1774 May 10 (Tuesday). A.M. Read the Life and Sufferings of Lord Cobham by Gilpin, and made a Visit to old Lt. Thomas Forbush. P.M. Visit at Ensign Jeduthun Fay’s; his wife and Several of his Children having Signifyed to me their Expectation and Desire of it. The man was not at home; the Woman and Children conducted with much Civility and Courteousness.
1774 May 11 (Wednesday). Am engaged in my studys except the unavoidable avocations by a Variety of workmen on the new pale Fence. At Eve Suse Brigham came and lodged here.
1774 May 12 (Thursday). Suse works as a Taylor, for Mrs. P________.
1774 May 13 (Friday). Mr. Bradshaw came from Boston, having gone from New Braintry to buy Goods (with a Team etc.). My Daughter in Law Elizabeth with him. Having dined — drinked [sic] Coffee etc. they Sat out — fearing a storm. N.B. Received by them the papers of yesterday containing the Act of Parliament for blocking up the Harbour of Boston — and which is to take place on June 1 next. Also containing General Gage’s Appointment of Governor in the room of Mr. Hutchinson. May God most gracious behold our state! Rev. Mr. Jedediah Jewets Death pastor of the first Church in Rowley. May the Lord sanctify it to survivors!
1774 May 14 (Saturday). Closely engaged.
1774 May 15 (Sunday). Read Micah 1. Preached on the Subject of Repentence from Act. 26.20 but the present Text, Mat. 3.8 and finished that set of Sermons. May God add His Blessing! P.M. Read Rom. 1, and preached on v. 18. God grant we may all be thoroughly awakened hereby! N.B. My Son John came this morning. The Rain yesterday prevented his coming before. He has been to Lancaster. Mrs. Molly Taylor dined with us. She keeps school at Mr. Jonathan Grouts (or the School House near).
1774 May 16 (Monday). Town Meet to choose a Representative. Capt. Maynard is Chose again, and pritty unanimously. Read Dr. Watts on the Glory of Christ God man.
1774 May 17 (Tuesday). Mr. [Henry?] Quincy from Boston informs that Col. Hancock languishes — that his Aunt is very ill — that today General Gage enters Boston to take the Government of this Province. It is a very rainy season and our Business in farming is much retarded.
1774 May 18 (Wednesday). Breck Sends a Team to Providence and p.m. goes himself. Mr. Jacob Gibbs here to request my Notes of the sermon delivered at the Fast at his House last December that it may be printed. Tells me the Children he buryed were these following.
Relyance, in her 12th year, dyed Nov. 25, 1773.
Jacob, in his 10th — dyed Dec. 10.
John, in his 19th — Dec. [1?]5.
Sarah, in her 17th — Dec. 17.
Jerusha, in her 14th — Dec. 22, the Day of the Fast.
Lydia, in her 8th — Dec. 24
Elisha, in his 6th — Dec. 29.
1774 May 19 (Thursday). I walked up to Widow Brighams to obtain her Mare for next week but She is bespoke. Walked to Mr. F. Whipples — got an Horse there to ride to Shrewsbury, that is to Master Goddards and dined there. Agree with him to take to Board and Instruct Elias for 35/old tenor per week — and to begin on the Monday after the Election. When returned home, found Mr. Fisher was come for the p.m. and made the Bench of the little House, but not the Partitions from the rest of the House.
1774 May 20 (Friday). Mr. Francis Whipple came and neatly underpinned my front Fence. Finished a little before 11 a.m.
1774 May 21 (Saturday). Mr. Spring works at the little House to the value of 7/6 Old Tenor. Mr. Breck and his Lady came at Eve and lodge. Breck returns from Providence and Boston. Mr. Levi Willard came and lodges.
1774 May 22 (Sunday). Read Micah 2. Mr. Breck preached on Luk. 17.32, “Remember Lots wife.” P.M. read Prov. 6.6, “Go to the Ant thou Sluggard.” May the Lord bless these useful sermons to us!
