Category: Diary

1724 August 16 (Sunday).  Preach’d all Day.  Acts 2.37.38.

1724 August 17 (Monday).  I rode to Cambridge through Framingham on Mr. Samuel Hardys[1] Horse.  Met Deacon Haven[2] on the Roade.  We Call’d at Captain Goddards and at Mr. Swifts.  Here was Mr. Brintnal.[3]  I asked him to help me.  I got down in the Evening.

[1]Of Westborough.

[2]Moses Haven of Framingham.

[3]William Brintnall (Yale 1721), schoolmaster of Sudbury, 1722-1726.  Dexter, pp. 244-245.

1724 August 18 and 19 (Tuesday and Wednesday).  It rain’d so I was detain’d at Cambridge.

1724 August 20 (Thursday).  I rode to Boston.  Mr. Sewall[1] preach’d.  He is Chosen president of Harvard College.  In the after noon I was at Mr. Gee’s where were Mr. Thomas Foxcroft,[2] Mr. Wigglesworth,[3] Mr. Prince (Nathan),[4] Mr. Turell[5] and Mr. [blank], a Gentleman from the Bank.  I return’d to Cambridge in the Evening.

[1]Joseph Sewall (Harvard 1707), D.D., minister of the Old South Church, Boston.  Sibley, V, 376-393.

[2](Harvard 1714).  Minister of the First Church in Boston.  Sibley, VI, 47-58.

[3]Edward Wigglesworth (Harvard 1710), D.D., Professor of Divinity, Harvard College.  Sibley, V, 546-555.

[4](Harvard 1718). Tutor and fellow of Harvard College.  Brother of Thomas Prince, the historian.  Sibley, VI, 268-279.

[5]Reverend Ebenezer Turell (Harvard 1721), minister of Medford.  Sibley, VI, 574-582.

1724 August 21 (Friday).  I rode away for Westborough.  Met Mrs. Martha Clark[1] and Sister with Mrs. Lasten by riding to Newton.  Farther on the Road I met Mr. Bartlett[2] of Brookfield by whom I learnt Something Considerable of the Town.  I stopt at Merchant Woods[3] at Marlborough.  He walked with me to Mr. Brecks.[4]  Mr. Breck I found ill.  I lodged here.  Early to Westborough in the morning (22) to prepare for the Sabbath.

[1]Mrs. Uriah Clark of Framingham.

[2]Thomas Bartlet.

[3]Benjamin Woods.

[4]Reverend Robert Breck of Marlborough.

1724 August 23 (Sunday).  Preach’d all Day.  Tit. 2.12.  News that Captain Harmon[1] had slain 5 or 6 Score Indians at Norridgewock with Sebastian Ralle[2] the Old Jesuit and brought in his and 26 or 27 Scalps besides and Delivered Three Captives from the Enemy.  Among those that were Slain of the Indians Bummageem was one.  His wife and Two Sons were taken Captive and brought to York and Piscataqua.  And in all we lost not a Man but an Indian, a Cape Fellow.  Deo Opt. Max. Gloria Triumphi.  Captain Harmon (it is storied) found an Iron Chest with the Jesuit which had many Letters in it, Some from Gentlemen at Boston (O Horrids) Betraying our Country.

[1]Colonel Johnson Harmon.

[2]Father Sebastian Rale, head of the Jesuit mission at Norridgewock, Maine.  See James P. Baxter, The Pioneers of New France in New England (Albany, 1891)

1724 August 25 (Tuesday).  I rode Early in the Morn to Marlborough.  Mr. Breck ill yet.  Then rode (with Deacon Peters) over to Stow to the Association[1] at Mr. Gardners.  A Thin Meeting, Mr. Swift and Cushing, Mr. Jenison,[2] Mr. Barrett[3] and Mr. Brintnall.  Mr. Ickyl, etc. up at Stow.

[1]The accepted date and place for the formation of the Marlborough Association of ministers is June 5, 1725, at the house of Mr. Breck in Marlborough.  From this entry in
the Parkman diary it is clear that an association was in existence before that time.  Levi A. Field, An Historical Sketch of the First Congregational Church in Marlborough, Mass. (Worcester, 1859), pp. 16-18.  Joseph Allen, The Worcester Association and Its Antecedents (Boston, 1868), p. 5.

