Category: Diary

1769 May 7 (Sunday).  Read Jer. ch. 48 from v. 17.  Preached on Jer. 46.27.28.  Mr. Rice dined here.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 5.  By Reason of the Several Exercises I attended upon in the preceeding Week, and various Occurrences together with my particular Circumstances I could not prepare for the afternoon (This I acquainted the Congregation with) And I had designed to have changed with Mr. Sumner, but was obliged to Send him word to the Contrary, being under Necessity to Speak with the Church concerning the Association Fast and take their Vote for it (which I did after the usual Exercises).  I delivered sermon on Joh. 14.6, last Clause.

1769 May 8 (Monday).  Attended the Burying of Mr. Elijah Rice’s little Son Elisha, of about 2 Years — dyed the third Day of Throat Distemper.  Eben Maynard leaves us and goes to his Fathers.  Mr. Gale and a Number of Hands besides, begin to work at the Meeting House.  They design to add another Seat to the Front Gallerys.  Mrs. P. and Mrs. Moore visit at Lt. Bakers.  Mr. B. Newton pays me £36 old Tenor.  Read Mrs. Wentworths Court Miscellany.

1769 May 9 (Tuesday).  Read Vol. 3 of Curious Collection of Travels — The Discovery of Golden Castile by Vasques Nunez de Balboa: and Conquest of Peru by Francis Pizarro.

1769 May 10 (Wednesday).  Visit Mr. Benjamin Garfield.  Dr. Hawes and I make some Division of our Fence at the Cook Island.  Mr. Joshua Child comes here in great Earnestness for Richard Temple.  N.B. His Brother Thomas has a Cause depending at Worcester Court with one Fisk.  Towards Eve came Master Rice, who Sups and lodges here.  At Eve came Sarah and Suse from Northborough and Mr. Moore with them.

1769 May 11 (Thursday).  Master Rice to his School.  John and Richard with the Team go to the Ministerial Lot for Some Timber to compleat the Floor and Scaffold at the Barn.

1769 May 12 (Friday).  Mr. Zebulon Rice works here a.m. in laying the rest of the Floor in the new part of the Barn: and Temple and John assist him in it.  P.M. Mr. Whitney of Northborough brings his Brother Cumings to see me.  Mrs. Rice, Widow of the late Mr. Caleb of Sturbridge and her son Nathan, came also; and these latter lodged here.  Mrs. Hawes here.  Mr. Thomas Bonds wife here to be examined.

1769 May 13 (Saturday).  Mr. Moore had designed to go to Boston, but concludes to keep Sabbath here.

1769 May 14 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 49.  Mr. Moore preached on Act. 3.19.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 6.  Mr. Moore preached on Act. 26.28.  These Sermons were very profitable as I hope.  May God make them So to all of us!  Propounded Thomas and Lydia Bond — and I likewise acquainted the Congregation with the Association Fast, and what the Church has done, very unanimously.  Invited the people, all, to join with us.  Took their silence for Consent — and exhorted to great Seriousness in it.

1769 May 15 (Monday).  Mr. Moore and my dear Suse are leaving us.  I have delivered to him, in old Tenor 30£ being in part of what he has bought for Suse at Rochester.  5/ for one of Mr. Adams’s sermons at his Ordination and 9/7 1/2 for the old Book which I had of old Mr. Ruggles, of Memorable History, etc.  They set out for Boston.  P.M. I rode to Mr. [Frosts?] and to Mrs. Parkers.  At Eve came from Brookfield, my Grandson Ebenezer and with him Lolus (the indian Boy) and they lodge here.  I have also Two Horses and a pair of Steers, for Mr. Zebulon Rice.  One of the Horses is for the Boys to ride on when they return.

1769 May 16 (Tuesday).  My Grandson Ebenezer and the Indian Boy take Leave.  Am preparing my Self for the Solemnity before us.

1769 May 17 (Wednesday).  Association met here.  It was observed as a Day of Humiliation and Prayer on Consideration of the low state of Religion, the increase of Sin, and the Public Troubles.  May the Lord be pleased to hear and answer and deliver us!  N.B. I began with prayer.  Mr. Smith preached on Jer. 7.1-7.  P.M. Mr. Bridge prayed and Mr. Stone on Gen. 18.19.  No Others of the Association were here.

1769 May 18 (Thursday).  My Wife and I rode to visit Mr. James Cook and Family.  Were at Deacon Bonds and at Mr. Tainters.

1769 May 19 (Friday).  Have borrowed the Life of Mr. John Baily, of Deacon Bond: and now read it.  May God bless this to me!

