Category: Diary

1772 October 16 (Friday).  I read the latter part of the Book of indian Dialogues, to the two aged women here, a.m.  But Mrs. Dunlop leaves us — and that in a very gracious and affectionate manner.  May the Lord be with her Spirit and may her fervent prayers at parting be graciously and abundantly answered!  Sophy to Shrewsbury.  P.M. Cousen Sally Brigham with her Sister Maynard came to See us.  Forwarding my preparations.

1772 October 17 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1772 October 18 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 65.  Preached on Hosea V.1-4.  Mr. Waters dined here.  P.M. Read 2 Pet. Ch. 1.  Went on with the Subject from Luk. 8.18 and finished the Repetition of that Continuation of page 12 of Sermon on 2 Cor. 2.16 and in the Close delivered some Quickenings and Directions in the Duty of Charitable Contributions.  After Sermon we had a Contribution  for Mr. Samuel Fay.  I fear it is but small.  Many Persons have manifested great Dissatisfaction with him for what they have understood of his Conduct towards his Wife and Children — but I hope he is more humble and meek, now he is brought into so great Straits and Difficultys.  May the Lord pity and re[lieve?] him — blessing to him what has been Collected this Day for him!  The Lord pardon us wherein we have been deficient and accept graciously our Offering, be it more or less!

1772 October 19 (Monday).  Deacon Wood informs me that there is great Trouble at Ensign Jeduthun Fay’s: That his son came earnestly to him this morning to desire him to go to their House — that he found Mrs. Fay in a distressed Condition by Reason of the great Confusions and Contests in the Family arising from their different sentiments in Religion.  A number of Neighbours, about 30 old and young, came about 9 or 10 o’Clock to husk my Corn.  I committed the whole matter of their Refreshments and their Dinner to them, to have every thing relating thereto when and as they Should please.  Accordingly They had Liquor and Bread and Cheese to their Satisfaction, but they did not choose to have the dinner till they had done husking the Corn, which was carted.  A Load was left in the Field.  This they could not meddle with because what was brought held them till sunsett.  I went out to them not less than three times to entreat to have their Food, and See that they had Drink enough.  But yet two, Mr. Tainter and Mr. Biglow, appeared offended and I was told that some went away — but a Number returned again and stayed to eat with us.  The abovementioned were also pacifyed.  The Two Deacons (especialy Deacon Wood), together with other elderly Men, conducted the Affair.  The Corn was very Moist, having been greatly Soaked by the late great Rains.

1772 October 20 (Tuesday).  The Ministers Meeting here, but only Messrs. Smith and Goss of the Association here.  Mr. Fitch came, but did not speak of joining with us.  I was chose Moderator but Mr. Goss prayed.  Capt. Ezekiel How of Sudbury brought me a Letter from the Church of the West side to desire Assistance in the Ordination of Mr. Jacob Biglow, their Pastor. This Day an Ecclesiastical Council, I suppose, are met at Holden on Account of Some imprudent (if no worse) Conduct of Mr. Davis — to our great Astonishment!  O that God would please to sanctifie these dark, sorrowful Dispensations to excite Self-search, deep Humilliation and  Vigilant Circumspection!

1772 October 21 (Wednesday).  Distressing Rains.  Am reading Mr. Lorings Diary.  Am deeply abased.  O how worthless I am!  How short I fall!  Mr. Daniel Forbes here with a Message from Mr. Hutchinson to entreat me not to fail to attend at the Church meeting there.  Mr. Forbes informs me Mrs. Fay (Ensigns Wife) had Fitts last night at Mr. Nurse’s: but she is got home to day.

