Category: Diary

1772 January 10 (Friday).  Mr. Francis Whipple junior paid me 43£ old Tenor.  Cousen Nanny Brigham visits — lodges.

1772 January 11 (Saturday).  Received 10£ Old Tenor from Mr. Wheelock.  Mr. Jonathan Lamb of Hardwick came with Mr. Daniel Warrin.  Acquaints me with his House being burnt.

1772 January 12 (Sunday).  Preach a.m. on Tit. 3.5, latter part, on Regeneration.  Finished on Joh. 3.3.  P.M. Preached on Luk. 15.17, “when he came to himself.”  N.B. The Widow Sarah Smith who had for some years been in Melancholly and kept from Meeting, was out to Day and dined here.  Master Taylor also dined with us.

1772 January 13 (Monday).  Was at Mr. Beetons.  I dined at Capt. Maynards.  John Arnold paid me money for my pork which he lately carryed to Marblehead.  Weighed there 14 Score and 16 lb.  He paid me 30£ 17 s. and 8 d.  He had 2/4 per pound and took 3 d. per pound for Carriage, for his Brother.  I returned 4 Dollars in part for a Steer coming 4 Years, which I have traded with Mr. Arnold for.  Mr. Francis Whipple also paid 38£ 6/ in full for oxen he bought of me and took his Note which he gave me in Sept. last, for them.

1772 January 14 (Tuesday).  P.M. rode over to Hopkinton.  In my way there visit Mrs. Hardy and pray with her.  Visit also a Stranger who lies Sick at William Pierce’s junior.  His name is George Pinkerton, a sailor.  Prayed with him.  Went to see Mr. Fitch that I might be better acquainted with him.  He read one of his sermons  to me.  Lodged at Mr. Barretts.

1772 January 15 (Wednesday).  Break fast at Capt. Joseph Mellens, where the Council met.  Received a Letter from Rev. Mr. Mosely of Canada.  Being chose Moderator I prayed in the Council.  Mr. Prentice of Holliston Scribe.  We passed two votes relative to Mr. Fitch’s Baptism, and that we were ready to proceed to his Ordination.  Mr. Fish began with Prayer, Mr. Leonard preached on Act. 16.17.  Mr. Frost prayed before the Charge; This I delivered; Mr. Bridge of Framingham prayed after; Mr. Webb gave the Right Hand, and Mr. Fitch appointed Ps. 118, latter part, to be Sung.  We returned to Capt. Mellens, where we supped and lodged.  N.B. Capt. Howard of Canada gave me some Account of Mercy Maynard, who lives, and has done for some years, at his House.  Subscription goes on for printing Mr. Leonards Sermon.

1772 January 16 (Thursday).  After breakfast, in returning home, a Number of us called at Brother Barretts, and seriously Saluted and took leave of him.  N.B. I paid Mr. John Chamberlain Four Guineas.  Mr. Stone of Douglass accompanys me home, and though late we dine here.  Breck and Sophy who went to ordination in a double Sleigh, with Elijah and other Brighams, returned — but Breck had by a Fall on the Ice, a grievous shock, especially on his shoulder.

1772 January 17 (Friday).  Read World displayed.  Transcribed the Charge, being repeatedly requested and urged.

1772 January 18 (Saturday).  Mr. Taylor here.  Has finished his School in the South.  I rode to Southborough, though it was a storm.  Mr. Stone came here.

1772 January 19 (Sunday).  Preached at Southborough a.m. on Isa. 50.11, p.m. on Ps. 139.23.24.  Baptized Submit, Daughter of William and [blank] Winchester; and Timothy, Son of Joshua and Abigail Smith.  I came home at Eve.  Mr. Stone also went home.  His Texts were James 4.14 and [blank].

1772 January 20 (Monday).  Confined closely to my Study.  Too stormy for the Boys to go to School.  They give them selves to getting out indian Corn.

1772 January 21 (Tuesday).  P.M. visit Mrs. Hardy.  Her Face is wonderfully deformed and eaten away by the Cancer.  She apprehends She is in some good Measure of Readiness.  Prayed with her.  Call to see old Mrs. Warrin.

1772  January 22 (Wednesday).  Rode in my Sleigh to Northborough.  My Daughter Hannah with me.  We dined with Mrs. Martyn.  Visit at Mr. Whitneys.  Drank Tea there.  Borrow Wards Mathem. Guide for Breck.  Return at Eve  in Safety.  D.Gr.

1772 January 23 (Thursday).  Sermonizing — and finished the 18th Vol. of World displayed.

1772 January 24 (Friday).  Mr. John Maynard here.  Shews me a Certificate of his Wifes publication at Brattleborough.  He dines with us.  Mr. Batherick here: tells me his Trouble at his Daughter Anna’s marriage by Coll. Ward of Shrewsbury.

1772 January 25 (Saturday).  Sophy returns from Capt. Maynards (whither She went the Day before Yesterday) and says Isaac Davis has paid for 100 weight of Flax there for me at 5/ per pound.

1772 January 26 (Sunday).  A.M. on Luk. XV.17.  P.M. on v. 20 and appointed a Contribution for Rev. Mr. Fessenden.  N.B. The widow Smith dined here again.  Also her son in law Childs.  Breck came in the Morning and Ruth at noon.  Mrs. Spring very ill again.  Also old Mrs. Beeman.  At Eve I read in Mr. Fords Autocatac. part of the Application.

