Category: Diary

August 7, 1772

1772 August 7 (Friday).  My Chief attention is to my Preparation, in which Mr. Burroughs on Hosea is very useful.  Though I was obliged to assist Phinehas in unloading Hay; and Read part of the Life of Old Mr. John Welch, minister of Air.  Phinehas was not well in the Morning but he grew better afterward and worked pritty well.

August 9, 1772

1772 August 9 (Sunday).  We have had most terrible storms of Thunder, Lightning, Rain and Wind.  One Clap of Thunder especially was very amazing, as if it would rend us to Destruction.  O the majesty, the Glory, the mighty Power, and the Goodness of God!  For we are preserved, and Safe!  Glory to His great and glorious Name!  O what a fearful Thing it is to fall into the Hands of the living, omnipotent God!  We find this morning that the Thunder Struck one of the Stables, Mr. Andrews’s, and rent off the face board at the East End, and in some measure Shattered the Posts at each Corner.  Mr. Aaron Crosby came this Morning to breakfast, and also dined with us.  I read Job. 38 and preached on Hosea 4.15.  P.M. I read James 4 and Mr. Crosby preached.  His Text was Eph. 2.8.  May God grant His Blessing!  And make the Dispenser a great Blessing particularly among the Indians to whom he is Sent.  At Eve I was in a great deal of Care about Breck, and how to get an Horse to him at Boston for his Return home.  But after Bedtime he returned.  He had got Mr. Loyds Horse, and so came up in the Chaise which he went down in.  This delivered me out of much perplexity.  Mr. Crosby lodges here.

August 13, 1772

1772 August 13 (Thursday).  Mrs. Kelly Still indisposed.  My Young hands are earnestly bent to our Business (haying).  I am forced to leave my Study (my Sermonizing, reading etc.) and assist them in taking away (as Breck unloads) 3 Load of Hay.  A Fourth is brought, but this Stands till Morning.  N.B. Mr. Morse came from Boston, chiefly loaded for Breck but with Something for Mr. Bass, upon mention of which he falls upon me for my not visiting him Since he came to Town.  I made my Defence.  He Said the people grew uneasy at my neglecting him etc.  I told him, the least said was Soonest mended.  I heard well of Mr. Bass; and believed, by what I had Seen, he was a good Penman.  I was willing to do him any Kindness that he Should Stand in need of.  But it was not fit to play the Hypocrite, and go and congratulate him and bid him welcome, when his coming here to trade was So much to my Dammage, as it was to mine if it was to my son’s, inasmuch as I was obliged to provide for him, and could not do it any where else as I could here.  And it would be doubtless to the Hurt of both, perhaps Several hundred pounds.  And Breck had made a Business of informing him of his own Designs, and entreated him not to come; and this was so Seasonably as that it was before he brought any Goods here.  But I did not want to have any Contest with him: and thought it best to let him alone.  Mr. Thomas Twitchel was present and heard what I said.  I also prayed Mr. Morse that he would rather promote peace, than be the means of any Misunderstanding among us.

August 17, 1772

1772 August 17 (Monday).  Mr. Samuel Fay came with warm Resolutions and Threats, to my son Breck — demanding 5£ lawful Money for his dead Horse.  I endeavoured to pacify him, and entreated some Forbearance, which he condescended to.  My Argument with him to perswade him to Lenity was, my being obliged to go to Grafton immediately.  Dined at Mr. Hutchinsons and Attended the Church meeting at Grafton.  Prayed — and then we proceeded to the Business of the Meeting, viz. to see whether they did accept of the Result of the Venerable Council of June 9th last.  Which was voted in the Affirmative.  Then voted to keep a Day of Fasting etc. on Wednesday next come 3 Weeks: and to request the 4 Ministers which had been recommended to them by the Council to perform the Services thereof.  And finally this Meeting was adjourned to the Monday preceeding the Fast.  The Meeting was concluded by Prayer.  I designed to have returned home but night came on, and the Rain increased, so that I tarried at Mr. Hutchinsons and lodged comfortably there.