1769 May 20 (Saturday).  To Capt. Maynards.  Receive from Mr. Johns wife 2 Dollars.  P.M. Rode to Southborough.  Paid Capt. Jonathan Ward in full.  Rode to Mr. Goldings in Marlborough.  Returned to Mr. Stone’s.  He comes to Westborough.  N.B. Miss Huldah has been marryed this Month and more to Mr. Bangs, of Hardwick, her Kinsman.

1769 May 21 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough a. and p.m. on Ps. 27.4.  Baptized a Child of Mr. Hezekiah Fay, by the Name of Martha-Draper.  Returned home at Eve.  Mr. Stone preached here, a.m. on [blank], p.m. on [blank].

1769 May 22 (Monday).  Attended the Funeral of a new-born Infant of Mr. Francis Pierce.  P.M. Am reading a Piece of Mr. Baxters, left here by Mr. Stone a little while agoe, containing Two Disputations of Original Sin.

1769 May 23 (Tuesday).  Catechized — Boys about 35 or 6.  Girls 14 including my own.  Mr. Roberts and Capt. Damon call, and refresh here (but we had dined).  Was Sorry we were not better provided at this Time: but they were not willing to stay while any Thing could be dressed for them, though I urged as far as was decent, for I remember how kindly and generously I have been entertained by Mr. Roberts.

1769 May 24 (Wednesday).  Mrs. P____ and I rode to Mr. Stones; had Dr. Hawes’ Chaise.  The Occasion was their Daughter, Mrs. Bangs, is going to her New Home at Hardwick, and therefore would have a few Friends together to dine with them.  An handsome Entertainment and the whole Conduct very Agreeable!  The Company, besides Mr. Bangs and his Brother (who came with a Team), were Coll. Brigham and his Wife, and Mr. Temple with his.  P.M. When we returned we stopped at Mr. Timothy Warrins who raises his New House, and moves two Barns to Day.

1769 May 25 (Thursday).  I rode to Shrewsbury — dined at Mr. Sumners.  Preached the Lecture on Joh. 14.6, latter part.  After the Exercises visit Miss Bridget Cushing who is become much lower.  Capt. Curtis and his Wife there: also Mrs. Cushing of Waltham.  Mr. Sumner walks with me to Coll. Wards who is not well.  N.B. Our People of Westborough met to Day, to choose a Representative.  Capt. Stephen Maynard has every Vote but one.  And I hear that instead of a Treat, he gives 21£ Old Tenor in Boards etc. to Mrs. Judith Bellows to enable her to go on with the finishing her House.  A very laudable Example!

1769 May 26 (Friday).  P.M. Rev. Mr. Nathan Strong of Coventry here, riding for his Health, and designing to Stoneham.  At Eve Came Brother Breck — and lodges here.

1769 May 27 (Saturday).  Mr. Breck to Marlborough but returns at Eve.  Mr. Newton pays me 50£ old Tenor.

1769 May 28 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 50 to v. 23, inclusive.  Mr. Breck a.m. on Act. 8.39, last Clause.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 7.  Mr. Breck on Rom. 9.20, which may God graciously Succeed!  At Eve I rode down to Mr. Edmund Brighams to See his wife who is extreme bad.  She was delivered last Tuesday, and having taken Cold, a Fever setts in and rages.  Discoursed and prayed.

1769 May 29 (Monday).  Mr. Breck and I set out together for Boston though it was wet weather.  I turned aside to visit Mrs. Brigham again, but she is so far gone that she can’t speak, nor understand me (by any thing that I perceive).  She begins to have the ghastly Visage of Death.  Many persons are there; I prayed by her: and took leave.  Dined at Mr. Stones.  Overtook Mr. Breck at Coll. Buckminsters.  Called, but did not light, at Mr. W. Browns.  We reached as far as Mr. Woodwards and lodged there.

1769 May 30 (Tuesday).  We were long detained by the Rain.  About 11 set out.  Dine at Mr. Cushings at Waltham.  Mr. Strong of Coventry there.  P.M. Proceed to Boston.  Lodged at Cousen Bradfords.  Horse is kept by Mr. Loyd (who returned home from Branford last week).

1769 May 31 (Wednesday).  The House of Representatives Protest against the Ensigns of Terror.  Publick Meeting is late; begins past 12.  Mr. Haven of Dedham preached on Ps. 75.6.7.  Dined in Fanuel-Hall.  At Mr. Quincys.  Went thence to the Convention.  Venerable Dr. Sewal so ill that we could not meet as usual at his House.  Met at the South-latin-school-House.  Was chose Moderator — and was forced to accept, and Prayed.  Was chose to go in the Name of the Convention to Dr. Sewal and present gratefull acknowledgments for his great Goodness and Kindness in entertaining the Ministers on these Days, and for his eminent Services, for so many Years, etc.  And Mr. Williams of Longmeadow, was chose to go also, with this Message.  We went accordingly and he received us with an humble and grateful Sense of the Respect hereby paid him.  He asks that one of us pray with him.  This was complyed with.  Mr. Williams so much my Senior and Superior performed.  At Eve I visit Mr. Surcomb who is confined with the Gout.  He required me to send him my Horse to keep and she was sent.  Visit my Brother.  Supped and Lodged at Cousen Winters, and my son Baldwin with me.

