Category: Diary

1775 February 14 (Tuesday).  This Day (as I understand) my dear son Forbes has a Church-Meeting at Brookfield, by Adjournment that they may give Answer to his Request of Dismission.  May the Lord be graciously present with him and them, and grant an Issue to His Glory!  P.M. Capt. Edm. Brigham’s Company train.  Misses Fishes went home.  Mr. Waters accompanys.  At Eve Mr. Thomas Stone came — lodges here.

1775 February 15 (Wednesday).  Mr. Stone to Southborough.  I drew up Six Reasons for my being offended with the aggrieved or disquieted Members in Bolton.  Attended the Funeral of Mrs. Lamb, wife of Mr. Isaac Lamb: of 19 last August.  A Sorrowfull Burying!  At Eve came Mr. Jonathan Forbes to talk with me about his Duty.  Lt. Baker came also.  Forbes gave way that I Should be with Baker, but before we broke off, he went away.  N.B. In Conversation with Lieutenant I communicated what I have Writ in Six Articles, against the Disquieted in Bolton; bearing Date of Yesterday.  He Seemed to be very much of my Mind in some parts of it, particularly their Pitching upon that part of the Council to ordain Mr. Walley, who were known to be of their Mind, and had prejudged the Case.  N.B. Mr. James Godfrey and his Wife, Cousen Davis with their Babys, Mr. Joseph White and his sister Abigail, came P.M. in a Sleigh — Suse Brigham here also.  Miss Abigail White Stays here over night.

1775 February 16 (Thursday).  She dines here.  Towards night Breck and Sophy in the sleigh with her to Capt. Maynards And she returned on foot to Mr. Godfreys, her Brothers home.  I visited Mr. Nathan Kenny who is confined still, and prayed with him.

1775 February 17 (Friday).  My anxiety for the public safety engages my Mind and Heart in preparations on the sorrowful Subject, from Isa. 22.12.

1775 February 18 (Saturday).  Elias goes with Three Legs of Pork to Mr. S. Allens for Bacon.  He goes also to Mr. Caleb Rice’s, where he hears that young Mr. Thomas Stone, when he went home from hence, on the 15th, was taken very ill.  The provincial Congress at Cambridge, adjourns to March.

1775 February 19 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on the subject of 1 Thess. 5.19 but nam’d for my Text of this Exercise Ps. 78.40 from page 41 to the End of page 46.  P.M. I considered the present dark and distressing Times, and therefore I preached on Isa. 22.12 to page 10.  Mrs. Joanna Fay Sick.  Received a Letter (dated the 10th and 11th) from Mr. Quincy, on our Political Affairs.  My Thoughts are much engaged on our public state.  My Daughter Hannah went out to Meeting.  Blessed be God for His great Goodness therein!

1775 February 20 (Monday).  Visit Mrs. Joanna Fay, who has a Fever and Canker.  Prayed there.  Visit Joseph Grout junior — discoursed and prayed with him.  At home a Number of young Women, Viz. Betty Bevil, Bulah Jones and her sister, came here.  Hannah rides with them to Mr. Morse’s.  N.B. Mr. Edmund Chamberlin here, and excepts against the Churches accepting Mrs. Eunice Rice’s Confession, because it has not the name of the Sin expressed in it: Adultery.  Mr. Phinehas Gleason here, much affected with these awfully threatning Times.  N.B. Town Meeting on many Accounts, viz. whether they shall pay Minute Men; Contribution to Relief of Boston etc.

1775 February 21 (Tuesday).  By reason of Loss of sleep, I have little stomach, and am feeble.  Wrote a letter to Mr. Adams of Roxbury.  Mr. Johnson of Bolton here, and dines with us.  P.M. Town Meeting and Training.  Deacon Wood came in to see me.  I went to the Town Meeting and Spake to them on the Head of their Contributing to the Relief of Boston.  Encouraging and exciting them to it, willing to set an Example my self, but apprizing them that Since I knew of a Number of poor People whom I should desire to communicate to, I might have the Favour to be my self the Distributor of my own Alms.  I earnestly recommended their exerting themselves to obtain Military skill, Arms, Ammunition etc., to improve their Time Well when they have T. Meetings and Trainings — to endeavour after Unity and Harmony (for I perceived there were Jarrs) — Exhorted to put away Sin, to be the true Disciples of Christ and do their utmost to prepare for the Will of God concerning them, Wishing them to have the divine Counsel etc. etc.