August 18, 1772

1772 August 18 (Tuesday).  It was rainy but I designed home after Breakfast — In which I was notwithstanding prevented by my Horse being gone.  This detained me till noon.  Mr. Hutchinson borrowed his Neighbour Shermans mare, confining her Colt that She might the more certainly go back.  Though we entertained hopes my Horse was gone home, yet it was not so — much perplexed, searched round about in vain.  Nigh night Mr. Hutchinsons son Samuel brought the Horse to me.  N.B. My Son Samuel and Miss Sally left our House Yesterday 2 p.m. in returning to Boston.

August 19, 1772

1772 August 19 (Wednesday).  Wrote to Mr. Forbes of Brookfield by John Arnold, concerning my Great Coat, which probably Mr. Forbes, or Mr. Merick of Wilbraham carryed away when they went from hence.  Old Mr. Arnold here.  Shews much Gratitude for my Pains at Grafton.  P.M. Mr. A. Crosby and his Brothers Son Samuel.  They are now leaving us to go to Onoquage.  He gives me the Names of the Indians who inhabit there.  They take leave.  Mrs. Kelly to Capt. Maynards.

August 24, 1772

1772 August 24 (Monday).  Made a Visit to Mr. James Maynards Family.  He was not at home.  His Wife asked me to pray — which I did.  Visit at Mr. Childs.  Dined there.  Prayed with them.  Was at Mr. Nurse’s and at Mr. Eleazer Pratts.  Mr. Nathan Caruth and his ‘Prentice, Nathan Champney, begin to frame.  They diet and loge [sic] here.

August 25, 1772

1772 August 25 (Tuesday).  I leave Breck and the Carpenters to go to their work and Set out early to go to Ministers Meeting at East Sudbury.  Call at Capt. Ezekiel Hows, and at Mr. [blank] Wheelers, who keeps Tavern.  There was their poor sister Manson, who was disordered in Body and Mind.  At her Request prayed with her.  At our Meeting at Mr. Bridge’s were Messrs. Smith and Stone, and Mr. Goss.  I was moderator and prayed.  Candidates there also were Messrs. Marrit and Abraham Wood.  Gave the latter a further Approbamus.  See minutes of Association.  Mr. Stone and I rode to my son Williams and lodged there.

August 26, 1772

1772 August 26 (Wednesday).  We rode, by Special Request, to Bolton.  Called to see Mr. Gardner (who yet preaches).  Dined at Mr. Goss’s; and Messrs. Zadiel Adams and Whitney of Shirly.  At the Lecture in Mr. Goss’s House, I prayed.  Mr. Adams preached a seasonable sermon on Ps. 133.1, “Behold how good” etc.  After the Lecture the Church desired the Ministers would return in among them.  We went in accordingly and the Substance of the Conference was first to Settle which was really the Major part of the Church when the important Vote of the Dissatisfyed was passed.  The Brethren present asserted them Selves to be, and Shewed how the Number stood.  Then they considered and took Advice upon a Proposal Mr. Goss made about his Dismission, on these Terms with the Aggrieved, viz. their retracting their Extraordinary Measures and granting Such Consideration for Dammages as Indifferent Persons chosen from other Towns should See meet and reasonable.  But it was feared they would not comply.  Could not get away till about sunsetting.  I had Capt. Edward Johnson for Company some part of the way.  Lodged at Mr. Whitneys.  N.B. Mrs. Whitney was delivered of another Daughter, last night.

August 28, 1772

1772 August 28 (Friday).  The Proprietors of the Stables nigh the Stoore [sic], generally for the moving the stables, except Mr. Andrews and Mr. Richard Barns.  I went to them and made ‘em Offer, to their Satisfaction.  P.M. a Number of Hands (to 40) came together and moved the Stables aforesaid — and the Shop — and raised a store 35 feet long; but 8 feet post.  No Disaster.  D.G.  I made a Visit to Mr. and Mrs. Bass, in her new Circumstances, and am reconciled to them.  Consent to Baptise the Child.  Mr. Winter waits on his aunt Bradshaw here from Brookfield, and lodge here.  Mr. James Maynard junior here, complaining of Deacon Bond and Capt. Jonas Brigham, as being Instruments of greatest Dammage to him.

