Category: Diary

1770 January 11 (Thursday).  John was very much indisposed: Had taken some [Aperiants?], and had taken Cold by going out too much in so searching Weather.  At Eve he was very sick.  Mr. Francis Whipples Son Abner dyed this morn.

1770 January 12 (Friday).  I attended the Funeral of little Abner Whipple (Son of Mr. Francis Whipple), nigh 4 Years old.  A Child much set by, and which the Grand Parents had Set much by.  He was taken ill but last Monday, and dyed yesterday morning Some time before Day.  N.B. Mr. Jonathan Park of Sutton brought my Watch last Night from Mr. Rogers of Newtown, Cleaned and Set to rights as I hope.  I suppose Ensign Miller has been clearing in my Chauncy Swamp, he having been here yesterday and desired to bargain with me about it.  And Some body has been at work to day there, as I conceive.

1770 January 13 (Saturday).  John but tender.  Am obliged to depend upon my two Elias’s, with Johns oversight of them.  Mr. Allen of Sutton, from Boston brings Letters from Mr. Moore.  All well.

1770 January 14 (Sunday).  I have asked Mr. James Parker, School-master, to preach for me part of the Day — and therefore have prepared for but one part my Self.  But I can’t understand whether he is able to come out, being valetudinary.  And therefore to carry on my Subject of Repentance and particularly of that part which is concerning Conviction of sin, I used part of my Discourse on John 16.8, viz. Some passages here and there from p. 9, and then from p. 11 to 16, intending to deliver p.m. what I had prepared for that Exercise.  But Mr. Parker came to meeting.  He dined with me, and undertook if I would pray (the first prayer) to deliver a short sermon which he did on Eccl. 1.2.  Vanity etc.  N.B. Mrs. Green expired this morning.  Miss Molly Whipple is ill of the Throat Distemper.  My son John goes not out — has last night taken physic, and is tender (though his Physic does not work), and is under Other Disadvantages.  Ruth Bellows with us.  She came yesterday.

1770 January 15 (Monday).  John being confined, having taken another Portion of physick, and the Bucket of the Lower Well having dropt in, the Cattle (17 Head) were drove to the ponds in the South Pasture; but it was very icy and Slippery under the Snow, so that the Pied Coww (as She is called), somewhat heavy with Calf, fell in to the water, and her hinder parts were covered.  We were alarmed.  Mr. Edmund Chamberlin helped her out.  The most of the Cattle were afraid to go to drink.  Was obliged to go to Neighbour Arnolds for assistance to get up the Bucket.  John Arnold succeeds in it, and in fastening it on the Pole.  It is with considerable Exertment that my two Boys, this cold Day, get their work done.  Orig. Sacrae.

1770 January 16 (Tuesday).  My Wife and I attend the Funeral of Mrs. Abigail Green (wife of Mr. Joseph Green junior).  She is buryed with great Lamentation.  The Lord Sanctifie her Death to all of us!  Orig. Sacr. at Evening.  Visited poor old Mr. Dunlop, dined there.  Prayed with them also.  Visit at Mr. Bucks — but still he is not at home; at Mr. Martyn Pratts; at Mrs. Kendals.  When I returned went out again to see poor Neighbour Williams who is worse.  At night one Aaron Stretton, a journey man to Mr. Wheelock, but born and bred at Cohanzy in the Jerseys, was here.

1770 January 17 (Wednesday).  [No entry.]

1770 January 18 (Thursday).  John goes to Brookfield designing to live with Mr. Hitchcock, Sadler.  I wrote to Mr. Hitchcock by him, and to his Brother P______ to look after the Affair.  Sermonizing — r [sic].

1770 January 19 (Friday).  Mr. Nurse with Mr. Thaddeus Warrin go to the Ministerial Lot — and having my Oxen, they draw with them and their own Teams 3 Logs to the saw-mill.  But going late they come home late in the Evening.  Sermonizing.  Master Bowman came to See me at Eve.  Also Mr. John Wood from Colrain.  Acquaints me that Mr. McClallan their minister is come down with him and is at his House.  I told him to give my Compliments and desire him to come here tomorrow.

