Category: Diary

1768 March 13 (Sunday).  Read a.m. Jer. 12.  Preached a. and p.m. on 1 Tim. 3.16, former Clause.  Read p.m. Acts 14.  May God accept and succeed my broken Endeavours!  Mrs. Maynard dined with us.

1768 March 14 (Monday).  A.M. visit Deacon Forbes and pray with him.  P.M. Mr. Seth Morse, the Captain Sends for me to pray with his Artillery-Company nigh the Meeting-House.  Am escorted by Drums, Serjeants and a Number of Musketeers.  It was very Cold, and I invited in to my House Lieutenants John and Michael Martyn.  And here were Master Goddard, Capt. Williams of Northborough etc.  N.B. Mr. Goddard at Eve tells me he was at Mr. Andrews’s when the Deacons of the Church went there with the Churchs vote and he heard them read it to Mr. Andrews, and her Answer by which he understood that She accepted it as I had expressed — namely that She was to be admitted as a professor in General and not as a Member of one particular Church nor another.

1768 March 15 (Tuesday).  Alexander left us early to go to Framingham to Mr. Brown’s and carrys a Letter from me to him, desiring his Advice about Mr. Conants place and works at Oxford.  John went to Mr. Flagg, Maltster at Grafton.  Pays for and brings 4 Bushel of Malt.  The price 1/2 a Dollar per Bushel.  P.M. Mr. Mellen here, in his way to Hopkinton.  Mr. Forbes came from Brookfield and lodged here.

1768 March 16 (Wednesday).  Mr. Sumner preached my Lecture on Eph. 1.7, which may God bless!  Mr. Forbes had visited his F. who is exceeding low.  He was here after dinner and Mr. Goddard after Lecture.  Mrs. P________ prepared to go to Boston, but it proved too cold, and therefore tarrys another Night.

1768 March 17 (Thursday).  Mrs. P________ accompanyed by John, in Lt. Bakers Chair, sets out early for Boston.  Lt. Uriah Brigham here.  A Number of Hands are clearing in my swamp, viz. Richard Temple, Nathan and Jonas Kenny and Jonathan Maynard.

1768 March 18 (Friday).  Mr. Forbes has been with his Father; but has taken Leave.  Calls here in his Way.  Says his F. is in a comfortable Frame.  He expects that though he goes Home, he Shall Soon return, viz. to his funeral.

1768 March 19 (Saturday).  Mrs. P________ and John came home from Boston, and have had a good Journey.  Thanks be to God!  but sorrowful News that my Friend Holbrook is Sick.

1768 March 20 (Sunday).  Storm of Snow.  Deacon Wood Sends before Meeting to know whether I will put by the Sacrament.  I choose to know the Mind of the Church.  When I went to Meeting, there were but few Members.  Brother Chamberlain advised that we begin, and we might judge better after prayer.  I complyed.  After Prayer and Singing (having omitted Reading) I addressed the Church, and observed to them that there being so many present, both of men and Women, and they having taken such pains to come expecting the Administration, I conceived it would not be best to disappoint them and therefore, without further Difficulty, should proceed.  I preached on 1 Tim. 3.16, former part.  Mrs. Andrews at Meeting and at Communion.  I directed Mrs. P________ to invite her to Dinner, especially as it was Such a Storm.  She did, and She accordingly came.  I asked Capt. Brigham to go to my House.  So did my Wife, but he came not.  Master Goddard dined here.  He preached p.m. on Isa. 55.7.  May God graciously accept our Offerings, and bless His Word to us!

1768 March 21 (Monday).  A young Man, [blank] Walker of Hopkinton and his Sister, going to Ashby, call here and dine.  Sarah and Suse ride in my Sleigh, to Marlborough, but returned at Evening.  Wrote to Mr. Holbrook in his Sickness.  Read Chronicle, and other Papers.

