Category: Diary

1768 April 17 (Sunday).  Preach at Northborough on Heb. 6.12 a. and p.m.  Mr. Whitney for me on 1 Cor. 15.10 and he returns at Eve.  I arrive in safety.  D.G.

1768 April 18 (Monday).  I went to Mr. Morse’s, Mr. J. Warrin, Deacon Woods, Mr. Wheelocks etc. to prepare for my Daughters going to Boston and my going to Ministers Meeting.  Enoch, because Alexander is with me, lets himself to Mr. B. Tainter, for the Months of May and June for 25 £.

1768 April 19 (Tuesday).  Have Mr. Wheelocks Chaise for Sarah and Suse to ride to Boston; the last to be left there, at Cousen Winters, and her Polly to come hither.  They Sat out p.m.  [illegible], a.m., to Stow.  Called at Mr. Smith’s, who is ill and confined — and at Capt. Jonathan Wood’s at Stow.  All present, but Messrs. Barrett and Smith.  Mr. Loring Moderator and prayed.  I prayed with the Family.  By lodging with Mr. Loring Opportunity is given to Converse again about the Society of devout Women in Boston.  N.B. Mr. Wheeler of Harvard is with us and represents his Grievances.  He is in a low State of Health and his people are desirous to have him dismissed — that they may Settle Mr. John Emerson in his Stead.

1768 April 20 (Wednesday).  We reflect upon the Melancholly and Sorrowful Aspects of the present Day; That we used to have Fasts.  We all agree that our next Meetings be turned into Fasts — See Association Minutes for the particular Occasion and who to perform; as well as where.  Mr. Stone preached an Useful sermon at the Lecture on Isa. 46.8, former part, “Remember this, and shew your self Men.”  After Dinner we Separated.  Mr. Stone and Mr. Joseph Willard my Company to Mr. Smith’s, who remains ill.  Arrive in safety except that I have unhappily lost my Saddle Baggs.

1768 April 21 (Thursday).  Send John to Marlborough and further if it Shall need, to Enquire for my Saddle Baggs.  He returns with them.  Mr. Smiths servant had carryed them into his House, and forgot to give them to Me or tell me of it.  P.M. I walked to Mr. Solomon Bakers, and got him to go with me to view Mr. Ebenezer Maynards Meadow, which lies by the River, and by or between his Brother David’s.  Went to Capt. Maynards.  Called at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards and had Some Talk with him about his meadow.  He asks old Tenor 750£ for it — lays it at about 8 Acres.  Says he cutts 15 Jaggs of Hay.  We leave it to Consideration.  Mr. Wesson of Marlborough has made me a plough and Sent it home, by Neighbour Thomas Bond.  The Plough and the Plates come to £3.9.9 Old Tenor.

1768 April 22 (Friday).  Sarah returned from Boston and brings Polly Langdon to dwell here a while, as Suse is, in the mean time, to live at Cousen Winters.  Wrote to Mr. Fish to preach my Lecture next Week.

1768 April 23 (Saturday).  Mr. Edmund Chamberlain or Wife have not come with their Relations etc.

1768 April 24 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 16 and preached upon Col. 1.16.17 on the Divinity of our Blessed Saviour.  P.M. Read Act. 18 and gave an Exercise upon it.  O that God would please to add His Blessing!  Appointed the Communion and the Lecture.  Enoch is not with us on the Lord’s Days, but goes to his Fathers, and lodges there.

1768 April 25 (Monday).  We are full of the Accounts of the awful Providence last Friday at Marlborough, Silas How, son of the late Gershom How of Marlborough, having hanged himself near Mr. Joseph Strattons.  He had dwelt at Brookfield but last at Leicester.  May the Hand of God be duely regarded!  Neighbour Ebenezer Maynards little son Luther sick of a Fever.  Visit and pray there.

1768 April 26 (Tuesday).  Went to the Raising of a large Barn of Mr. Fessendens.  Called at Mr. Maynards — several of his Children sick — Sympathize etc.  Have account of the sorrowful Death of one Mr. Rich of Coi’s-Hill, by the Axletree of a pair of Wheels, crowding him against a Tree, by which he was killed at once.  O that I might be always ready!

1768 April 27 (Wednesday).  Mr. Fish dined here.  Preached my Lecture on Ps. 41.4.  Mr. Edmund Chamberlain and his Wife here with their Relations.  Mr. Goddard and other Company here.  News of the Birth of a Grand son, viz. Frederick Louis.

1768 April 28 (Thursday).  Mr. Moore came from Oxford — informs me of his admirable mare’s being suddenly taken ill, and he supposes she is Dead.  He lodges here.  Mrs. Persis Putnam and her mother Rice here.

1768 April 29 (Friday).  My wife having watched last night at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards returns this morning with word that 4 of the Children are sick.  Mr. Moore acquaints me with his Call to Rochester — and leaves us to return to Cambridge.

1768 April 30 (Saturday).  Enoch Rice having agreed with Mr. Tainter to live with him for two Months, leaves me this Evening and Alexander returns from Framingham this Evening also.

