Category: Diary

1770 September 13 (Thursday).  Rode to Grafton.  Dined at Mr. Hutchinsons.  Preached his Lecture on Joh. 1.18.  Returned at Evening but increased my Cold which I [went up under?].  Elias brought home a Barrell of Cyder from Mr. Beeton.  At about 8 o’Clock in the Evening received a Letter from my son Alexander informing me of his Childs being very bad of a Quinzie.

1770 September 14 (Friday).  Just after Midnight, in Rain and very Dark came Mr. Thomas Earl from Leicester, with the sorrowful Message that my sons Child was dead.  It dyed about the Time I received the Letter foresaid.  About 11 a.m. I sat out in the Rain with Mr. Earl — and dined at Mr. Sumners.  Arrived before Night at my son Alexanders full of sorrow.  The Child was nigh 18 months old.  May God Sanctify the holy Dispensation to them and me!  I was concerned about my Engagement with Mr. Fish to preach at Upton next Sabbath.  Sent for Mr. Conklin, who came to me, and he soon, kindly engaged to go in my stead.  The Neighbours there very Compassionate — especially Dr. Robert Southgate.  I lodged at my Sons.

1770 September 15 (Saturday).  Mr. Conklin, though uncomfortable Weather, went his way for Upton.  P.M. prayed at the House of mourning and went up to the burying of my Grand Child.  Went to Mr. Conklins and lodged there.  O that God would teach me how frail I am!

1770 September 16 (Sunday).  This is a remarkable Morning.  I have now compleated my 67th Year: but am too insensible of it, and of the Lords Longsuffering towards me!  Would humbly implore the pardoning Mercy of God.  Preached at Leicester for Mr. Conklin on Mat. 16.26.  May the divine Blessing accompany it!  Vide Natal.

1770 September 17 (Monday).  Dr. Southgate came to me and accompanyed me to Brookfield.  We dined at Mr. Forbes’s, who was gone to Conway.  P.M. Visit at Ebenezers and at Mr. Baldwins.  Returned to my Daughter Forbes and lodged there.  Sir Crosby, School master, lodged there also.

1770 September 18 (Tuesday).  Dined at Mr. F’s.  P.M. [pay?] an Indenture for John.  Mr. F. returns from Conway.  Lodged at my son Baldwins.

1770 September 19 (Wednesday).  He accompanyed me over to Mr. Parsons’s.  I went there but I could not see him: he was [illegible].  Was at the Manufactory.  Dined at Mr. David Hitchcocks.  John was bound to him.  Squire [Foster?] and Mr. Moses Hitchcock Witnesses.  Squire invited us to go over to his House to drink Coffee with Mrs. Foster.  While there he acquainted me with a remarkable kind of Manure which he had found in his Land, with his great success in using it.  I returned at Eve to Mr. Forbes’s and lodged there.

1770 September 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Forbes and I visit Capt. Abbot, who is grievously exercised with the Stone.  I prayed with him.  I visit Mrs. Gilbert to condole the Loss of her Father and Brother Moses, Wheat.  Dined at my son Baldwins — Mr. Forbes and his Wife, and my son Ebenezer (not his Wife) there.  P.M. visit Capt. Wit.  Lodged at Ebenezers.  Talk with my Son and my Daughter in law, respecting the Differences between them and the Baldwins.  Take notice of the Indian Young Man who is with them a Mohegan of Tunadella, named John Bollen.  I find he has gained somewhat in his English Education.

1770 September 21 (Friday).  I bid them farewell and return home.  In my way dine at Mr. Conklins.  He was gone to Worcester; but met him on the Way.  He gave me some Account of the Sentiments of Mr. Fish respecting Mr. Ely, ordained in the Separate way at Sumners — who, I had reason to expect would have Visited me.  But Providence has hitherto otherwise ordered.  When I came home, my wife informed me of the Death of our Neighbour old Mr. Samuel Williams on the 17th and of a great Variety of Company which she had had while I was absent, viz. Mr. Jonas Bond of Sutton and his wife: Capt. Hill of Douglass: Our sister in law, Mrs. Brown of Framingham in her Journey to Leicester, and others with her: Mr. John Eliot, Candidate for the Ministry: Dr. Curtiss from Marlborough and his sister; One Capt. Curtiss; and Miss Betsy Williams of Sandwich: and I heard that Mrs. Eunice Rice was brought to bed with a dead Child.

1770 September 22 (Saturday).  I attended the Funeral of it which was from Mr. Barnabas Newtons.  Where I prayed, and had discourse with her.  Sir Bradshaw and Miss Nabby Foster, returning to Brookfield.  By the great Interruptions I meet with I cannot prepare new sermons.  Alexander and his Wife and her Mother, with Mr. Eams and his wife, dined here.

