Category: Diary

1769 June 11 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 51 to v. 33.  Preached on Luk. 14.18.  Administered the Lords supper.  Mr. Rice, Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Parker dined here.  P.M. read 1 Cor. 9.  Preached on Isa. 63.8.

1769 June 12 (Monday).  Visit the Widow Adams who is ill.  Called to See Garfield who is better.  Called at Neighbour Andrews’s, and brought thence a piece of striped Cloth, wove by Mrs. Beeman.  Hear that my Son Ebenezers valuable Horse dyed Suddenly.  N.B. This morning, as Temple was plowing with my Mare, She was frighted Suddenly and ran away; passed through the adjoining Rye, threw down the Fence, passed over the Rails and went up the Road.  Temple was So hurt in his left Arm, that he broke off from Work, in the forenoon, and went to Mr. Parkers, and to Dr. Flynts to get his Elbow Set; and did not return till late at night.

1769 June 13 (Tuesday).  John is ill with stomach-Ach.  Temple is so lame that he cannot work.  Coll. Williams of Marlborough here.  Eben. Maynard jr. dined with us.  P.M. I visited Ensign Fay and his Family.  Besides the Death of her only Sister White at Boston, their Son Jeduthun was taken very ill in the Meeting House last Lords Day: but he is now in great Measure recovered.  I also visited Capt. B. Fay’s Wife, who being near her time has been confined from public Worship and in particular from Sacrament.  I went likewise to See poor Mr. Moses Brigham who is very bad with his Cough, etc.  Prayed with him as well as Spent Time with him in Discourse to quicken and forward him in his preparation.  He asks me to preach there at Some convenient time, Seeing he has been So long confined at home.  Called at Lieut. Bakers to desire him to Supply me with a good Horse etc. and he tells me he will endeavour it, as Soon as he can.  He offers to take my Mare now as Soon as I will, but then I must be without a Horse for our necessary Service.

1769 June 14 (Wednesday).  A Letter from Mr. Collins Moore informs of their Distresses in Oxford by reason of the Sickness and Mortality again among them.  Temple unable to work.  John does Somewhat a.m.  Goes out again at almost 5 p.m.

1769 June 15 (Thursday).  Neither Temple nor John can work to Day.  My weeding is deferred.  John goes up to Grafton or Uxbridge to one Mr. Dun and brings from thence a foot-wheel, price 5£ O.T.  P.M. Had a Catechetical Exercise, on Qu. 91.92.  N.B. 27 Young Women.  This Number is more encouraging, and I hope we shall continue this Custom.  Mr. John Wesson of Wellington, Connecticut, here with Flax.  Buy 24 1/2 lb. at 5/ old Tenor.

1769 June 16 (Friday).  Mr. Elisha Davis of Leominster here, is in trouble about Paul Biglow, respecting a Note etc.  John not well, but goes to plough.  Temple is Still too lame to do any Thing in the Field, goes to Mill, etc.  Mrs. Hannah Snow here and is examined.  P.M. Mr. Moses Hemingway of Wells called to see me, with his Brother Jonathan.

1769 June 17 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1769 June 18 (Sunday).  Read Jer. 51, v. 24 to the End.  Preached a. and p.m. on Isa. 63.8.  Read p.m. 1 Cor. 10.  Mr. Fessendens mother, and Mrs. Maynard as well as Mr. Rice dine here.  N.B. Mr. Garfield, notwithstanding there were good Symptoms a While agoe, yet has grown worse, has bled much.  Mr. Jonathan Cook this morning fell into a Coal Pit; and though he got out again, yet not without being much burnt.

1769 June 19 (Monday).  Temple goes to work again.  John rides to Mr. Dun’s to carry back one foot Wheel, and bring us another and better.  Samuel Whipple comes to work, to put up the Weather boards to my Barn, brings his Brother Jonathan to work with him.  They have Temple to help the forenoon.  At Eve Samuel asks 33/ if it be paid this week.  Miss Kezia Adams from Medfield, here and dined with us.  P.M. she went to her Uncle Morse’s at Shrewsbury.  I visited and prayed with sick Garfield.  Went to Haskills to get a Chaise to go to Rochester.

1769 June 20 (Tuesday).  Received 4 Dollars of Mrs. Newton.  Visit Mr. [torn] Cook at Capt. Maynards.  Marryed Hephzebah.