1768 March 22 (Tuesday).  Mr. Joseph Willard dines with us: tells me they have called him at Bedford.  I visited aged Deacon Forbes: found him more Comfortable in his Mind: thinks he has good ground to hope he has Interest in Christ, and that his foundation is Sure.  I prayed with him; and he told me he could attend — but he is now extremely worn away: his Dissolution is surely nigh.  I visited also Mrs. Wheelock, who is in a great Affliction by a bad Breast — which was lanced to Day.  Mr. Hutchinson (though he calls not at our House) was there.  Said something to him of his Reply to Mr. Tucker — viz., his mixing what was sarcastical and Jocose or ludicrous with what is Spiritual and sublime.  He seems not to be willing to take it.

1768 March 23 (Wednesday).  Visit Deacon Wood.  Sarah and Suse to Capt. Maynards and lodge there.

1768 March 24 (Thursday).  Deacon Wood and Mr. Tainter kill two of our Hoggs (nigh 11 Months old) and at Eve they came and cutt them out.  N.B. they weighed, one 201, and 216.  They were at Supper with us.  Mrs. Tainter also.  But what was chiefly remarkable to Day was, Deacon Forbes expired about 8 o’Clock this Morning, having just compleated his 84th Year.  When his sister Byles and Brother Samuel were living, their Ages, together with their sister Grow’s, amounted to 348.  And indeed as the 3 first were far advanced in their Year it might be accounted 351.  Miss Mary Steward, half sister to the two last, is now in her 80th year also.  May the Lord sanctifie this Death to us, and quicken us to, and assist us in our preparation for our own Decease!

 

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1768 March 25 (Friday).  I am much employed upon the great Mystery of the Trinity — the importance of it, and Necessity of believing it: consulting various Authors upon it — but confess I make but too little way a Head.  May the Lord open it to me!  At Eve Mr. Edmund Chamberlain and his wife here to talk with me; but they came too late and when it was a great Interruption to me — but I gave way to it, and attended upon ‘em awhile.  Mr. Forbes came from Brookfield and lodged here.  Mr. John Wood brought me 2 1/4 Yards of blue broad Cloth from Samuel which I buy of Mr. Forbes, and take it for Money delivered him ([or which he received?]) for my son Ebenezer, a year agoe, per Capt. Maynard — at 5£ old Tenor per yard.  Mr. Wood brought also a Letter from Mr. Holbrook informing me that he was grown better.

1768 March 26 (Saturday).  Am not very well, but attend (with my Wife) the Funeral of aged Deacon Jonathan Forbes — and prayed.  Tis our Duty to “mark the perfect Man and behold the upright; for the End of Such is Peace.”  Lt. Daniel Steward dined here with me.

1768 March 27 (Sunday).  My son Forbes came to preach for me, though, he tells me, his Brother Fish was displeased with him that he would not at Upton.  Read Jer. 13 and Act. 15.  Mr. Forbes a.m. on Job 30.23.  P.M. Prov. 16.31.  The Lord sanctifie the Word and providence to our effectual awakening!  The aged pair, Mrs. Dunlop and Mrs. Kelly, dined here.  Mr. Forbes lodges here.

1768 March 28 (Monday).  Mr. F. setts out for Brookfield.

1768 March 29 (Tuesday).  Mr. William Brown came p.m. with Alexander[s] Desire that I would go up to Mr. Asa Conants at Oxford.  I sat out with him at 3 p.m.  Rode up to Mr. Stacys at Grafton and viewed, as I could, his Mill and other works.  Thence we rode to Mr. Jonas Browns in Sutton, and lodged there.

1768 March 30 (Wednesday).  Mr. Brown and I rode through Sutton North Parish (calling at Mr. Chaplins Door, having Met with him on the Way; and [lit?] at my Kinsman Trasks).  Lt. Trask shews us the way up to Mr. Conants.  Dine there.  View his Works and little Farm of about 50 Acres.  Spend the Eve and Night there.  N.B. Capt. Elijah Moore’s Farm put up to Day (as we are informed) at Vendue.

