Category: Diary

1773 November 16 (Tuesday).  Breck (who did not return till Saturday Evening, having accompanyed his Sister Hannah to Ashburnham) goes to Mendon.  Lent him 27 Dollars.  Breck returned from Mendon the Same Night.  Mrs. Thankful Rice (Josephs Mother) brought me, at my desire, the Copy of Mrs. Eunice Rice’s Confession to the Church, and with it the Decree of the Governor and Council dissolving the Marriage etc.  She dines here.

1773 November 17 (Wednesday).  P.M. Mrs. P________ visits Mrs. Bass.  I went at Eve to accompany her home.  Capt. Baldwin Sends my Cattle home, viz. three — My Steer of 4 years past, and two heiffers.  Six yearlings of his also are drove here to be kept for him the winter ensuing.  Issachar Bates and Isaac Baldwin came with them and lodged here.  Mr. John Marsh, late Tutor at Cambridge, came from thence here, and lodged.  He has taken his leave of College, and they have chose another Tutor in his stead, namely Mr. Gannett.

1773 November 18 (Thursday).  Mr. Stone and Mr. Smith made me a brotherly Visit, and dined here, but knew not of the Lecture to Day and were unprepared  to preach.  Mr. Stone prayed and I preached my Self on Isa. XII.1.  Stopped the Church on Account of Mrs. Eunice Rice’s Affair, and on Account of Deacon Tainters Legacy.  On the former, did nothing  further than to desire Mr. Tainter (who had not been to Boston and therefore had not done any thing for the Church as expected) and Squire Whipple to endeavour to procure Copys of the Evidences in the Case, if they could.  On the latter, voted that it Should lye as it was.  At Eve Mr. Benjamin Webb (our School-master) here.  Sups, but does not lodge with us.

1773 November 19 (Friday).  My Son Alexander and his Wife’s sister Ruhamah, accompanyed by Young Mr. Buckminster of Rutland, who is going to preach at Charlestown, came and dined here.  At Eve came Mr. Forbes, his Wife and son, returning home from Cape Ann, whither they had been to visit their new-marryed Daughter.

1773 November 20 (Saturday).  They pursue their Journey to Brookfield.  Alexander returns from Framingham — dines and goes home.

1773 November 21 (Sunday).  Omitted Public Reading.  Preached on 2 Tim. 1.12, partly on Account of the Revolution of the Year with this Church (lasts Lords day was the first of the New Year, but this was the first when I could be at home) and partly on account of the Communion, which was administered.  P.M. on Mat. 6.15 and finished the Discourse on those words.  O might it please God to render my weak Efforts beneficial!  Deacon Bond and Mrs. Maynard dined here.

1773 November 22 (Monday).  Mr. Elisha Forbes going to Boston, I wrote to my son Samuel and Sent him a small Token before Thanksgiving.  Am very sollicitous  about my Subject to preach on, upon the Ensuing Solemnity.

1773 November 23 (Tuesday).  Engaged in my preparations.  Town Meeting for Debts etc. but adjourned.

1773 November 24 (Wednesday).  Much engaged — but one Robert Rose, an Hatter, here, interrupts me with his work.

1773 November 25 (Thursday).  Public Thanksgiving.  Preached on Eph. 5.4 fervently but too long.  N.B. read also, and made use of v. 3.  May God grant his Blessing and Success!  Invited Mr. Benjamin Webb (who also came) to dine with us, and tarried till Evening.  [Mr.?] Benjamin Rice (Mr. Ebenezer of Annapolis’ Son) and Sarah Green were marryed.

1773 November 26 (Friday).  I visited Mr. Hannaniah Parkers wife, who had newly lain in, and was poorly.  Prayed there and went also to see Mr. Thomas Frost.  Breck went to Lancaster on Wednesday Eve, and returned to day.  The Town met by adjournment.  No Vote for getting my Wood.  P.M. Mrs. [Keen?] makes a Visit here.  Her Husband at Eve, and Mr. Gleason.