1772 January 27 (Monday).  Sent to Capt. Maynards for 100 weight of Flax and 25£ for it, to Davis — and receive the Flax.

1772 January 28 (Tuesday).  Have received an Invitation from Mr. Gale to visit there, and to Day was appointed but it was So very cold we could not go, and I Sent them word we could not.  Breck went and dined there.

1772 January 29 (Wednesday).  It being more moderate Mrs. P________ and I rode in the Sleigh first to Mr. Andrews’s and then to Mr. Gales where we dined.  In returning home, called again at Mr. Andrews’s and at Mr. Haskills.  Sophy goes to Mr. Springs to watch.

1772 January 30 (Thursday).  Unhappily the Chain of my Watch was broke last night.  Though it was rough weather I went to see old Mrs. Beeman at Mr. Jonathan Bruce’s.  Dined there.  Prayed with them.  N.B. Mr. Bruce Speaks of Mr. Jonathan Cook and that he had been dismissed from their Church.  I answered that I knew not that ever I received or ever saw, any.  Called to see old Mrs. Sarah Forbush.

1772 January 31 (Friday).  Mr. Ezra Baker and Daniel Chamberlin with a Load of Wood, each of them.

1772 February 1 (Saturday).  My Mind as well as pen much engaged etc. etc.

1772 February 2 (Sunday).  A.M. on Luk. 15.20.  P.M. Carryed on the Design of Conviction by a Discourse from sermon on Joh. 16.8, page 16 to 23.  Read in Mr. Ford at Eve.  N.B. Contribution for Mr. Fessenden.

1772 February 3 (Monday).  Deacon Wood here and counted the Collection made Yesterday; which was £21.4.9 old Tenor.  Visit at Mr. Frosts and at Mr. Hannaniah Parkers, notwithstanding it was a snow storm.

1772 February 4 (Tuesday).  Preached at Mr. Tainters to a small Number (Roads and Weather difficult).  Text Prov. 4.18.  Alexander came at Evening.

1772 February 5 (Wednesday).  Mr. Spring is very ill.  Visited him.  Prayed there, and read what at their request I wrote and have sent to their Mother Whitmore.  Alexander tarrys with us and Breck came.

1772 February 6 (Thursday).  Alexander has my oxen, and having bought a sled, he carrys home 1 and 1/2 Bush. of Rye and about two of Indian Corn.  Capt. Benjamin Fay, at Eve, brings welcome Letters from Billy of his Wife’s Safe Deliverance last Sabbath Morning and that the Child was baptized the Same Afternoon Susanna: and from Mr. Moore of Jan. 14 that they were well.

1772 February 7 (Friday).  My Son and Daughter Cushing came to See us, and brought their Son John with them to our Joy.  Mr. Edwards Whipple and Mr. Nathan Maynard came and killed two Swine for us.  At Eve Master Taylor was here: and Mr. Joseph Harrington came about Mr. Hutchinsons Preaching at his House next Wednesday.  I told him Mr. Smith had appointed that day to visit me, and therefore I could not attend the Exercise — proposed Thursday.

1772 February 8 (Saturday).  Mr. Cushing rode to Shrewsbury.  I visited old Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Hardy.  Prayed with each of them.  Neighbour Nathan Kenny came and assisted in cutting out and salting our Pork.  The Hogg weighed [blank], the Pig weighed [blank].

1772 February 9 (Sunday).  The Weather was very rainy and few at Meeting.  Mr. Cushing preached a.m. on Mat. 5.29.30.  P.M. he preached on 1 Joh. 5.10 — “hath the witness in himself.”

1772 February 10 (Monday).  Mr. Cushing and I rode out in his Sleigh to Mr. Jonathan Grouts.  I called to see Deacon Woods.  Committed to him a Letter to Mrs. Eunice Rice, now in Grafton (as I suppose).

1772 February 11 (Tuesday).  Mr. Cushing to Southborough.  Mrs. Maynard came to see us and dined.  Capt. Maynard afterwards came and dined.  We settled our Accounts and in ballancing I gave him a Note of 30£ old Tenor to the Constable Parker.  N.B. I put the Captain in mind of the Trouble Beeton has given me in preventing my People who work for me, going through his Land, as I reserved the Liberty, to the ministerial Lot.  He only Answered that it would be better to sell that Lot.

1772 February 12 (Wednesday).  Mr. Smith of Marlborough made us and our Cushings a Visit, and dined here.  I Suppose Mr. Hutchinson preaches this afternoon at Mr. Joseph Harringtons.  At Eve Jonathan Forbes brought my Watch which I had sent by Mr. John Harrington to Mr. John Rogers of Newtown to mend the Hook of the Chain.  He has also cleaned it, and I paid 25/ Old Tenor.  Mr. Taylor here at Evening.

1772 February 13 (Thursday).  My Cushings left us and went to Breakfast at Capt. Maynards and though it is exceeding Cold they design to go by the way of Brookfield, home, by slow Degrees as they can.  At 10 at night came Mr. Thomas Adams from Medfield and lodged.