Category: Diary

1772 September 11 (Friday).  Mr. Smith made a Visit.  Dined here.  He desires me to preach the Brigham Lecture to young People in Marlborough next Thursday.  The Rain prevents his Return home.  He lodges here.

1772 September 12 (Saturday).  Mr. Smith returns to Marlborough.  Mr. Silas Warrin here for a Copy of the Votes of the Church of Grafton at the several Church Meetings which I have hitherto Moderated at.  P.M. Alexander, his Wife and Child here from Framingham and set out again from hence for home.  I was, of necessity, closely engaged.

1772 September 13 (Sunday).  When I was much Straitned and unprepared, a kind Providence cast in here Mr. Josiah Sherman of Woburn on his Journey home from New Haven Commencement.  He preached for me a.m. on Rom. 7.13, last Clause — sin exceeding Sinful — and p.m. on Rom. 3.28.  N.B. he read the Chapters where his text lay.  May God grant grace to profit by these excellent and fervent Discourses, and reward the Preacher!  I Baptized Mr. Bass’s Child — Hannah.  Mr. Sherman returned at Eve to Capt. Benjamin Fay’s, from whence He came in the morning. Have the Sorrowful News that Cousen Nanny Davis was yesterday delivered of a Child: a Son!  May God grant her true Repentance!

1772 September 14 (Monday).  Mr. Sherman, with whom is Mr. Peter Thatcher of Malden, and who preached at Grafton yesterday, called and took Breakfast.  N.B. Mr. Sherman left me last Evening President Claps History of Yale College, which I read out by Sunrise.  Mr. Jonathan Barns of Marlborough comes to acquaint me that the Brigham Lecture is not appointed by reason of some Difficulty with the Select men.  He Shews me his Call by the Church in Hillsboro.  Dines here.  P.M. he returns.  Miss Molly Taylor brings Sophy home: She has taught her to knit Lace etc.

1772 September 15 (Tuesday).  Messrs. Hezekiah Taylor and Ephraim Sherman from Grafton here.  Dined with us.  Their Errand was to confer with me upon this Question, Whether Mr. Hutchinson had not writ to me that the Church Meeting (to which I was called to be moderator) was by the Desire of the aggrieved Brethren?  For this was one of the Articles which they had complained of Mr. Hutchinson for in their last Paper, which was offered the 7th instant.  P.M. Rode to Mrs. Kendalls to the Marriage of her Daughter Mehetabel to Nathan Fisher.  N.B. A young man from Dartmouth College, Cornelius Waters, there: he is the present School-Master and boards there.  I am now concluding my 69th Year: the Thought of which impresses my Mind and Heart.  O that I might have a due Sense of it, and might properly improve it!

1772 September 16 (Wednesday).  This Day I begin my 70th Year.  Surprizing, astonishing, adorable Goodness and longsuffering of God!  Vid. natal.  Mr. Stone came.  Dined with us and preached my Lecture on 1 Cor. 6.19,  a Serious, profitable Discourse!  May a divine Influence accompany it for our Spiritual Good!  He returned home at Evening.  At Night came Mr. Searl of Stoneham from New-Haven, and lodged here.

1772 September 17 (Thursday).  Rev. Messrs. Trumble of North Haven, and Joseph Dann of Ipswich (Mr. Searls Company who lodged at Deacon Woods) called here this Morning.  They all go on their Way, notwithstanding the Rain.  N.B. Mr. Searl borrows of me Mr. Edwards on enslaving Negros.  I made Extracts from Mr. Clap’s History of Yale College, and wrote to Mr. Pierpoint of N.H., which I shall committ to the Care of Mr. Trumble.

1772 September 18 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1772 September 19 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1772 September 20 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 63.  Preached on v. 16.  Administered the Lords Supper.  A Number of Strangers, 8 or 9, partook with us.  Master Waters, old Mrs. Dunlop and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. read 1 Pet. 3.  Preached once more on Hos. 4.17.  N.B. My Kinsman Bradshaw came in the morning, and tarrys over the Sabbath with us.