1770 January 20 (Saturday).  A.M. do something further in my Preparations.  P.M. Mr. Wood came with Rev. Mr. Daniel McClallan.  He Shews me his Testimonials of his Licence for preaching — his admission into the Presbytery, and his Installment Pastor of Coulrain.  Which having seen and interrogated as I then thought meet, I asked him to preach tomorrow.  He endeavoured to excuse himself as a stranger etc., Presbyterian etc., but upon my manifesting my Self Satisfyed and repeating my Desire, he consented to preach half the Day.  Afterwards he yielded to the other Part also.  He returned to Mr. Wood’s.

1770 January 21 (Sunday).  Though a Cold Day yet there was a considerable Assembly, especially in the afternoon.  Mr. McClellan preached a.m. on Rom.5.6 and p.m. on Heb. 3.7.8, and in the Close was fervent especially when he urged the Consideration of ETERNITY.  He and Master Parker dined here.  After the Exercises Mr. Wood came and conducted Mr. McC. to his House in his sleigh.  Ruth Bellows was here the last Week, but this Eve went home.  N.B. Received a M.S. Sermon from Mr. Loring with a Letter from him.  O that his prayers and wishes concerning me might be answered!  Read in the Evening to the Family part of Mr. Barkers Sermon in the morning Exercise on Mat. 11.24.

1770 January 22 (Monday).  Various Studys.

1770 January 23 (Tuesday).  Read the Life of the eminent Mr. Mitchel of Cambridge, in Dr. Mathers Magnalia.  Visit Neighbour Arnold who is confined yet.  At Eve Timothy Warrin junior came with a sleigh and in his Fathers Name, invite me who have not been to their New House, since they dwelt in it, and would have Mrs. P______ to ride with me, to visit them.  We could not resist this, though sudden, yet earnest Importunity.  We had a pleasant Time.  Mr. Andrews and his Wife, with Master Phinehas Bowman, and Mr. Stockwell, were there.  We had handsome Entertainment and civil and religious Conversation.  About nine we returned home.  Daniel How is here.  Stays and lodges with us.

1770 January 24 (Wednesday).  Magnalia.  M.S. of Mr. Loring on Humiliation which subject I am preparing upon.

1770 January 25 (Thursday).  Read Mr. Shepherds Sound Believer; on Compunction and Humiliation.  At Eve Ezra Baker brings Ruth Bellows.

1770 January 26 (Friday).  Ruth Spins here.  Jonathan Forbes goes to Brookfield charged with bringing back my Horse which John P______ rode up.

1770 January 27 (Saturday).  Mr. Morse with a sleigh carrys me to Mr. Seth Gashetts of Hopkinton where I dined.  Attend the Funeral of their son Simeon, aged 5 Years and almost 5 Months who dyed of the Throat Distemper.  The Grave was in the Gashett Land.

1770 January 28 (Sunday).  Preached on Act. 20.2l, those words, “testifying — Repentance towards God.”  Mr. McClallan at Meeting.  He dined here, as did Master Nat. Harrington and Master Taylor.  Mr. McClallan preached p.m. on 2 Thess. 1.7.8.  May God bless the awakening Discourse to us all!  He was here in the Evening.  Deacon Wood and his son waited upon him.

1770 January 29 (Monday).  A.M. was at Deacon Wood’s, and Spoke with Mr. McClalland, who seemed last Night somewhat to resent my insisting for his Credentials, before I asked him to preach; yet he then owned I had a Right to make Enquiry into those Things; nor did he make much Hesitation.  All was now (as I hope) set to rights.  We part in Peace.  At Eve Mr. Tainter and his wife made us a Visit and Supped here.  Magnalia etc.