1769 June 1 (Thursday).  Eleven Counsellors negativ’d by the Governor.  I repaired to the School House to attend the Convention.  As Dr. Cooper is desired to preach next Year, So Mr. Breck is chose his Second.  We go to meeting to the Old South as usual.  Mr. Dunbar preached on Gal. 1.8.9.  May God grant Success!  I dined at Mr. Mathers.  When the Convention met p.m. we found the Collection of Money to Day amounted to £252.9.6.1 old Tenor.  While we were together News came that President Holyoke dyed this morning.  Mr. Thomas Barnard prayed at the Conclusion of the Meeting.  I visited Mrs. Holbrook, and Mr. Surcomb.  N.B. His only Sister lyes dead and is to be buryed tomorrow.  Lodged at Cousen Winters, and with me my Son Forbes.

1769 June 2 (Friday).  Variously engaged, chiefly in Visits among my Friends and Relations.  N.B. Cousen Briant comes to See me.  My Son Forbes has bought Brother Samuels Clock, and is putting it up, for Brookfield.  Took leave about noon and rode to Cambridge, to receive Cousen Thomas Barretts Answer concerning his taking my Son John.  It is Negative.  Went up to Bradshaw’s Chamber, and easily found him.  At Watertown paid Mr. Bemis, the Joyner, in full.  Arrived at Mr. William Browns in Framingham and lodged there.  N.B. My Son Alexander and his Wife were gone out.

1769 June 3 (Saturday).  Alexander and his Wife came there — and I had serious Talk with them.  I perswade them to go to Mr. Bridge.  They went; but He was not at Home.  I Called at Mr. Stones.  Arrived safely.  D.G.  Mrs. P_____ told me Mr. Cushing came the 30th at Night and dined here June 1.  P.M. the same Day he went away.  Mr. Foster of Berwick came.

1769 June 4 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 50 from v. 24.  Mr. Jacob Foster preached a.m. on 1 Sam. 2.30, latter part.  His uncle dined with us, as well as Master Rice.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 8.  Mr. Foster preached on Act. 10.2.  N.B. Mr. Andrews and his wife, with his Brother and wife here, and Mr. Fosters uncle drink Tea here.  The latter lodges here.

1769 June 5 (Monday).  They take leave.  N.B. My Wife informs me that last week (viz. on the 30 ult.) Mr. Hall of Sutton dined here, that Mr. Cushing came at Night, that he brought a Letter from William informing that his wife was delivered of a son on the 27th of May; and both mother and Child are well.  Blessed be God!  That Mr. Cushing dined here June 1 and p.m. went away.  I visit poor Garfield, from whom one Testicle has been extracted by Dr. Ball.  He is more humble and penitent, and asks me to pray with him.  Which I complyed with.  And am greatly rejoiced at any Signs of his Penitence.  I have much Trouble in my mind for my Son John that he is not Apprenticed, but cannot tell where to put him.  John has his Finger jammed between the Stones in making Wall.

1769 June 6 (Tuesday).  Read London Magazine for January and Send it to Mr. Mein again, by Mr. Thomas Twitchell, of whom I bought a small fore quarter of Veal, weight 11 1/2.  This afternoon at 4 o’Clock is the Time for the Solemn Obsequies at Cambridge, the late Venerable President being to be interred.

1769 June 7 (Wednesday).  Mr. Hutchinson of Grafton dined with me and preached my Lecture.  His Text was Joh. 1.31.  May Grace be given that we may all profit by it!  Visit Mr. Garfield and pray with him again.  N.B. Mr. Hutchinsons and Mr. Tainters Altercations here at my House concerning one Mr. Samuel Ely, a prea[cher?] [torn]rs.  Master Rice and Mr. John Wood here at Tea also.  Mr. Phinehas Maynard invites me to raising his House tomorrow.

1769 June 8 (Thursday).  Read London Magazine for November 1768.  P.M. Go to the Raising of Mr. Phineas Maynards New House.  Many there.  Sing Watts’s Ps. 128.

1769 June 9 (Friday).  Attend Closely to my preparations of one kind and another.  Would cry earnestly to G. for His Grace to prepare me for the holy Communion.  Mr. Putnam of Pomfret here.  O may I be truely Serious!

1769 June 10 (Saturday).  The Work before us is very Solemn and arduous.  O for divine Grace.