1768 March 31 (Thursday).  Make and write and Sign, an Agreement with Mr. Conant for his Mill, Tools, Farm and Apprentice, John Millen, in behalf of my son Alexander.  Esq. Henshaw informs that Mr. Maccarty was yesterday taken with a Fit etc.  Dine at Mr. Bowmans.  Visit and drink Tea at Mr. Halls — his Daughter Lucy very ill.  Return at Evening.  My Mare stumbled and threw me just by my House — but received only Slight Hurt, through divine Goodness; Mr. Brown with me.  In the Business and Journey of the Day, Mr. Brown accompanys me.  He Says the mortgaging the Premises was what he had thought of and was designing to advise to and recommend for Conants security.  He lodges here.  How manifold the divine Mercys!  How exciting to Gratitude, praise and Obedience!

1768 April 1 (Friday).  Mr. Brown takes my Mare with him to Framingham for Alexander to ride home.  A Time of Difficulty with us by reason of Shortness of Hay — two Cows have calv’d; by the Snow and cold and slender portions of English Hay, fear they will not do well.  We give them the more Meal, of which, through divine Goodness, we have good store.  Sent for Mr. Hezekiah Pratt who comes, and pulls up the weather of one of the Cows; and we prepare Comfry Root and milk, which is given her.  P.M. Mrs. Wheelock so ill as to send for me.  I went, conversed, prayed with her, and may the Lord Pity and hear!  Mr. George Andrews came to See me; was very pleasant and free — stayed and drank Tea with us.  He came for this Special Purpose (I suppose) to ask whether Mr. Fish might preach at his House or at Mr. Daniel Forbes’s where the next family Meeting is appointed or may be at the Meeting House?  I answered yes, at either of them as would be most convenient: or he might preach my Lecture when [illegible] — or I was willing to change with him.

1768 April 2 (Saturday).  Alexander came home from Framingham.

1768 April 3 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 14.  Preached on Col. 2.2, carrying on the Subject began on 1 Tim. 3.16.  P.M. read Act. 16.  Preached on Mat. 6.33, with additions.  I chose this (using chiefly an Exposition) on Account of my Son Alexanders beginning the world.  At Eve (upon Desire) I visited Neighbour Joseph Bonds child and prayed there.  Went also to see Mrs. Wheelock and prayed with her; She being in a very weak and dangerous State.

1768 April 4 (Monday).  Enoch Rice came to live with Me.  He goes down to the swamp to clear; John with him, and Alexander a.m.  Visit again at Mr. Bonds, the Child yet alive.  Pray there.  Dine also with Mrs. Pratt.  Am called to Mr. Ebenzer Maynards, his son Jesse being extreme bad of a Fever.  Went but he expired before I got there.  Went to Capt. Maynards where were the Committee for settling the County Road.  In returning call at Mr. Nathan Maynards etc.

1768  April 5 (Tuesday).  Alex goes up to Mr. Conants prepared to Stay there.  I attended the Funeral of little Jesse Maynard (of 6 years), but hasten from thence in my designed Journey to Oxford (having Mr. John Woods Horse) and purposing to visit Mr. Maccarty.  Call at Capt. Allens, Mr. Sumners, and Capt. Curtis’s.  Found Mr. Maccarty revived and in hopes of Recovery.  Lodged there.

1768 April 6 (Wednesday).  Mr. Maccarty better Still, through divine Goodness — and leave him with much satisfaction in my Visit.  Call at Coll. Putnams and consult him, especially on the Nature and Benefit of Mortgages: expecting to assist Alexander to Day in his trading with Mr. Conant.  Call at Justice Brewers to see him, as he lies in a very low, languishing Condition.  Pray with him, and hasten to Coll. Larnards, where I dined — then to Mr. Conants, where Alex was, and expected to proceed in our Affair, So formally agreed upon.  But Mrs. Conant had started, and was set against the Bargain — nor was she, by any means, to be perswaded to give her Consent or sign a Deed.  Her Brother Mr. Joseph Edwards came and used his Endeavours but in Vain.  N.B. old Dr. Burnet there.  Capt. Maynard came that he might be security for, or provide me the present payment.  He goes home with Mr. Ebenezer Lock.  My son and I lodge at Mr. Conants — without doing any Thing.