1772 September 21 (Monday).  Mr. Bradshaw setts out on his Journey to Brookfield and designs to go to Pelham to preach there. I went again to the Church Meeting at Grafton, according to adjournment.  Rev. Messrs. Hall and Maccarty came.  We dined at Mr. Hutchinson’s.  We all went to the Meeting.  Mr. Hall prayed.  Unhappy altercations follow.  Mr. Holbrook, Mr. Nathaniel Whitney and others desired that the late Transactions of the Church should be Re-considered.  It was proposed, and voted Affirmatively.  See the Records for the rest of the proceedings.  But I may well remember, that from the Copy which I had given of Mr. Hutchinsons Letter to me, there arose great Disquietment (which had occasioned those mens coming to me on the 15th), for they had Supposed that to be in the Letter, which was not.  For which Reason I produced the Letter it self and read it.  This caused Surprize, and I was asked earnestly whether it was indeed the very Letter.  It was affirmed by some of them that it was very different from what I read in the first Meeting.  I offered to be deposed before a Magistrate that it was the Same and that I had not read any other as his Letter.  I conceive they have made this Mistake, viz. At the opening of the Business of these Meetings, I desired Mr. Hutchinson to read his Record of the Votes of the Meeting of the Church when this Meeting was appointed or warned.  This he did, and I suppose I did after him — and therein Mention is made of the Motion made by the aggrieved for a Church Meeting.  Now this (my reading his Record) was probably what they imagined to be his Letter to me; which led them into Mistake; and they were so stirred as that (having put it into the late paper of Charge against Mr. Hutchinson and not finding they could Support it) they would now question my Faithfulness.  It was remarked how strong, extensive and mischievous the power of prejudice.  I hope that what I said gave satisfaction to the impartial.  When they moved for further adjournment I told them they might not depend upon my Coming again.  The Meeting was adjourned to Wednesday come fortnight.  Mr. Maccarty prayed at the Close.  Was obliged to tarry at Mr. Hutchinsons.  Mr. Hall also.  In the Eve came in  there Two Deacons Merriam and Batchellor, Mr. Ephraim Sherman, Mr. John Prentice and others.  N.B. Mr. Shermans Exception against Mr. Hutchinson for baptizing a Negro without Administering the Covenant to him.  Mr. Hutchinson told us he judged he did, for he did it as he, the Negro, could bear — in such Language as, by its being familiar, he might understand — spoke Negro, That is, such broken words and accents as they Speak.  Mr. Sherman hastily took him up, and asked him if he could speak Negro?  And grew ready to accuse him for this, which was to  us Surprizing.  Lodged with Mr. Hall.

1772 September 22 (Tuesday).  Mr. Hall and Mr. Hutchinson go to Mendon Association.  I returned home.  In my way Mr. Rockwood stops me at his Wall to lament their Case.  Owns his mistaking my Reading at the former Meeting, which probably was Mr. Hutchinsons Record, for his Letter to me, and thereupon his thinking — he did not know what, of me.  Says he is sorry etc.  I called at Deacon Merriams and refreshed.  Called at Mr. Silas Warrins, and he (as well as Rockwood) owns his Mistake of that Reading.  Says he is sorry.  His Wife crys bitterly; her Cry was that when I took such Pains, and out of Goodness, to serve them in their Difficultys, they Should reward me so ungratefully.  I went that Road that I might call and See Mr. Nathan Leland and his Wife, who are come to live among us.  Was at Mr. Thomas Twitchells.  Before I got to Mr. Phinehas Hardys, my Horse stumbled, fell down, threw me off, upon the Ground, and it was wonderfull I escaped — but, through the Great Goodness and Mercy of God, I got up unhurt, and arrived here safe.

1772 September 23 (Wednesday).  It was rainy a.m. but Phinehas was desirous to go to the Training at Lancaster; and having provided him an Horse, he went.  Though I had Grass seed for him to sow at the Island, and other things for him to do, yet many were going, and he went.  Sophy was very ill at Night.  Letter from Mr. Moore of last Saturday; via Grafton.  I transcribe the Votes for the Church at Grafton, and for Lt. Hezekiah Ward.

1772 September 24 (Thursday).  Young Mr. Stone of Yarmouth, his Wife and Child, here.  Two more letters from Mr. Moore, viz. of the 10th and another before that time.  Phinehas has come in the morning from Lancaster.  At Eve Mrs. P________, having been not well, takes Physick.  I write to Mr. Moore.

1772 September 25 (Friday).  Go to Southborough and dine there.  Send my Letter to Mr. Moore by young Mr. Stone.  Return home in safety.  D.G.

1772 September 26 (Saturday).  I rode to Hopkinton.  Met Mr. Fitch coming to Westborough.  I called to see Mr. Barrett, who is more decayed and w[o]rn.  His Brother Deacon B. and his wife there.  I lodged at Mr. Fitch’s.  His young Child ill.

1772 September 27 (Sunday).  Preached at Hopkinton on Hosea 4.17 a. and p.m.  Dined at Mr. Barretts and after Meeting — Mr. B. had a fit, fainting away, but he came to.  Prayed with him.  Mr. Fitch (who preached at Westborough on Col. 3.[ blank]) returned, and I went with him, and lodged there again.

