Category: Diary

1775 January 9 (Monday).  The Doctor leaves us.  Samuel goes to Brookfield.  P.M. was a remarkable Church-meeting; about not only Mrs. Eunice Rice and Brother Samuel Fay; but the paper which Eleven Brethren had signed, requesting the Church to bear solemn Testimony against the Convention of the Year before last, their Piece, of Observations etc. and the Associations Piece against Bolton etc.  N.B. Capt. Jonas Brigham moved that before we begin, the Church would choose a Moderator and Clerk.  The Pastor replyed that he was the Standing Moderator by Vertue of his Office, as Pastor and Elder: that in his Ordination he was constituted so; and took the Oversight of them in the Lord etc.  I had not much more Trouble about that matter.  Only I think that Joseph Harrington and Benjamin Tainter were for having a Moderator and Clerk chose.  But Squire Whipple manifested his Disquietment at Capt. Brighams Conduct, and conceived it to be too insulting to the Pastor etc.  Some others also of this mind.  It at length went over.  Adjourned to this Day Month, 1 P.M.  At Eve Mr. Gale came in.  Read him my Letter to Capt. Silas Bailey.  At Eve also Mr. Hutchinson returning from Carlyle.

1775 January 10 (Tuesday).  My Son Forbes and his Wife came from Cape Ann, but last from Mr. Brooks’s at Medford.  Their Daughter Coffin brought forth a Daughter (whom they have called Polly) on December 30 last.  To God her Deliverer be Glory and Praise!  May the Child be new-born and an Instrument of the divine Glory!  They lodge here.  My Daughters Trouble in her Breast somewhat mitigated, by Methods used by Friend Pope of Boston.  Thanks to the Supreme Healer!

1775 January 11 (Wednesday).  My son and Daughter set out for Brookfield, and Elias goes with them with an Horse to accompany them part of the way — as far as to Capt. Curtis’s at Worcester.  P.M. Mr. Stone of Southborough came with heavy Tidings of the Death of the venerable Father, Gardner, of Stow, yesterday morning about 3 o’Clock; and with a Message from the Widow and Children to Me requesting that I would attend the Funeral on Friday afternoon.  Help Lord!  the Godly cease!  The Prophets, do they live for ever?  O that God would prepare me, who must soon follow!  Mr. Stone dines with us.  P.M. leaves us.  At Eve Samuel returns from New Braintree.

1775 January 12 (Thursday).  Samuel setts off for Boston; and it soon rains.  I hear that probably my Son and Daughter Forbes got no further than Alexanders last night.  P.M. came Mr. David Spafford and paid me 10£ lawful Money.  I rode to Marlborough.  Reuben Bellows was kind enough to pilot me through the difficult Paths of Snow.  Brother Smith in a broken, Weak, distressed Condition.  I lodged there.

1775 January 13 (Friday).  A very cold morning.  Brother Stone came [to] Mr. Smiths, according to appointment, but he was so overcome with the Cold that for a while he refused to go any further.  After a little space We undertook the difficult Ride.  We called at Mr. Jonathan Lorings, whose son Israel was confined by means of the Fall of a Tree lately, upon him, and had broken one of his Arms.  We dined at the House of Mourning.  The Children were all there with their Consorts, except Dr. Samuel and his, and attended the Interrment, but the Old Gentlewoman was too infirm to go out.  It was my Part to pray, and to be the Eldest Bearer.  The rest were Rev. Messrs. Stone, Swift, Bridge of Sudbury, Johnson of Harvard, and Abraham Wood of [blank].  No Gloves, nor any other Token was given, agreeable to the advice of the Continental Congress’s Advice.  May it please God most deeply to impress us with His Almighty Grace, Support us under the heavy weight of this sorrow, Sustain His aged Handmaid especially and prepare us for our Departure!  Mr. Stone and I lodged there.

1775 January 14 (Saturday).  That I might stay at Stow, Mr. Newell is to supply my Pulpit; but does it by Sending Mr. Jer. Barnard of [blank].  At Eve I went to Mr. Newells, who is at  home.  N.B. I drew up some Account of the late Rev. Mr. Gardner, for the press.[1]  I lodged at Mr. Newells.

[1]Boston Evening Post, Jan. 23, 1775, Issue 2052, p. [3].