August 31, 1772

1772 August 31 (Monday).  Elias goes to Leicester to his Brother Alexander for my Steers.  I sat out on my Journey to Brookfield.  Mr. Bangs of Hardwick my Company part of the way.  I called at Mr. Maccarty’s, who was not at home.  Mrs. Maccarty acquainted me with the sad News of Complaints at Holden against Mr. Davis, and that he had made a Confession of Some imprudent Behavior but nothing Vile.  Refreshed my Self at Alexanders.  Called at Mr. Conklings, where were Col. Joshua Henshaw and a Number of his Family.  Engaged Mr. Conklin to preach at Westborough next Lords Day.  Arrived at my son Forbes’s Some time before night; and lodged there.  N.B. Mr. Forbes came home at Eve from Pelham.  N.B. The Confirmation of Mr. Davis’s Case (so far as the Common Reports) fills me with sorrowful Reflections.  Let him that thinks he stands etc.  Ah!  What a wound to Religion!  How our Hands are weakened, and multitudes hardened in Sin!

September 2, 1772

1772 September 2 (Wednesday).  Was willing to attend the Ministers Meeting at Mr. Jones’s, Western.  Went with Mr. Ruggles and Mr. Forbes, and their Wives.  Was obliged to preach the Publick Lecture.  Mr. Ruggles prayed.  My Text was Ps. 139.23.24.  The Rain prevailed so that many Stayed there.  I lodged with Mr. White of Hardwick.  N.B. At this Meeting there were 12 Ministers and 2 Candidates.  May God add His Almighty Blessing!

September 3, 1772

1772 September 3 (Thursday).  In returning to Mr. Forbes’s, Stopped at Mr. Wards.  Dined at my Son Ebenezers.  P.M. visited Mr. Joseph Bruce’s.  Lodged at Ebenezers.  N.B. My Daughter P________ relates divers Things in Defence of her Daughter Betty against what her Aunt Moore  had writ, and against what her Grandmother had Said of her to Mr. Bradshaw — what also her Aunt Cushing had said of her — which gave me no Small Trouble.

September 4, 1772

1772 September 4 (Friday).  Visit old Mr. Charles and Mr. Zebulun Rice.  Went to Ebenezers Pasture on Grassy Hill.  Dined at Mr. Forbes’s.  Preached the Lecture on Joh. 1.11, and O that God would please to make it savingly beneficial to us all!  At Eve Ebenezer and I had a great deal of Conversation in the Road concerning Elias (his Son), and of many Things, till somewhat late.  I lodged at Baldwins.  My Daughter B. indisposed.

September 5, 1772

1772 September 5 (Saturday).  My other sons came to See me before I mounted to come away.  Ebenezer and Lucy (upon my intimating that I wanted to prepare for settling my small Affairs) opened to me their minds concerning their Labors and sufferings etc. in their first beginning the world.  I was variously affected with what they Said.  I beg that Wisdom and Grace to do what is just and kind to my Own.  My Son B. sat out with me to accompany me in a direct way to Mr. Asher Rice’s.  We called to see old Mrs. Watson; where was her Son Draper: who was our Company through the woods, and (my son parting with me when I got near Mr. Drapers) he took me to his House and I dined there.  After Dinner he was kind enough to with [sic] me to Mr. Rice’s, whose Cancer has prevailed upon his Nose, and one of his Eyes is Shut up.  I discoursed with and prayed and took final leave, not expecting ever to see him again here.  Parted there also with that kind Mr. Draper.  May the Lord reward him!  I hastened to Mr. Conklings, and lodged there.  N.B. He was gone hours before.