1774 May 23 (Monday). Mr. Breck and his Wife left us to go to Boston. I rode to my son Williams at Concord. Had an Horse of Mr. Barnabas Newton. In my way called at Mr. Darlings of Framingham to see his aged Mother — of 96. They entertained me very kindly and generously. I called also at Mr. Lorings. But how observable the Change! Mr. Daniel son of Mr. Nathan keeps Tavern. The study and the Closet, so many Years improved for Prayer and other devout Exercises, is now used for Drinking etc. N.B. borrowed of Mr. Loring his Grand-Fathers 4to M.S. bound, and Alphabetical: and with a number of Extracts Miscellaneously. And Mr. Lord of Norwich’s half-Century Sermon. Lodged at my Son William’s where (D.G.) they are all in Comfort.
1774 May 24 (Tuesday). Rode to Lincoln, to Mr. Ephraim Flynts, where Sojourn My Kinsfolks, Mr. Samuel Procter and his Wife. Dined at Mr. Jacob Cushings at Waltham. Present their Mrs. William and her two sons, Dr. and Samuel. At Boston My Horse was committed to the Care of Deacon Sherbourn: I lodged at my son Samuels as did My Son Moore likewise.
1774 May 25 (Wednesday). We have One more Election Day. Thanks to God! Mr. Gad Hitchcock of Pembroke, preached on Prov. 29.2. I dined in Faneuel Hall. The preacher craved: Dr. Appleton returned. P.M. Attended the Convention. Dr. Eliot was chose Moderator and prayed. N.B. All persons I am with, in all Companys, lament and mourn for what is coming upon the province; and upon Boston in special. Visit Mrs. Surcomb who now dwells other where though I found her at the usual place. She shews me her House, where she now lives, Requests me to come again, that she may relate to me what Mr. S. did by Will, for her. I hasten to see my Brother — him I find in a woeful broken state; I can’t find that he knows me. I take Opportunity to talk with his wife of her Intemperance which is so much confirmed that I am full of Distress about it — and lay it to her, though it sadly disturbs her. Call to see my Cousen Nabby Tyler, as well as sister Rebecca. Visit Cousen Bradford, who is very weak and low. Meet Cousen Oliver, etc. Was at Brother Shaws and Loyds. Lodge at Samuels. Mr. Moore and Cushing lodge there also. Betsey Baldwin boards at the same place also.
1774 May 26 (Thursday). I went again to the Convention. There were not only a proposal made of address to Governor Gage; but it was voted; a Committee was chose to prepare a Draught. This was nevertheless not perfected; but by reason of Some [limitations?] from Court it was put off till further Time and Experience. A Fast in this Distress agreed, is to be recommended to our people through the province. In publick Rev. James Chandler of Rowley delivered from [Tim.?] 4.7.8, a very serious and Profitable Sermon. I dined at Dr. Eliots. P.M. went to the Convention. I prayed at the Conclusion of this Meeting. The Convention was adjourned to the Day after Commencement. Then to Meet again at the same place, viz. Master Lovells School. Paid Edes for the News paper. N.B. Mr. Gordon has Sent to England for Dr. C. Mathers Magnalia for me; and it is come. I receive it and payed him for it. 4£ old tenor. Lodge again at my Son Samuels. N.B. My Brother Shaw came there to See me. Mr. Moore lodges there. He has bought Shirting for me, for which I payed him 24£ old Tenor.
1774 May 27 (Friday). At Mr. Joseph Coollidge’s bought me a new pair of Gold Buttons, and paid him for them 8£ 6/. Undertook my Journey home. Called at Mr. Adams’s at Roxbury where I saw Mr. [blank] of Woodstock, who was blind and deaf. The way to Converse with him, was by writing in his hand. I dined at Mr. Gordons. Mr. Rowland of Providence there also. P.M. Rode to Needham and lodged at Mr. Wests; not venturing further, in unknown Roads at Eve.
1774 May 28 (Saturday). Came home in Safety, through divine Goodness and found all well. The Glory to God! N.B. In riding home, baited at Coll. Buckminsters and had Mr. Pain of Worcester for Company, to Mr. Stone’s of Southborough.
1774 May 29 (Sunday). Rode over to Northborough and preached there a. and p.m. on Mat. 25.10 from page 45 to 61 (or 62) and returned at Eve. May God grant Success to the word of His Grace! Mr. Whitney preached for me a. and p.m. on [blank].
1774 May 30 (Monday). My Son Elias left us to go to Mr. Nathan Goddards at Shrewsbury to board and to be instructed by him. I visited Lt. Bruce and prayed with him and his Aged wife. He waxes weaker and weaker. P.M. came Brother and Sister Breck from Waltham, and lodge here.