1775 January 15 (Sunday).  I preached at Stow, on Occasion of the Death of the late Rev. and aged Mr. John Gardner, from 2 Tim. IV.6.7.8.  Which O that God would please to succeed to the whole Audience, to the bereaved Flock and Family, but to the Ministers present, in peculiar — of them there were three, besides the speaker, viz. Rev. Messrs. Flagg of Chester, Fr. Gardner, and Newell.  At Eve I returned to Mrs. Gardners and lodged there.

1775 January 16 (Monday).  I returned home to Westborough, and in safety.  Blessed be God for Such Preservations and of my Family in my Absence!  And O that I might suitably improve this Longsuffering of God towards me.  All the venerable Persons who joined together in Association on June 5, 1725, are now dead, but I only, who was the youngest, weakest and unworthiest.  N.B. In my way home called at Mr. Lorings, who gave me 6 M.S. sermons of his Fathers; at Miss Betty Eagers, who is Sick; at Dr. Curtis’s, where I dined; at Mr. Smiths, who is not better, as I conceive; and fear he will not continue long.  I called also at Mr. Edmund Brighams.  Arriving at home I found Mr. Thomas Kendal here, who had been at Cagnawaga, and last from Dartmouth College.  He came.  Mrs. P_____ informs me that Mr. Jer. Barnard preached for me yesterday a.m. on Act. 16.30.31, P.M. on Joh. 14.23.  Mr. Barnard went to Bolton.  Mr. Kendal tarrys with me.

1775 January 17 (Tuesday).  Breck to Lancaster.  I Converse on Indian Matters.

1775 January 18 (Wednesday).  Spend my time a great deal with Mr. Kendal, about the Indian Circumstances.  Breck returns — John with  him.  Mrs. Eunice Rice here; but I could do nothing with her to effect.  She will do no otherwise than she has done.

1775 January 19 (Thursday).  Mr. Kendal, after Dinner, leaves us to go towards Boston.  He carrys a Letter from me, to be conveyed to Rev. Gordon of Roxbury.

1775 January 20 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1775 January 21 (Saturday).  Breck, Sophy and Hannah have a Sleigh ride to Mill-River with Master Jenison and Jonathan Fay, who is up here in the Vacancy.

1775 January 22 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. from Rev. 2.1, chiefly on Christs walking in the midst of the golden Candlesticks — occasioned by the Death of Venerable Mr. Gardner of Stow.  P.M. on 1 Thess. 5.[19?] from p. 21 with many Omissions to p. [blank].

1775 January 23 (Monday).  Mr. Thomas Twitchel paid £26.8.7 old Tenor which was in full of what was due to me on his Rate — being in the whole £245.13.11 O.T.  Elias went with my Sleigh to Mr. Goddards at Shrewsbury and carryed 9 Bush. of Rye in part of pay for Boarding and teaching.  Breck etc. return at Night from Mill River, and Master Jenison and Fay lodge here.  My Daughter Hannah complains much of her Arm, hurt against a Tree which the sleigh ran near to, in their way to Mill-River last Saturday.

1775 January 24 (Tuesday).  Hannahs arm is much swelled and grows very troublesome.  I was at Deacon Woods: but he was not at home.  Mrs. Winchester was there.  I visited old Lieut. Forbush and dined there.  Mr. Ebenezers Wife is confined by an Asthma.  Visit also Old Mrs. Sarah Forbush under her Cancer.  Returning home found a Company of Framingham Folks; Mr. Gleason and his wife, and her Brother William Brown and his Sister Ruhy, with a Daughter of Major Farrars, who dined here.  They have been to Leicester; and inform me that Alexander has been ill of a bad Swelling in his Throat, which has taken him off from his Business for about a month.  At Eve came old Mr. David Maynard, and afterwards Deacon Wood.  They tell me they have been, and Mr. Tainter with them, to See Mr. Samuel Fay, who, they find, is very much disturbed with me, that I don’t make my son Breck pay him for his dead Mare, or turn him out of Doors if he will not.  Such was the unreasonableness of his Conversation with them and that he would not come to meeting till he had Satisfaction.

1775 January 25 (Wednesday).  John went away early in the Morning for Lancaster.  Hannah has a bad Arm.  Sent for Dr. Hawes; who came.  Breck Sends up Dr. Ball.  Both Doctors dine here.  I finish Lord Sommers’ Book of the Judgment of whole Kingdoms and Nations on the Power of Kings and Rights of Peoples.[1]

[1][John Somers, baron, 1651-1716], The Judgment of Whole Kingdoms (12th ed., Boston, 1773; Evans 13,632).  An eleventh edition appeared in Philadelphia, 1773 (Evans 13,023), and another twelfth edition in Newport, 1774 (Evans 13,631).

