February 14, 1772

1772 February 14 (Friday).  Mr. Adams here with me and Spends the Day here; which does exceedingly interrupt my Studys.  He wants a Number of my Books, and importunes me till I consent.  He has St. Augustine of the City of God.  Translation of Juvenal and Persius, by Dryden etc. and the Latin by  Farnaby: The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety: the Gentlemans Library: Life of de Rente and the Christian Philosopher.  For which he gives me Mr. Gouge’s Works, Calvins Institutions; Dr. Youngs Night Thoughts, Dr. Whitbys Protestant Reconciler; Dr. Evans Christian Temper; and Dr. Stillingfleets Orig. Sacrae 4to.  To which he adds a Number of Pamphlets.  At Eve he goes to Dr. Hawes.  My Grandson Elias rides my Horse to Leicester and to leave him with my Son Alexander, my English Hay being short.

February 19, 1772

1772 February 19 (Wednesday).  My Wife and I, accommodated with Neighbour Newtons Horse in my Sleigh, rode over to Northborough.  Called to see Mrs. Martyn.  N.B. her son John Consuming.  We went thence to the House of Mourning.  Mrs. Whitney has been so wrought on that She has had Histeric affections.  We are obliged to converse with great Caution.  Mr. Smith and Mr. Barns from Marlborough there.  Dine together.  P.M. Mr. Morse and his wife came.  According to Mr. Whitneys Request I prayed at the Funerall.  A Sore Bereavement.  The Child was between 9 and 10 Months old.  May the Lord teach them His holy Will, and enable them to conform to it.  We returned home in the Eve — Calling at Mr. Ebenezer Maynards.

February 20, 1772

1772 February 20 (Thursday).  A Messenger for me to go to Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain, whose Tongue is greatly Swelled So that he can very hardly Speak or Swallow.  I hastened down to him.  Find every one in great Distress.  Dr. Flynt there, who Says it is Rana Sub Lingua.  Dr. Parker came also.  We prayed and then Dr. F. blooded him under the Tongue, and it gave Some Relief.  However, his Case is still judged to be hazzardous.  Dined there.  Dr. Flynt accompanyed me as far as Mr. Ithamar Bellows where I visited.  Also I Stopped to See Lt. Bruce and his Wife, who are aged and infirm.  Prayed with them.  N.B. I delivered to Mr. Artemas Bruce’s wife the Petition signed by her, and delivered hastily to my Wife to be handed to me, two or three years Since; about alienating Deacon Tainters Legacy. When I came home here were Messrs. Silas Bailey and James Goddard of Bolton, desiring a Copy of what the Association voted at their Meeting last Fall concerning the Conduct of a Number of the Brethren of Bolton Church in  Dismissing and Excommunicating their Pastor.  I read to them what we did — but was not ready to give them a Copy of it.

February 22, 1772

1772 February 22 (Saturday).  My son Baldwin, though he designed to have gone home the North Road, yet finding it exceeding bad travelling by reason of the Thaw, the ground very hollow, he came up hither, to tarry over the sabbath with us.  He brings me various Accounts of my Relatives.  Particularly of my Brother, that he yet goes abroad — is conversible, performs Family Exercises etc.  Of my Cousen Winter, that her Brother Langdon has taken away from her what had been given by her F. Langdon, to her Daughter Molly etc.

February 24, 1772

1772 February 24 (Monday).  Mr. Baldwin left us.  I visited Mr. Levi Warrins Wife who is Sick, and is in a low Condition.  Prayed with them.  N.B. Molly also in distressing pain — probably the Cholic has Seized her.  Mrs. Warrin desires a Fast may be kept there, and that Mr. Frost might assist.  To which I readily Consent.  I went as far as Deacon Bonds, on various Occasions — particularly N.B. he gives way freely to have the Family Meeting, though appointed to be next time at his House, to be at old Lt. Bruce’s.

February 27, 1772

1772 February 27 (Thursday).  Preached a Lecture to young men from 1 Joh. 2.14 with large Additions of new Address.  Before Lecture Deacon Wood brought Mrs. Spring here in a Sleigh: but She could not bear the Cold of the Meeting House, and therefore went not there.  The Deacon also came again after Exercise and carryed her home.  Mr. Taylor here and tarrys the Eve.  My son Breck here also.

February 28, 1772

1772 February 28 (Friday).  Was at Mr. Newtons.  Dined at Deacon Woods.  At Mr. Wheelocks and at Mr. Hills.  Paid Mr. Arnold 8 Dollars in part for his Steer.  (N.B. have paid 4 Dollars before.)  Mr. William Brigham and Wife, their Kinsman Nathan Taplin and Miss Susan. Gleason, made us a Visit p.m. and Evening.  N.B. Mr. Brigham made a present of the large Keeler which he made some Months agoe, for Mrs. P________.

