Category: Diary

1775 March 21 (Tuesday).  He goes to Boston.  I rode to Southborough.  One Theodore Turner accompanys me part of the way.  He was enquiring after Asa Ware.  I dined at Mr. Stones.  Lt. Lyscombe of Brookfield there, and defends the People there in the Dismissing Mr. Forbes.  He says it was owing to Mr. Forbes’s desiring it, whereas he believes 3 4th of the Parish had rather he would have stayed.  And that it was Mr. Forbes’s Request that the Causes and Reasons might not be Searched into.  In my returning home I called to see old Mr. Gale, confined to his Bed, by the Rheumatism.  Prayed with him: also old Mrs. Forbush under her Cancer: and prayed with her.

1775 March 22 (Wednesday).  Dr. Hawes goes to the Provincial Congress at Cambridge.  A Second Letter from my Son Forbes at Boston, that his Wife has gone through a Second Dressing by the hard Plaister and “by appearance these two have en[crusted?] the Schirrous Tumor about 1/4 of an inch.  This dead mass must be separated from the live Flesh by digestive lenient Dressings before another hard Dressing is applyed: which will require a Week or ten Days.”

1775 March 23 (Thursday).  Write to Mr. Cushing by Mr. Joseph Perry of Ashburnham and inclose Mr. Lawrence’s Note of 3£ lawful Money and leave it at Dr. Hawes for him.  Visited old Mrs. Bruce, under the Dropsie, and her Grandson Asa Sick of a Fever — prayed with them.  Mr. Caleb Harrington raises an House near the End of my Beeton Field.

1775 March 24 (Friday).  In preparation for an intended Journey to Boston, was at Deacon Woods for some of his Wife’s Assistance.  Received another Letter from Mr. Forbes, dated the 20th (the Day before the last, which was the 21st) that “moment” whilst She was actually “under the painfull Operation of the 2d hard Plaister, and is as full of pain as She can well bear, though She endures (he writes) with more patience and fortitude than I feared.  The Doctor says all Things work very kindly, and he doubts not with the Blessing of God he shall be able to effect a Cure: but will require some time, at least two Months.  At present she is extremely agitated.  Last Night she had no sleep, and this Night (Sabbath 2 o’Clock) She has been much worse — but by the help of an Anodyne she gets a little sleep — hope She will be supported and carryed through — I am encouraged, but verily Sir, it is hard Work — and we hope in God.”  “Six o’Clock in the Morning.  We have got through the Night.  It has been pritty distressing, though through the great Goodness of God mine and your dear Molly has had several refreshing Naps of Sleep, and is now Comfortable — and does not expect to have any more of these hard Plaisters for a Week or ten Days, and I hope the worst is past.  However, Sufficient to the Day is the Evil thereof.”

1775 March 25 (Saturday).  My son William came from Concord.

1775 March 26 (Sunday).  A.M. on Ps. 119.106 but went on with sermon on Judg. 11.35.  P.M. on Heb. 12.2.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.

1775 March 27 (Monday).  My Son William and his Daughter Lydia here, but intends to return to Concord to day.  Mrs. P________ and I undertake our Journey to Boston.  We had Mr. Tainters Horse and Chaise.  Called at Mr. Stones and desired him if he should be sent for by those concerned, to attend the Funeral of old Mrs. Bruce, who dyed on the 26th, aged 88 and one Day.[1]  We called at Col. Buckminsters and were well refreshed.  At Brother Browns, at Mrs. Goddards, at Capt. Brewers.  Put up and lodged at Mr. Adams’s at Roxbury.

[1]Not in Westborough Vital Records or in Southborough Vital Records.  Her husband, Lt. Bruce, died Dec. 2, 1774, “nigh 81” (death not in WVR).