1772 October 22 (Thursday).  Catechetical Exercise.  22 Young Women.  Preached to them on the Nature of God.  Gave at the End (besides the former uses) a close application according to the present state — a Number of our young people having been guilty of Fornication.  May the Lord grant them the Grace of unfeigned Repentance and Reformation and Others be admonished and Cautioned!  Mrs. Wilson of New Brantry, and Mrs. Caryl here to see their Aunt.  Hear that Mrs. Fay abovesaid has a Fever; and is insane.  Wrote by Josiah Newton to Mr. Jacob Biglow at Waltham, that I did not know him etc.   Received a Letter from Rochester of the 18, and that on the 19th 6 o’Clock a.m. my Daughter Moore was in Travel; has women about 2 Hours.  May the Omnipresent and All sufficient God be with her as the Matter may require!  Though I hope by this time she has happily experienced Deliverance.  Capt. Jonas Brigham here, and very Curteous.

1772 October 23 (Friday).  Ventured to make a Visit to Mrs. Fay.  Found the Ensign not well, but his Wife delirious.  Their Daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Maynard, much overcome.  I conversed as I could, but was not asked to pray.  However, Several of the Young Persons Said they hoped I would not forget them.  Dr. Ball there and informs me that the Council at Holden is over, and that Mr. Davis is dismissed.  A Most sorrowful Dispensation!  May God grant me Grace to make proper Reflections!  and O that Others, that I, may be kept from falling, and dishonouring our holy Office.  Old Mr. Arnold was here Yesterday and to day, urging me to go again to the Church Meeting at Grafton.  And towards Evening came Mr. Hutchinson himself.  He desires he may find in me a Father and a Friend.  Discovers to me what he purposes; and prays me not to deny his Request of my attending their Meeting this once more.  After much importunity and reasoning with me upon it, I can’t withstand — but do Consent to go.  He has been at Holden and attended on the Council; heard the Accusations, the Speeches and Result.  I don’t understand that he was charged with any Gross Act: but So much was found, that it was evident all his Usefulness there, was over.  Therefore Mr. Davis asked a Dismission; is accordingly dismissed; but by his humble Address is restored to the Charity of the Church, and if he shall behave well, after 3 Months (during which Time he is suspended from Preaching), he may be again recommended to Service in the Churches.  The Lord Pity him and give him Repentance unto Life!  And O that God would graciously compassionate our state who remain in the Ministry!  We know not what to think or say.  We are confounded, and Cast our Selves into the Dust.  Horror hath taken hold of me, because men forsake the divine Law!  Ezra Ripley from College came.  Lodged here.

1772 October 24 (Saturday).  Ripley to Brookfield.  Dr. Crosby came in kindly to inform me of what had been done at Holden, and Shew me the Result.  He was one of the Delegates and took a Copy of it.  This also he is Obliging enough to give me.  He informs of a Court held to day at Squire Whipple on Account of a Number of rude Fellows at Shrewsbury who there abused a poor Woman said to be one Widow Goff.  Charles Brigham Esq. was here beseeching me to attend the Church Meeting at Grafton next Monday.

1772 October 25 (Sunday).  Read Isa. 66.  Preached on Amos 5.5.  Master Waters and Ruth Bellows dined here.  P.M. Read 2 Pet. 2.  Preached a sermon I heretofore delivered, on Isa. 55.8.  N.B. The Children of Jeduthun Fay desire prayers for their Mother.  I hear there are two School masters in Town besides Waters.