 

Benjamin Clark’s Father came here and lodges.  Master Fisher Ames came from Brookfield.  Informs that the Church which Mr. Forbes ministers to have sent for a Council of 3 Churches, viz. the other two in the Town, and that of Spencer, to meet the next Week or the Week after, to Consider the Affair.

1775 February 22 (Wednesday).  Mr. Ames goes to Dedham etc.  I wrote by him to Mr. Gordon.  Mr. Clark returns to Ashburnham.  Wrote by him to Mr. Cushing.  Went to Mr. Samuel Fays.  Took Deacon Wood with me.  Old Mr. Whitney came to us.  Mr. Fay was not at home.  We waited, but he did not come.  We came away.  N.B. Mr. Whitneys Conversation on the Road was extremely contradictory.  Sometimes in flat and plain Terms.  It was with reference to the Petition of the 11 Brethren, and the Bolton Affairs.  Mr. Jonathan Forbes was here at Eve.  He brought 44 lbs. of Cheese, at 2/2 old Tenor per pound.  Gave him an order to Constable Martin Pratt, of £4.15.4 old Tenor.  He discourses with me about his own and his Wife’s joining to the Church.

1775 February 23 (Thursday).  I give my Self as much as I can to my preparations.  My Mind and Heart are filled with apprehensions of our Political State.  May God Himself Pity His People!

1775 February 24 (Friday).  Our public state is more and more deplorable — according to the general Tenor of our public Intelligence, and what the Provincial Congress have drawn up before their adjournment.  Unless the God of infinite Mercy and Power undertake for us, and change the Hearts of men, how can we escape the Ruin which threatens?  Last Eve Received a Letter from Mr. Adams of Roxbury certifying the Genuineness of the Conventions Observations.

1775 February 25 (Saturday).  Mrs. Ruth Godfry here, dines with us.

1775 February 26 (Sunday).  A. and P.M. on Isa. 22.12.  I beseech God might graciously to accompany my weak Endeavours with His Almighty Blessing!  Mr. Seth Woods, Mrs. R. Godfry and Suse Brigham dined with us.

1775 February 27 (Monday).  Deacon Wood informs me that his Sister Mellen dyed last Saturday nigh night, very Suddenly, when she had not wholly recovered from the Small Pox: and was buryed after the Exercises Yesterday.

 

Our Church met by Adjournment.  The Business on which we met may be Seen in the Records.  After the Affair of Mr. S. Fay, I Spake to the Church for some time; and at different times, urged the unseasonableness, groundlessness, unprofitableness of holding Meetings at such a Day as this is, concerning Church Government etc. — but the Request of Mrs. Susan. Harrington was the most troublesome — for although I condescended to Admitt her as one that had joined with the Church of Bolton while it was in good Order, and on consideration that she had walked soberly and Orderly (for ought we knew); her Lot also being cast among us; yet this [my?] Benevolent Charity was refused.  A Number of Persons insisted upon her being admitted according to her Petition.  I put it to Vote, expressing previously how, and how only, I could receive her; it passed Affirmatively.  N.B. Capt. Brigham, Tainter, Joseph Harrington, and Eli Whitney, were peculiarly Difficult.  When I challenged the Rights of Conscience for my Self, and that I should administer to Mrs. Harrington in the manner I had expressed, Eli Whitney rose up and said, “there was no Conscience in it.”  I took no other Notice of it at that time, than to say, that what I should do, would be out of Conscience.  But I spoke to him after Meeting.  I hope he said so, only in the way of Arguing and debating the Matter.  I could not avoid adjournment because of Mr. S. Fays Affair.  It was to the first Monday in April.

1775 February 28 (Tuesday).  Cousen Joshua Hicks dined here.  P.M. Ensign Aaron Warrin here, about his son who boards with us.  Thus ends another Month.  May God Sanctifie to me the Swift Flight of Time! that I may be ready for the Close.

1775 March 1 (Wednesday).  Sophy and Hannah go to Capt. Edmund Brighams, and to Mr. Gales.  Mr. Stone — likewise Mr. Whitney, visit me, and dine here.  The former acquaints me with the Request from old south Church in Boston to Southborough Church to assist in Council, concerning the Removal of Rev. Bacon.  Mr. Whitney desires to Change; but I am not at Liberty by reason of Mrs. Eunice Rice’s Affair.  At Night our Girls return, accompanyed by Capt. Brigham.

1775 March 2 (Thursday).  Breck to Worcester to Sell his Mare.  Returned with her at night.  Sophy watches with Mrs. Maynard (wife of Mr. Nathan junior).  She is very ill of a Fever.

