Category: Diary

1770 October 18 (Thursday).  Deacon Wood, Lt. Baker, Mr. Daniel Hardy and his son Adams came about 2 p.m. to See if it would do to husk; for the Weather was misty.  I wholly left the Matter with them to do as they inclined.  They went to the Barn.  I chose to attend as closely as I could to my Study.  There came some Number more, viz. Mr. Ebenezer Maynard, Barnabas Newton, Thomas Bond, Moses Wheelock, Thomas Arnold, Silas Hill, Levi Warrin, Nathan Kenny, Joseph McCulloch, Benjamin Wood (who lives with his uncle), Ebenezer junior, Nathan junior, Jonathan, Nehemiah, Stephen, Calvin, Daniel Maynard, Benjamin Taynter junior, Daniel Adams junior, John McCulloch, Jacob and Aaron Foster, Abijah Gale (N. Kennys Lad) and Sherebiah Fay.  Messrs. Baker, Newton and Bond provided a Small Quarter of Beef about 60 weight and gave it.  Also the former brought a Basket of excellent sauce, Carrots and Turnips.  May God reward him and them, for so great Kindness and Generousness!

1770 October 19 (Friday).  Isaac Lamb is detained here by Joseph Wood to help him carry Corn, lay up the Husks etc. but about 2 p.m. Joseph goes away with a Company of young people that came to See him.  This I would not resist although it was to my Hurt, because I had promised Mr. Chamberlin to send for 6 Barrels of Cyder early tomorrow Morning and Lamb was not willing to engage to go in Josephs stead.

1770 October 20 (Saturday).  A very great Storm.  We could not Send for the Cyder.  No Joseph here: nor did Lamb come, as he had promised.  I have no one to help me about the Creatures and cutting and getting in Wood, but Elias only.  This greatly interrupts and prevents my studying.  But I desire to repair to and depend on God most gracious.  I can’t but Sympathize with those who are at Sea.  May God who is a very present Help in Trouble appear for, Succour and deliver all who are now distressed!  Towards Night Joseph returns home, and then could assist about wood etc.

1770 October 21 (Sunday).  I Spent all the Time I could lay hold on to prepare my Self for preaching but could not any more than for one Exercise, and that for the afternoon.  My Mind was greatly agitated.  I exerted my Self and after Reading Ezek. 33, and giving some Expository Remarks thereon, I Delivered the sermon (to p. 9) which is on Joh. 15.9 with Some Alterations which were necessary.  And in humble Dependence on the Pardoning Mercy of God and the Merits of Jesus Christ I proceeded to administer the Lords supper.  O that God would pardon and accept of me and of His people!  Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Parker (Hannaniahs wife) at Dinner.  Mrs. Fessenden late, but dined also.  I had rather have some poor widows, than the richest Ladys at my Table, especially on sacrament Dayes.  P.M. read 1 Thess. 1.  Preached on Heb. 12.15, former part.  We finished singing Ps. 119, at the last public singing.  After my Family Exercise in the Evening I read part of Dr. Owen on Spiritual Mindedness.  A very excellent Treatise.  May God bless it to me!

1770 October 22 (Monday).  Joseph goes to Mr. Chamberlins for Cyder — brings 6 Barrells.  Two I have agreed to pay for: One Ebenezer gives, the other Edmund.  P.M. Mr. Williams of Sandwich made us a Visit.  At Eve came Rev. Mr. Baldwin of Kingston, and Mr. John Eliot.  They lodged here.

1770 October 23 (Tuesday).  The Gentlemen left us after prayer but would not stay to Breakfast.  They design to go to the Presbytery at Boston, which is to sit tomorrow.  Received a Letter from William requesting 50£ old Tenor.

1770 October 24 (Wednesday).  Am reading more of Mr. Lords Diary in M.S.  Sermonizing.

1770 October 25 (Thursday).  All manner of people are gone to Worcester to the Execution of poor William Lindsy.  Ruth Bellows came from Ashburnham.  Alexanders Wife came from Framingham (on my Horse that has been gone a month last Saturday).  Kezia lodges here.  Ruth goes to her mother, but the Horse she came on is left here for Hannah.

1770 October 26 (Friday).  Mr. Cushing came early to Breakfast here.  He went to the Execution Yesterday.  Mr. Cushing and Hannah leave us for Ashburnham, a.m.  P.M. came Mr. Silas Hill from Boston and brought Sundrys for Hannah — a Gown etc.

1770 October 27 (Saturday).  My son Baldwin came here, with Billy and Nabby Bradford, in their way to Boston; and they Sett out accordingly intending to be there this Evening.

1770 October 28 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 34.  Preached a. and p.m. on Heb. 12.15.  And may the divine Blessing accompany what has been said to my own saving Benefit and them that have heard me!  Read 1 Thess. 2.  Mr. Lords MSS in the Eve after Family Exercise.