March 1, 1772

1772 March 1  (Sunday).  Mr. Barns preached a.m. on Joh. 3.3, p.m. on Mark 12.30.31.  Which may God bless to us all for our highest Benefit!  At the Close of the Exercises I acquainted the Congregation with the designed Fast at Mr. Warrins.  N.B. My Kinsman Bradshaw came from Lt. Nathan Brighams of Southborough this morning, having been too much overcome with his Journey yesterday to get here.  Master Taylor dined here and was here at Evening.  But Mr. Barns chose to go back to Marlborough.  Bradshaw lodges here.

March 2, 1772

1772 March 2 (Monday).  Lt. Harrington with his Team, and Mr. Daniel Forbes’s son Simon and  Team bring a large Stone (which Mr. Forbes gives me) for my West Door.  A handsome Benefaction.  Mr. Bradshaw goes to Brookfield.  Mr. Tainter came with the Request of the Town that I would go to the Meeting House and pray with them before the Elections.  Went accordingly.  P.M. Came a Young Man of Brecks Acquaintance, his Name Calvin Jacobs from Uxbridge, and lodges here.

March 3, 1772

1772 March 3 (Tuesday).  Young Jacobs leaves us to return to Uxbridge.  I rode over to Mr. Phinehas Maynards (though he has not Sent for me) to visit him in his low, Consumptive Condition.  Talked with him and prayed with him.  Went to Mr. Fessendens.  Borrowed of him Mr. Hookers Souls Humiliation and Preparation for Christ, also in the Same Vol. The unbeliever preparing for Christ.  Visit Mr. James Godfry’s Wife, newly lain in, and Mrs. Maynard, who has lately had an ill Turn.  Mr. Taylor at Eve here.  Brings the British Grammar; and Several Pamphlets: his Letter also from Mr. Crosby at Ono’quage.  Mr. Taylor etc. go to Ashbo’s Wigwam.

March 5, 1772

1772 March 5 (Thursday).  Capt. Brigham in his Sleigh came and took me to ride with him in the Snow Storm, to Mr. Jonah and Levi Warrins to attend a Fast there on Account of their great and Sore Troubles — in particular on Consideration of the Languishing Condition of young Mrs. Warrin.  Messrs. Frost and Fish were there.  Mr. Fish prayed and preached a.m.  The Text was Mat. 17.17.  Those words, “bring him hither to me.”  P.M. Mr. Frost prayed and preached.  His Text Ps. 6.1 — 3 verses.  I prayed at the Conclusion.  O that God would hear and accept!  And that the word might do us good as it doth the upright!  Miss Lucy Hall of Sutton called and dined here, with a young Man who waited on her.

March 6, 1772

1772 March 6 (Friday).  I find by the Public Prints that Mr. David Cutler of Boston, an old Neighbour of Mr. Pierpoints, is dead.[1]  The Reflection on the Remove of the Inhabitants of that one street (Union Street) by Death, Since my Remembrance, is very affecting.  Lord make me know my own End etc.

[1]“Mr. David Cutler, Pewter, aged 69 Years.  His Remains are to be interred To Morrow Afternoon at Four o’Clock, when his Friends and Acquaintance are desired to attend.”  Boston Evening-Post, Mar. 2, 1772 (issue 1901), p. [3].

March 8, 1772

1772 March 8 (Sunday).  Preached on Luk. 15.23, last clause and v. 24.  P.M. went on with the repetition of Sermon on Ps. 119.57, former part.  May the Lord be my portion, and may I partake of the Joy of those who though dead are alive again etc.!  Cousen Nanny Brigham dined here.  Appointed the Communion.  N.B. Robert Ashbo (who with others of his, was at Meeting a. and p.m.) came here after Exercises, to talk with me about Gods being our Lot and Portion.  This is very agreeable to me.

March 10, 1772

1772 March 10 (Tuesday).  P.M. Mr. Abraham Wood of Sudbury came up to inform me that yesterday about 3 quarters after one in the afternoon expired the Venerable Man, Father Loring, almost 90 years old If he Should have lived till the 17th of next month.  Help Lord!  The godly man ceaseth!  My Father.  My Father.  The Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof!  Dr. Hawes and his Wife made us a Visit and drank Tea here.  John Arnold here and tells me his Brother Thomas’s pleas with him to continue to serve him, have so prevailed that he can’t live with me, as I had bespoke.