1769 June 21 (Wednesday).  Breakfast with Master Rice at [torn] Andrews’, in my Way to Sudbury Association Fast.  Master goes with me, to Mr. Bridge’s, who prayed a.m. and Mr. Stone preached on Ezra 9.13.14.  P.M. I prayed (though Father Loring [torn] it zealously, yet) Mr. Goss on Mat. 6.33.  And now we have gone round the Association with Fasts.  May the Lord pardon, graciously accept and bless us!  Mr. Stone and I tarry and Lodge at Mr. Bridge’s.

1769 June 22 (Thursday).  In our returning from Sudbury we called at divers places.  I called to See my sister in Law, Baldwin.  Mr. Stone and I went in to Capt. Baldwins.  Mr. Smith being so ill that he could not attend the Ministers Meeting, we both went to see him, and din’d there.  I went to the Weaver Goldings and paid him for his dying to this Day.  Was at Mr. Solomon Newtons who discovered to me how to make the Newton Ointment.  Called at Lt. Brighams, Adonijah Rice’s, William Woods.

1769 June 23 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1769 June 24 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1769 June 25 (Sunday).  Read the last Chapter of Jeremiah.  Preached on Isa. 63.9.10-15, and thought to have made Additions to the Application of the Sermon on v. 8, but the strictures on these verses, engrossed me so wholly that I could not compass that Design, and yet preached too long.  I suppose above an Hour.  But it could not well be divided.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 11 and (with many Alterations etc.) preached on 2 Tim. 1.[torn] to the End of p. 8.  And May God be pleased to bless my weak [at]tempts!  Mr. Rice dined with us.

[1769 June 26 (Monday).]  [W]ent to Capt. Maynard to purpose to know his Mind about [torn] Road northerly of the Meeting House.  Went also with his son [torn] to the place to see where the Stone Wall had best be placed.  [torn] Little Elias threw a stone yesterday at the Moscovy Drake, [torn] drive him off from a Goslin, and unhappily killed him.  [P.]M. Came Mr. Thaddeus Warrin to inform us that This Morning expired Miss Bridget Cushing!  [illegible] Cushing desires we would attend her Funeral on Wednesday.  Read Dr. C. Mather on the famous Mr. John Bailey of Watertown.  At Eve came Lt. Baker and Mr. Henry Prentice.  The latter comes about buying the Mare.

1769 June 27 (Tuesday).  Am reading the World displayed Vol. 3.  The Conquest of Peru by the Pizarro’s etc., and of Chili.  Settlement of Brazil by the Portugueze.  At Lt. Bakers and Wheelocks.  Neighbour Lt. begins to repair his House.  My Daughter Sarah droops.  John also is too poorly to work.

1769 June 28 (Wednesday).  Sarah rides with me in Lt. Bakers Chaise, to the Sorrowful Funeral of Miss Bridget Cushing.  We went to Breakfast at Capt. Allens, dined at Mrs. Cushings.  Mr. Stone, Morse, Maccarty, Mellen, Sumner and I were Pall-bearers.  Mr. Joshua Smith, Lewis Allen, Thaddeus Maccarty and James Curtis, were under bearers.  Coll. Ward ranged the people in Procession; which was very great, and mournfull.  She having been high in, I suppose, every ones esteem.  I was oblig’d [torn] to pray, before the Procession.  The Lord forgive what was amiss!  And grant us all to be ready also.  Mrs. Cushing prayed me to return without Sarah who was not very well, and She could be brought home in the Morning.  I complyed.

1769 June 29 (Thursday).  Mr. Cushing brought Sarah home.  Lieutenant’s Chaise is returned home.

1769 June 30 (Friday).  Mr. Thomas Newton of Deerfield here to See me — after 29 Year.  A Number of young Men were here to join as a Society for religious Purposes.  Solomon Maynard (who was of the former Society) led the way.  And I having Instructed exhorted and prayed with them, the following persons Signed the Articles, viz. Benjamin Fay, junr., Jonathan Forbes, Levi Brigham, John Arnold, Ebenezer Maynard, junr., Josiah Newton, John Fay, Eli Harrington, Nathan Fay.  This, I have heard, was concerted and agreed upon, after meeting last Sabbath Day: and it was Seasonable after the Sermon p.m. of that Day.  I am much rejoiced at it, and wish they may have Grace to conduct proportionably.

1769 July 1 (Saturday).  Temple has my Mare to Framingham.  His Sister Sara is [torn] ill.  My Son John is still incapable of Labor.  We have Account of the Death of the Aged and pious Dr. Se[wel?] My F.  My F.  The Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof [illegible].

