Category: Diary

1768 May 22 (Sunday).  Mr. Breck keeps sabbath with us.  Read Jer. 20 and Acts 21.  Mr. B. a.m. on [blank], p.m. on Isa. 2.11.  And he repeated the Heads at Even.  I hope they are very acceptable Discourses to the people and I pray they may be useful: and profitable to us.

1768 May 23 (Monday).  Alexander to Sturbridge.  Mr. Breck and I rode to Boston.  We stopped at Col. Buckminsters.  Dined at Mr. Woodwards.  Called at Mr. Jacksons (at Brookline).  Arrived at Cousen Procters nigh sun sett.  Put up the Horse at Mr. May’s.  Lodged at Cousen Loyds, with Coll. Hinckley of Brunswick.  N.B. Dr. John Hill lives at Loyds.

1768 May 24 (Tuesday).  Visit Mr. Holbrook, who is low indeed.  I dined there.  Visit at Surcombs — Dr. Cooper — etc.  Lodge at Brother P________s.  N.B. Mr. Loyd sent my Horse to Chelsey to be kept at Mr. Hasey’s.

1768 May 25 (Wednesday).  Mr. Shute of Hingham preached the Election sermon on Ezr. 10.4.  Arise for this matter belongeth to thee etc.  No public Dinner for the ministers.  I dined at Mr. Loyds.  P.M. at Dr. Sewals.  Was nominated for moderator but earnestly refused to be put to Vote.  Mr. Dunbar was chose and prayed.  At Eve at Mr. Quincys.  N.B. He tells me his son Neddys progress in mines at Stoughtonham, Medway etc.  Lodged at my Kinswoman’s, Bradfords.

1768 May 26 (Thursday).  Attended the Convention again.  The Plan for a fund for the Relief of Ministers Widows and Orphans falls through.  A proposal of Venerable Dr. Sewals, that the Ministers should manifest their hearty adherance to the great Truths of the Gospel, and guard our Pulpits by Examining Candidates, was read, and urged by Several to be acted upon, or at least to be considered by this Convention, but when it was put to Vote, it passed in the negative; to my great Grief, and even astonishment.  Mr. Tucker preached on Col. 4.11.  Dined at Mr. Mathers.  After Dinner Mr. Loring led me to the House of Mr. Ebenezer Brown, an Housewright: where were gathered a Number of devout Women: Sixteen or Eighteen of them in a by-Chamber.  There we prayed, and I preached on Ps. 34.8.  It was a Season of Spiritual Endearment.  May my Soul be united to all them that truely fear the Lord as these persons Seem to do.  I went at Eve to Mr. Mays where lodges Westborough Representative and who has brought me from my wife 50£ who received it of Mr. Biglow the Constable.  I returned to the North End and lodged at Cousen Winters, where Suse Makes an home.

1768 May 27 (Friday).  At Mr. Mains and buy 1/2 Dozen of Willisons.  At Mr. [Perkins?] and by Catechisms and small Books to give away.  Dined at Mr. Loyds.  Call at Mr. Holbrooks, and find him worse.  Call at Mr. Adams’s at Roxbury.  Go to Cambridge.  Take some View [of] the New Library.  Lodge in College with Mr. Moore.

1768 May 28 (Saturday).  In the Morning Visit Brother Champney and Sisters — Poor sister Barrett is very ill — is delirious — prayed with them and took leave.  Prosecute my Journey.  Call at Mr. N. Goddards and pay him for Cheese (22 1/2 lbs.; at 2.6 per pound) and buy 24 1/2 lbs. more.  When I came home and sent Mr. Grout his Horse, behold it had been changed: I had got a wrong Horse.

1768 May 29 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 21.  Preached on Joh. 1.14.  P.M. read Act. 22.  And preached on 2 Cor. 2.17 with alterations and additions according to the present Times.

1768 May 30 (Monday).  Alexander goes early to Cambridge and Boston to get Mr. Grouts Horse if he can be found.  Billy came a.m. not from Ashby, but from Brookfield.  I provide a Tire for Cart-Wheels which he has been making for me.  The Iron of Mr. Nurse, and Mr. Beeton does the work.  Mr. Smith from Marlborough to see me, and dines here.  Mr. Hall of Sutton also.  Mr. Biglow, who paid me in Cash and Notes Last week £113

1768 May 31 (Tuesday).  and to Day pays me in Cash 70£ 1.6 old Tenor.  My wife rides to Capt. Maynards and carrys Lucy with her for the Benefit of Airing.

1768 June 1 (Wednesday).  Billy (having bought him an Horse and which he rode upon here) carrys upon him the Tire which Beeton has made; with Sufficient Nails to fasten it on with.  He also drives my Oxen before him, to Ashby.  I have lately borrowed of Mr. Gibbs the Painter at Boston, The secrets of the invisible World disclosed, by Andrew Moreton Esq. which I am reading.  Alexander returns from Boston with Mr. Grouts Horse.  He found him at Chelsey; Samuel when he went for him, took a wrong Horse.  I rejoice Alexander has Succeeded.  D.G.

