Category: Diary

1771 April 11 (Thursday).  Mr. Daniel Forbes brings 8 lbs. of Wool from Boston at l0/ O.T. for which I payed him.  He dines here.  P.M. Mr. Joslin calls to See us.  Benjamin Wood came at Evening and though he should have come yesterday to work, yet (contrary to my Agreement and his Engagement, his Fathers and uncles also) he tells me he can’t serve me: his Brother John having let himself at Brookfield while his Father was here, and so disappointing his uncle, the Deacon, the Deacon insists upon his living with him.  This frustrates my expectation of him and his working for me.

1771 April 12 (Friday).  Deacon Wood and Benjamin came here in the morning to adjust the Affair abovesaid.  I am forced to yield up Benjamin except that he works for me to day — and Deacon takes my Team with him to Mill — with 14 1/2 Bushels of Grain.

1771 April 13 (Saturday).  Mr. Daniel Adams’s Wife dyed this morning.  A Letter from Mr. Hutchinson concerning Mr. Ely; inclosing the Letter of the Southern Association of the County of Hampshire to the Elders etc. at Somers Sept. 20. 69.

1771 April 14 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 38.  Preached a. and p.m. on Prov. 4.23.  Master Taylor dined here.  P.M. read 2 Thess. 1.  At Eve Dr. Owens Spiritual Mindedness, at Family Exercise.  N.B. Breck with us.

1771 April 15 (Monday).  A.M. having understood that Deacon Wood had been out and provided Samuel Chamberlin to live with him, and that Benjamin Wood might with me; I went and agreed with Benjamin again; only I must give him 78£ and he is to come to my Work tomorrow Morning.  P.M. attended the Funeral of Mrs. Adams.  N.B. Deacon Wood has acquainted me of Ben’s backwardness and says he has not promised me absolutely.  After Funeral Mr. Batherick here.  N.B. Talk of his Son Solomon to live with me.  John Whitney came, and offers to live with me.

1771 April 16 (Tuesday).  No Ben. Wood to Work though he had So far promised as that after I had answered his Objections he answered me that he thought he must, and when, at parting I asked him whether I might depend upon him to come, and he replyed as yielding and complying.  Mrs. Dolly Rice here.  I visit Mr. Morse’s sick Child — and prayed there.  N.B. Alexander came to us about an hour after Midnight — went to Framingham and returned p.m.  He left us towards night to go to Leicester.  Spake to [blank] Reed, who seems inclined to work for me, or find me a young man that may.  At Eve Breck and Elijah Brigham — he lodges here.  Reed was to come here at Evening but he came not.

1771 April 17 (Wednesday).  He came this Morning but has concluded to work in the Business of his Trade, being a Shooemaker.  I Send by Breck to Mr. John Chamberlin of Hopkinton, for his son Joseph.  After which came John Dunlap, son of James, to See whether I was supplyed.  This is the 2d time; for he was here yesterday — but was obliged, not without Reluctance, to deny him.  I am brought into perplexity, by my not having a man yet — the Season Spending, my Hay which I depend on, So gone — and my Business behind Hand.  We are also much put to’t for want of Wood, which the people were to bring me, but have not done it.  But Capt. B. Fay brought a Load.

1771 April 18 (Thursday).  Publick Fast.  I endeavoured to prepare a Discourse but was not able to accomplish my purpose.  I therefore with proper alterations, omissions and additions of new Introduction and such application as was needful to accommodate it to the present Aspects of Providence, delivered my Discourse on James 4.3 in the two Exercises of the Day.  Messrs. Samuel Barrett junior and Aaron Crosby from Brookfield here.  N.B. Breck has a very bad sore on one of his Fingers, which proves very troublesome to him.

1771 April 19 (Friday).  Rode over to Mr. John Chamberlains in Hopkinton and hired his son Joseph for 75£ if I shall be satisfyed he earns it; otherwise he is to have but 70, and he is to bring a scythe with him.

1771 April 20 (Saturday).  Though it was rainy I rode to Shrewsbury and lodged at Mr. Sumners.

1771 April 21 (Sunday).  Mr. Sumner to Westborough.  I Preached at Shrewsbury a. and p.m. on Gal. 1.15.16.  Baptized three Children.  Read Mr. Barretts Letter requesting Mr. Sumner to preach for him next Sabbath.  Mr. Sumner on Luk. 18.35 to the End.  I returned at Eve — part of the way Dr. Crosby.  At my own House was my Daughter Cushing, who with Mr. Cushing, came last Eve.  Mr. Cushing Preached for Mr. Whitney at Northborough.  Letter from Alexander that he has got his Thief.

1771 April 22 (Monday).  Joseph Chamberlain of Hopkinton came to live and work here.  Received a Letter by Hand of Mr. Abraham Bonds Wife, from Mr. Jonathan Cook and wrote some Reply, but did not send it now.  Mr. Cushing here and lodged.