1770 September 23 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 29.  Went on a. and p.m. in Repeating Sermon on 1 Joh. 2.15, but with new Introduction, many alterations — and with ex temp. Close.  P.M. Read Col. 1.  N.B. Benjamin Fisks Wife being delivered of a Child, he came and offered a Note to give publick Thanks — but it Surpriz’d me much.  I refused to take it; observing to him that it was but about 3 Weeks Since they were marryed; and called him to Repentance.  I omitted also to mention publickly Mrs. Eunice Rice’s Case, though she yesterday desired it, and I wrote a Note for her; but fearing lest I Should either exceed (in her apprehension) or fall short (in the judgment of others) I sent her word by Mrs. Eunice Newton, that I desired to wave it; at least for the present, till I Should See her.  In the Eve read the Beginning of Shepherd on the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

1770 September 24 (Monday).  Having borrowed for Sophy, of Mrs. Conklin, The Gallery of Heroic Women, by Monsieur Peter Le Moyne, translated by the Marquesse of Winchester, I read a part of it.  But my Neighbour Nurse’s Interest was somewhat endangered; it called my attention, because (as I hear) he is gone to Ashby for my Cattle, as well as to look after his own.

1770 September 25 (Tuesday).  Visit the Widow Williams and to mourn with them.  Mr. Daniel Forbes sollicits me to write a letter in his Wife’s name to her son Nathaniel at Annapolis.  He dines here.  At Eve he comes for the Letter which I have prepared, and he receives it.  Mr. Asaph Rice makes me a visit, and lodges here.

1770 September 26 (Wednesday).  I lend Mr. Rice one Vol. of the Morning Exercise.  After Dinner Mr. Rice leaves us to visit his Aunt Hardy under her Cancer.  I visited Mrs. Eunice Rice, to See how her Frame of Mind was relative to my not mentioning her Case in public last Lords Day.  She answered that She did not know but that it was best not to.  N.B. Lt. Baker met me in the Road and informed me that just before he was at Mr. Townsends Shop, where were Mr. Daniel Adams and Elisha Forbes: and that Mr. Timothy Warrin was among them Shewing great Dissatisfaction at my refusing to read Fisks Note of Thanks last Sabbath.  Whereas if I had read it, and proceeded as usual upon it, I am sensible it had given Offence to divers of the Brethren.

1770 September 27 (Thursday).  Deacon Bond was here to ask me to preach at his House next Week.  And conversing about Fisks affair, he said that for his part he Should not approve of reading such Notes from persons in those Circumstances.  Mr. David Maynard junior here, and Settles with me.  His Sawing came to 51/9 old Tenor — Out of which he allows me 39/9 for my Wheel barrow which was almost destroyed by the use made of it at the building his Damm.

1770 September 28 (Friday).  Neighbour Nurse returned from Ashby last night, and drove home 3 of my young Cattle.  A red, yearling steer is still missing.  Talk’d with Mr. Nurse about his sorrowful Circumstances.  Elias went to Neighbour Arnolds Husking.

1770 September 29 (Saturday).  My Son Alexander has been to Boston; he dines here in returning to [blank].  I delivered him my grandfathers, Alexander Adams’s, Bible, which I have given him.

1770 September 30 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 30.  Preached a. and p.m. on Phil. 1.6.  Mrs. Fessenden dined.  P.M. read Col. 2.

1770 October 1 (Monday).  By Mr. John Prentice of Grafton I returned to Mr. Stone the Narrative of the Massacre at Boston March 5 and Sundry Manuscripts of the late Rev. Mr. Lord of Chatham.  P.M. I sat down to prepare my Papers, computing Interest etc. expecting Capt. Maynard to come and Settle with me; but he did not come.  Sophy went over there — by her I sent Letters to Mr. Moore.  She did not return.

1770 October 2 (Tuesday).  Preached at Deacon Bonds on Mat. 3.20 and finished on that Subject.  I beseech God of His infinite Goodness to grant Success!  O that it might be profitable to my own Conviction and Quickening!  Sophy came home from Capt. Maynards who sends me no Money.  She brings the Sorrowful News that the famous Mr. Whitefield dy’d last Sabbath Morn at Newbury Port.

1770 October 3 (Wednesday).  To Day, as I have been informed, the General Court keep a Fast at Cambridge, to Seek the Lord under their present Distress.  And Mr. Appleton and Mr. Cook are desired to conduct the Exercises.  It was not convenient for me to go.  I therefore joined with them as I could, at home.  May the Lord be gracious and accept our Supplications.  And O that God would please to grant wisdom and Direction in this Difficult Juncture!  I have turned my Meditations to Isa. 22.5.  “For it is a Day of Trouble” etc.  And write upon it.