September 7, 1772

1772 September 7 (Monday).  In the morning hastened to Mr. Maccartys.  He was not come home from Chauxit, but Mr. Mellen was there.  More of Mr. Davis, who is the Subject of Conversation.  Called at Mr. Isaac Pratts (in Worcester), where I was entertained with much frankness.  Hastened on to Grafton.  Dined at Mr. Hutchinsons.  Three aggrieved brought another paper of Complaint against Mr. Hutchinson to be laid before the Church.  Attended the Church Meeting as Moderator and prayed.  Read the votes of the last, and the Business of this, Meeting.  It was urged by the aggrieved that I would lay before the Church, the Paper brought to day, but I was not prepared and could not be; for one of the Articles referred to the Letter which Mr. Hutchinson sent to me dated July 13 last, which I had not with me.  Therefore I declined communicating it till a proper time.  Read Mr. Hutchinsons Confession (which now had some Addition).  N.B. Mr. Hutchinson was obliged to attend a Funeral, viz. of Hannah Lawrence, Indian, in the time of the Church-Meeting.  The Vote was put whether they were Satisfyed with Mr. Hutchinsons Confession.  Out of 30 members present, but 12 lifted up their Hands: 18, including the 7 aggrieved, were on the Negative.  It was conceived that a Number were stumbled by the Paper thrown in as abovesaid but when it was handed among them and read privately, two more, viz. Major Willard and Mr. [blank] Holbrook, manifested their acceptance of the Confession.  Much reasoning and debating ensued — particularly how they could keep the Fast since they would not forgive.  The Paper which the Brethren aggrieved had before presented which contained their Confession and the Consideration of which was part of our proper Business to Day, was not heard, because of the many Debates and strifes — and therefore was deferred to another time.  The Church Meeting was adjourned to Wednesday next after the public Exercises.  The Meeting concluded with the Blessing.  I met with some harsh Oppositions; particularly from Mr. Stephen Prentice — and because I remarked the Custom among them of Such Numbers of the Congregation being suffered to be at Church Meetings, Mr. John Sherman (not of the Church) made a bold Reply.  In returning home Mr. Nathaniel Whitney junior was company part of the way.  Found my Tabernacle in peace.  Blessed be God for this Favour!  Am informed that last Tuesday Mr. Fish (by Desire) preached at the Family Meeting at Deacon Woods.  His Text Ps. 115.1.  And that Mr. Sumner preached in my Pulpit, for Mr. Conkling on the Lords Day, Aug. 30.  Texts Jonah 4.9.10.11 and Rom. 12.2.  Breck has a Number of workmen who are Closing, digging, stoning etc.  Messrs. Joseph Green junior, [blank] Green of Hopkinton, John Harrington, Nathan Fisher, Joseph Rice, Solomon Batherick, Increase Daniels.

September 9, 1772

1772 September 9 (Wednesday).  After many Conflicts in my own Mind, concerning the Miserable state of Grafton, who have appointed a Fast, and yet have not accepted Mr. Hutchinsons Confession and will not forgive him; I rode up there (my Daughter Sophy with me) hoping to See the Ministers which they had sent to besides; and consult with them but there was very little Opportunity for that.  Mr. Hall and Mr. Maccarty came, but must presently go to Meeting.  Mr. Hall began with prayer.  Mr. Maccarty entertained us with a pertinent Discourse on Ps. 133.  P.M. Mr. Frost not coming, Mr. Maccarty prayed and I preached on Phil. 2.1 to 5 v.  And O that God would forgive and pardon!  That He would accept and bless, us and this poor divided People!  I stopped the Church according to adjournment.  Lt. Ward and Ephraim Sherman in Church Meeting had still their ill-natured Reflections — which I was obliged to resent and Suppress.  What was so contrary to all the fervent Exhortations they had heard, was too grievous for me to bear.  I could not easily get rid of my Moderatorship, though I made attempts one time after another: but I desired the Church to join Mr. Hall and Mr. Maccarty and invite them to come — first adjourning to next Monday come Se’nnight, one p.m.  N.B. Deacon Batchellor, and Deacon Merriam Seconding him, desired it might be Friday next, and it was voted — but in Condescension to Mr. Adams, Ward etc., receded — and the Motion for Monday come sennight obtained.  I was glad to See that good Spirit towards their Brethren.  I gave the Blessing at the Close of their Meeting.  Sophy went with Mrs. Molly Taylor.  I returned home, though in the Rain.  Breck had fewer hands at work at his store.  Daniel lodges here.