[2]William Jennison (Harvard 1724), later minister of the Second Church of Salem, Mass., 1728-1736.  Sibley, V, 371-374.

[3]Reverend Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

1724 August 26 (Wednesday).  Mr. Barrett Preach’d but Mr. Jenison prayed.  Good entertainment, but no great Matter of Business done.  I rode away with the Rest about 5 o’Clock p.m.  Mr. Brintnall to preach for Me.  I rode to Cambridge.  Cousin Sarah Champney[1] at Uncle Champneys.[2]  Between 10 and eleven o’Clock.

[1]Daughter of Joseph and Sarah Champney of Cambridge.  Sister of Parkman’s classmate, Joseph Champney.

[2]Joseph Champney, Sr.

1724 August 27 (Thursday).  Not very Well.  I could not go to Boston.

1724 August 28 (Friday).  I rode to Framingham; preach’d.  The Text was John 15.14.  Deacon Robie lodged with me.

1724 August 29 (Saturday).  Mr. Brintnall came.  We rode to Captain Goddards and to Westborough.

1724 August 30 (Sunday).  Mr. Brintnall preach’d for Me but he would not pray at all Save after the forenoon Sermon.  He said he was indisposed.  Indians at Northhampton and Westfield.

1724 August 31 (Monday).  Workmen about the Chamber.

1724 September 1 (Tuesday).  Those that were Members of the Committee[1] met at Mr. Pratts.

[1]This meeting reached the decision to organize a church in Westborough.  DeForest and Bates, Westborough, p. 69.

1724 September 2 (Wednesday).  In the Morning I rode with My Landlord[1] over to Hopkinton to Mr. Barrett’s Ordination.  We met in Mr. Barretts New House.  Mr. Appleton[2] Pray’d First; Mr. Webb of Boston Preach’d; Mr. Dor then pray’d; Mr. Swift gave the Charge; Mr. Brown[3] of Reading the right Hand of Fellowship; and Elder Lyman[4] Set the Psalm.  We din’d handsomely.  Mr. Cushing, Mr. Thornton Barrett,[5] Cousin Charles Coffin and I all Lodg’d at Mr. Woods.  N.B. Mr. Webb, discourse in the Evening, of the Doctors of the Church.  Viz. Tillotson, Scott, etc.

[1]David Maynard.

[2]Reverend Nathaniel Appleton (Harvard 1712) of Cambridge.  Sibley, V, 599-609.

[3]Reverend Richard Brown, Jr.

[4]Deacon Caleb Lyman of the New North Church, Boston.

[5]Of Hopkinton.

1724 September 3 (Thursday).  Mr. T. Fowle and Mrs. Spencer came over to us at Woods.  We had a good Dinner.  Mr. Cushing and I carried the Ladies home to Mr. Barretts and return’d to My Lodging at Westborough.  Mr. Cushing Lodg’d with Me.

1724 September 4 (Friday).  Mr. Cushing went home p.m.  The Members of the Church, with those that had offered themselves to join, Came to See me and acquainted Me with their Meeting last Tuesday, with their most happy Union; and to See what I thought necessary further to be done.  Our Consultation lasted til sundown.  We concluded with a Prayer.

1724 September 5 (Saturday).  I prepar’d for the Sabbath.  O My own Inconstancy and instability in these unsettled Times! — when Steadiness is so much demanded.

1724 September 6 (Sunday).  I preach’d from Luke 10.42 and James 1.22.

1724 October 1 (Thursday).  Dr. Mather[1] preach’d the Lecture, which was upon the Death of Gurdon Saltonstall, Governour of Connecticut.  Mr. Green[2] was in Town but I could not come to Speak to him.  I waited upon Mr. Webb[3] at Mr. Bromfields[4] for the covenant of our Church at Boston.  Just at Night my consort and I went over to Charleston.  She was very much affrighted indeed, But Mr. and Mrs. Appleton[5] were in the Boat.  My Horse was put up at Boylstons.[6]  We visited Mrs. Larkin.[7]  I came up to Cambridge, though a little late.

