Category: Diary

1773 April 11 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 27.4.  P.M. read 1 Joh. 3.  Mr. Bradshaw preached a.m. on Ps. 27.4.  John Fay dined here.  P.M. Mr. Bradshaw on Prov. 23.17, last Clause, “but be thou in the Fear of the Lord” etc.  Very useful Discourses.  May God succeed them!  At Eve he repeated the Heads of both.  O that we might obtain the divine Concurrence!

1773 April 12 (Monday).  Mr. Bradshaw leaves us to go to his Fathers.  P.M. sister Cushing came to See us.  John goes away, designing to go to Mr. Watsons.  A Town Meeting about the Pews.  To pacifie Several old men and gratifie some others, they vote that the Two designed Rows, of three Pews each, before the fore seats, be built back of the long Seats.  N.B. Neighbour Newton, and Joseph Bond assist in plowing my new-broke up Land.

1773 April 13 (Tuesday).  Miss Molly Taylor and her Sister Nabby came to see us.  Sister Cushing p.m. returns home.  Miss Molly Taylor tarrys with us.  Company So frequently interrupting, can follow my Studys but too brokenly.  William Sergeant from my son Alexander came for Ruth Bellows: but he lodges here.

1773 April 14 (Wednesday).  My Kinswoman Mrs. Bradford came her son William and Daughter Dorcas with her.  They dine with us: They also tarry with us.  Molly Badcock becomes of our Family.  Hear from Leicester that my Son Alexander has another son born.  The Lord be magnifyed for His great Goodness!  May the Child be blessed and prove a Blessing!  Will the Lord please to perfect the begun Salvation and restore His Handmaid.

1773 April 15 (Thursday).  Public Fast.  I preached a.m. on Ps. 51.14.  P.M. repeated, with omissions and alterations, Sermon on Mat. 24.15 to p. 7, accommodating the Discourse to the present state.  The Lord hear our prayers, make Hearts truely contrite, and pardon our Many iniquities.

1773 April 16 (Friday).  My Kinswoman and her Children left us after dinner, to go to Mr. Allens at Shrewsbury.  Miss Molly Taylor yet with us teaching Sophy to knit a curious Lace.  Mrs. Bowker of Sym[illegible] here.  Cousen Nanny Davis here to be examined.  At Eve Mr. Henry Quincy and Lt. Baker who gives Account of his Great Ox, [marginal notation: Drapers Paper for Apr. 8 says, the largest fat Ox ever Seen in America] which he sold at Boston for 50£ lawful money, He weighed alive 2501 neat.  Measured from his Nose to his Rump, 12 feet 2 inches.  9 feet [illegible] round: 5 feet, 11 inches high.  5 feet from top of Weathers to Br[illegible].  Mr. Quincy lodges at Lieutenants.  N.B. My Son Baldwin came from Brookfield and my Daughter Hannah from Leicester.  My Horse (which she rode) has been sick.

1773 April 17 (Saturday).  Mr. Baldwin towards Boston.  Mr. Eli Whitney graffs for me at Mr. Joseph Bonds.

1773 April 18 (Sunday).  Read Hos. 7.  Preached on Hos. 6.4.  P.M. read 1 Joh. 4.  Preached on Mat. 24.12 from p. 7 to 11.  At Eve read in Mr. Mitchell.

1773 April 19 (Monday).  We undertook to break up what we have been wont to call the Middle Pasture.  Assisting my Young Man with my 4 Cattle were Mr. Barnabas Newton with a Yoke of Oxen, Neighbour Nathan Kenny with Do., Neighbour Nathan Maynards Son Nehemiah with Do., Mr. Ebenezer Maynards and Mr. Joseph Bonds: in all 14 and Capt. Jonas Brighams large Plough.  “Manus ad Stivam, Oculus ad Caelum!”  P.M. rode to Lt. Harringtons to See old Mr. Stretton, and a Sick Child.  Prayed there.  Breck to Providence, and Sends 3 Load of Shingles there.