1768 May 1 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 17.  Preached on 1 Tim. 3.16.  Admit Edmund and Ruth Chamberlain.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Mr. Goddard dines here.  P.M. read Act. 19.  Mr. Goddard preaches on Cant. 2.16.  May God be gracious to us, accept of us and bless His Ordinances!  Mr. Goddard lodges here.  Mrs. Andrews not at meeting nor for several sabbaths.

1768 May 2 (Monday).  A.M. My son William comes from Ashby.  He yesterday attended divine service at Fitchbourg, and lodged at [blank].  Capt. Maynard came p.m. and reckons for the year past, issuing on Apr. 2.

1768 May 3 (Tuesday).  Have Capt. Maynards Chaise for my Wife and I to go to Mr. Daniel Forbes’s to private Meeting.  I preached on 1 Joh. 1.3, latter part to p. 8.

1768 May 4 (Wednesday).  William takes away his White Cow and her Calf.  John goes with him, and they drive before them my Nurse Cow and two yearlings to summer at Ashby.  My wife and I attend the Funeral of Mr. Temple’s Child, and thence to Mr. Whitneys at Northborough who brings home his Wife.  Only Mr. Morse and I (with our Wives) of the Neighbouring Ministers at Dinner.  Mr. Sumner came p.m.  Mr. Cummings of Billerica and his Wife, with other Relatives, came with them.  An handsome Entertainment made by many people; and many of them Wait upon us there.  We sang Ps. 115, latter part.  Returned at Eve.  N.B. I send per Mrs. Wood £53.18.0 to Mr. Joseph Stratton of Waltham which I received of my son William and for him.

1768 May 5 (Thursday).  Catechized Children at the Meeting House.  19 Boys.  P.M. 23 Girls.  After Catechizing my Wife and I attend the Marriage of Mr. Thaddeus Warrin to Miss Hannah Gould, at Mr. Williams’s.

1768 May 6 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1768 May 7 (Saturday).  John returns from Ashby.

1768 May 8 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 18.  Preached on 1 Tim. 3.16.  P.M. read Act. 19 from v. 21.  Preached on 1 Pet. 4.6.

1768 May 9 (Monday).  Was Sometime in the Garden, in some small Employments, yet necessary.

1768 May 10 (Tuesday).  Mr. Cushing from Ashburnham here.  P.M. I went with him to Mr. Andrews’s.  They treated me courteously.  Called at Haskills, and paid him 20/ for the use of his plough.  Called at the Workhouse to see Garfields and Samuel Hardys Family[s?].

1768 May 11 (Wednesday).  London Magazines.  Persis Newton works here for Alexander.

1768 May 12 (Thursday).  Held at Catechetical Exercise.  14 Young Women came.  Began at Question 85.  I took no Text; but opened both the Question and Answer in a more general brief pathetick manner, then pitched upon Faith in particular and used from p. 4 to 8th of sermon on John 3.36.  Mrs. Butler, from Framingham, who resides at her Nephew’s, Deacon Wood, came to see us.  Mrs. Wood accompanys her here.  I was sent for to the Raising of Levi Warrins New House.  Sang Ps. 128, omitting v. [blank] in Dr. Watts’s Version.  Persis.  My mare very ill.

1768 May 13 (Friday).  We don’t plant, though ready, by reason of the Cold weather.

1768 May 14 (Saturday).  The Rain very desirable.  Though I am preparing on 1 Tim. 3.16 and have the Favour of Mr. Bradbury on this Text, yet my Scheme and Intention are so diverse from his, that I make little use of him now.

1768 May 15 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 19.  Carryed on the Subject from 1 Tim. 3.16, but read for my Text Joh. 1.14, former part.  P.M. Read Act. 80 and on Consideration that tomorrow is appointed to be Town-Meeting to choose a Representative, I preached on Exod. 18.21, using great Part of what I delivered formerly on Occasion of March-Meeting — but varied and with Additions concerning a Representative.  N.B. Capt. Jonas Brigham at noon desired me to baptize his Child, which was lately born.  I asked him whether he was in Charity with me.  He answered Yes.  I asked him twice, and he answered twice.  I thereupon consented to, and did it.  Hear that my Daughter Baldwin is at Dr. Balls; being poorly again.

1768 May 16 (Monday).  I got Deacon Woods Chair and rode over to Dr. Balls.  Found my Daughter there, and went with her to Mr. Whitneys, and dined there.  He delivers me Dr. Chauncy against Dr. Chandler on an American Episcopate.  Visit Mrs. Martyn and two sons.  Agree with Hawkins the Taylor to make me a Coat.  He dwells at Mrs. Eagers, where is her Daughter Cutler of Oxford, who is in much Spiritual Distress.  Return at Eve with my Daughter here.  The Town has met, but have not chose a Representative.  The North People have not liked their Notification.  Alexander has strained himself a few Days ago, and is now not well.

1768 May 17 (Tuesday).  Alexander is better; and he and his Brother plant the further Field.

1768 May 18 (Wednesday).  Artillery Company Train.  Prayed with them but would not go to the Tavern.

1768 May 19 (Thursday).  My Daughter Baldwin not well — has morning vomiting.

1768 May 20 (Friday).  Have borrowed Mr. Jonathan Grouts Horse to go to Boston next week.

1768 May 21 (Saturday).  Mr. Breck came — and lodged here.