[1]Cotton Mather.

[2]Joseph Green of Boston.

[3]Reverend John Webb of Boston.

[4]Edward Bromfield, selectman of Boston.

[5]Probably Reverend and Mrs. Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge.

[6]Richard Boylston of Charlestown.

[7]Probably Mrs. Edward Larkin of Charlestown.

1724 October 2 (Friday).  I came up to Westborough.  I din’d at Mr. Williams’[1] (Weston).  I asked him to preach my Ordination Sermon.  He made Some Provisos.  I left him now by 3/4 past 3, But got up to Mr. Brecks by Daylight in.  He was very ill.  He invited me to tarry with him tonight, but I had appointed to meet our Church at my Lodging and therefore left him.  In riding thence home I met with a Sad Mischance.  My Cloak (and van Mastericht wrapt in it) broke from my Portmanteau as it was buckled behind me.  And it was very dark, but Still I thought it best to alight and look back for it.  (I was not so far as Captain Wards.)  I did so; and keeping my horse in my hand, with my Eyes near the Ground, and Swinging my Cane for 3/4 of a Mile back, I at length found it.  I therefore did not get home till the people were gone.  I got a very bad Cold and Sore Throat, But

[1]Reverend William Williams (Harvard 1705).  Sibley, V, 295-300.

1724 October 3 (Saturday).  I prepar’d for the Sabbath And

1724 October 4 (Sunday).  preach’d all Day from Josh. 24.15.

1724 October 5 (Monday).  In the Afternoon the Church Members met together.

1724 October 6 (Tuesday).  I had my Landlords Horse to Ride to Marlboro to See Mr. Breck.  I acquainted him with our Management and with Mr. Rice[1] and his Concern, etc.  Mr. Breck said he did not Expect that he should be with us, however he had no thought of any such thing as Excepting against Mr. Rice.  I call’d in at Merchant Amsdens.[2]  Here were Captain Willard[3]  of Sutton.  Mr. Bailey[4] of Lancaster and Mr. Wilder.[5]  N.B. Captain Willardconcerning Mr. Cushing and I.  I rode to Mr. Samuel Hows[6] in my way to Mr. Swifts.  I lodg’d at Mr. Swifts.[7]

[1]Probably Thomas Rice of Westborough.

[2]Captain Isaac Amsden of Marlborough.

[3]Jonathan Willard.

[4]Benjamin Bayley or Bailey, constable.

[5]Probably Ebenezer Wilder, also of Lancaster.

[6]Of Framingham.

[7]Rev. John Swift of Framingham.

1724 October 7 (Wednesday).  Mr. Stone[1] came to See Mr. Swift in the Morn.  I inquir’d of Mr. Swift concerning a form of Letter to Send to Churches to request their Help in Ordination but was not satisfy’d.  I rode to Mr. Jones’[2] where I heard of Mrs. Barrett[3] and the Death of her Child.  She had been in Travail a long time and very hardly escaped herself.  I rode up to Hopkinton and was in good Season for the funerall.  A Sorrowful Time!  I rode to Mr. Woods[4] and lodg’d there.

[1]Probably Thomas Stone, selectman of Framingham.  Josiah H. Temple, History of Framingham (Framingham, 1887), p.708.

[2]Probably Colonel John Jones of Hopkinton (now Ashland).

[3]No indication of a Barrett death at this time in Hopkinton Vital Records (Boston, 1911).

[4]Captain John Wood of Hopkinton.

1724 October 8 (Thursday).  I return’d to Westborough.  I call’d to see Mr. Increase Ward to discourse with him about his Entering into the Church, baptism, etc.

1724 October 9 (Friday).  My Business about this time was reading Ordination Sermons and wherever the Minister’s Duty was Explain’d, Especially van Mastricht, De Ministaris Ecclesiastico.

1724 October 10 (Saturday).  According to Mr. Barretts Desire I rode over to Hopkinton.  On the road met Captain Fay and his Wife going to Mr. Woods.