[1773 April 20 (Tuesday).  [No entry]?]

1773 April 21 (Wednesday).  Break up again.  The Help was Lt. Harrington with a Yoke of Oxen, Mr. Nathan Kenny with Do., Mr. Silas Hill’s Do., Mr. Joseph Bonds Do.  Just before noon Mr. Thomas Frost work with his Cattle — So that with mine there were still 14 Cattle at the Work.  I rode to Ministers Meeting at Southborough.  But few came, viz. Mr. Smith, Mr. Goss, and Mr. Peter Whitney.  Mr. Stone delivered a serious, useful Sermon on the Passage 1 John 3.5, “And ye know that he was manifested to take away Sin” etc.  We hear that Mr. Adams of Lunenburg is preparing to answer the Bolton narrative.[1]

 

A Paper for subscriptions head, and we Signed it, for a Number Books.  Returned at Even — all Well — Blessed be God!  Hear the Bolton people have chose Mr. Walley for their pastor.  N.B. Mr. Daniel Hemingway and a Number of other Carpenters came to Work at the Meeting House: framing etc.  Two of the Carpenters board and lodge here at 30/ old Tenor Each.  Viz. Mr. John Harrington and Nathan Caruth.  Mr. Hancock the Taylor comes to work for Sophy, making her a Riding Habit.  Daughter Hannah droops as if with Jaundice.  I visit Mr. Amasa Maynards little Daughter again — prayed there.  The Child is extremely ill.  The Lord prepare it and the parents for the Event!  Breck returns from Providence.  Miss Molly Taylor returns home to Grafton by Help of Deacon Stow.

 

[1]Zabdiel Adams (1739-1801), An Answer to a Pamphlet Lately Published, (Under the Signature of a Neighbour), Intitled, “A Treatise on Church Government.” Wherein the Errors of This Anonymous Author’s Narrative of the Troubles and Transactions in the Church at Bolton Are Corrected (Boston, 1773).  Evans 12,636.

1773 April 22 (Thursday).  Breck is Summoned to Court at Worcester to give Evidence in the Case of the Holbrooks who are imprisoned for making Dollars and now to be tryed.  I change 4 Bushel of Rye for 4 Bush. of ground Malt with Mr. Samuel Allen, and receive 20/ old Tenor Difference.

1773 April 23 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1773 April 24 (Saturday).  Hear that at Wor’ster the money makers have suffered according to Law.

1773 April 25 (Sunday).  Read Hos. 8.  Preached on Hos. 6.4.  P.M. read 1 Joh. 5.  Went on with Mat. 24.12 from p. 11 to the End.

1773 April 26 (Monday).  Breck and Sophy Sat out for Boston.  N.B. gave Breck 12 Dollars to lay out for me in Boston.  An old England Man, one Joseph Keenes, of Warminster in Wiltshire, a Taylor, came to work here for Breck.  Mr. John Maynard came to acquaint me  with the Death of his Brother Amasa’s little Daughter Annis, and to desire me to attend the Funeral tomorrow.

1773 April 27 (Tuesday).  Mr. Keenes at work here again.  4 of the workmen at the Meeting House, board here.  I attended the Funeral of Mr. Amasa Maynards Child.

1773 April 28 (Wednesday).  Wrote to my Son Moore and sent it to Boston by Mr. Elisha Forbes.  Gave 50/ to Mr. Thomas Whitney going to Boston to pay Edes and Gill for my News-Paper.  The Workmen at the Meeting House have very much demolished the inside of it, as well as Defac’d the out.

1773 April 29 (Thursday).  Visit Mrs. Nurse.  Discourse and pray with her.

1773 April 30 (Friday).  Mr. Keenes at work here Still.  Several others of his Friends came here.  Breck and Sophy at Eve arrive from Boston.  Inform me that my Kinswoman Winter is marryed to Mr. Bailey.