1775 January 26 (Thursday).  Hannah Somewhat easier, but her Arm is bad.  Last Eve received an agreeable Letter from Mr. Joseph Ward, lately a School-master at Boston, containing Some hopeful News from England.

1775 January 27 (Friday).  Lt. Baker here.  I read him Mr. Wards Letter.  We have some Discourse together.  He professes to be my Friend: condemns his Brother Brighams Conduct etc.  Dr. Haws visits Hannah and dresses her Arm.  The appearance is a little better.  Ben. Clark is Sent over to Dr. Balls a Second time for more Unguent. Polychrist and to Mr. Bass’s etc. for sundrys.

1775 January 28 (Saturday).  Hear that the Small Pox has broke out at Hopkinton on Capt. Thomas Mellen’s Wife: also that it is in several places in Mendon.  May the Lord prepare us for His holy and Sovereign Pleasure concerning us!  Dr. Hawes came, but it was not till the Business of the Dressing etc., were over.  P.M. Master Waters here, at his going off from keep School in this Town.  Says he has reason to believe that Mr. Fish did not draw up the paper sent in to our Church and Signed by Eleven of our Brethren.

1775 January 29 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Ps. 73.26.  Master Jenison, Jonathan Fay and Miss Suse Brigham dined here.  P.M. preached again on 1 Thess. 5.19.  May God graciously add his Blessing thereon!  The Doctor here.

1775 January 30 (Monday).  Rode up to Popple Hill to see Mr. Adonijah Rice who is very ill.  Prayed with him.  Dined at Squire Whipples.  Visit also Messrs. Solomon Baker, Edmund Rice, John Crooks.  Mrs. Spring and her Children lodged here.  Dr. Hawes attends on Hannah every day of late.

1775 January 31 (Tuesday).  I visited old Mrs. Bruce who is ill.  Conversed with her as one hopefully in Christ.  Prayed with her — but I refused to dine there.  I made what haste I could home; but arrived not, being on foot, till my Family had din’d.  Read Mr. Lathrop’s Thanksgiving Sermon,[1] as I have likewise Mr. Webster’s:[2]  both of them very Spirited; and, the former especialy, a very useful Discourse.  I wrote to him, upon it.

[1]Samuel Webster, The Misery and Duty (Boston, 1774).  Evans 13,758.  ???

[2]John Lathrop (1739-1816), A Discourse Preached December 15th 1774 (Boston, 1774).  Evans 13,370.  Possibly 13,371 or 12,829.

1775 February 1, 2 (Wednesday, Thursday).  Am further looking over such Books as I have concerning Consociation of Churches — and Particularly Dr. S. Mathers Apology;[1] and make some Remarks thereon.  At Eve (of the 2d) my Son Samuel has sent The Kings Speech to both Houses of Parliament and their Answers[2] — with the Protests of 9 Lords — which proceedings now seem to Settle the sad Destiny of the Colonys, and especially of unhappy Massachusetts.  May God most gracious and merciful look with tender Pity on us!  O that He would prepare us for the awful Event!  Breck went to Mr. Samuel Fays, and tryed to make up with him.  Had Deacon Wood to assist him in it — but in Vain.

[1]Samuel Mather, An Apology for the Liberties of the Churches in New England (Boston, 1738; Evans 4275).

[2]Possibly Evans 42,841, the speech of Nov. 30, 1774.

1775 February 3 (Friday).  John Fay kindly helps Asa Ware in killing 3 young Swine.  Capt. Jonas Brigham send [sic] his son Edward for me to Visit his young Daughter Persis who is very ill of an Asthma.  I went — Sympathized, conversed and prayed with them.  May a gracious God prepare the Damsel for His holy will!  and Sanctifie the Affliction to all of them!

1775 February 4 (Saturday).  I am preparing to preach.  The public Distresses are heavy.  Mr. Andrews and Dr. Hawes dined here.  Persis Brigham dyed last night.[1]

[1]Persis, daughter of Capt. Jonas and Persis Brigham, b. Apr. 23, 1764; d. Feb. 3, 1775.  Westborough Vital Records, 27, 231.