1775 March 28 (Tuesday).  We ride into Boston, though ‘tis Said the Small Pox spreads.  Went to Mrs. Holbrooks.  Put up at Bracketts: hastened to Samuels to see Mrs. Forbes.  She was under the lenient Plaister — was calm and easy.  I saw the sore dressed.  Mr. Forbes, Samuel and I dined at Squire Shaws, being invited there to eat Moose, which was brought from Goldsborough.  P.M. Visit my Brother and prayed with him — Mr. Coverly, Cousen Oliver, Capt. Bradford, who is Sick — Mrs. Tyler, who has had a fit of Sickness, and is grown sober — visit also sister Rebecca and her Neeces, Jarvis’s.  Lodged at Samuels.

1775 March 29 (Wednesday).  Went to Mr. Hicks’s Printing Office; presents me with a Register.  Viewed the K’s Troops marching up School street, and went up to their parade.  Visit Mrs. Surcomb.  Dined at my Kinsmans, Elias, in Cornhil, his Wife had newly laid in.  P.M. Visit Dr. Mather — return to Samuels.  Mrs. Forbes has Comfort, and is cheerfull.  We lodged there.

1775 March 30 (Thursday).  In the early Morning there was a noise of 4 Regiments marching out of Town, under Earl Piercy.  And because every body was ignorant of the Design, all were full of Conjectures.  The most imagined they were bound to Concord, to disperse the Congress sitting there, or to Challenge the Stores, laid up in the Court House.  But after a short Space, the Mistery was disclosed.  They turned toward Dedham, and after about 5 mile march to Jamaica Plain, they returned.  Went to Mr. Quincy’s, and to Lecture.  Mr. Lathrop preached on Heb. 12.16.  Esau sold his Birthright.  N.B. Dr. Mather delivered me a letter from himself concerning the Troubles in Westborough.  Dined at Samuels.  P.M. we left Boston.  Stopped at the House of Mr. Daniel Whitney — and having visited my Cousen Loyd (who boards at Capt. Barnards), lodged there (at Whitneys).  N.B. his F. Capt. Daniel Whitney dyed about 5 weeks agoe.

1775 March 31 (Friday).  Sat out from Mr. Whitneys.  The Horse was so very dull that we did not get home — but dined at Deacon Browns; called at Col. Buckminsters and the Evening being Cold, we lodged at Mr. Stone’s.  Thus Ends another Month.  The Lord teach me true Wisdom.

1775 April 1 (Saturday).  We were informed at Mr. Stones that Mr. Sumner preached a Military Lecture at Marlborough last Thursday.  We called at Mr. Gales partly to bear a Message from Mrs. Surcomb concerning her Caesar, who had left his Mistress’s Horse there, and was upon Charge; partly to see old Mr. Gale and his wife; and to receive also a present of fine Carrotts.  About 10 a.m. we arrived at home and found all well.  D.G.  N.B. Breck and Sophy went last Thursday to Marlborough Lecture.  The Text, Ps. 144.1.  Mr. Fish has preached at Worcester, last Tuesday.  8 Ministers present, but neither Mr. Sumner, nor Mr. Peter Whitney.  The Text, I hear, was Ps. 11.3.

1775 April 2 (Sunday).  Preached a. and P.M. on Ps. 119.106, but used the sermons on Judg. 11.35 and finished those Discourses.  Miss Suse Brigham and Miss Abigail Woods dined here.  Received a paper Signed by Deacon Bond requesting in behalf of many, that the Church Meeting, which was adjourned to tomorrow, might be deferred till Tuesday, because two Companys are appointed to Train tomorrow.  I acquainted the Church with it, and that therefore I should expect them on Tuesday at 1 o’Clock P.M. instead of Monday.  It was consented to.

1775 April 3 (Monday).  Training of two of the Companys.  The Minute Men and the (more Elderly) Alarm Men.  P.M. Master Cornelius Waters made us a Visit.  He has preached.  He shewed me his Certificat Signed by the Association South of us.  Ten of them.  He lodges here.