1772 October 26 (Monday).  According to my Promise to Mr. Hutchinson and in complyance with several Others who sollicited me, I went again to Grafton to the Church Meeting.  Messrs. Hall and Maccarty came also.  Mr. Hutchinson apprized us of his Design of asking a Dismission and shewed us a Paper which he designed to present us to be read to the Church.  But we went to the Meeting in the form which had been planned for this adjournment.  Mr. Hall began with Prayer.  I proposed the Business of the Meeting — but did not go far into either Article.  Mr. Hutchinson gave me his Paper exhibiting his Desire, which was read — I suppose to the Churchs Surprize.  But it being directed to us the Moderators we desired to have a little Space to conferr together and therefore adjourned to one p.m.  When we had dined and returned, having drawn up our Minds in a paper [which?] was read to the Church.  The Church (with reluctance indeed) voted that they conformed to it.  And as we therein advised to call a Council of five Churches to Conduct the solemn Affair of Dismission, So the Church Voted it and proceeded to nominate and vote them.  They were Westborough, 1st in Sutton, Worcester, 1st in Shrewsbury, and Mr. Leonards in Woodstock.  Mr. Hutchinson offered to have the Council at his House, but the Church chose a Committee both to Sign Letters Missive, and to take Care respecting Provision for the Council.  The Meeting was dissolved.  Mr. Maccarty prayed.  After meeting I talked with Mr. Isaac Harrington and told him how probably, his and his Neighbours great Mistake was made, viz. through their apprehending that I read Mr. Hutchinsons Letter to me, when I read the Record of the preceeding Meeting.  He went away Satisfyed.  Mr. Maccarty drew a Letter Missive, whereby to form the rest.  I gave Mr. Hutchinson solemn Charge to consider deeply and lay to Heart this awful Dispensation of divine Providence which he was himself so much the Cause of; and to labour to become truely and deeply humbled before God for all is [sic] Defects and Miscarriages, Such especialy as he had himself owned and acknowledged and that he might be verily Sincere — which if he was then he would not try to mitigate and palliate etc., for extenuating aggravates etc. etc.  Returned at Eve.  Mrs. P________ is poorly from Day to Day.  Complains of an heavy, distressing Load at her stomach: and many times reaching to Vomit.

1772 October 27 (Tuesday).  Employed chiefly in looking over and Correcting sermon Notes for the Brigham Lecture.  Mr. Stacy here.  [but?] is disappointed.  He wants me to marry him next day; when I must be at Marlborough.  At Night especially Mrs. P________ grew much indisposed and goes to bed before prayer.  She is greatly oppressed with an heavy load at her stomach, attended with sickishness, reaching to vomit etc.

1772 October 28 (Wednesday).  Mr. Fitch came.  Dined with me, and preached my Lecture on Rom. 3.24, “Being justifyed freely by His Grace” etc.  A good Discourse and Awakening.  The Lord make it profitable to us.  After Lecture our three Schoolmasters were here, viz. Mr. Manasseh Smith, Mr. [blank] Barnard, and Master Waters.

1772 October 29 (Thursday).  I rode to Marlborough.  Called at Coll. Williams.  Got a Copy of Record of my 13 Acres and 14 Rods.  Dined at Mr. Smiths.  Mr. Stone was there.  I preached the Brigham Lecture on Prov. 4.10.  Had a Letter from Mr. Jacob Biglow (instead of Seeing him there) by which I can have no hope of any Acquaintance with him till the Day of Ordination.  Mr. Smith takes advice relative to a Dismission.  When I came home, found my Son William here.  Sophy to Upton and brings Miss Hannah Fish to work here.  N.B. My Young Cattle were drove home from Coi’s Hill, by Neighbour Newton and Six yearlings of Son Baldwins.

1772 October 30 (Friday).  Phinehas Forbes, having filled up his Time with me, now leaves me.  I have him a promissory Note for 11£ lawful Money with Interest.  N.B. As soon as Phinehas was gone, Discovered my 3 Stacks of Husks were so wet as to take Dammage.  Neighbours Newton and Joseph Bond killed my Brown steer of 4 Years, being good Beef.

1772  October 31 (Saturday).  Yesterday being rainy could not have any thing done to Save my Stacks of Husks, though they Smoked visibly.  To Day (depending upon Mr. Jonathan Barns to preach for me), I went out, and prevailed with Mr. Moses Nurse and Mr. Thaddeus Warrin to come and pitch off the Stacks and Spread the Husks abroad, and ventured to let them lie so over the Sabbath, they being too wet to make up again.  Mr. Barns did not come.  I was much perplexed — but set my Self to get ready in Case he Should not.  My Son William returns to Concord and takes with him a 2 year old Steer and a fat Heiffer which I have Sold him.