1772 September 28 (Monday).  The Child better.  Visit Mr. B. and prayed with him.  Return home.  Mr. Samuel Fay here.  He desires me to draw a Petition for a Contribution, being under great straits.

1772 September 29 (Tuesday).  Breck to Boston.  I Catechized a.m.  There were only 20 Boys.  And p.m. I went to the Meeting House, but there came only one little Girl.  I stayed till a quarter after three.  The time appointed (I suppose) was 2.  Yet there came no more, so I returned.  Read Mr. Lorings Adversaria in MS. No. 10.  I am sorry that Brecks work at the shop is drawn out so long, in finishing Such a store.  John Harrington and Nathan Fisher from Day to Day — Caruth to Day in Plaistering, and Joseph McCullock to tend him Yesterday and part of to Day.  Phinehas can only do a few Chores, by reason of the Rain.

1772 September 30 (Wednesday).  The Rain hinders my going to Sudbury, as I proposed, with Mr. Stone, to enquire after Mr. Lorings Diary, which I understand he has left to us.  Wrote to Mr. Stone.  I am much obstructed in reading by Sore Eyes.

1772 October 1 (Thursday).  Rode to Shrewsbury Lecture.  In my way called at Mr. Samuel Fays, and read to him a Petition which he had desired me to draw for him.  He likes it well, and desires this may be read publickly.  Dined at Mr. Sumners.  I preached the Lecture on 1 Joh. 1.3 to page 13.  Returning had Dr. Crosby’s Company.  N.B. He says Coll. Whitcomb speaking to him of great Genius’s becoming crazy, he said, “there is our Deacon Baker, the sensiblest man we have, is sometimes so out, that he can’t follow his Business”; and this the Doctor also confirmed.  Called again at Mr. S. Fays to see when he would sign his Petition?  In Answer thereto, he desired me to sign it for him — and called old Mr. James Maynard to witness to it; and he accordingly took due notice of it.  Came home in safety.  Thanks be to God for it!

1772 October 2 (Friday).  Breck from Boston.  My Sister in law, Miss Lydia Champney, with my Son Baldwin, and little Eli Forbes came.  Also Mr. D. Hitchcock and Wife.  They all lodge here.

1772 October 3 (Saturday).  The Company leave us for Brookfield.

1772 October 4 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 64.  Preached on Hos. 4.18.19.  Mr. Waters dined here.  P.M. Read 1 Pet. 4.  Preached on Luk. 8.18, using from page 12 and of Sermon on Continuation of p. 12 to p. 7 of said Continuation [sic].  Read Mr. Samuel Fays Petition for a Contribution.

1772 October 5 (Monday).  Lt. Hezekiah Ward of Grafton here requesting Copy of Votes of the late Church Meeting at Grafton, Sept. 21, which I gave him.  At Evening I sent the Bundle of Papers relative to Grafton Affairs, to Mr. Hutchinson by Miss Molly Taylor with a Letter that I Should not go up there on Wednesday.  My son Cushing and his Wife came from Boston and last from Waltham, where they kept sabbath.  They lodge here.

1772 October 6 (Tuesday).  Another Letter from Mr. Hutchinson, praying me to attend the meeting tomorrow.  I have told Lt. Ward and Capt. Brooks that I had appointed to go to Sudbury concerning Mr. Lorings Papers.  Was at Lt. Bakers.  He shews me a Letter to him from Bolton, containing Lists of Church members there.  P.M. Mr. Cushing and his wife attend the Family Meeting at Mrs. Newtons.  And he preaches on Act. 8.39, last Clause.  At Eve Capt. Brigham and Dr. Hawes came in and acquaint me with the Desire of many persons that if there shall be a Contribution for Mr. Samuel Fay, it may be delivered to the Care of some fit Person or Persons.  The Deacons were named etc. etc.

1772 October 7 (Wednesday).  Mr. Cushing and his Wife leave us early to go to Shrewsbury and thence home.  Had designed to go to Mr. Stones about Mr. Lorings Papers, but it rained, and afterwards proved stormy.  I pity the miserable Condition of poor Grafton.  May the Lord extend Compassion to them!  The storm is so great that it is doubtful whether either Mr. Hall or Mr. Maccarty can be with them.  Read in Dr. Appleton of being led by the Spirit, his Six Discourses.  At Eve Deacon Wood makes me a visit.  The chief Thing he came about seems to be to let me know that the People will not be willing to contribute to Mr. Fay unless it be committed to the  Care of Some suitable Person or Persons to dispose of it for the Familys Good.