March 11, 1772

1772 March 11 (Wednesday).  Went to Deacon Wood to ask him to go with me to Sudbury; and he consents.  Was at Lt. Bakers who undertakes to find a Sleigh for me, if not an Horse also.  Received a Letter of the 7th from Mr. Whitney to preach his Lecture to Day, whereas it is my own.  I have sent to Mr. Fitch to preach for me, but it is too stormy and too difficult travelling, especially out of the Great Road, to expect him.  I was obliged to preach my Self — to a Small Handfull.  The Text was Joh. 18.11, latter part.

March 12, 1772

1772  March 12 (Thursday).  The Snow so deep, the wind high and the whole of the weather so rough, I am in great  doubt about going to Sudbury tomorrow.  But p.m. more Moderate.  Deacon Wood came, and takes great Pains to provide for my going.  Some Neighbours will help break the way.  I went to Mr. Nurse’s in the Evening and obtain an Horse.

March 13, 1772

1772 March 13 (Friday).  Deacon Wood came to accompany me.  Mr. Nurse with an Horse for me and Sets out with us.  Messrs. Timothy Warrin, Haskil and Andrews go also.  We go by Southborough, overtake Mr. Stone at Cyprian Houses.  Thus far came Deacon and the rest; and then returned.  Mr. Stone and I arrived seasonably for Dinner at Mr. Lorings.  Messrs. Goss, Smith, two Bridges, Woodward and Cushing of Waltham there.  The Corps was carryed to the Meeting House.  I could not be excused from Praying.  The Corps were interred in Col. Browns Tomb.  It was a most sorrowful Time!  My Head and Heart full.  I cry again, “Help Lord!  The godly cease.  I must work the works,” etc.  Mr. Stone and I lodge in F. Lorings study.  How many the Stimuli to our Duty and to be ready our selves!

March 15, 1772

1772 March 15 (Sunday).  Preached at Sudbury, West Side, on the Sorrowful Occasion of the Death of F. Loring, on John 12.35 a. and p.m., in which I gave some Account of Mr. Loring from his Diary, which he had appointed to be at my and Mr. Stone’s Disposal.  N.B. My son William came to Meeting and heard me; he being but about 4 Miles off.  He came on Racketts, across meadows etc. which made it much nigher.  In the Evening I employed my Self as much time as I could, in Searching into the Diary, the Adversaria etc.

March 16, 1772

1772 March 16 (Monday).  Mr. Nathan Loring accompanyed me to Capt. Wood’s.  Dined at Capt. Ezekiel How’s.  He tells me that Mr. Peter Noyes, who was at meeting with us yesterday, both forenoon and afternoon, is dead.  The Road tolerable as far as the parting beyond the Milestone 26, but then it grew difficult.  Met Mr. Abraham Wood returning home: but he had not been to Westborough.  Said he could not get there by reason of the Snow.  I stopped at Mr. Samuel Sherman’s who was so kind as to go with me, and took one of his sons with him, the Snow being very deep, and another Storm came on!  We got as far as to Mr. Stone’s, and no farther.  N.B. one William Henderson, Watch maker, etc. there in the Evening.  I lodged there.

March 17, 1772

1772 March 17 (Tuesday).  The Snow So deep I had Mr. Isaac Johnson and Mr. Ezra Baker to accompany Me as far as Mr. Timothy Warrins, but when I came to the Corner of Mr. Nurse’s Bridge, the Bank of Snow filled the Road: was forced to go back to Dr. Hawes to ask Help.  After dining there, the Doctor and Solomon Batherick went with Shovels and assisted Me — so that I arrived here in Safety.  D.G.  My wife told me they had narrowly escaped burning last Saturday Evening by the Fire blazing out under my Study Hearth.  N.B. Mr. Taylor came here Saturday p.m. and tarried till this Morning.  Mr. Elisha Forbes calls at the Door to tell me Mr. Phinehas Maynard was near his End, and that his Wife desired me to go over there.  But I had no Horse, the Snow deep, the night coming on, the Man incapable of Conversing, no going out to get any Assistance by Horse or sleigh, and I was so newly arrived from my Journey, that I did not go, but prayed for him and them here.  N.B. Heard to day that Rev. Mr. Webb of Uxbridge is to be buryed to day.  May the Lord sanctifie this and the other Deaths, that I may be the more quickened to prepare for my own!

March 18, 1772

1772 March 18 (Wednesday).  Mr. Spring here to Mend and Secure my Hearth and Floor.  Phinehas Forbush (whom I had Sent to) came, and I agreed with him to live with me Six Months from the middle of April (if the Weather shall suit to begin then), but I must give him £11 Lawful Money.  But I Shall depend upon his doing my Business without further Charge.  Mr. Hannaniah Parker here and pays me so much in Money and Notes that I gave him Receipt for £63.0.6 old Tenor.  Mr. Wheelock came to acquaint me that Mr. Phinehas Maynard dyed last night; and to desire me to attend his Funeral on Friday.