1770 October 29 (Monday).  Delivered Mr. Wheelock 3 Guineas, 7 Dollars and 15/ for my Son William.  My Son is, I suppose, at Medfield.  Mr. Wheelock is going to the Ordination there.

1770 October 30 (Tuesday).  Mr. Cushing of Waltham waits on his Mother here.  They dine with us.  She is designing to go in a short time to Yarmouth, to spend the Winter with her Daughter Stone.  Sent a Letter by Dr. Hawes to Mr. Thomas Adams.

1770 October 31 (Wednesday).  This Day, I Suppose, Mr. Thomas Prentice is ordained at Medfield.  Master Taylor here at Evening.  Tells me they are going to try for a Council at Grafton: that he supposes Letters Missive were carryed forth this Day to Mr. [Rogers?] of Littleton, Mr. Stone, Mr. Smith, Marlborough, Mr. Bridge of Chelmsford, Mr. Morse of North Shrewsbury, Mr. Maccarty, and Mr. Davis of Holden.  He says he believes he himself was the Means of their not sending to me, by informing them that by conversing with me he conceived I had rather be excused from it.

1770 November 1 (Thursday).  Catechized at the Meeting house.  49 Boys a.m. and 26 Girls p.m.  Mr. Zechariah Hicks from Boston returning home.  At night having received the repeated Invitations to go to Supper at Mr. Nurse’s, after their Husking, which they began in the afternoon, but especialy to gratifie Mrs. Nurse in her urgent Requests, I went over.  I went not to the Barn — but we could not rise from Supper till about 10.  This sort of Entertainment I have not usually gone to.  I don’t know when I have ever been at one Since I was ordained.  I was not willing to grieve my Neighbour or I would not have gone now.  But since it was So late when we left the Table, I would not so much as sit down again, but hastened home; exhorting all others to do so.

1770 November 2 (Friday).  Though I was at my sermonizing yesterday, and closely engaged to Day, yet alas, I accomplish but little!  And at Eve Mr. Andrews visits me in a very friendly manner.  I was rejoiced at it, doing all I could to make it both a pleasant and profitable Time with him, and yet it was a great Dammage to my preparations.  An unhappy Interruption.

1770 November 3 (Saturday).  Joseph Wood at Evening finishes with me; and Returns home.  N.B. He had eleven Days to make up of time in May, July and August.  He has worked the 3 last Days more than his Time, and Eight more remain, besides the Consideration of the Difference of the worth of those Days that he was absent.

1770 November 4 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 35.  Preached a. and p.m. on Heb. 12.15.  P.M. Read 1 Thess. 3.  It being the last Sabbath of our 46th year I preached (a second Time) the Discourse on 2 Pet. 1.14 to p. 12.  N.B. Breck here, but returned to Mr. Fish’s.  At Eve my wife and I read some of Mr. Lords Diary.

1770 November 5 (Monday).  [No entry.]

1770 November 6 (Tuesday).  P.M. preached at Mr. Daniel Hardys the latter part of the Discourse on 2 Pet. 1.14.  My Son Baldwin returns from Boston with his Daughter Betty, and Molly Forbes.  They lodge here.  N.B. My Sophia ill all Day — feverish, pained.  Is Sweated; yet not much better.

1770 November 7 (Wednesday).  Our Company go on their Journey to Brookfield.  Mr. Biglow repairs the Garden Wall by the lower Well, and dines here.  P.M. had a Catechetical Exercise on Questions [98.9?] and 100, containing some Sketches and Hints concerning Prayer and of the Lords Prayer, but the Girls began at Question 100.  There were 21.  But Sophy was confined by her illness.  Dr. Hawes came in to see her.  Says she has some Canker.  The Doctor brought me from Mr. Thomas Adams of Medfield, Court Miscellanys in which an Account of Mrs. Macaulay, Lord Bolingbroke etc.  N.B. Mr. Seth Morse brought a side of Beef, weighed 117 lb., each Quarter at 3 Coppers per pound.

1770 November 8 (Thursday).  This Day 46 years agoe, the Church here was gathered, and I was ordained the pastor.  Whilst I would praise and bless the Lord for His Long suffering and for His great Mercy towards [sic] I have great Reason to be deeply humble on Consideration of my Sinfulness, slothfulness, and unprofitableness.  Jej. priv.  But ah how brokenly, dully, and formally all was managed!  O that God would pardon and accept — through Jesus Christ!  P.M. and Evening Sad interruption.  Dr. Crosby came to see me — acquaints me that Capt. Nathaniel Allen of Shrewsbury is dead: and was buryed last Saturday.[1]  May God be gracious to the poor Widow!  Dr. Crosbys Wife also came.  N.B. The Doctor carryed away 3 Volumes of Dr. Smellie, belonging to Dr. Joslin.  Mr. Daniel Forbes also came and to my sorrow took up much of the Evening in his objecting against Levi Warrins admission without an Acknowledgment.  Deacon Wood came and cutt out and Salted up the Beef which I lately bought of Mr. Morse.  Lt. Harrington was here and helped.