1775 March 3 (Friday).  Mr. Charles Lawrence of Ashby came.  Dined here.  He paid me £100 old tenor and gave me a note of Hand for twenty two pounds ten shillings old tenor more, to be paid in a month.  Upon which I gave him a Deed of my 35 Acre Lot (or the 37 Acres and 80 Poles) in Ashby: and went with him to Squire Whipples, before whom I acknowledged it.  Squire Whipple informs me that Mr. Forbes is dismissed from Brookfield.  N.B. I delivered the money immediately to Breck to be sent to Samuel.

1775 March 4 (Saturday).  Mr. Thomas Bond here.  I owe him £4.13.0 old tenor for Beef, but he gives me a Dollar of it, and takes an order for only 48/.

1775 March 5 (Sunday).  A.M. on Isa. 22.13.14.  P.M. repeated (with additions suited to the Town Meeting tomorrow) Sermon on Prov. 11.30.  N.B. I was exercised with an extraordinary Hoarseness.

1775 March 6 (Monday).  Visited Mrs. Maynard (wife of Nathan junior) very ill of Fever.  Prayed with her.  Capt. Benjamin Fay and Mr. Batherick came with the Towns Request to go and pray with them at their Meeting.  I complyed, and after prayer gave them a brief Exhortation with my hearty wishes — according as these remarkable Times are.

1775 March 7 (Tuesday).  Visit old Mrs. Bruce, who is exceedingly Swelled with Dropsie.  Prayed with her.  P.M. Training.  N.B. had no word from Mr. Nath. Whitney about the private Meeting which should have been at his House to day.  So that I did not go.  I Suppose there is none.  Perhaps he is disgusted by reason of what was transacted at the late Church Meeting, at which the Church voted young Mrs. Harringtons Request, which implyed their holding Communion with the Walley society at Bolton; but I declared my not being able to administer to her under that Character.

1775 March 8 (Wednesday).  I rode to Shrewsbury to Mr. Sumners Lecture to the Minute-Men under the Command of Capt. Job Cushing.  Dined at Mr. Sumners.  Mr. Peter Whitney there.  Mr. Sumners Text was Josh. 22.22.  The Lord God of Gods etc.  I prayed after sermon.  Returning home I called at Mr. Gleasons, where were Joseph Harrington, John Harrington, Joseph Bond, and a number more, who rode with me part of the way home.  N.B. Cousen Maynard having watched with the Sick woman, came here in the Morning to Breakfast — also dined here.

1775 March 9 (Thursday).  Read Dr. Jer. Dummers Defence of the N.E. Charters.[1]  We hear from Lancaster by Mr. Joseph White, that my son John has been sick — but walks about again.

[1]Jeremiah Dummer (1681-1739), A Defence of the New-England Charters (Boston, 1721; Evans 5576; also Boston, 1765; Evans 9960).  SHG 4:454-68.

1775 March 10 (Friday).  Visit Mrs. Maynard who is still very Sick.  Pray with her.  Went also to See Neighbour Nathan Kenny.  Spent some time separately, but was much interrupted by teaching Elias — also by (otherwise) a kind Visit of Mrs. Dolly Rice.  Town Meeting to Choose a Representative for the Congress at Cambridge, instead of Capt. Maynard.

1775 March 11 (Saturday).  My son and Daughter Forbes with their black Girl came.  Mr. Daniel Forbes junior came also with them.  They also dined here, and (except the last) lodge here.

1775 March 12 (Sunday).  I had engaged to change with Mr. Whitney, but Mr. Forbes being here I rode early to Northborough and prevented Mr. Whitneys coming.  I preached there a.m. on Isa. 22.12.  P.M. on v. 13.14 with the 12th.  At Eve returned home.  Unhappily found that there was disquietment with Mr. Forbes’s forenoon sermon.  The Text was Job 2.10.  When he was going to meeting in the afternoon Several persons stopped him by the Well: viz., Capt. Brigham, Mr. Andrews, Dr. Hawes, Select men; and many more.  Besides which Joseph Harrington and Ebenezer Chamberlin junior had been with him here in the House to talk with him.  A multitude gathered at the Well.  On his promising to explain himself from the Desk they would consent to his going into the Meeting House, except Some, who went home.  It was conceived he was faulty in saying that God is so the primary Cause of the Evils we suffer, as that we are not to dwell upon and find So much fault with second Causes or Instruments etc. etc.  My Family were in the Eve in much Trouble on Account of what had Occurred.  The P.M. Text was [blank].