1775 April 4 (Tuesday).  Having lately received from Mr. Moore, I wrote to him and Sent it by Breck to Ammadons in Mendon.  Mr. Waters left us.  P.M. was Church-Meeting.  The Weather Cold — and Snowed, so that I was very uncomfortable during all the time of the Meeting, which was protracted to such length that we were glad when it was over.  The principal Things that were done, were voting to admonish and suspend Mr. Fay: and hear two papers which the Brethren had drawn up, of the Nature of Resolves — but which were so crude and unripe — but brokenly writ, and neither signed nor dated — that we did not act any thing upon them.  In this Meeting I read Dr. Samuel Mathers Letter to me.  I was weary of Such Meetings, and there was a motion to dissolve, but the vote to adjourn again, prevailed.  Adjourned to this day 3 Weeks.  Our Troubles Seem to increase, and from no cause that I know of, but deep prejudice, and misunderstanding.  Which unhappily, a great number Seem to be very Strangely under the power of.  May a gracious God pity us, and especially His own dear Cause and Interest among us!  I beg the gracious presence of God with me under so grievous Tryals.  May I be Shewn why I am thus Sorely corrected and chastized.  May I be directed what to do, may I be assisted and supported; may I be in God’s own Time delivered!  But I can’t but be affected to see my dear Brethren of the Church, Such a Number of them, of So contentious a Disposition, with one who would fain be at Peace with them.  Ps. 120.7.  May God grant ‘em to see what they do, and give them a better Mind!  Mr. Thomas Adams of Medfield came, late in the Evening and Snow storm; Cold; brought a Number of Books with him: Lodges here.

1775 April 5 (Wednesday).  A Winter scene.  Mr. Adams tarrys and endeavours to change divers Books with me.  He gives me The Modern Edition in Quarto of Mr. Thomas Nortons Translation of Calvins Institutions, for Whistons Theory of the Earth, and Hasselquists Travels into the Levant: and the first Volume of Weemse’s Works (to complete my set); for which I let him have Dr. Edw. Hyde on Christ and his Church 4to and the famous Book of Bertram of the Body and Blood of Christ.  We also lend reciprocally several other Books.  N.B. He gave me Mr. Barrys Reviving Cordial[1] — to make up for the brokenness of Calvins Institutions in Folio Latin.

[1]James Barry (fl.  1660), A Reviving Cordial for a Sin-Sick Despairing Soul (5th ed.; Boston, 1774; Evans 13,134).

1775 April 6 (Thursday).  Mr. Adams leaves us.  P.M. Mrs. Hitty Brigham here to desire me to write a Letter for her to her son Moses[1] at Dartmouth College.

[1]Moses Brigham was born May 31, 1753, the son of Moses and Mehitabel (Grouy) Brigham; Westbrough Vital Records, 27.

1775 April 7 (Friday).  Theodore Turner came from Wrentham, and engages Asa Ware to go and live with the Widow Ware for a Year, at the wages of 120£ Old Tenor.  P.M. one of my Cows, having got her Horn in the Hay Rack which stands abroad, an Ox came and hooked her; upon which she wrenched off the Horn, and left the Pith naked.  A Letter from Mr. Cushing.

1775 April 8 (Saturday).  Fresh alarming News of more regular Forces coming from England, and the Distresses of Boston; So that people are moving out of Town.  John Fitch Wight, a youth, came from Norwich and lodges here.  Mr. Nathan Fisher comes at 11 o’Clock at Night very much affrighted by what Dr. Hawes (who has come from the Provincial Congress at Concord) relates to him of the public Troubles.

1775 April 9 (Sunday).  I have not begun again to read the scriptures publickly by reason of Some of the people, who are disquieted with it.  Preached on Heb. 12.2.  N.B. Young Wight went to Hopkinton in the Morning.  P.M. On Gal. 1.3, Sermon 1, accommodating the Discourse to the present Times, which are more and more distressing.  May the Lord prepare us for His holy Will!  A Letter from my son William.

1775 April 10 (Monday).  We are full of disquieting Apprehensions about the Speedy arrival of four Regiments more of royal Forces.  Training.  Miss Suse Brigham continues here making stays.  Write to Mr. Moore and to William — to Mr. Forbes and Mr. Cushing.

