Category: Diary

August 22, 1774

1774 August 22 (Monday).  Catechized at the Meeting House.  A.M. About 62 Boys. P.M. Catechized Girls.  26 and a little Boy. In all about 89 today. Young Mr. Hutchinson who preaches at Carlisle here.  In the Eve Mr. Joseph Harrington here and tells of his being disquieted.  I gave him what I conceived to be suitable Answers especially with regard to my answer to the Towns Message to me by their Committee.

August 24, 1774

1774 August 24 (Wednesday).  Mr. Wilder goes to Lancaster.  I wrote by him to Mr. Whitney to preach my next Lecture.  The Rain to Day prevented my wifes going to Brookfield which she tells me Mrs. Maynard and she designed to day.  I was very much engaged, partly reading Bishop Burnets sermon on Oct. 31, 1714, from Ps. 2.10.11, before King George I by his Majestys Special Command. 

August 26, 1774

1774 August 26 (Friday).  Mrs. P________ to Brookfield with Mrs. Maynard, the latter sending a Chaise here by her son Gott for her Aunt.  I went to Lt. Baker to see if he could pay Mr. Asa Hills note.  Mr. Spring makes a Box for my South Cellar Window.  Two artillery Companys meet. One near the Meeting House; the Other at Mr. Morse’s.  The Rev. Mr. Aaron Crosby and his New-marryed spouse visit us and lodge here.

August 27, 1774

1774 August 27 (Saturday).  Mr. Crosby and Lady go to Shrewsbury.  P.M. am informed that a great multitude, above 1500, assembled at Worcester and oblige Honorable Timothy Paine to renounce his Commission as a Counselor etc.  And this afternoon they go from Worcester to Rutland, to oblige Col. Murray to do the like: but he is gone to Boston.  Elias brings Forsdick.

August 29, 1774

1774 August 29 (Monday).  Mr. Morse came here in the Morning, full of Earnestness, and lays before me the great Disquietment in Town by Reason of my not Signing something or other, if it were a Draught of my own etc.  Rather than have such a Hubbub and uproar, I Conceived it to be my duty to Sign what I carryed to the meeting House on the 1st instant. Covering and directing it to Deacon Bond Town Clerk.  P.M. Mr. Morse’s Training.  Prayed with the Company.  Returned home. Capt. Jonas Brigham here, and very fierce about our Rulers.  N.B. Messrs. Caleb and Levi Wilder dined here.  Miss Suse still with us.  Mr. Webb, Mrs. Spring etc. drink Coffee with us.  N.B. Accounts from different parts, esp. from Salem, Medford, Roxbury — that the people are resolved to have Town Meetings according to the old Method.

August 30, 1774

1774 August 30 (Tuesday).  Lt. Nathan Brigham came with a Letter from Mr. Stone request [sic] my Assistance in a Fast next Thursday.  Mr. Hezekiah Taylor dined here.  The world is filled with amazing Distractions.  We daily hear of Tumults. A Meeting at Worcester, of the Committees of Correspondence for this County.  Mrs. Parkman returned from Brookfield.  She relates the Great Trouble my Son Forbes was in last Saturday Night — by reason of the Disquietments of the people, and the [ministers?] Premonitions given [illegible].  N.B. My Son Ebenezer and his son Bradshaw (who has marryed his Daughter Mary) are among the high Liberty men.

August 31, 1774

1774 August 31 (Wednesday).  The Cullocks, Joseph and John have finished my Wall nigh the Meeting House.  Joseph has been 10 Days and John 8 Days besides this Morning till passed ten o’Clock a.m. and ask 20/ old Tenor per Day.  Asa Ware has also assisted many Days with my Team.  Mr. Whitney and his Wife, also the Widow Snow, dined here.  He preached my Lecture on Mat. 5.16, “Let their Light Shine” etc.  He presents me his Discourses on the late Fast, July 14. Mr. Webb, and Mr. Gleason with his Wife here after Lecture.  Mr. Gleason was at Worcester last Saturday and saw what was done to Squire Paine: he relates many Occurrences of late at Boston, Roxbury etc.  Write to Mr. Moore: and to my son Alexander.  Breck goes to Lancaster, to an Entertainment at Col. Levi Willards.  Elias came home from Mr. Goddards, though he went but yesterday.  His master is gone to Uxbridge.