1772 November 1 (Sunday).  In the Morning came Mr. Barns from Marlborough to assist me.  Miss Hannah Fish with us.  I read publickly Lev. 10.  Mr. B. preached on Lev. 10.3 a. and p.m.  I administered the Lords Supper.  Mrs. Maynard and Mr. Manasseh Smith dined with us.  P.M. read 2 Pet. 3.  N.B. Old Mrs. Dunlop very ill.  Mr. Barns returned to Marlborough.  Prayed him to acquaint Mr. Josiah Bridge who (I suppose) is at Marlborough with my Difficulty with regard to the Sudbury Ordination.

1772 November 2 (Monday).  Visit Old Mrs. Dunlop and pray with her.  An excellent Woman!  Has much experience in the divine Life.  N.B. As I went there visited at Lt. Harringtons; and talked again with their Daughter Fay.  Took in Mrs. Harrington to hear the Questions put to her.  P.M. their son Fay worked for me — taking Care of my Stalks etc.  At Eve came Ezra Ripley, and lodged here.

1772 November 3 (Tuesday).  Ripley goes to Cambridge.  I wrote by him an Answer to Mr. Jacob Biglow.  Nathan Fay works for me.  It would have been private Meeting at Lt. Bakers, but it is prevented by the Town Meeting.  I hear the Town have voted 50£ Old Tenor for my Wood this year ensuing.

1772 November 4 (Wednesday).  Nathan Fay still.  Breck has one Benjamin Cogswell to work on his Store.  I rode to Hopkinton, being Sent for, to visit Mr. Barrett; he is now exceeding low and will doubtless very soon leave us.  Mr. Fitch’s son Elijah is very bad with the Canker.  Went there and prayed with them.  Dined at Mr. Barretts.  Prayed with him at his Desire — but He is capable of very little Conversation.  I took Solemn, endearing, and I fear final, Leave of him.  Returned home at Eve.  Ebenezer tertius here from Cambridge, and lodges here.

1772 November 5 (Thursday).  Ebenezer goes to his F’s at Brookfield.  Nathan Fay yet.  At night I marryed Mr. John Ball of Northborough to Miss Molly Baker (the late Squire Bakers Daughter).

1772 November 6 (Friday).  Have been informed that one Buss of Chauxit, a youngish, but marryed Man, hanged himself last sabbath Day: and that a Clark at Boston, a Sea faring man, a Master, hanged himself about the Same time.  Blessed be God for restraining Grace!  May God Save me from Envy, Discontent, Malice, Melancholy Gloom; and May I, by Help from God, be enabled to improve rightly my Life, Reason, Comforts and Talents!  And let the Thoughts of Death, Judgment and Eternity be so ballanced with divine Supports and Consolations that they may not overwhelm me!  I desire to committ my Soul to God.  May the Lord preserve me from this time forth and for ever!  Mr. Joseph Harrington informs me that the Church of Chauxit was Sorrowfully disturbed last Lords Day by the presence of Sundry Bolton members desiring to communicate, whom Mr. Mellen did not care to administer to: and there being a majority for admitting them Mr. Mellen left them.

1772 November 7 (Saturday).  Miss Hannah Fish goes home, and my Daughter Hannah with her.  Mr. Jacob Biglow made me a Visit, with his uncle Thomas with him.  John came from Brookfield.  Has had a bad Cut upon his left Thumb, which is yet a troublesome sore.  Nathan Fay goes home. I was very much engaged to Day, in my Thoughts on this being the last Day of the 48th year of this Church, and since my Ordination.  May the Lord be graciously pleased to help me in humbling my self in a penitent manner for my many Sins and great unprofitableness!