1769 July 2 (Sunday).  Read Lam. 1.  Preached on Luk. 14.18.  P.M. Read 1 Cor. 12.  Then on Occasion of the Young mens Meeting now reviv’d, went on with Repetition of Discourse on 2 Tim. 1.4,5.  After the public Exercises the You[ng] men above mentioned met at the Noon House (as it is called) to pray, read and Sing.  I think 10 of them.

1769 July 3 (Monday).  Rode to Marlborough principally to visit Brother Smith under his distressing Trouble by Pain and Faintness at his Stomach.  In my Way I called at Several Places — at Cornet Brighams, at Widow Beemans, at Mr. Jabez Rices, Cousen Larkin Williams who is very much demolished, I fear in all regards.  May God be merciful to him and his!  I dined at Mr. Smiths.  I am grieved for his Sufferings!  May God be gracious to him.  Visit Mrs. Dexter and Dr. Curtis who lodges there.  Visit at Squire Brighams, in pursuit of a good Horse.

 

[1769 July 4 through 1769 August 9: no diary.]

1769 August 10 (Thursday).  Have writ to my Wife at Rochester in answer to hers of the 1st.  Write to Mr. Gray about the Feathers, that he mayn’t wonder that I ha’n’t sent.  Write to Mrs. Holbrook for the Laborator.  Send by Mr. Moses Harrington.  Miss Kezia goes back to her uncle Morse’s.  At Eve Lieut. Baker, at my Desire, calls here.  I again Apply to him for an Horse instead of what I have.  He Says he has none that will do.  But says he is ready to take this again, as Soon as I can get one that will Suit me better.  A Letter from Mr. Hutchinson desiring to Change next Sabbath.  One of my Daughters, having borrowed of Mr. Whitney the History of Lady Julia Mandeville in 2 small Volumes, I run through the first.

1769 August 11 (Friday).  Finish the 2d.  Though there are Dangers by the Softnesses in these Books and Young people had need beware, yet there are in this work, some strong and worthy Sentiments; and it exhibits a most affecting Tragedy!  It holds forth also a lively Picture of the utter uncertainty of human Enjoyments and Dependencys.  “Boast not thy Self of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a Day may bring forth”!  This divine passage might with great propriety be inserted; but Such Authors are afraid of having their Works smell of Christianity and the Word of God.  My Daughter Sarah, who is So much my Comfort, and Guide of the House now her Mother is gone, grows ill; goes to bed before Dark.  She is Worse.  After I was got to Bed, She wants to see me.  She has been so sick as to Vomit some Number of Times.  I call John to go to the Doctor.  Temple readily offers to go — and the Doctor Came, leaves various Things, besides an Anodyne.  It is nigh 11 in the Night when he leaves us.

1769 August 12 (Saturday).  Sarah not much better.  Has Vomited Several Times.  I gave her Sal Absynthii.  May God be grac[torn] for her!  I went to the Doctors for Sarah, but she does not vomit sin[torn] of womwood [sic].  John Arnold brings a Letter from Mr. [torn] dated the 8th giving me account of his own being ill of a [torn] requesting me to go to Brookfield to preach th[torn] row; whereas Mr. Hutchinson depends upon me, Since I have [torn] word to the Contrary.  But Sarah’s Illness forb[torn] not able to set up any longer then while her B[torn] P.M. Temple asks me to Consent to his joi[torn] Men in their Meeting.  After Some Discourse [torn] Charge, and Solemn Caution, I consent.  [torn] Sincere, and Grace to be stedfast!  Rode to Gr[torn].

1769 August 13 (Sunday).  Mr. Hutchinson to my Disquietment not only tarryed till morning, but now stays long before he setts out for Westborough.  I preached at Grafton a. and p.m. on Gal. 1, former part of v. 15 and former part of v. 16.  P.M. baptized 3 Children, viz. Elijah, of Mr. Aaron Kimbal, Cyrus, of Mr. John Stow, and Anna, of Mr. Dan. Willard.  Returned to Westborough at Evening and Mr. Hutchinson to Grafton.  His Texts were Luk. 16.3, Mat. 20.31 to 34.  Moses Brigham grows worse.  Mr. Hutchinson called there and prayed.  I also called there and talked very Seriously to him, warning, cautioning, etc.

