Category: Diary

1770 July 5 (Thursday).  Joseph Wood, in mowing behind the Baker Stables, finds it uncommon Burthen: the Clover so very rank and thick.  I was a while among the Hay, turning, raking etc.

1770 July 6 (Friday).  Beeton here, and informs me that the Committee Appointed by the Town to view the Bounds of the ministerial Lot, have challenged the little triangular piece which I formerly took up as common-Land, and bounded by the great white Oak marked M — at How’s line, and which I hear John Fessenden has cut down.

1770 July 7 (Saturday).  Mr. J. Maynard has brought from Boston the New Wig which I bought lately of Mr. John Bosson.  Am in some Trouble about my Clover which Joseph has carted in Yesterday, it being too green.  Got Neighbour Newton to go to the Barn and examine it.

1770 July 8 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 22.  Preached a. and p.m. on Zech. 2.5.  Read p.m. Eph. 4.  After the Exercises was a Contribution for Mrs. Eunice Cook of Douglas.  May the Lord accept our Offering!  And Pity His Handmaid, who I believe Stands in need of Relief.  Mr. John Maynard, whose Wife was brought to bed to Day, came for Ruth and She went away with him.

1770 July 9 (Monday).  Deacon Wood was here in the morning to count the Money of the Contribution and we found it to be in old Tenor £7.13.5.2.  P.M. Visit old Mrs. Kelly, old Mrs. Fessenden, and her son Johns Wife.  Call at Capt. Maynards — his sons Wife has lately lain in; the Child appears unhappy: but I forbear Enquirys.

1770 July 10 (Tuesday).  Rode to Southborough to Miss Bulah Bent — who gave free leave to me, to cut the Bent Meadow, as I used to, notwithstanding any thing that had been said to Jonas Kenny.  And dined at Mr. Stone’s.  P.M. we rode to Hopkinton.  Called to see Dr. Wilson.  Visit Capt. Clark to Sympathize for the Loss of dear Mrs. Green.  N.B. She had left for me Vol. 5, 6, 7, 8 of the World displayed, for me to read — and her mother delivered them to me.  After mutual Condoling, we parted affectionately.  Mr. Stone and I proceeded to Mr. Barretts — to visit them under their Infirmitys.  Left Mr. Stone and proceeded (as one part of my Design was) to visit Mr. Abby who has for some time languished.  He is, I hear, [hectick?]: is about to undertake a Journey to Providence for his Health.  Dr. Hawes, his Wife and Child are on their Journey home.

1770 July 11 (Wednesday).  Mrs. Eunice Rice, wife of Mr. Joseph Rice, it is reported Commonly, and upon strong grounds feared, has fallen into a great sin: she sojourns at Deacon Wood’s.  I went to see her, to talk with her.  I brought to her mind how I had several Times warned her against living in so dangerous a manner as theirs was, who being in a sort Single persons, would be greatly exposed to Temptations.  She owned it was so.  She said she was sorry there was So much Occasion for my coming to See her at this Time.  Added that She hoped after a while to give satisfaction to us all.  Upon which I asked her whether She would then have me doubt, or call in Question whether she was guilty or no?  She replyed that she did neither own nor deny.  After dealing plainly with her, exhorting, Cautioning her, and defending my Visiting her (which she said She did not in any wise take in ill part) I wished her the Grace of God and took leave.  Mr. Ballard of Oxford dined here.

1770 July 12 (Thursday).  Mr. Elijah Rices Wife here, dines, and is examined.  She is, by divine leave, to be propounded.  Miss Mary Pratt here also and is examined.  Mrs. Martyn and her Daughter Suse visit us; but I was so employed I could be but little with her.

1770 July 13 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1770 July 14 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1770 July 15 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 23 to v. [blank].  Preached on Lam. 3.22.  P.M. read Eph. 5, former part.  Preached on v. 6.  Read the Brief from Marblehead.

1770 July 16 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Gleasons Child, Betty, ill of the Throat Distemper — dangerously bad — prayed there.  Dined at Dr. Crosbys.  Visit Mrs. Knowlton.  Breck had come from Upton and returns.  Am obliged to Send to Mr. Daniel Forbes, for Money.  He sends me only 4 Dollars.  Am obliged to borrow.  Mr. Newton obliges me.  Marry Mr. Samuel Thurston and Sarah Harrington late in the Night.