1775 April 11 (Tuesday).  I went to Dr. Hawes in the morning going to the Congress, and talked with him with great Seriousness.  Went to Lt. Bakers, and other Houses of the Street.  Mrs. P________ to Capt. Maynards.  I engaged Mr. Whipple to grind another Load of Grain.  Mr. Marrit of Woburn called to see me, having been at Mr. Benjamin Tainters for his Money, but in vain.

1775 April 12 (Wednesday).  This Day was designed to be Lecture Day at Southborough and Mr. Fitch to preach to the Minute Men.  Our Minute Men were invited, and Mr. Barnabas Newton and Joseph Harrington joining together propose to give them an early Dinner.  To which Entertainment Mr. Newton had asked me: But it proved a stormy Day, both Snow and Rain, inasmuch that Mr. Bond and Mr. Wheelock came from Mr. Newtons to me, and Capt. Edmund Brigham likewise, to consult and conclude concerning the putting it by for to Day, and renewing the Appointment to be at some other time.  Received a large and pertinent Letter on the Times, from Mr. Quincy.

1775 April 13 (Thursday).  Hearing that Mrs. Flagg of Boston was come up to Gales after Caesar (her Mother Surcombs Negro) and was detained there by the storm, I rode down there, in the Morning; but she and two sons with her (Thomas and Richard Surcomb) were gone.  Therefore I visited in the South East Corner.  Was at Mr. Snows, widow Bellows’s; and then (which was my chief Design) went to see Mr. Ezra Baker who is sick of a Fever.  Discoursed and prayed with him.  Dined there also.  Was at Mr. Bellows’s — at Ebenezer Chamberlins, and at Artemas Bruce’s.

1775 April 14 (Friday).  Suse Brigham making Stays here yet.

1775 April 15 (Saturday).  A Letter from Mr. Forbes (by Ripley, who is come to us from Boston and Cambridge) that on the 13th the Remainder of the Cancer in my Daughters Breast came out in a Body, near of the Bigness and Shape of a Sheeps Kidney — the Breast in an healing way.  All Praise and Thanks to the glorious God our Healer!  Ripley tarrys with us.

1775 April 16 (Sunday).  Preach a.m. on Mat. 16.16 but go on with the Discourse on Heb. 12.12.  Ripley and Suse Brigham with us.  P.M. on Rev. 1.7 to p. 8.  Which may God be pleased to bless to all of us!

1775 April 17 (Monday).  Ripley leaves us to go to Brookfield.  The Minute Men were entertained at Mr. Barnabas Newtons.  By his Invitation I was there with them.  They were invited by Southborough Soldiers to join with them to Day, as a Sermon was to be preached there.  They accordingly marched there.  I rode to the Exercise, and Mr. Fitch preached on Ps. 144.1.  To general good acceptance.  Marlborough minute Men were there in Arms also.  The Ministers were handsomely escorted to and from the Meeting House.  Two sergeants came after the Exercise and presented Mr. Fitch with upwards of Four Dollars for his Services, which he received, and they hastily returned to them that Sent them.  Mr. Stone and I walked out to see the Company’s.  I came home in safety.  D.G.

1775 April 18 (Tuesday).  I could not go to Ministers Meeting at East Sudbury.  I had no Horse.  Breck goes his Journey upon his, to Boston.  But it was also a very stormy and wet forenoon.  My Son could not set out till 2 P.M.  At Eve I walk’d to Deacon Woods to borrow Oxen for plowing.