1747 May 30 (Saturday). Mr. Cheney went home. Ebenezer has done next to none of the weeding. Does something of it to Day.
1774 May 31 (Tuesday). Mr. Breck and Lady leave us. I visited aged Mrs. Woods, who dwells at Sergeant Forbes’s. In returning called at Mr. Morse’s; but he was not at home. At my Arrival I found my Kinsman Mr. Thomas Loyd was come to see me in his Way to Blandford and with him his Daughter Nabby and his Sister Marshall, who are going with them. They lodge here. We are informed that probably this Day his late Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esquire with his second son, Elisha, and youngest Daughter, Peggy, Set Sail for London.
1774 June 1 (Wednesday). Now begins a New and peculiar AEra: for this Day the Act of Parliament called the Boston Port Bill, whereby the Harbour of Boston is shut up, takes Effect. May God be pleased to Sanctifie this His holy Dispensation of Providence to this whole People! Rev. Mr. Putnam of Pomfret, returning home, calls here. He acquaints me that whereas he had Occasion to take up £750 old Tenor of Col. Brattle of Cambridge, Some time agoe, he was now enabled to go and pay it, by his generous people’s furnishing him gratis, with the money to do it. P.M. Miss Molly Taylor, who keeps School among us, and has had our little Sukey to tutor (the Widow Brigham offering to board the Child) made us a Visit. As did Mr. Aaron Hutchinson junior.
1774 June 2 (Thursday). My Neighbour Nathan Kenny under gloomy hypocondriac Disorders, I made a Visit to, and prayed with him. P.M. Mrs. Rachel Hide (lately Rachel Fay) was with me to be examined in order to her making a profession of Religion and receiving Baptism. I take some special Notice of the sorrowful Frowns of Heaven upon the Land, and upon the metropolis of this province in particular, in solemn Devotions etc.etc.
1774 June 3 (Friday). Closely engaged in my preparations. Read Dr. Thomas Newton on the Prophecys, particularly on Rev. 13.
1774 June 4 (Saturday). Sad news from Boston of the Troubles of the people there by means of the apprehension, they have of the Forces expected to block them up.
1774 June 5 (Sunday). Read Mic. 3. Preached on Rom. 1.18. P.M. read Isa. 44.5, occasioned by my being about to propound Mrs. Rachel Hide (lately Rachel Fay) to make a profession and to be baptized. May God be pleased to bless my poor feeble Endeavors!
1774 June 6 (Monday). Read [part of?] a Strange publication called “Infernal Conference,” of Dialogues of Devils, in 2 volumes, 12 mo by the Listener. Much Good to be got out of it.
1774 June 7 (Tuesday). Finish Vol.1. Visit Mr. David Andrews of Ipswich, Sick at his Bother George’s. The private meeting is deferred.
1774 June 8 (Wednesday). Mr. Stone dined here and preached my Lecture on 1 Joh.3.5, a serious, profitable Discourse! The Lord bless it to us for our highest Benefit! Mr. Henry Quincy of Boston here. By the newspapers find that Boston Harbour is now blocked up by the Kings Ships.
1774 June 9 (Thursday). Visit and pray with old Lt. Bruce and his wife. Mr. Thomas and Sister Joanna came — they lodge here. N.B. I attended the Raising Mr. Benajah Brighams Barn.
1774 June 10 (Friday). The Company returned home. Cornet Brigham here in trouble about his Brother Jonas — but I would not meddle with it.
1774 June 11 (Saturday). Mr. Simon Tainter calls to See me, with his wife, having visited his F. Bruce.
1774 June 12 (Sunday). Read Mic. 4. Preached from Exod. XIV.13. Administered the Lords Supper etc. Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Maynard, Miss Molly Taylor and Miss Susan Brigham dined here. P.M. Read Ps. 44. Preached, with many additions, the rest of Sermon on Isa. 44.5. Mrs. Rachel Hide, heretofore Rachel Fay, now wife of Mr. Noah Hide of Newton, made a profession, owning the Covenant and was in solemn manner baptized. May the Lord accept of her, and of us herein! And may Others beholding these Solemnitys, be excited to their Duty likewise, that God may be glorify’d thereby!