1771 April 23 (Tuesday).  Received a Letter last Night from Alexander informing that the Thief James Jones, who stole his Cloth last year at Sturbridge, was seized and put into Worcester Jayl.  I rode early to Mr. Stone’s.  Broke fast there and prayed in their Family.  After which he rode with me to Brother Browns at Framingham to acquaint him with Alexanders Case and desired he would ride up to Worcester, the Superior Court now sitting, and assist Alexander in the prosecution of Jones, or advise him as should be needful.  Then Mr. Stone and I rode to Mr. Bridge’s at Sudbury to Ministers Meeting.  Messrs. Loring, Smith and Goss there.  Mr. Loring prayed.  Mr. Bridge a Concio on Joh. 16.27.  After meeting I went to my son Williams and lodged there.  He tells me of new Discord in Concord.

1771 April 24 (Wednesday).  Returned home.  On my way dined at Coll. Weeks’s.  At home Dr. Hawes and his Wife here.  Mr. Forbes and Sir Crosby from Brookfield.  The Former lodges here, the other goes to his Classmate Taylors.  Mr. Cushing has been to Court but does not return.

1771 April 25 (Thursday).  Mr. Cushing comes, tarrys till after Dinner — and then he and his wife leave us.  Mr. Forbes and Crosby Sat out in the morning for Boston, in their way to Beverly Ordination (of Mr. Hitchcock).  P.M. Catechetical Exercise to 25 young Women.  The Questions were 101, 102, 103.  Begin next at Question 104.  At Eve Breck comes home and with him a young man, a Taylor, Joseph Hancock, as he says, of Derbyshire in old England.  N.B. Mr. Ithamar Bellows’s House was burnt down to day; The Fire broke out from a Crack in the Oven — about 9 o’Clock a.m.  They saved their Meat chiefly, but lost a great Quantity of Corn — great part of their household Goods — Apparrel, Linnen etc.  A very sorrowful Loss!  May the Lord sanctifie this Dispensation to them, and to us all![1]

[1]“On Thursday sen’night the Dwelling House of Mr. Ithamar Bellows, of Westborough, was consumed by Fire, together with most of the Furniture and about 100 Bushels of Grain.  The compassionate, generous neighbours, are in great forwardness in their work to get up another building, for the unhappy sufferers.”  Boston Evening-Post, May 6, 1771, p. 2.

1771 April 26 (Friday).  Many Neighbours (I hear) are gone to help Mr. Bellows in getting Timber for another House.  Mr. Hancock at work for Breck, making him a pair of Leather Breeches.  P.M. Mr. Edwards Whipple here — our Discourse concerning the Bounds of the Ministerial Lot, and of the Meadow.

1771 April 27 (Saturday).  Mr. Hancock here Still.  P.M. Mr. Sumner and Mr. H. Baldwin call here as they go to Hopkinton.  Joseph goes home at Eve, and Hancock leaves us.  Alexanders Rogue, I hear, has been whipped.

1771 April 28 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 39.  Preached a.m. on Ps. 69.32, latter part.  P.M. Read 2 Thess. 2.  Preached on Col. 3.1.2, repeating and with alterations.  In the Evening Messrs. Sumner and Baldwin from Hopkinton in their way home.

1771 April 29 (Monday).  Mr. Taylor goes to Boston — and charged with various Affairs from us.  Mr. Powers of Uxbridge Borders, with Master Taylor, and expresses abhorrence of Mr. Hutchinson untrueness.  My Horse could not be spared from the Team in plowing, till late in the Day, but Then I went down to visit my Houseless Neighbours — and Sympathize with them.  I found a great many at Work on a new Frame for Messrs. Bellows’s.  My Son Breck works there to Day.  I went to the Houses where the Sufferers sojourn, viz. Mr. Ezra Bakers, and Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain junior.

1771 April 30 (Tuesday).  Having been out in the Evening Air, and in the Rain last Night, I took Cold and am invalid — poorly capable of any Exertment.  Sent by Mr. Merriam of Grafton, a Letter to Mr. Williams at Boston Printer, An Account of the late Burning among us.

1771 May 1 (Wednesday).  Wrote a Letter to Mr. McAlpine relative to his Supplying my Neighbours with the Books of Tate and Brady’s Version of the Psalms.  Expected Mr. Sumner to preach my Lecture — but he did not come.  Just before going to Meeting Mr. Maynard brought a Letter from him that there was a Funeral, at 3 o’Clock to Day which prevented.  I went to Meeting, but poorly prepared.  Preached on Col. 3.3, former part.  May God of His abundant Goodness grant His Blessing and that we might truely profit hereby — that we may indeed be Dead to Sin etc.!

1771 May 2 (Thursday).  Was much indisposed — Great Trouble by Cattle breaking in from the stables, and from Mr. Arnolds part of the Fence against my west Field.  Mr. Bellows 2 House raised.  I could not be there by reason of my Cold — Headach etc.

1771 May 3 (Friday).  Sophy rides to Marlborough.  Cattle troublesome.  Mr. David Hitchcock of Brookfield comes from the Ordination of his Brother Enos at Beverly: dines with us and then pursues his Journey home.