1724 October 11 (Sunday).  I preach’d at Hopkinton and Mr. Barrett at Westborough.  My text, Heb. 12.1; James 1.22.  Mr. Barrett went and return’d to Day.  Mr. Fowles good Company Here.

1724 October 12 (Monday).  I return’d to Westborough.  Mrs. Wood[1] at her house discours’d about Some Methods for the people in their provision for Ordination.  In the Evening came a Committee to treat with my Landlord about providing, etc.  There was much Caring about bringing up my Goods.

 

Memorandum.  I formed Letters (by the Towns Desire) to be Sent to Severall Churches, (viz. Boston to Mr. Webb, Framingham Mr. Swift, Marlborough Mr. Breck, Lancaster Mr. Prentice[2] and (a Letter from myself to ask him to preach), Sudbury Mr. Loring,[3] and Mendon Mr. Dorr).  These were drawn up on the 9th Day.

[1]Mrs. Benjamin Wood.

[2]Reverend John Prentice (Harvard 1700).  Sibley, IV, 529-532.

[3]Reverend Israel Loring (Harvard 1701).  Sibley, V, 75-83.

1724 October 13 (Tuesday).  I read Sermons, etc.  Mr. Edmund Rice[1] with me in the Evening.

[1]Of Westborough.

1724 October 14 (Wednesday).  This Day I Solemnly Dedicated to Humiliation and Prayer to prepare myself (by the grace of God) for the Awful Time approaching.

1724 October 28 (Wednesday).  This was truely the Greatest Day I ever Yet Saw — The Day of my Solemn Separation to the Work of the Gospel Ministry and my Ordination to the Pastorate in Westborough.

 

The Solemnity came on and proceeded in the manner following.

 

In Order to the gathering the Church, a Covenant was prepar’d before hand; read, and consider’d by the Candidates for Membership, and was Sign’d.

 

N.B. An Ecclesiastical Council was form’d, and they having got all Things ready (as they apprehended) proceeded to the Meeting House.  N.B. Reverend Mr. Swift was Sent to, but he was detain’d by Sickness in his Family.  Nevertheless the Church sent two Delegates, viz. Colonel Buckminster[1] and Captain Goddard.[2]

 

Reverend Mr. Breck was also Sent to, but he was himself so ill (of the Strangury) that he could not attend.  Those ministers being Absent, the Council, with Consent, Admitted and requested Reverend Mr. Williams of Weston to Assist.

 

Being come to the House of God, the Reverend Mr. Dorr of Mendon open’d the Solemnity with Prayer.  The Reverend Mr. Prentice of Lancaster preach’d a Suitable Sermon from 2 Cor. 12.15.  Afterwards The Reverend Mr. Williams of Weston aforesaid pray’d and gather’d the Church.  There were 12 besides the Pastor Elect, who sign’d the Covenant and answered to their Names in the Assembly.

 

The Reverend Mr. Prentice gave the Solemn Charge.

 

The Reverend Mr. Loring of Sudbury the Right Hand of Fellowship.

 

The Ordain’d appointed the Psalm (part of the 68th) and gave the Blessing.

 

I wish Every Day throughout my Life, may bear a Suitable proportion to this Day!  That I may be Strong in the Grace which is in Christ Jesus, and that I may grow then into the Glory of God and the Edification of His Church!  Amen![3]

[1]Joseph Buckminster of Framingham.  Temple, Framingham, p. 490

[2]Captain Edward Goddard of Framingham.  Temple, Framingham, p. 566.

[3]See DeForest and Bates, Westborough, pp. 81-84, and Westborough Church Records.

September 1725.  My mother rode up with me to Westborough.

 

1725 September 14 (Tuesday).  This Morning was very Cloudy, Not only abroad as to the weather but in the house with respect to my wife who for about Three hours was in great Extremity.  I thought I had not been earnest enough with God yet, notwithstanding what passt last night, etc.  Then again Engaged in a Short but Fervent Devotion, and Ten Minutes past Eight my wife was delivered of a Daughter.  I cryed unto God most high, unto God who is a very present Help in time of Trouble and performeth all things for us, and He brought Salvation.  He put joy and Gladness into our Hearts; and O that we may never forget his Benefits!