1768 April 7 (Thursday).  The Same Averseness continues in Mrs. Conant.  Both her Brothers John and Joseph Edwards come — to little purpose — for although She was brought to speak as if She consented, yet it went so against her, that I chose to suspend the Matter; and would not run the Venture of another Disappointment.  Capt. Maynard returning from Mr. Locks, was my Company in returning.  I visited at Capt. Griffins.  Dined at Mr. Campbells.  Called at Mr. Bowmans.  Drank Tea at Mr. Hutchinsons (who was come from the Funeral of old Mr. Ebenezer Brooks).  Arrived safe at my own House through divine Favour.  But John was poisoned by working in the Swamp, in which was Dog-Wood.

1768 April 8 (Friday).  Mrs. Wheelock being yet alive, I visited her — and Mr. Fish coming (at their Desire, in my Absence), discoursed and prayed with her.  N.B. Ruth Bellows, and Mindwell Batherick are, and have been for some time, Spinning here.

1768 April 9 (Saturday).  Alexander returned from Oxford, having been and hir’d at Sturbridge.  Am much exercised with an Ague in my Face.

1768 April 10 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 15.  Preached on 1 Joh. 5.20.  This is the true God — but am carrying on the Discourse on 1 Tim. 3.16.  Was afraid I should not have gone through the Exercises, as I had been much afflicted and prevented in my preparations — but I was graciously carryed through.  Read p.m. Act. 17.  Preached on the Duty of parents to pray for their Children.  Used sermon on 1 Chron. 29.19 from page 6.  O may God give His Blessing and give to us and to our Children Perfect Hearts!

1768 April 11 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Joseph Bonds Child, which (tis hoped) is recovering.  Visit at Neighbour Ebenezer Maynard.  Enoch works at Mr. Barnabas Newtons.  Mr. Biglow pays £22.10.0 old Tenor.

1768 April 12 (Tuesday).  Enoch and John clear at the Swamp a.m.  Dig Stones at the further field.  Pay Richard Temple £23.17.0 old Tenor which is in full of all Accounts.

1768 April 13 (Wednesday).  Alexander returns from Framingham, and goes to work part of the afternoon for me.  Mr. Beeton raised his Barn.  I could not go to it.

1768 April 14 (Thursday).  Public Fast.  Preached a.m. on Amos 3.2.  P.M. with alterations and additions delivered part of Discourse on Joel 2.12.13.  After Exercise have confirmed News of the Death of Mr. Abner Whipple at Rockingham.  At Eve Mr. Thomas Bond and his Wife here to be examin’d.

1768 April 15 (Friday).  Mr. Whitney of Northborough here.  Informs me that Matters are like to be composed at College, and the scholars to return to their Exercises again.

1768 April 16 (Saturday).  I rode to Mr. Thomas Temple’s to see his Child; and prayed.  Went to Dr. Ball’s where I din’d and Mr. Whitney likewise.  P.M. went to See Mrs. Martyn who is mov’d to her son John’s.  The last came to me with his Fathers Cane, and Said, “Sir, The Heirs present you with this.”  I received it gratefully.  Visit Mr. Michael’s Wife, who has lately lain in, and visit at Mr. Richards, whose Wife expects every Hour.  Returned to Lieutenants.  Supped there on fresh Fish (from Boston I suppose).  Mr. Whitney with me.  An agreeable repast.  Mr. Whitney goes to his lonely House and lodges alone.  I lodge at Lieutenant Martyns.