1771 May 4 (Saturday).  Sophy did not arrive at home last night by reason of the Rain: she got no further than Mr. William Brighams.  She lodged there.  I have had another poor night, by reason of my Head-ach — Ague in my Face etc.  Breck returns home.

1771 May 5 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 40, former part.  Preached on Prov. 4.23.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Widow Sever and Cousin Maynard dined here.  P.M. Read 2 Thess. 3.  In preaching went on with Sermon on Col. 3.3, not having been able to prepare a second sermon for the Day.

1771 May 6 (Monday).  Elias goes to Mr. Taylors School, nigh Mr. Daniel Warrins, and dined at Mr. Beemans.  Mr. Jonathan Child came to desire me to Visit his Wife.  She has fallen into an ill state of Health; and is in Darkness as to her Spiritual State.  I went — discoursed with her, prayed also.  Called at Mr. Daniel Nurse’s for money.  He payed me 8 Dollars.  When I returned home, found that Mr. Phinehas Gleason had been here and had left me 37 Dollars.

1771 May 7 (Tuesday).  Mr. Newton takes some of my Creatures to pasture at Coi’s Hill and Some to Mr. Gleason at Leicester.  P.M. The Family Meeting was, by Desire, at Capt. Benjamin Fays, and I Preached on Josh. 24.15, former part to the End of page 7.

1771 May 8 (Wednesday).  I rode over to the South; visiting at Mr. James Cooks — old Mrs. Woods — and dined at Mrs. Kendals.  Bought 220 of Chestnut Boards of Mr. Jonathan Forbes.  Visit at Mr. Martyn Pratts.  Mrs. Chamberlin, Josephs Mother, visited us.  I rode at Eve to Mr. Timothy Warrins and Stockwells.  William Sergeant, Apprentice to my son Alexander, came from Leicester, lodges here.

1771 May 9 (Thursday).  His Errand he obtains, viz. to drive up Alexanders Cow and Calf and with them a Shoat which I have given him.  He goes off with them — and my Son Elias to assist him.  Joseph and the other Elias go with the Team to Mr. Forbes Saw Mill and brings home Boards, Slabbs etc.  P.M. They go with the Team to the Interval, and gather off what the River, when high, had brought upon my mowing Grounds.  They bring home two Jaggs of various stuff.  I rode over to Mr. Fessendens to see his Mother — to Mr. Benjamin Hows — was at the other Houses in that Corner.  But Capt. Maynard was not at home, So that I could not reckon with him.  Met Brother Brown in his Return from Leicester, whither he had been to drive up young Cattle to pasture.  18 of them.  He tells me the next Care must be to help Alexander in selling his Thief, who yet lies in Jail at Worcester.

1771 May 10 (Friday).  Mr. Spring brought 3 Bundles which he said contained 50 Psalm Books from Mr. McAlpine of Boston.

1771 May 11 (Saturday).  Deacon Bond was here with a Paper signed by Levi and Deborah Warrin.  Mr. Daniel Nurse pays in Notes and Cash £100 old Tenor.

1771 May 12 (Sunday).  Read Ezek. 41.  Preached on Prov. 4.23.  P.M. read 1 Tim. 1 and preached on 1 Cor. 3.7.  An extract from Three sermons on that Text.  N.B. I, by Desire of a number of Brethren, viz. the Deacons, Bond and Wood, Ithamar Bellows, Daniel Forbes and Benjamin Tainter (which Desire was writ, Signed, and Dated May 10th 1771) laid before the Congregation the Vote of the Church last February relating to the Version of Psalms to be used here, for their Consent and Concurrance and this was manifested by their silence.  N.B. Ensign Fay, his Wife and Daughter, went out at the first Mention of it.

1771 May 13 (Monday).  Visit Mr. B. Newtons Child that is Sick and pray there.  P.M. visit Mr. Jonathan Childs wife who has been worse, and Miss Mary Nurse who has been very ill.  Prayed with them both.  Then attended the Raising of the House of young Benjamin Fay.  Received a Letter from My son Forbes concerning his Troubles relative to the Ministerial Rights.

1771 May 14 (Tuesday).  Wrote a Number of Letters which I sent by Mr. Seth Morse, viz. to Mr. Quincy, and to Capt. Phillips at Bolton, upon the Affair of Alexanders Thief, that they may favour us with Some Directions and Assistance in making sale of him.  Wrote also to Brother Brown inclosing the Said Letters to him, as he had proposed to wait on those Gentlemen with my Letters etc.  Wrote also to Mr. McAlpine, to know why he sent me those Psalm Books by Mr. Spring.  Miss Sally Woods of Marlborough at work here, making stays.  Joseph Wood was here, and I payed him in full to this Day, viz. in Old Tenor £72.1.0.

1771 May 15 (Wednesday).  By reason of the Storm and Cold weather we dont plant the rest of our Grounds.