1769 August 14 (Monday).  Sarah is weak yet, but is Somewhat more comfortable and has got down below.  I am concerned about going to Brookfield.  Went to Mr. Dan. Forbes to see if he would not go.  He concludes either to go, or provide me an Horse to ride there.  Was at Lt. Harringtons — her Conversation was gracious and generous.

1769 August 15 (Tuesday).  Rode to Southborough to Ministerial Meeting.  Dined at Mr. Stones.  None came to the Concio, of members, but Mr. Goss and Mr. Jos. Bridge.  Mr. Goss shews Displeasure at what (not only Mr. Loring, but what) Mr. Stone and I did at the Fast at East Sudbury in inducing him to give us any [Th?]ing under his Hand concerning what the Church of Bolton has voted of Satisfaction with him.  At Eve came Father Loring.  Lodged there.

1769 August 16 (Wednesday).  Mr. Loring prayed at the Public Lecture.  I preached on Prov. 4.18.  Mr. Smith, to our surprize, came to Meeting.  Mr. Benjamin Brigham Examined and approbated.  I engaged him to preach for me when I shall be gone to Rochester as I [torn] secured Mr. Steward to preach for me next Sabbath [torn] as I purpose to go to Brookfield.  Mr. Cushing wai[torn]is mother there, and on me home.  Dr. Hawes and Wife visi[torn]r. Cushing lodges here.

1769 August 17 (Thursday).  [torn] Brookfield to See my son Forbes who has been [torn] Deacon Wood accompanied me to Worcester.  At Lei[torn]d with Mr. Matthew Watson the Sadler about taking [torn] Mr. Conklins — called at Deacon Oliver Watsons in [torn]s sake.  Lodged at Mr. Forbes.  N.B. Mr. John [torn]es there also, following his studys.  [torn] Baldwins.  Visit my Children and Friends.  [torn] to the W[illegible] Inhabitants [torn] Mr. Daniel F[illegible].

1769 August 20 (Sunday).  The Fever has so far left Mr. Forbes that he went to Meeting and prayed one part of the Day.  I preached on Prov. 4.18, a. and p.m.  May God be pleased to add His almighty Blessing!

1769 August 21 (Monday).  Visit divers Families and Old Mr. Charles Rice, at his son Zebulun’s.  Dined at my Son P______s.  P.M. Mr. Forbes and I visited Rev. Mr. Parsons — Mr. Mic. Martyns, and the Manufactory House, which they begin to work in.  We return at Eve to Mr. F.’s and I lodged there, as I have done every Night, and with Brother Eliot aforesaid.

1769 August 22 (Tuesday).  Sat out on my journey from Brookfield.  Mr. John Eliot accompanys me to his Father’s, where we breakfast.  Squire is gone a Journey.  I called again at each of the Watsons on my son John’s Account but neither of them inclined to take a ‘Prentice.  Dined at Mr. Conklins.  Called at Mr. Maccartys, Capt. Curtis’s, Mr. Sumners etc.  Arrived at Eve in safety and found all well.  To God be Glory.  My Daughter Sarah informs me that Samuel has been at home, came on purpose to consult me about his undertaking to keep a store for Henry Barns Esq.  of Marlborough as far off as Northfield.  And that my Daughter Lydia and her little William have been here, from Ashby.  Mr. Steward preached for me last Lords Day a.m. on Hos. 13.9 and on Act. 4.12.

1769 August 23 (Wednesday).  My Son Samuel having left his Request relative to his keeping Mr. Barns’s Store, I rode down to Marlborough.  Breakfast at Mr. Barns’s, conferred with him on the Business and wrote to Samuel by Dr. Crosby, that if the way was clear with respect to Mr. Capon, and it Should appear to be for his Benefit (or to Such purpose) I was willing.  Sent also by Mr. Sumner to Mrs. Holbrook for the Laboratory.  Visit Mr. Smith, and dine with him.  Take Advice of him respecting Samuels Undertaking.  Call at Squire Brighams and at George’s with respect to an Horse he has to sell.  Returning Home call at Edmund Brighams to make him a Visit, but he was gone to Boston.  Am very pensive on Samuels Affair.  Write to him again by Mr. Moses Harrington of Grafton.  May God be pleased to grant Wisdom!  Enoch Rice of Brookfield came to me, and confessed freely his Evil Conduct and saucy Language when he contested with me last Year: and asks forgivness, upon which I forgave him.  May God forgive!