1772 November 8 (Sunday).  Rejoice before God for His Great Goodness to me and to this Church in permitting us to begin a New Year!  Read Ps. 145.  Preached a.m. on Hosea 5.5.  P.M. Read 1 Joh. 1 and because of the present Occasion with us, preached on v. 7, latter part.  O that God would graciously Vouchsafe this Benefit to Me!  Read Letter from Sudbury Church — another from Grafton Church.

1772 November 9 (Monday).  Hear that Mr. Fitch’s son Elijah is dead.  I dined at Mr. Nathaniel Whitneys.  Was at Mr. Jonathan Grouts.  John meets me to give me the Sorrowful News from Rochester, that Suse was nigh Expiring last Evening and a Man was come on Purpose to acquaint me with it.  I hastened home — found here a man who came Express, with a moving Letter from Mr. Moore, writ at 4 p.m. yesterday, and the Bearer, Mr. Eleazer Barrow, sat out when the sun was about 1/2 an hour high; and arrived here before two this afternoon; informing that my Daughter had been delivered above a fortnight before; has a Daughter — but her self was taken very ill last Saturday, and grew so bad the Doctors judged last Evening that She would not live till morning; and I was desired to hasten to her.  I proposed to go in a Chaise.  We provided one — but could not get a suitable Horse.  My own was too young.  Breck and John ran from Neighbour to Neighbour in Vain.  Mrs. Wood, Deacons wife, offered hers for Mrs. P________ to ride Single.  I accepted of it — but was obliged to defer till Morning.  Mr. Barrow lodged here.  Deacon Wood keeps the Horses; and I desired the Deacons Bond and Wood, to go to the Ordination at Sudbury, without me, and left the Letter missive for them accordingly.

1772 November 10 (Tuesday).  Early in the Morning Mrs. P________ and I sat out on single Horses, for Rochester, in Company with Mr. Eleazer Barrow, who came for us.  Mrs. P________ was favoured with a good Horse by Deacon Wood.  In Hopkinton, beyond Mr. Caryls, my Horse fell and threw me off.  My right Foot was unhappily under his side, crush’d so as to be bruised and sprained.  But we called to see Mr. Barrett (who was become very weak, and chiefly confined to his Bed), and Mrs. Barrett was so kind as to bath and bind up my Foot, and with Barrows Boots on my Leggs, rode on — to Mr. Fitch’s.  Left my Horse with him; he readily granting His.  Called at Mr. Prentice’s at Holliston, who is confined with the Gout.  Proceeded to Mr. Bucknams (by help of Mr. John Leland who piloted us through the difficult way), and we dined there.  Oated at Man’s Tavern in Wrentham past 3 p.m.  Arrived at Eve at Mr. Palmers at Norton, and lodged there.

1772 November 11 (Wednesday).  Early we were mounted.  Rode about 2 Miles before the Sun rose.  Breakfast at Squire Luscombe’s.  Mr. Barnham came to us and invited us to his House, but we hastened on to Fosters in Middleborough precinct, where was his Daughter Mrs. Russel of Plymouth with 3 of her Children.  N.B. her mother was Mrs. Stones Sister Martha.  We took Horse once more — and arrived at Mr. Moores about 2 p.m.  And to the praise of God found my dear Suse alive!  To God most high be all Glory!  And may I be Ever sensible of my infinite Obligations to honour and Serve Him — fresh Obligations from this Token of divine Favour!

1772 November 12 (Thursday).  Suse has various turns — sometimes Somewhat revived but distressing Load at her stomach and feverish, fluttering pulse — that her Case is exceeding doubtful.  We are in the Hands of God!  An Anodyne is given towards night — and She sleeps composedly when night comes on.  Rev. Mr. Thomas West came kindly to visit us at Evening.