1773 May 1 (Saturday).  Mr. Ballard of Oxford from Boston, returning home, calls here: Mr. Stone changes with Mr. Hall of Sutton — as he goes to Sutton takes a Dinner here.  Rev. Joseph Willard of Mendon came and dined here also.  P.M. Alexander came with Ruth Bellows, and returned with a Bush. of Rye and a Bush. and half of Indian Corn.  Sorrowful News of the Death of John Arnold (well known among us) by the fall of a Tree a few days ago, at Heneker.  O that this solemn Warning might be improved suitably by all of us!  By me especially, that I may be always ready!  Lord, make me know my End!  O that young people, his Acquaintance in special, who are gay and walk in the Vanity of their Minds, might be awakened to Repentence and prepare for Sudden Death!

1773 May 2 (Sunday).  Read Hosea 9th.  Preached on Hos. 6.4.  P.M. Read 2 Ep. John.  Preached on 2 Pet. 3.11.  Was Sent for to go to Mrs. Maynard (Lucy).  Found her very low — more reconciled to Dying.  Prayed with her.  Mr. Stone returning from Sutton dined here.

1773 May 3 (Monday).  The workmen prepare to attempt the moving the East End of the Meeting House — with three windlasses, and a Number of Chains.  Mr. Stone went with me, and at my Request he prayed before they actually began.  Through divine Favour it was with good Success.  Thanks to our most Merciful God!

1773 May 4 (Tuesday).  The workmen and a great Number of people undertake the moving the West End.  Messrs. William Brigham and David Brigham with their Wives, dined here, as did Mr. Keenes.  Mr. Peter Whitney (whom I had writ to, apprizing and inviting) came p.m.  N.B. Mr. Walley and Coll. Whitcomb, going to Upton, Stop at the Meeting House, and the Movings there being accomplished, the people requested me to Return Thanks publickly; to perform which we gathered into the House — and after prayer we Sung part of the 132 Ps.  Deacon Wood invited me, Mr. Whitney etc. to an Entertainment at his House.  I went, but Mr. Whitney to Capt. Maynards.  Thus this arduous Enterprise was finished without any Disaster.  The Praise to God our Preserver!  N.B. Harrington and Caruth did not come home at Night.

1773 May 5 (Wednesday).  But they return to Day.  I rode over to Northborough.  Din’d at Mr. Whitneys and preached his Lecture from Mat. 25.6.10.  As I returned, called a little at Capt. Maynards and but a little for he was not at home.  Before I got home, Mrs. P____________, who had been to see our good Neighbour Nurse, would have me turn in to see Mrs. Nurse, because it was thought she was near her End.  I went, conversed and prayed with her, as one hastening apace out of this Life.  She her self thought She was like soon to go.

1773 May 6 (Thursday).  Between one and Two o’Clock in the Night came Neighbour Jonas Kenny and alarmed us with the Death of my good Old Neighbour Mrs. Ruth Nurse, newly entered into her 68th Year — a woman of great and many Infirmitys for many Years.  A very prudent House-Keeper according to her Circumstances, and much exercised in Entertaining Strangers and Pitying and relieving the necessitous.  In the morning went over to them and prayed.  N.B. Mr. Walley and Col. Whitcomb, returning from Upton, call here, but would not tarry to dinner — our Discourse chiefly of Bolton Affairs.  N.B. Col. Whitcomb cant say that they asked Mr. Goss to call a Church Meeting for the express Purpose of his Dismission.  Mr. Walley says he wants Advice of his Rev. Fathers and Brethren in the Ministry concerning his settling there.  At Parting at the Door I Said I could not but be greatly dissatisfyed with their Proceedings etc.  P.M. preached at Mrs. Kendalls, principally to old Mrs. Woods (old Mr. Joseph Stretton of Waltham was also present) from Mat. 25.6.10 from p. 37 to 61, omitting from p. 46 to 51.  May the Lord be pleased to add His Blessing, to our Saving Benefit!  My Grandson, Ebenezer Tertius, from Cambridge.  Has left Mr. Barrett; is on his was to Brookfield.