1770 July 17 (Tuesday).  Mount at 5 a.m. for Cambridge.  Break fast at Dr. Joslins.  Call at Mr. Wheelers to Enquire after Mr. Loring; his Daughter informs that he difficulty got through the last Sabbath Exercises.  Called at Mr. Bridge’s.  Mr. Smith was in Company and was very poorly.  Dined at Waltham; Mr. Whitney of Petersham my Company from Sudbury.  At Cambridge Put up my Horse at Mr. Hicks’s.  Lodge at Mr. Thomas Barretts.

1770 July 18 (Wednesday).  My grand son, Ebenezer, is with Mr. Barrett and behaves decently.  Commencement is enlivened with News that the Custom-Acts being repealed.  Mr. President Locke gave thanks publickly — yet it blew over as premature.  Breakfast at the Presidents — dined in the Hall.  Mr. Gardner of Stow returned Thanks.  The Exercises of the Forenoon had been much diversifyed, and were entertaining: especially the forensic Disputation — the Dialogue in Chaldee that in Greek was delivered more distinctly than heretofore.  At Eve I was at the Presidents where were Dr. Langdon of Portsmouth, Dr. Stiles of Newport, and Mr. Samuel Moody.  Lodged as usual, at Cousen Barretts.  N.B. Sister Lydia Champney more infirm: but not confined.  The Rabble did mischief in their Garden last night.

1770 July 19 (Thursday).  Broke fast at Mr. Adams’s at Roxbury and prayed with the Family there — went to Boston.  Delivered the Case of Sarah Green, Signed by Justice Whipple, Dr. Crosby, and by me, to Dr. Stiles.[1]  He preached the Lecture on Luk. 12.32.  “Fear not little Flock” etc.  I dined at Mr. William Blair Townshends.  Messrs. Green of Barnstable, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Dana of Groton: and Mr. J. Stacy Hastings, there.  Visit at Mr. Surcombs.  At Eve went to my Brothers and lodged there.  [Marginal notation: Much said of Worms in multitudes, infesting Fields, of Corn, and the Grass.]

[1]See Franklin Bowditch Dexter, ed., The Literary Diary of Ezra Stiles, D.D., LL.D., President of Yale College (3 vols.; New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1901), 1:75-76.

1770 July 20 (Friday).  Could not set out Early in the Morning by Reason of many unexpected obstruction.  Dined at Weston, at Mr. Woodwards.  Called at Dr. Roby’s, Mr. Bridge’s, Capt. Wood’s, and engage Mr. Abraham to preach for me on the 12th or 19th of next month.  Stopped and drank Tea at Dr. Joslins.  Got home before 10.  One Mr. Peas, of Enfield, was my Company part of the way.  I found him a good deal in the Brownistical Way.  He informed me of Mr. Ely’s Ordination at Summers, and that it was performed by Laymen: that he was present and liked it much.  N.B. Mr. Forbes and Mrs. Loyd had got up here from Cambridge so as to dine here seasonably, and went to Capt. Allens, Shrewsbury.

1770 July 21 (Saturday).  Was very much indisposed by my Journey, and could do little in my study.

1770 July 22 (Sunday).  Read the latter part of Ezek. 23.  Preached a.m. on Lam. 3.22.23.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. Read Eph. 6th.  Preached on Mal. 3.11.  The Worms prevailing in divers parts.

1770 July 23 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Daniel Adams’s Child and prayed there.  Visit old Mrs. Warrin.  P.M. Dr. Hawes, his Wife, Child and neece here on a Visit.  Currants have been agreeable, perhaps, to them and brought them.  Mrs. Hill, of Douglass, Daughter of Mrs. Eunice Cook, here.  Mr. Roger Bruce brought here Miss Azuba Allen, in deep Languishment.  P.M. they move to deacon Bonds, in their way to Mendon.

1770 July 24 (Tuesday).  A.M. I rode to the S.E. Corner, to visit several Familys.  Mr. Artemas Bruce; Widow Bellows, Mr. Chamberlain: Mr. Ezra Baker: but Chiefly Mr. Ithamar Bellows and his wife who are Lame Yet, and much Confined.  Dined at Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlains junior.  Mrs. Hill of Douglass again in Difficulty, her Horse having got away, as she fears: and enquires about the Money lately contributed for her Mother.

1770 July 25 (Wednesday).  Mrs. Hill has been to Marlborough and returned here.  She hears nothing of a Contribution there.  I direct her to Deacon Wood, who has the Money which we collected, and I wrote to him to disburse it so as to answer the Design of it, and the Expectation of the People.  Preached my Lecture my Self; from Ps. 85.9.11.  Capt. Maynard and his Wife here after Lecture.  He tells me that the Select Men advised Deacon Wood to deliver Mrs. Hill the money.  At Eve came Mr. Putnam of Pomfret, and my Kinsman Bradshaw — and lodged here.