September 1, 1774

1774 September 1 (Thursday).  This is the important Day of the Congress at Philadelphia.  On this Occasion the people of Southborough keep a Fast.  I went to assist them.  Mr. Stone began with prayer.  Mr. Fitch preach[ed?] on Ps. 85.4,5,6,7.  P.M. Mr. Fitch prayed and I preached on Ezek. 5.5-9.  May God graciously accept our Supplications and grant His Special Presence with His Servants, the Delegates from the several Governments, and Vouchsafe ‘em Direction and Instruction according to the weight and importance of the Arduous Affairs depending!  Proportionable Wisdom and understanding are from Him alone. N.B. Met Capt. Ward returning from the Meeting of the County’s Committees, who met at Wor’ster on the 30th ult. who have drawn up Resolves that are to be printed. Mr. Edmund Chamberlin has Some discussion with me about a story, which Mr. Clois told his Father concerning Mr. Bridge’s defending his not signing from my advising him to stand out etc. — but which was very groundless.  Mrs. Beeton carrys her Mother, who grows feeble and weak, home to their House.

September 2, 1774

1774 September 2 (Friday).  This morning was ushered in with Alarms from every Quarter, to get ready and run down to Boston or Cambridge.  The Contents Magazine of Powder at Winter Hill had been carryed off — namely [550?] Barrells; by Treachery; etc.  This is told as the Chief Affair. 72 of our Neighbours marched from Gales (tis said) by break of Day; and others are continuely going.  My young man goes armed, with them. About 5 p.m. Grafton Company, nigh 80, under Capt. Golding, march by us.  N.B. Squire Whipple here.  Says he is ready to sign etc.  It is a Day of peculiar Anxiety and Distress!  Such as we have not had — Will the Lord graciously look upon us; and grant us Deliverance — for we would hope and trust in His Name!  We send for Mrs. Spring and her two Children to be here with us, while her husband is gone with the People.  Breck returned from Lancaster.  At Eve we have most sorrowful News that Hostilitys have commenced at Cambridge, and that Six of our people are killed; that probably Some at least may be of Westborough.  Joshua Chamberlin stood next (as it is related) to one that was slain.  We have many Vague accounts and indeed are left in uncertaintys about Every Thing that has occurred.  Sutton soldiers — about 250, pass along by us — but after midnight are returning by reason of a Contrary Report.  Mr. Zech. Hicks stops here.  Breck is employed in the night to cast Bulletts.  A Watch at the Meeting House to guard the Town stock etc.  Some Towns, we hear, have lost much of theirs, as Dedham, Wrentham etc.

September 3, 1774

1774 September 3 (Saturday).  Capt. Benjamin Fay came here between 2 and 3 o’Clock in the morn in much Concern and knew not what to do.  After Light and through most of the forenoon, vague uncertain Reports. Sutton men that had gone to Deacon Wood, came back to go down the Road again.  My son Breck with provisions, Bread, Meat, etc., Coats, Blanket etc., for it was rainy, rides down towards Cambridge to relieve Asa Ware, Mr. Spring, and others who were unprovided.  About noon the Sutton Companys come back again and go home,  Rev. Chaplin among them. So do the Grafton men.  Mr. Abraham Temple relates to me, that he, having been as far as to Cambridge and himself Seen many of the Transactions, that there were no Regulars there, no Artillery, no body Slain — but that Lt. Gov. Oliver, Messrs. Danforth, Joseph Lee, Col. Phips (the high Sheriff) had resigned and promised that they would not act as Counsellors — that Mr. Samuel Winthrop computed there were about 7000 of the Country people had gathered into Cambridge on this Occasion — that it was probable, as he (Mr. Temple) conceived, that the Troubles would subside.  N.B. When the Sun run low, Our Company returned (consisting of Horse and Foot about 150). With them were my Son and my young man — all without any Evil Occurrance.  To God be Praise and Glory! I Suppose Capt. Maynard and those who were with him are returned also.

September 4, 1774

1774 September 4 (Sunday).  Expected Mr. Taylor to preach for me for he said he would or Send his Brother if he did not go his Journey with his Brother Crosby, on Wednesday, but heard they were not going on Thursday.  But he did not come, nor any body else to help me; whereas Such had been the many Engagements and interruptions of the last week that I was but in part prepared, though it was Communion Day.  Read Isa. 53. Repeated a. and p.m. with Alterations Sermon on Eph. 1.7.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Mr. Zebulun Rice and Mrs. Maynard dined with us.  P.M. I read Eph. 1.

September 5, 1774

1774 September 5 (Monday).  Another Town Meeting, upon our public Difficultys — they agree to go to Worcester tomorrow, as it is expected that all other Towns of this County will, to prevent the session of the Court under the new unconstitutional Establishment — and talk of Superseding the necessity of Courts by resolving upon having as few Cases as may be, and by Choosing men from among our Selves that may judge and determine Causes.  Squire Whipple and several others sign the Agreement.  Mr. Webb dines with us.