1773 May 7 (Friday).  Mr. Joseph Arnold of Grafton calls to see me.  He is very mournful for the Loss of his son John (whose Death he confirms) and desires public prayers here.  P.M. Attend the Funeral of Mrs. Nurse and pray’d there.  Mr. Eleazer Ward of Paxton there.  He is the only Residue of the Family that used to dwell in that House.  May I have profitable Reflections on this speaking Providence!  Hear that old Mr. Charles Rice, the oldest male member of this Church, dyed at Brookfield on Monday last.  Also that Rev. Mr. Daniel McClalland of Colrain is dead.  Lord make me know my End etc.!

1773 May 8 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1773 May 9 (Sunday).  The Meeting House very open and broken: the Floors much disordered — neither mens nor womens Seats Standing: but have reason to fear our own Hearts much more unfit for divine Worship.  The Lord set us to rights by His almighty Grace and Spirit!  Read Hos. 10.  Preached on Prov. 27, adding to what I formerly delivered on that Subject, and especially on Account of John Arnold and his Sudden Death.  N.B. several young Men, Some of them members of the Society to which he belonged, desired this Death may be Sanctifyed to them.  Mr. Barrett of Hopkinton came to Meeting here, and din’d with us; Mr. Fitch being absent.  P.M. Read 3d Epistle of John.  Went on (in preaching) with the Discourse on 2 Pet. 3.11, but could not deliver all.  The Lord grant us a Spirit of true Seriousness, that we may be Savingly profited by the Word and Providences of God!

1773 May 10 (Monday).  In the morning went over to Neighbour Nurse’s.  Mr. Eleazer Ward of Paxton Still there.  Visit Mrs. Maynard again who lyes in a very low and distressed Condition yet — discoursed and prayed with her.  May I Suitably consider who makes me to differ!  Called at Neighbour Pratts, Bonds, and Williams and drop Some Serious, quickening words among them.  Mr. Hancock the Taylor came to make me a black, cloth Coat and Jacket which Breck bought for me at Boston — 6£ old Tenor per yard, in the wholesale way.

1773 May 11 (Tuesday).  Mr. Hancock at work.  Read on Redeeming the Time; and Dr. Chauncy on Breaking of Bread a Gospel Institution[1] and Burroughs Commentary on Hos. [Ch.?] 6.5.  At Eve Mr. Keenes here, and the young woman he is published to, viz. Miss Mary Painter.

[1]Charles Chauncy (1705-1787), Breaking of Bread in Remembrance of the Dying Love of Christ, a Gospel Institution.  Five Sermons on the Lord’s Supper (Boston, 1772).  Evans 12,350.

 

1773 May 12 (Wednesday).  No Mr. Hancock.

1773 May 13 (Thursday).  Mr. Moore and his little Sukey Safely arrived from Rochester.  She rode behind her Father on a Pillion, and bore it well.  D.G.  They lodged here.  At Eve Mr. Hancock came to excuse himself.

1773 May 14 (Friday).  Mr. Moore Windbound by the Storm.  Capt. Curtis of Boston and Dr. Curtis of Marlborough here and dine with us.  Mr. Ephraim Ballard of Oxford in his return home from Boston, came in, and dines, though late; and then prosecutes his Journey.  Mr. More [sic] tarrys.

1773 May 15 (Saturday).  The rainy weather prevents Mr. Moore’s going to Ashburnham.  Elias Parkman of Brookfield comes with my Horse, and with Letters from his Father and from his uncle Forbes informing me of the Sickness of Ebenezer Tertius: having been taken ill upon his Journey to Brookfield.  Arrived there with Difficulty, grew very ill, was delirious, and remains bad, though better than he was a few Days agoe.