1775 March 13 (Monday).  Mr. Forbes and my Daughter Set out on their Journey to Boston, designing to go to Mr. Pope, to consult him on her Sad Case, of her Breast.  Gin, their Negro Girl, rides in Mr. Elisha Forbes’s Waggon.  Capt. Ben. Fay here, and is in Disquietment with me, that I refuse to hold Communion with Mr. Walleys Church.  Goes away So, notwithstanding all my Endeavours to Satisfie him.  He being of the Committee to go in the Churchs name to Mr. Samuel Fay, I gave him an Extract from the Church Records for their Direction.  Mr. Belknap another of the Committee came — they go upon their Errand.

 

Several Companys train — Capt. Morse Sends to ask me to let ‘em train on my Clover: but they went into Neighbour Newtons Field, south of the Noon House.  Capt. Edmund Brighams Company as well as the other, Shew Arms.  N.B. I send to Mr. Daniel Gilbert of Brookfield his Book of the Judgment of Kingdoms and Nations etc. per Mr. Daniel Forbes junior.  Mr. Belknap, at his Return from Mr. S. Fay, calls here, and Acquaints me that the Committee had no Success with him, that he continued resolute he would not come to meeting unless we would find him an Horse instead of what he had lost.

1775 March 14 (Tuesday).  Breck goes to Boston.  Elias is so indisposed that he can do nothing at his Lessons, either yesterday nor to day.

1775 March 15 (Wednesday).  Elias indisposed for Study — but is about and goes to Mill with a Team, with about 9 Bush. of Rye, and 8 of Indian Corn.  Mr. Bradshaw came from his Fathers at Stoughtonham.  Mr. Fisher Ames from Dedham, and brings, together with a Letter from Mr. Gordon of Roxbury, his Thanksgiving Discourses,[1] and above 20 Books and Pamphlets.  One of which is Scudder’s daily walk etc.  Those young Gentlemen, after drinking Coffee, Set out on their Journey towards Brookfield etc.

[1]William Gordon, A Discourse Preached in the Morning of December 15th 1774 (Boston, 1775).  Evans 14,070.  ????

1775 March 16 (Thursday).  Public Fast (agreeable to the Recommendation of the Congress) on Consideration of the Times, and the Season of the Year.  A.M. delivered to p. 7, with various Alterations and additions, Sermon on 1 K. 8.57 and P.M. carryed on the Discourse, upon this Text, and the two next v. 58, 59, with new Composition.  May it please a Merciful and gracious God to Shew Mercy, and hear us in our Confessions and Supplications and bless the word to us!  N.B. Mrs. Eunice Rice’s Confession was read to the Congregation and she was restored to Charity.  I would render Thanks that this is got over without Quarrell.  After I was gone out of the Meeting House, Deacon Bond, the Town Clerk (previously requesting me that he might have Opportunity for it) read a Paper from a Number of Committees of Correspondence at and near Boston etc.

1775 March 17 (Friday).  The Town Met upon the Affair contained in the Paper last men[tioned?].  Nigh the Evening came a Number of the Committee of Correspondence, viz. Messrs. Daniel Forbes, Joseph Baker, Thomas Bond, and Joseph Harrington; to invite me to a Lecture to be preached at Worcester on the 28th instant to the County Congress.  Mr. Harrington tarries in the Eve and talks with Mrs. P________ on the uproar against Mr. Eli Forbes last Lords day.  Breck returned from Boston.  He came Via Concord, and brought his Brother Williams Daughter Lydia, though the roads are very Snowy.

1775 March 18 (Saturday).  Mrs. Surcombs Negro, Caesar, here with an Indian Woman whom he calls his Wife.  She said her former name was Betty Speen.  After their Eating some Dinner, they left us to go to Amasa Maynards but have little Reason to think they did.

1775 March 19 (Sunday).  A.M. on Heb. 12.2.  P.M. on Judg. 11.35 to p. 5.  Deacon Bond, old Mrs. Kelley, Miss Suse Brigham dined with us.  The Lords Supper was administered.  N.B. Mr. Batheric, and Eli Whitney went out.  Old Mr. Whitney, Capt. Jonas Brigham, Benjamin Tainter and Ebenezer Chamberlin junior were not at Meeting.  But I am informed that Mrs. Susan. Harrington (Eli’s Wife) was at Communion and yet I suppose it was on Account of her non-Admission, that Six members above mentioned absented themselves.

1775 March 20 (Monday).  Training of the Minute Men.  People are variously tossed in their Minds about the public state.  My Son Baldwin came from Brookfield and lodges here.  He tells me his Wife is in a comfortable State now, though so often under great Infirmity.