[1]“On Thursday the first of this Instant departed this Life, Capt. NATHANIEL ALLEN, of this Place: a noted Merchant of the City of London, was formerly a noted Merchant in the Town of Boston, but spent the last thirteen Years of his Life in this Town, where he was universally respected for his Integrity and Uprightness in his Dealings, as well as for his Charity and Benevolence, especially to the Poor and Distressed.  His Remains were interred this Day with the greatest Decency.”  Boston Post-Boy, Nov. 3, 1770, Issue 687, p. [1], with a byline of Shrewsbury, Nov. 3, 1770.

 

1770 November 9 (Friday).  Mr. Biglow dresses my Barrells.  Sophia remains poorly.  Dr. Hawes sent for and comes.

1770 November 10 (Saturday).  Sophy takes physick.  Deacon Bond here.  He came upon Levi Warrins affair: but says he thinks him guilty.  I desired him to tell Levi that I must see him again before I proceed to propound him.

1770 November 11 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 36 to v. 24.  This Exposition of which was the forenoon Exercise.  And upon this I Spent my time, so that p.m. (having read 1 Thess. 4) I gathered an Exercise from my Sermons on Ps. 46 with Expletives and variations (as well as with many Omissions) which adapted it to the present state of the Land, and of this place.  For to render it profitable I considered this as the First Sabbath of the New Year with us of this Church.  And may God help us so to improve it!  In my Study at Eve read Magnalia — of the Troubles by the Ignes fatus.

1770 November 12 (Monday).  The Town met upon my Support etc.  Am informed that they voted and agreed to do as they did last year.  Levi Warrin here and wants to be propounded.  But I tell him there is great Disquietment.  Mr. Whitney (Nathaniel) and Mr. Joseph Harrington here, and manifest them Selves uneasy with the said Warrin because they fear he is guilty of Fornication.  At Eve Mr. Daniel Forbes here in the same Strain.  He came to pay me but delivers me only £15.10 old Tenor.  My Grandson Ebenezer came from Brookfield.  With him came John, the Indian of Unadella.  They brought my Horse from Alexander.  N.B. He and his wife have had him now above Seven Weeks.  Wrote to Mr. More by Capt. Maynard.

1770 November 13 (Tuesday).  Ebenezer and the Indian set out for Watertown.  Elias Spends the chief of the Day in looking for my Sheep, which have been missing above a week.  Sophy is better.  D.G.  N.B. Mr. Stone with Delegates, Deacon John Fay and Mr. Isaac Johnson, go to Grafton, to a designed Council there.

1770 November 14 (Wednesday).  Rode to Northborough Lecture and preached on Heb. 13.12.13.  Mr. Sumner was there.  Borrowed of Mr. Whitney Reliquiae Wottoniance.

1770 November 15 (Thursday).  Read part of Sir Henry Wotton.  In much perplexity about my little Flock of Sheep.  John, indian, came from Watertown — has been to See the great Town: he lodged here.

1770 November 16 (Friday).  Wrote to my Son by John.

1770 November 17 (Saturday).  Mr. B. Brigham going to Douglas, and Mr. Simon Tainter here.  P.M. I rode to Upton.  In my way visited old Mrs. Dunlop, who is weak and confined.  Mr. Fish to Westborough.  Breck is at work on their Meeting House, and lodges at Mr. Fish’s: where I lodge also.

1770 November 18 (Sunday).  I preached at Upton on 2 Cor. 4.1.2.3.  P.M. on v. 4.  Mr. Fish at Westborough on Joh. 13.8.  P.M. on Eph. 3.8.  He returned at Eve.  Mr. Jonathan Wood and his Wife (I believe at Brecks Desire) came to see me, and discourse about the Ministerial Order, Ministers entering into their Office, Ministers Maintenance, the millenium etc.

1770 November 19 (Monday).  Returning home dined at Mr. Samuel Forbush’s.  Visited Mrs. Grow, Miss Steward etc.

1770 November 20 (Tuesday).  First tryed my Horse in a Chaise.  Visit at Mr. James Maynards junior and at Widow Smiths.  Was also at Mr. Daniel Nurse’s, whose infant Child expired before I got there.  Prayed with them and Dined there.  P.M. Visit Mr. Cornelius Biglow and Mrs. Adams, who is very low — prayed with her.

1770 November 21 (Wednesday).  Rev. Bowen of Boston and his Brother called here in their way to Woodstock.  Funeral of Mr. Daniel Nurse’s Infant.  I attended and Sophy with me; at Eve Master Bowman here.  Also Mr. Levi Warrin, who insists to be propounded.