1773 November 27 (Saturday).  A Number of Teams are joined to bring a great Stone to the Meeting House for a Step at the East End.  [Lieut.?] Baker has given me one of the great Ladders which were used at the Meeting House, and it is brought hither accordingly.  It is also laid on my House.  I rode to Southborough (though it rained) to Change with Mr. Stone, but he had agreed with Mr. Smith of Marlborough to come here, though I knew it not.  I lodged there.  N.B. Lent Lt. Baker £13.6.3 for which he gives me his Note.

1773 November 28 (Sunday).  Mr. Stone went Early to Marlborough.  I preached at Southborough a. and p.m. on 2 Cor. 4.1.2.3.4.  Blessed be God for all Assistances.  May there be Success!  At Eve I returned home, neither was I any way hurt.  D.G.  Found that Mr. Smith had preached here a. and p.m. on Heb. 11.14.

1773 November 29 (Monday).  A Number of Men with Teams, and others, bring Stones and level the Ground and make what steps they can, at the East End of the Meeting House.

1773 November 30 (Tuesday).  In my preparations for the next Sabbath.  Mr. Lorings Diary.

1773 December 1 (Wednesday).  Mr. Whitney and his Brother Lambert came to See me (Mrs. P________ was gone to visit Mr. Hannaniah Parkers Wife).  Mr. Whitney informs me that Mr. Smith of Marlborough had on Monday a fit of numb Palsey.  The Lord pity and relieve him — and prepare for His Sovereign Will!  He (Mr. Whitney) acquaints me with a shocking Rumour about the President, which is incredible!  That he has gone away — was Seen at Westminster etc. etc.

1773 December 2 (Thursday).  Catechized at the Grout-School House, and though it rained, had 30 Children.  Went in to See Old Mrs. Grout, who was poorly.  I was generously entertained there.  Mrs. Mary Bradish came to see me and lodges here.  So did Mr. Benjamin Webb, who this day finished his School and his boarding at Mr. Whipples, and now makes me a visit.  He prayed in the Family at night.

1773 December 3 (Friday).  Both Mr. Webb and Miss Bradish left us, not without some of my free, plain Discourse to each.  Mrs. Godfry here and was further examined.  Approbated.  Breck to Lancaster.

1773 December 4 (Saturday).  Mr. Mellen of Chauxit calls here.  He confirms the Shocking Story of President Locks awful Fall!  O how lamentable this Dispensation of divine Providence!  How unsearchable are Gods Judgments!  May I suitably improve this [tremendous?] Tryal!  Thanks to God for His restraining Grace to me!  And let him that thinks he Stands take heed lest he fall.  Breck returned — and Hannah with him.

1773 December 5 (Sunday).  Omitted public Reading.  Preached a.m. on 2 Chr. 6.18 on Occasion of the So far compleating the enlargement and beautifying the Meeting House.  Ruth Bellows (who is published to Daniel Godfrey) dined here.  P.M. Delivered the Application of my Discourse on Rev. 3.3, former part.  May the Lord set it home upon our Hearts and render it profitable!

1773 December 6 (Monday).  Mr. Bass waited on Sophy and Hannah home (after their visit to Mrs. Bass), and Spent the Evening here.  N.B. I had been reading Mr. Lorings Diary in the Day, but London Magazine Vol. 2 at night.

1773 December 7 (Tuesday).  Wrote to Rev. Rawson at Hadlyme, via Boston, to the Care of Mr. Gamaliel Rogers.  N.B. have sent a Letter to Mr. Adams of Roxbury to certifie me about Dr. Locke’s Case.  Wrote it in Latin.  P.M. Preached at Deacon Bonds on Ps. 119.126 to p. 18.  May divine Blessing be added!  My Daughter Hannah went with me.  An handsome entertainment followed.  At Eve came Mr. John Messenger of Wrentham and with him Capt. Samuel Cowell.  Mr. Wheelock conducted them here.  They lodged with us.  They confirm the Sad Story of Dr. Locke.

1773 December 8 (Wednesday).  Those Gentlemen left us.  Nehemiah Maynard comes to acquaint Jonathan with his Mothers Death.  An awful sudden, Sorrowful Bereavement!  May God be very gracious to my dear Neighbour to Support and direct him, and take Care of the numerous Company of little ones!  The last, but about six Weeks old.  A Letter from Mr. Adams of Roxbury lamenting the State of the College and of Mr. Locke.  Another from Master Waters of Dartmouth College.  In returning I have Talk with Mr. [Joseph Kean?] [illegible] at Neighbour Nurse’s.