1770 January 30 (Tuesday).  Before Day Dr. Hawes comes for Mrs. P______ and carrys her in his sleigh to his Wife who is in Travail.  Mr. William Pierce, and Benjamin Wood, Sent by the Deacon, killed two Piggs for me.  One of 100, the other 114 pounds.  Alexander came from Framingham.  Disappointed in his Design of carrying home his Wife and Child; by Reason of the Childs not being well, and the great Thaw.  Mrs. Hawes has a fine son.  I read some part of Winter Evening Entertainment, Vol. 1.

1770 January 31 (Wednesday).  Alexander returns to Sturbridge.  Jonas Kenny came kindly to assist in cutting and Salting our Pork.  At Eve came Jonathan Forbes from Brookfield with my Horse, and with a Letter from Mr. Forbes, that John is gone to live as apprentice to Mr. Hitchcock, that my son Breck is also come from Ashby to work with Mr. Hitchcocks Brother, a Shop-Joyner — and that all, especially my Daughter Baldwin, are well.  Blessed be God for all His Goodness to me and mine!  Thus ends this Month.  “So teach us to number our Days etc.!”

1770 February 1 (Thursday).  Capt. Jonathan Fay here to acquaint me with the Distresses of his Wife, and that the Infant born is dead.  They desire I would be with them tomorrow at the burying of it.  Sermonizing.  I visited Mrs. Hawes.  She is weak and low.  Prayed and gave Thanks to God.  Mr. Morse from Boston says, there the Report is, that the Acts are repealed.  Ruth and Sophy go to Dr. Hawes’s at Evening and tarryed all night.

1770 February 2 (Friday).  Ruth and Sophy return.  It happened that the expected Watcher did not come, and therefore Ruth was obliged to Stay and watch.  Sermonizing.  P.M. Attended the Funeral of Capt. Jonathan Fays Infant.  Mr. Steward called here.

1770 February 3 (Saturday).  At Eve came Alexander Oliver from Brookfield, and lodges here.

1770 February 4 (Sunday).  I go on with the Subject of Repentance and preach a. and p.m. on Act. 20.2l, though this Discourse was begun from 2 Cor. 7.10.  Mr. Parker dined here.  After the Exercises Deacon Wood informs that there is no Meeting to Day at Hopkinton, Mr. Barrett being hurt by the falling of his Horse.

1770 February 5 (Monday).  Alexander Oliver leaves us to go to Charlestown, and Boston if the Ferry be passable.  Mr. Seth Woods carrys away Ruth Bellows, to his Wife.  I visit and pray with Dr. Haws’s Wife, who is still very low.  P.M. Four young men came to chop up my Wood at the Door, viz. John Fay, Jonathan Forbes, Nathan Fay and Eli Harrington.  Mr. Moses Thompson and his sister Adams, who have come over to see their sister Hawes, Mr. Silas Hill and his wife, and Master Taylor, were here to see us.

1770 February 6 (Tuesday).  P.M. Mrs. P______ goes with me to the Family Meeting at Mr. N. Whitneys.  Preached on Heb. 2.1.  May God Bless this Exercise to us!  At Evening my son Alexander returns from Framingham.  Alexander Oliver from Charlestown.  They lodge here.  Aaron Stretton spends the Evening here.

1770 February 7 (Wednesday).  My son Alexander acquaints me with his Desire to throw up at Sturbridge and buy at Leicester, and settle there.  He waits on his Mother to Capt. Maynards.  P.M. He goes back to Framingham.  Consent to be bound for him for 600£ old Tenor on Condition that (as he proposes) the Premises be mortgaged to me for security.  Alexander Oliver goes home to Brookfield.  Wrote by him to John.  Wrote to Rochester and Sent it by Mr. Daniel Grout to Boston for Convayence.  Am Called to visit at Mr. Francis Whipple’s, another of his Children has the Throat Distemper.  Went and prayed with them.  Thence to Capt. Maynards and brought Mrs. P. home.  Sermonize on Prov. 28.13.  N.B. One Silas Childs, a poor rheumatic man, of Barnstable, and about 55 years of Age, here, and wants what can be spared him.

