  Mr. Daniel Forb. Pays £100 old Tenor by Mr. Marritts Means.

1767 April 16 (Thursday).  Visited Mr. Timothy Warrins little son that is sick.  At Lt. Bruce’s.  At Lieut. Forbushs Some time.  Mr. Daniel Forb. and his Wife go to see Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, I hope ‘tis to mollifie ‘em.  Mrs. P________ to Capt. Maynards.  Marryed Jonathan Child to Eunice Smith and Solomon Child to Martha Rice.