1773 December 9 (Thursday).  Great Obstruction to Study by some Domestic Trouble.  May God graciously Sanctifie and remove it!  P.M. Catechized at Mr. Whipples and had 19 Children, viz. of both Sexes.

1773 December 10 (Friday).  Mr. Samuel Wesson of Worcester (or the Gore) came, earnestly requesting I would search among the News Papers of the Year 63 for an Act in favour of Canada Soldiers, granting lands etc.  He finds it, but not to his Expectation.  He lodges here.

1773 December 11 (Saturday).  Reckoned with John.  There remains half a Day due to me.  P.M. my wife and I attend the Funeral of Mrs. Maynard.  The Obstruction abovesaid removed.  D.G.

1773 December 12 (Sunday).  Preach on 2 Chron. 6.18.  Happy Shall we be if we rightly improve it.  I beg divine Concurrence by His Spirit and Grace!  N.B. Mr. Ebenezer Rice’s Wife, from Annapolis, dined here.  P.M. I thought it best to follow the forenoon Discourse with repeating the first Sermon on Ps. 51.11.  I could not prepare a new one.  May both I my Self and the people profit savingly hereby!

1773 December 13 (Monday).  Jonathan came p.m. and goes to the widow Brighams Lot to get Wood.  He puts Brecks mare into the Team, this first time of drawing with her, and thus Jonathan finished his Obligation to Serve me.

1773 December 14 (Tuesday).  Mr. Lorings Diary.  The Lord bless the reading it, and excite me to Imitation.  P.M. The two Mrs. Bakers and Mrs. Ball (heretofore Molly Baker) with her Child, made us a Visit.

1773 December 15 (Wednesday).  P.M. Ripley and Eaton from College, and going home as Invalids, came this way.  Drink Tea etc.  They inform me that President Lock having resigned his Office, removed to Sherburn yesterday [illegible] Sennight — that there is great stir at Boston against Landing the East India Company’s Tea etc.  They pursue their Journey before night.  Sent by Ripley to Mr. Stephen Salsbury, Huntingtons Sermons.[1]  At Eve agreed with Jonathan to stay a month longer at the rate of 7£ 10/, but upon some Conditions, viz. he must go away if there should come Sledding or if John Parkman comes home.

[1]Probably John Huntington (1736-1766), Sermons on Important Subjects (Boston, 1767).  Evans 10,655.

1773 December 16 (Thursday).  Jonathan goes to work anew.  I am closely engaged.  Have made a visit to several Houses — to Mr. Bass’s, drank Tea there.  Borrowed a Volume of Court Miscellany, the year 67.  Mrs. Rice of Annapolis makes us a Visit and lodges here.

1773 December 17 (Friday).  Mrs. Rice leaves us.  At my preparations.

1773 December 18 (Saturday).  The world is filled with the News from Boston of the Tumultuous rising, and destroying many Chests of Tea, Sent by the East India Company.  Mrs. Godfrey here with her Relation.  Mrs. Stockwell with hers.  As to the latter, am Obliged to transcribe what She brought.

1773 December 19 (Sunday).  Preach a.m. on Ps. 51.11.  At noon Mr. Gale informed that one Mr. (Elias) Jones, a Preacher, was at Meeting.  I invited him home.  He dines with me.  The way was not clear him to preach, having no Credentials.  I went on p.m. my Self with the Same subject, though I had made some preparations on another Text but had not writ the whole of what I designed to deliver; and therefore laid it aside.  Mr. Jones lodges here.

1773 December 20 (Monday).  Mr. Jones goes on his Journey.  He is going to Jersey College, though at this, as it now proves, rigorous Season.  Elias goes to Mr. Whipples Mill with a Team loaded with Salt to be ground; 25 Bushel; for his Brother Breck.  N.B. Breck and a Number more meet at Lt. Bakers in order to Unite in Society to collect a Library of useful Books.  Read in Court-Miscellany the Lives of Dr. Sydenham, Rev. Laurence Sterne (Author of Tristram Shandy etc.).  I read also a Number of other Pieces.