1768 June 2 (Thursday).  Mr. Maccarty and his Brother Bridge of Worcester dined here.

1768 June 3 (Friday).  Persis Newton at work here for Alexander.

1768 June 4 (Saturday).  Persis here again till noon.  Ebenezer came from Brookfield this p.m. and arrived here at night, in complyance with a Letter I sent him about the Harrington Affair at Nottingham.

1768 June 5 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 22.  Preached on 1 Tim. 3.16.  Dr. Wright and his Mother Fessenden dined here.  P.M. read Act. 23.  Preached on that part of the v. “justifyed in the Spirit.”  I appointed the Communion and Lecture and a Contribution for Mr. Joseph Sherman.

1768 June 6 (Monday).  Ebenezer goes early to Watertown, his Brother Harrington and Stearns or Bond being about to go to Nottingham about their Interest in Lands there.  Richard Temple works here, with Alexander and John.  P.M. I visit Mr. Daniel Miller, who is languishing; and pray with him.  N.B. Carryed Daughter Baldwin as far as Mr. Tainters.

1768 June 7 (Tuesday).  Mr. Hawkins the Taylor here; measures me for Coat and Breeches.  At Eve I was at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards.  Talk about his Meadow.  His price is £750 old Tenor.  I defer Answer till I can See Capt. Maynard on the affair; which can’t be till next Monday.

1768 June 8 (Wednesday).  Mr. Stone and Mr. Whitney of Northborough dined here.  The former preached my Lecture from Isa. 59.2, “Your Iniquities have Separated.”  May God bless it to us for our Saving Good!  Dr. Crosby here.  He invites me and my Wife, to his House next Tuesday, before noon, to meet Mr. Sumner and his Wife there.

1768 June 9 (Thursday).  Mrs. Eleoner Williams here.  In reckoning I find I owe her 40/ old Tenor.  She asks not only for a Note for that, but for the further sum of 68/11, and to gratifie her, and She promising to see that I be soon paid, I did it.  N.B. 24 lbs. and 1/2 of Cheese brought up from Mr. Goddards of Weston.  N.B. Mr. John Maynard paid for it, and upon my receiving the Cheese I paid him, viz. one Dollar and half.  Ebenezer returns from Watertown — and tells me his Brother Jonas Bond is to go to Nottingham, or Exeter etc., next Week.

1768 June 10 (Friday).  My Son is bent upon going home.  I lent him 8 Dollars; for which he gave me his note of Hand.  P.M. he goes home.  Presently Mr. John Langdon junior brings Suse from Boston, and at Eve Alexander goes to Marlborough and brings our Bacon from Deacon Woods’s.

1768 June 11 (Saturday).  Mr. Langdon is come for Cousen Polly, her Mother being much Scared about her Eye (though She is grown a great deal better) and this Morning they Set out for Boston.

1768 June 12 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 23.  Preached on 1 Tim. 3.16.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Capt. Jamison, Mrs. Maynard, Elizabeth Beels dined here.  P.M. read Act. 24.  Preached on Heb. 13.3.  Had a Contribution for Mr. Joseph Sherman.  And because of its being Such a snare to Send an Hat along the Gallery seats among the Boys (which have not behaved well at such a Time), I thought it best to alter our Custom and recommended to them to walk down and go round as formerly was the Custom of this People and all others that I knew of.  But there were only a few that Complyed; and doubtless the Contribution was the more Slender on that Account.  I had said also to the Congregation that I was informed that some had been so indecent to put in what they Should not; and there was reason to fear some had taken out.

1768 June 13 (Monday).  Went to Capt. Maynards to talk with him about Mr. Maynards Hobbamockaw Swamp.  In Returning home, called at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards but he was not at home.  P.M. Mr. Maynard came here and he tells me he will take £600 old Tenor.  N.B. Mr. Biglow was here and makes up with me, for last Years sallery and Support.  So that I give him a Receipt in full.  N.B. Mr. Baker borrows of me 50£ and gives me his promissory Note.  Then I went to see Mr. Barachias Morse who is sick.  I prayed with him.  N.B. There has been disquietment among several people that I altered the Custom of the Contribution and admonished the Rude Boys who had behaved indecently at a former Contribution.  Particularly Mr. Benjamin Tainter appeared very Angry.