1775 February 5 (Sunday).  I was going to preach when Mr. Hezekiah Taylor came — and he preached on Joh. 6.44 a. and P.M.  Which may God bless to all!  He lodges here.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.

1775 February 6 (Monday).  Mrs. P________ went with me to the Funeral of Persis Brigham.  Master Jenison finished his School last Saturday; is here, and Jonathan Fay this Evening.  Wrote to Mr. Joseph Ward, School-master at Boston.

1775 February 7 (Tuesday).  Sent my Letter to Mr. Ward at Mrs. Holbrooks by Mr. Joseph Harrington.  Wrote to Mr. Quincy, and Sent it by Ripley, who came from Brookfield, and brings me a Letter from Mr. Forbes etc., who writes of his ill Reception when he and his Wife went home from Cape Ann, that her Breast is no better — that he has asked a Dismission — and I perceive that he is greatly discouraged.  Ripley to Cambridge after he had dined.  P.M. a Town Meeting here on a great Variety of Affairs.  Elias is at home with me.  Dr. Hawes here, but Hannah better.

1775 February 8 (Wednesday).  Master Jenison (who finished his school last Saturday) leaves the Town to day, and returns to his Fathers.  The state of Public Affairs more and more gloomy.  At Eve Mr. Daniel Forbes and Mr. Batheric here to discourse on Ecclesiastical Disputes — the Power of Councils etc.

1775 February 9 (Thursday).  I rode into the South.  Called at Mr. Seth Morse’s — at Deacon Bonds, who has sold and given the Deed of the Land joining to me on the North, viz. Ten Acres of Pine and Rocky Hill; to Caleb Harrington, for 230£ old Tenor.  I was at Mrs. Kendalls.  Went to see old Mrs. Grow: and dined there.  Called at Lt. Harringtons, where I found that Mrs. Suse (Eli’s Wife) Seems not to be willing to come to our Communion unless it be as a member of Mr. Walley’s Society in Bolton.  I visited old Mrs. Woods at Mr. Daniel Forbes’s.  Discoursed and prayed with her and Mr. [blank].  At Eve when I return have Elias to hear both in Virgil and Greek Testament.

1775 February 10 (Friday).  As the Provincial Congress is now sitting at Cambridge upon the most important Affair that ever came at any time under Consideration of this people, and we are under the most painful Uncertainty about the Event, May it please our most gracious God, who is the wonderful Counsellor, to grant Wisdom to His Servants according to the Arduousness of the Affair before them!

1775 February 11 (Saturday).  At Eve received from Rev. Mr. Lathrop of Boston, a Letter and his Sermon, occasioned by the Massacre on March 5, 1770.[1]  About 9 o’Clock was called to go to Mr. Isaac Lambs Wife, who is thought to be dying.  She had her senses — was in great Earnest for Mercy.  Prayed with her.  ‘Tis feared she will not live to the Morn.

[1]John Lathrop (1739-1816), Innocent Blood Crying to God from the Streets of Boston (Boston, 1771; Evans 12,094).

1775 February 12 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. and P.M. on Joh. 5.40.  O that God would add His Blessing.  Mr. William Bowman, Cousen Davis, and Miss Abigail White dined here.  At Eve I went to See Mrs. Lamb, who though alive, is delirious.  I prayed with them, and returned.

1775 February 13 (Monday).  Mr. William Bowman in his way home to Brookfield at Breakfast.  Relates Some of his uncle Forbes’s Troubles.  P.M. was Church Meeting by Adjournment.  The Committee which was Sent to Mrs. Eunice Rice, made Report.  She came to Town, and by Desire, to Meeting — gave us leave to take out of her Confession Such Sentences as we would have to be omitted.  We did so.  Voted in the Church that this would be satisfactory.  She also consented to it when it was read to her.  Agreed that She Should be propounded next Lords Day.  The Committee from Mr. Fay reported that he was greatly offended with me that I kept my Son Breck etc.  It was put to Vote — but no Hand up.  I made a Short speech before We went upon the Paper of 11.  Some Debates ensued — but nothing was done – but adjourned to a fortnight.  P.M. Mr. Waters waits upon Miss Patty and Hannah Fish here.  The young women lodge here.  Mrs. Hannah Lamb dyes.[1]

[1]Isaac Lamb mar. Hannah Williams, 23 June 1774; Westborough Vital Records, 176.  Death not in WVR.