1772 October 8 (Thursday).  It is a more than ordinary rainy time.  It seems to be in judgment.  Men have a great deal of Business to do, but cannot do it.  My own man in particular.  I am reading Expositors on Hos. 5.

1772 October 9 (Friday).  Mrs. Hawes brought her aged Mother to see us.  They drink Tea with us.  Still the distressing Rains and the Cloudy Weather continue; except that sometimes the Sun has broke out, and there is much less wet to day.  It is feared the Indian Corn will suffer in the Field; moulding in the Husk.  At Evening came Mr. Jonathan Child to forward his owning the Covenant, but I was obliged to delay it, and lent him Bishop Beveridge’s private Thoughts.

1772 October 10 (Saturday).  Mr. Stone writes me that Mr. Nathan Loring has brought him his Fathers Diary.

1772 October 11 (Sunday).  Read Hosea 5 and preached a.m. on the first 4 verses.  Dined here Mrs. Spring.  P.M. Read 1 Pet. 5.  In preaching went on with the Continuation of page 12 of Sermon on 2 Cor. 2.16 from p. 7 to p. 11, but had Luk. 8.18 for the Text, as that was most suitable.  N.B. I  was not aware that I had repeated them before now.  N.B. The writing being Small, I was obliged to use spectacles and therefore borrowed Deacon Woods for this afternoon.  I perceive my Eyes are not as heretofore.  The Lord sanctifie this Token of my Decay, to me.

1772 October 12 (Monday).  I rode to Grafton and a.m. attended the Church Meeting as Moderator again: and prayed.  Rev. Messrs. Hall and Maccarty there also.  The aggrieved Brethrens Paper of Sept. 7th, by Desire, was read.  Question put whether it should be sustained?  It passed in the Negative.  And by the Church’s Consent it was returned.  N.B. Mr. Isaac Harrington affirmed to the Church that I, at the first Church Meeting, did read a Letter or what I said was a Letter, from Mr. Hutchinson and which was not the Same with that Copy which I sent — or the Original which I at another Meeting afterwards read as Mr. Hutchinsons and that there were 20 persons besides which could testify the same.  See on Sept. 21.  I urged for Dissolution of the Meeting.  Put it to a Vote — but they would not vote it.  I repeated it — but still there was no Vote.  The Meeting was adjourned to this Day fortnight, 9 o’Clock precisely.  N.B. The aggrieved desire they may have a Friendly Conference with Mr. Hutchinson at his House next Thursday at his House, and he to invite such as he pleases of his Brethren.  He consents.  N.B. Mr. John Sherman, after Meeting, tells me he has been disquieted with me these 17 Years — and relates what I know nothing of — could remember nothing in the world about it.  But asked his pardon if it were so.  Dined at Mr. Hutchinsons.  Return home.  One Mr. Ebenezer Tufts of Medford my Company part of the Way.  Says Mr. Turell is not able to preach.  Master Waters here — and lodges.

1772 October 13 (Tuesday).  Visit old Mr. Stretton at Lt. Harringtons.  Dine there.  Visit Ensign Miller.  Return to Harringtons and Examine Nathan Fay — and his Wife.  Visit at Mr. Ebenezer Millers.  When I came home here was old Mrs. Dunlop, who came to See her sister Kelley; and She lodges here.

1772 October 14 (Wednesday).  I rode to Southborough, my Daughter Hannah with me.  We dined at Mr. Stone’s.  I preached the Lecture on 1 Pet. 1.8.  O that God would add His Blessing.  I am in hopes I felt something of the Sweetness of the word of God.  But have abundant Reason to be deeply humbled for my low Experiences.  O how gracious it is in God to order it so that such as we, who never saw the Lord Jesus Christ, may yet so believe and love, as that we may rejoice with the exceeding Joy of the Saints, which is unspeakable and full of Glory!  Mr. Stone delivers me Nine Books of F. Lorings Diary.  In returning home, it being cold, we called at Dr. Hawes’s.  N.B. The Doctor, having took Licence, has begun to Retail.

1772 October 15 (Thursday).  Began to read the Diary aforesaid.  Letter from Rochester of the 5th.  Mr. Hall of Sutton here.  Nathan Fay here at Eve, on the Affair of his Examination.  Capt. Maynard and Mr. Timothy Warrin have made a Visit to Mr. Samuel Fay, and they turn in here to desire me to acquaint the Congregation that Mr. Fay will be Satisfyed with the Collections being put into the Hands of the Deacons, that the improving of it may be under their Care; and that he shall take it kindly if the people contribute to him of whatsoever they think best.