1768 June 14 (Tuesday).  Though it rained in the Morn, yet Mrs. P________ and I rode (as we had been invited) to Dr. Crosbys.  Mr. Sumner and his Wife were there; and we dined [plentifully there?].  Called at Mr. Knowltons [illegible] [Fay’s].  When I returned home, Mr. Timothy Warrin here, and Shewed himself disturbed at Our — but especially at my Conducting the late Contribution.  At Eve Deacon Wood came and we counted the Money — found it to be £20.11.7.  Which may God please graciously to accept and bless to him for what has been gathered and pardon what was amiss!

1768 June 15 (Wednesday).  Attended the Association Fast at Southborough.  See Minutes of Association.  In returning called to See Mrs. Gale who is sick.  People are at work on the New Road by Lt. Bruce’s, and making a New [Causey?] where it is laid out.  My son Baldwin came.

1768 June 16 (Thursday).  The proposal had been that Lucy Should go to Nantucket for the recovery of her Health; that Mr. Roger Bruce should go to take Care of her, but Mr. Baldwin goes himself.  They have Dr. Hawes’s Chaise.  I wrote by them to Caleb Bunker Esq.  P.M. Visit old Mr. How who is very ill.  Prayed with him.  Called at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards.  Go with him to see the Bounds of the Swamp and Meadow which he wants to sell me.  His Brother David with us.  I am much discouraged when I see how poor the Grass of Some Parts of it are.  But I venture to buy it of him for £600 O.T. as he has offered it.

1768 June 17 (Friday).  Mr. Ebenezer Maynard here to give me Bounds etc.  Sarah and Suse visit at Lt. Bakers.

1768 June 18 (Saturday).  Cousen Maynard is in travail and Sends for her Aunt, who goes to her.  My Sophy ill.  A Sorrowful Season, by Reason of Cold and Rain.  Much of the Seed planted doth not come up, and what is come up does not grow.  May God extend Pity!  Almost daily Accounts from Boston of great Disquietments and that sometimes there are tumultuous gatherings of people there, against the Commissioners of the Customs.

1768 June 19 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 24.  Preached on 1 Tim. 3.16, “Seen of Angels.”  P.M. read Act. 25, and on Consideration of the Troubles and Tumults at Boston, and sorrowful state of our public Affairs, and likewise the unseasonable weather, repeated (with many Omissions and Alterations indeed) Sermon on Isa. 9.12.13.  My old Neighbour Hezekiah How dyed about 10 o’Clock this forenoon.  May god Sanctify it to me!  and to those he has left behind!

1768 June 20 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Daniel Miller and pray with him.  Dine at the Widow Kendals.  Visit at a New Comer’s Mr. Enoch Cook, but the man was not at home — at Francis Pierce’s — proceed to Mr. Barachias Morse’s and pray with him — hasten to see Mrs. Belknap who is very low — to get over there, I rode through the River, piloted by the Widow Parker, who was so kind as to shew me the way.

1768 June 21 (Tuesday).  Attend the Funeral of my Old Neighbour Mr. Hezekiah How.  P.M. wrote a Deed of the Maynard Swamp and Meadow commonly called Hobbamockaw swamp.

1768 June 22 (Wednesday).  I delivered £100 to Mr. Ebenezer Maynard Old Tenor as part of pay for his swamp.  Went over to Northborough Lecture.  Dined at Mr. Whitneys.  Mr. Belcher Hancock there.  Messrs. Morse and Sumner also.  I preached on Joh. 6.35, “I am the living Bread.”  Mr. Morse prayed before sermon.  Returned home at Eve.  N.B. The News is very sorrowful from England.  A direct Answer being demanded whether we will comply with the Acts of Parliament concerning our Trade and the Customs.

1768 June 23 (Thursday).  Mr. Hancock calls to see me, and dines here.  P.M. he goes to Hopkinton.  Messrs. David and Ebenezer Maynard come to see how far I will agree respecting Davids and his Heirs etc. carting Hay through the swamp which I am buying of Ebenezer.  I consent for abatement of £7.10.0 Old Tenor if they pass only through 20 Rods at the NW Corner.  N.B. Received a Letter from Mr. Holbrook at Dedham.

1768 June 24 (Friday).  I write for the Maynards Conveyances of Privilege of passing and repassing etc.  Neighbour Ebenezer pays me the Abatement agreed upon last Evening; and gives me 10/ for my Writing for them — in all £8 old Tenor.  My Wife visited Mrs. Andrews; and was well received.

1768 June 25 (Saturday).  I rode to Southborough.  In my Way called at Mr. Andrews’s.  They treated me with Civility.  I made a Visit to Mrs. Bulah Bent and her Brother and Sister, now first since the Death of their Mother.  Mr. Stone tells me from Mr. Smith that Mr. Wigglesworth, Chandler etc., are disquieted that I have admitted Mrs. Andrews.  I therefore Shewed him (Mr. Stone) the Vote we passed in our Church.  Mr. Stone rides to Westborough.  Miss Huldah arrives from Yarmouth.  N.B. Deacon Wood had a Son born this Morning.