September 7, 1774

1774 September 7 (Wednesday).  Breck gives me account that yesterday there assembled at Worcester 4722 Persons who were in arrangements under their particular Heads, leading each Town, but without Arms: Those Heads treated with the Judges and other Officers of the Court.  The Court House was filled with Committees of Correspondence from each Town; and the Door fastened and guarded. The court walked from Haywoods Tavern to the Court House between the Ranks, with their Hatts off; and then back; a Paper being Read, Signifying that they would Endeavor etc. — but this not Satisfying, another was drawn, and Read Promising that they would not Sit etc. in that or any other Court — under the new Regulation by the late Acts of Parliament.  I dont understand that there was any Disorder. The List stands thus,

Worcester [240?]

Princetown 60

Palmer — 38

Uxbridge — 156

Harvard — 103

Sutton — 500

Westborough 200

Hubbardston 55

Westminster 120

Rutland — 150

Lunenbourg 40

Oxford Troop — 40

Athol — 51

Western — 100

N. Shrewsbury 100

Royalston 39

Winchendon — 45

S. Shrewsbury 135

New Braintry 140

Southborough 35

Northborough 85

Brookfield 216

Chauxitt — 200

Oxford — 80

Douglass — 130

Leicester 180

Oakham — 50

Grafton — 210

Spencer 164

Petersham — 70

Holden — 100

Sturbridge 150

Paxton — 80

Hardwick 220

Bolton 100

Upton — 100

Templeton  120  

4722

N.B. This, except Worcester and Spencer, is the order in which the Companys Stood from the Court House and Southward, viz. Uxbridge first, Westborough Second etc.  A few companys had Arms. Breck tells me also that those Gentlemen and others in the Town of Worcester who Signed an Address to Gov. Hutchinson before his going away, Signed a Recantation, which was read to the multitudes.  Tis Said the people behaved with Silence, Decency and in good Order.  Read Considerations of the late Measures of Parliament.

September 8, 1774

1774 September 8 (Thursday).  Visit at Mr. Joseph Grouts. His son very low, but his mind in proper Exercise.  Prayed there. Rode to Mr. D. Nurse’s and Mr. Childs to bespeak Cyder, which is very Scarce.  P.M. rode to See old Lt. Bruce under his Cancer.  Prayed there. N.B. While I was there Mrs. Beeton with her son and Team, removed her mothers Goods to their House.  

September 12, 1774

1774 September 12 (Monday).  Elias goes up to Mr. Goddards to fetch his Books.  Miss Hannah Fish here and dines with us.  Mr. Webb leaves the Town.  Visit Miss Hephz. Ward at Mr. Hannaniah Parkers, She being in Trouble of mind respecting her salvation.  Visit old Mrs. Kelly at her son Beetons.  Another Town Meeting about the publick Affairs, and state of the Province.

September 15, 1774

1774 September 15 (Thursday).  Breck setts out before Day for Salem.  I am closely applyed in my preparations and this Evening desire seriously to Observe the great Goodness, Mercy and Longsuffering of God towards me a most unworthy Creature, in supporting me to the Close of another Year of my (alas!) too unprofitable Life.  I would render to Him my most hearty Thanks for the preservations and [salvations?] and for the Favours and Bountys vouchsafed me through the Year: and I desire to be deeply humbled before God on the Account of the many Sins I have been guilty of imploring Forgiveness through Jesus Christ and Grace to prepare for the morrow.  

September 17, 1774

1774 September 17 (Saturday).  Closely applyed to my preparations.  P.M. Came my Kinsman Bradshaw and with him my Granddaughter Molly (daughter of my Son Ebenezer) whom he has marryed.  They have been to Providence to dispose of Potash and buy Goods — and to Stoughtonham to visit his Parents etc.  Breck returns, having been to Boston as well as to Salem — tells me of the works which the regulars are carrying on at Boston Neck etc.

September 19, 1774

1774 September 19 (Monday).  Elias not well a.m., goes to School p.m.  Mr. Bradshaw and his Wife left us in the Morning to return to N. Braintree.  Rev. Joseph Willard of Mendon visits me. Dines here. Desires me to Change with him Oct. 2.  I consent (D.V.).  A Letter from my son Cushing, giving account of a gathering of people to the Tavern in Ashburnham and causing great Trouble to several worthy persons, viz. Squire Wilder and Deacon Willard; also to another Willard; Mr. C________ himself but narrowly escaping.  Young Mr. Hutchinson, come from Bedford, informs that last Eve and this Morning there was gathering of people from Several Towns to Watertown, here they expected a Body of Regulars would come to carry off the Great Guns which had been moved there from Charlestown — but the Regulars which were in motion did not go to Waterton but to Dorchester neck, to entrench that important place.