1770 July 26 (Thursday).  Mr. Putnam pursues his Journey home.  Bradshaw to Brookfield.  It grows a very dry Time, and feed is much dryed up.  Mr. Roger Bruce returns from Mendon and dines here.  I have sent by him several MSS of my son Forbes Sermons, to be delivered by his own Hands to Mr. F.  Capt. Ezra Wood of Upton came from Breck.  Mr. Elijah Rice’s Wife here with her Relation.  Sophy is at Capt. Maynards from Day to Day.

1770 July 27 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1770 July 28 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1770 July 29 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 24.  Preached on 1 Sam. 16.5, that Clause, “Sanctifie your Self and come with me to the Sacrifice.”  Delivered with additions the Exercise to young women on that Question (the 97th) in the Assemblys Catechism, “What is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lords supper?”  Admitted Mrs. Prudence Rice into Church Fellowship.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Old Mrs. Fessenden and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. read Eph. 6.  Preached on Eph. 5.6.  Contribution for the poor at Marblehead.

1770 July 30 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Gleasons sons that are sick.  Prayed there.  Dr. Bondeli there.  Visit at Mr. Samuel Fays — at the Wigwam of Mohegin Indians.  At Mr. Edwards Whipples.  Dr. Bondali here; also Capt. Damon etc.  Deacon Bond was here to assist in counting the Money collected yesterday.  It was, in old Tenor, £30.12.11.2.

1770 July 31 (Tuesday).  Joseph having got in the Rye yesterday (viz. in the whole 33 shock), to Day he goes to mowing in the Newton Meadow, and at Evening brings home a Load of it.  I finished reading Lt. Governour Hutchinsons 3d Vol.  Mr. Hannaniah Parkers wife here.  She, as well as her Husband, is always generous and will be bringing something.

1770 August 1 (Wednesday).  Visit at Mr. Gleasons again.  His two sons are better, but his eldest Daughter, Katha, is taken very ill of the Same Distemper.  I prayed with them.

1770 August 2 (Thursday).  Greatly perplexed by my Sheep being unruly.  Get Neighbour Aaron Nurse to help me in Yoking and fettering them.

1770 August 3 (Friday).  Mr. Nurse finishes what he undertook to restrain the Sheep.

1770 August 4 (Saturday).  Mr. Gleason came to acquaint me with the very low State of Kathy, and that She would be glad to See me.  Went: found her very bad; her Throat much Swelled — her speech greatly altered.  She was very humble, penitent, and earnest.  Discoursed and prayed with her.  Her Brothers are better.

1770 August 5 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 25 and on Consideration of the Distemper among us, and nigh to us, in Shrewsbury (Mr. William Parker, (Mr. Daniel Forbes Wife’s son) dyed of it this Morn) I preached on Ps. 28.5, gathering up a Discourse from several parts of my sermon on that Text, with great alterations, omissions, additions, etc., accommodating it to the present Occasion.  The Lord pardon my great Defects, and add His own Blessing!  P.M. read Phil. 1.  Preached on Phil. 1.6, that Clause, “He which hath begun a good Work in you.”  Received a Letter from Mr. Abraham Wood in Answer to Mine, that he intends to Supply my Pulpit on the 12th.  Miss Lydia Chamberlain lodges here.

1770 August 6 (Monday).  [As?] Joseph goes to work in the Newton Meadow, and my grandson Elias with him, I went down to look of the several Pieces which are yet to be mowed.  Was at Dr. Hawes.  Old Mrs. Kelly here and dined.  Miss Lydia Chamberlin Works here as a Taylor for Breck.  P.M. Mr. Levi Warrin and his Wife here, and are partly Examined.  I enquired into the Birth of their Child.  They Say it was exactly 7 Months, after marriage.  I am full of deep Concern and Sollicitude.  May the Lord direct me!  Counsel and conduct me in these Difficultys!

1770 August 7 (Tuesday).  Preached at the widow Kendals on Mat. 5.20 to p. 15.  Received 10 Dollars of Mr. Daniel Forbes.  Hear that Kathar. Gleason dyed about noon.  Lydia Chamberlin Still here.

1770 August 8 (Wednesday).  Mr. Sumner had Sent to me to preach his Lecture to day, but Squire Whipple came and told me Mr. Gleasons Daughters Funeral could be at no other Time than 2 o’Clock, so that I was forced to omitt going to Shrewsbury, and did attend at Mr. Gleasons; and after condoling and praying I took leave and went on my Journey to Ashby.  Rode to Mr. Morse’s at Shrewsbury and lodg’d there.  N.B. His Horse of 500£.