1772 November 13 (Friday).  A great storm of Rain.  In the morning Suse seems refreshed with her Anodyne.  But she is very weak and low.  P.M. 4 o’Clock she is very bad.  She tells her Mother, she thinks she shall soon leave us: and she looks as if Death was nigh.  She desires me to go aside and pray for her.  We are in Distress and our Hearts wounded.  I cry to God most high — to God who performs all things for us!  O that God would vouchsafe to hear our Ardent supplications!  But may God prepare us for His own sovereign Will!  We are waiting the important Event.  Dr. Pitcher has been here daily.  Dr. Perry of Dartmouth is now sent for, as is Dr. Toby, but though we sit up till late, yet they do not come. I write by one Ward Nye of Douglass, to my Son Breck, how very low his sister is.

1772 November 14 (Saturday).  My dear Suse, though very low and has had no sleep last night, is yet alive!  The Doctors Toby, Perry and Pitcher came and consult — judge it a very doubtful and hazzardous Case.  She has now an inflamatory Fever.  By 10 a.m. it is high.  We expect she will be worse in the afternoon.  My Heart is full — But God is our Refuge.  Walked to Neighbour Josephus Hammonds to See little Sukey.  Mr. Moore and I dined there.  When I returned found the  Physic Suse had taken worked well, and instead of the Fever Fitts increasing, it abated and She was more calm and easy.  Blessed be God for His great Goodness to her and us!  Old Mr. Perry came to See us.  The whole Neighbourhood are very kind and greatly affected.  May God reward them!

1772 November 15 (Sunday).  I preached (here at Rochester) a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.16, and baptized my grand Daughter, Anna-Sophia.  It was at Mr. Moores repeated Desire, and he proposed it to the Church.  N.B. at noon I went to Squire Ruggles’s, where I had refreshment though I did not formally dine.  My Daughter was not so well this morning, having been much troubled with a Cough which exceedingly worrys her and keeps her low.  May God be gracious to her in this her weak and distressed state!  I pray for His almighty Grace to quicken me by this great Affliction and enable me to profit by it!  And as I find my outward man decays, that my inward man may be renewed day by day.  Would God be pleased to bless the Exercises of the Day to this purpose, to me, and to the Auditors!  The Lord accept the Administration of Baptism, and bless the Infant, granting her divine Grace and Wisdom to His Glory and her Eternal Salvation!

1772 November 16 (Monday).  My Daughter had a somewhat poor night by reason of her hacking Cough: but in the morning placid.  About 10 a.m. our [sic] Cheek grew red.  P.M. was the most feverish of any time yet.  Drs. Pitcher and Perry here.  She can’t be able to bear many Such Fits of Fever as this.  She, however, did not so sink under this, as I feared.  The women used an hot Bath to her Legs, which refreshed her.  Mr. Thomas West here and prayed.

1772 November 17 (Tuesday).  I am ready to doubt of my going home this week, and therefore wrote another Letter to Breck — and though I laid in with many persons for Opportunity to send it, I could not.  Rode with Mr. Moore to See Several Friends — old Madam Ruggles — Mr. Nathaniel Briggs — and there we dined — Mr. Perrys (there being a Sick Lad who requested Prayer, I prayed) — drank Tea etc.  Returned at Evening.  My Daughter not quite so bad as yesterday, yet is very low.  They bath her again.

1772 November 18 (Wednesday).  Suse is a good deal livelier and has some more strength.  It has been a Cold, frosty night, but uncommon fine Morn.  Have been reading the Life of Coll. Church and his Account of Philips War.  My Daughters Fever attends her, and although Mr. Moore counts as many Pulsations as yesterday (viz. 120 in a minute) yet She is evidently better and gathers Strength a little.  Blessed be God!  P.M. Mr. Moore and I walked to Dr. Pitcher’s to See his Physical Library; but he was not at home.  At Eve he was here.  Suse, we hope, better.

1772 November 19 (Thursday).  This Morning Mrs. Moore is more free from Cough, from Fever and Distress, and can help her self at another Rate than heretofore.  Mr. Moore and I dined, by Special Invitation, at Dr. Pitcher’s.  At Eve my Daughters State more hopeful.