1770 October 4 (Thursday).  Having received the Monday Public Papers of this week, I have writ a Letter, containing Some Remarks and Observations thereon, and on the Courts Refusing to go upon any Business while they are forced to Sit at Cambridge.  Not determined to whom to Send it.  Was at Mr. Daniel Forbes’s and received of him 5 Dollars.

1770 October 5 (Friday).  Sent Ten pounds old Tenor to John by the Widow Kendall going to Simsbury.

1770 October 6 (Saturday).  Prosecute the Same Subject.  P.M. Mr. Ephraim Sherman here from Court.  I delivered him all the pamphlets writ by Mr. Bollan, which I had borrowed of him.

1770 October 7 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 31.  Preached a.m. on Isa. 22.5.  P.M. read Col. 3 and having Spent my Time on the Morning Subject, and delivered the whole, Considering also the late Death of Mr. Whitefield, I repeated part of my Discourse on Ps. 23.4.

1770 October 8 (Monday).  Walked over to Capt. Maynards and dined with him.  N.B. He delivered me £52.10 old Tenor.

1770 October 9 (Tuesday).  Mrs. P________ went with me to Mr. Hezekiah Pratts, to Solemnize the Marriage of his Daughter Mary, to Mr. Jonathan Drury of Temple.  This Evening Joseph Wood went home.

1770 October 10 (Wednesday).  P.M. came Mr. Moses Hemingway of Wells, to see me, and lodges here.

1770 October 11 (Thursday).  Mr. Hemingway left us, though in foul weather.

1770 October 12 (Friday).  Aged Squire Tyler of Mendon and his Wife were here.

1770 October 13 (Saturday).  Mr. Asarelah Morse,[1] Candidate, who has been preaching at Douglass, came in to See me, in his Way to Marlborough.  He designs to preach at Marlborough tomorrow.  N.B. Ebenezer Maynard brought my Watch from Mr. Thomas Earl at Leicester.

[1]Asarelah Morse (1745-1803; Harvard 1767), SHG 16:509-11.

1770 October 14 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 32.  Preached once more on Phil. 1.6.  Old Mrs. Dunlop din’d here.  P.M. Read Col. 4.  Having Spent a great deal of my Studying time upon the forenoon sermon, I repeated a sermon which I preached nigh 40 Years agoe, on 1 Joh. 2.16 and do beg that God would bless it and each of the Exercises of this Day for our highest Benefit!  At the Evening family Exercise read old Mr. Rogers of Dedham, in Old England, his Sixty memorials for a godly Life.  See Dr. Mathers Magnalia.

1770 October 15 (Monday).  Joseph returned this Morning early from Hopkinton and procures Isaac Lamb to work with him.  They cut up the rest of the Corn between the Garden and the Meeting House.  Mr. Benjamin Brigham dined with us.  Two of Sister Hicks’s Daughters, of Byfield, viz. Mrs. Pearson and Miss Naomi Bourbank, were here.  Breck came from Upton and two of Mr. Fish’s Daughters, viz. Miss Martha and Miss Hannah, who lodged here.  Am much hindred, from Sermonizing especially which I designed.  In Drapers last Paper is an account of the Death of dear Brother and old Friend, the Rev. Mr. Joseph Green of Barnstable.  It is Said universally lamented.  It was on the 4th instant in the 70th Year of his Age.  Help, Lord, the Godly Man ceaseth!  O that God would please to prepare me to follow!

1770 October 16 (Tuesday).  Breck and the young women of Upton visited at Mr. Edward Barns etc. at Marlborough.  I rode to ministers Meeting at Marlborough.  Aged Mr. Loring was there; Mr. Stone and Mr. Bridge of Sudbury also.  But Messrs. Gardner, Barrett and Goss, I suppose, were not capable of Coming.  We had our Exercises of Religion before Dinner.  P.M. I layd before the ministers my proceedings with Benjamin Fisk, and my Reasons — which they all approved of.  And the Sum of what they said, as to their own parts, that they rarely had such Notes — that when they had they thought it expedient to pray for them as guilty, when the case was apparent and evident; and if they did not like it, it Would make them the more cautious.  I returned at Eve — as did Breck etc. and lodged here.

1770 October 17 (Wednesday).  Breck and his Company return to Upton.  Deacon Wood offers to come and husk tomorrow afternoon, and to promote it among others, if I liked it.  I could not but yield to him to do as he pleased, though Joseph had intended to do it himself.  Mr. Stone came, his Wife and her aged Mother came with her — and dined with us.  Mr. Stone preached my Lecture on Luk. 5.8 — “depart from me for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”  O that God would bless it to my, and the people’s, highest Benefit!  I was Sorry there were so few at Meeting.  It is to be Mr. Stones Lecture tomorrow: but for several Reasons was willing to excuse Me.  He left me a Number more of Mr. Lords MSS.