1770 February 8 (Thursday).  Mr. Nathan Maynard with a Message that Mr. F. Whipple’s son Joel is dead.

1770 February 9 (Friday).  Mr. Ithamar Bellows, Ezra Baker, and Ebenezer Chamberlin brought wood.  Dined here.  I attended the Funeral of Mr. Whipples little Joel.  Mr. Jonathan Champney dined here also.  At Evening came my son Alexander and brought his Wife and Child, to tarry with us a little while.

1770 February 10 (Saturday).  Messrs. Abijah Gale and Edmund Brigham bring Wood — and they dine here.  As did Messrs. Artemas Bruce and Jonathan Child.  Was prevented finishing my Preparations for tomorrow.

1770 February 11 (Sunday).  Preached a. and p.m. on Rev. 2.21.  For there were some special Reasons why I did not deliver what I had prepared, and which I weighed and considered as well as I could.  But besides, I could not compleat the forenoon preparation without being somewhat late; though pages enough were writ, yet the Exercise was not finished.  This Set of Sermons were very Suitable to the Subject which I had been upon, Repentance, and Seasonable, as the Throat Distemper has broke out among us again.  At Evening Esq. Jedidiah Marcy of Dudley was here (upon Alexanders Invitation) and Supped here.

1770 February 12 (Monday).  My Son Alexander wants I Should go with him to Leicester to be bound for him if he buys the House, Mill etc. which one Ebenezer Crossman, Clothier, lately occupied there.  Before we went came Mr. Steward from Marlborough with Request (Verbal) from Mr. Smith to attend a Church Meeting next Friday at Marlborough, Mr. Smith himself being incapable, in his low state, to Moderate etc.  I replyed, the Weather uncertain, my going a Journey, etc.  Still Mr. Steward insisted and was not unwilling to preach for me next Sabbath — where upon I consented to go if I could with any Convenience etc.  My Son and I (Eating at home with out Dinner formality) Sat out about 12 o’Clock, and towards night arrived at the Forge House, so called.  Mr. John Southgate came to us.  Go to Mr. Matthew Watson’s.  There into Evening preparing the way for a Trade.  I go up to Mr. Conklins who is ill of Rheumatism, and lodge there.  Alexander to the Tavern (one Bond’s).

1770 February 13 (Tuesday).  Very foul weather.  A.M. kept at Mr. Conklins by the Storm — but there came to me the Three Partners in the Interest which my Son wants to Purchase, viz. Capt. John Brown, Mr. Mat. Watson (with whom was Mr. Thomas Denny) and Mr. John Southgate.  We all (except the last person) dined handsomely at Mr. Conklins.  The afternoon is spent in the Partners settling of their Accounts and agreeing with Mr. Watson about the Privilege of the Dam and Pond.  At Evening he consents and Quit Claims are signed by Capt. Brown and prepared for the Southgates John and Robert.  A Deed is prepared and signed by Mr. Watson.  Alexander and I lodge at Mr. Conklins.

1770 February 14 (Wednesday).  After Breakfast we came to Messrs. Southgates; went thence and viewed the works at the Place, the House, the Mill, the Dam, the Stream, and had a List of the Tools — and they were delivered to Alexander.  Then went to Mr. Watsons, where his wife Signed the Deed (as he had done last night) and then the witnesses signed.  Then Alex and I Signed the notes for payment of the money.  Mr. Denny asked me to dine with him and I went.  Din’d agreeably, Mr. Chaplin of Sutton and his wife being there.  I returned to Mr. Watson who had been with Alex to Squire Henshaw, the Justice that took Mr. Watsons acknowledgement (Alexander having dined with Watson), and though rainy and the Floods high we proceeded on our Journey as far as to Mr. Sumners, where we were kindly received and agreeably entertained.  Letter from my son Cushing that Sarah was Sick.  Sister Cushing was gone with the Ashburnham Messenger.