1775 April 19 (Wednesday).  Mr. Joseph Bond with his Cattle, [illegible] Lamb, with Nathan Maynards, Deacon Woods Oxen with my own, plowed the rest of the Mid field.  I with Mrs. Wood, in her Chair, rode over to Northborough expecting Lecture — but the world was full of Alarms — the Regulars (twas Said) had marched last night, and were gone to Concord — had killed six men at Lexington — posts were flying to rally the Minute Men every where.  Dined at Mr. Whitneys as did Rev. Jacob Rice and his Wife.  There was no Lecture.  I took a Copy of the Express, Signed by Thomas Gardner, and ________ Palmer — Committee, viz. Watertown, Wednesday morn 9 o’Clock.  Was at Mrs. Bass’s — but we hastened home.  Our Minute Men under Capt. Edmund Brigham had marched.  Capt. Seth Morse with his Men marched.  Asa Ware was with them.  May the Lord of Hosts go with them and grant them Salvation!  The Grafton men passed along in the Eve.  Mr. Grosvenor stops and lodges.  A watch of 5 Men through the night at the Meeting House.  We are anxious and distressed for the Events at Concord.  In the [Moment?] (of Trouble) may the Lord be Seen!

1775 April 20 (Thursday).  Deacon Merriam having been to Concord last Eve, returns this morning, and relates that the K’s Troops had been there, and did much Mischief — at the magazine in Special; to Flower, Ordnance, Ammunition, Houses (Several set on Fire), a number on both sides Slain.  But the Regulars returned to Boston.  A Number of Dead Bodies, chiefly of them (as was conceived) Scattered in the Road.  We are waiting for further Accounts.  Elias came this Morning from Mr. Goddards — yesterday from Brookfield on foot.  Mr. Grosvenor rides down the Road with Resolution to See what he can, of the Present State.  The Select Men are at the Meeting House, preparing and distributing ammunition.  I catechized Boys (though but 16) a.m.  Dr. Langdon calls to see me in his Return from North Kingston and dines here.  P.M. Catechized little Girls — only 5 came.  It is a Day of so great Trouble that it swallows up People’s Thoughts.  Men are marching down toward Concord [amain?].  The News we have is very penetrating.  At Eve came Mr. Thomas Whitney, who had rid down as far as Charleston.  He has Seen the Sad Effects of hot Assaults and Skirmishes.  The Account that the Roads for a great way were strowed with dead Men, is confirmed.

1775 April 21 (Friday).  In the Morning Breck came home, having rid in the Night.  Relates that he met with Difficulty in getting out of Boston — was Stopped and searched three times — his sword and Pocket Pistol were taken away — but with much Trouble and after going back into Town and obtaining a [illegible] from Coll. Hamilton, they were restored.  He went to Cambridge.  Saw the great Multitudes that were gathering.  He saw Mr. John Hicks of Cambridge buryed without Ceremony — and four men who were slain there, were buryed in one Grave.  Capt. Maynard came to See me and relate to me the Remarkables he saw of the Contest Yesterday.  Men are continually marching.

1775 April 22 (Saturday).  Ripley comes in the Morning from Brookfield on Mr. Forbes’s Horse, I wrote by Ripley to Brother Champney at Cambridge, designing to find him out, for we know not where he is.  Breck has informed that he went out of Boston with his Wife, but knew not where he was going.  Woodstock and Pomfret Men are hastening down.  P.M. Adam Rice and a Number with him from the Parish of Amhirst, were here, hastening down.  Mr. Bowman of Oxford here — wants to Change but I am pre-engaged.  He was designed for Boston to get out a Friend from thence, but we hear that none are suffered to go out or go in to the unhappy Town.  He returns to go back to Sutton.  Mr. Grosvenor, we hear, tarrys at Cambridge, with his people of Grafton.  At Eve come a Number of Pomfret, viz. Edward Craft, Ephraim Herrick, Abner Allen, and Jonathan Sangor, of Capt. Zebadiah Ingols Company, and lodge here.  The Company stay at Deacon Woods.  Among many Stories which we hear, we understand that Marshfield is burnt.  The Times are more and more Calamitous.

1775 April 23 (Sunday).  The said Soldiers, having eat Breakfast here, left us; and two more came, viz. Appleton Osgood and Joseph Bowman from the Same Town, and had Breakfast among us.  I rode to Northborough.  At the Widow Martyns a multitude from South Hadley marching to Cambridge.  I gave them (the soldiers) a Serious Exhortation and Caution.  Preached a. and P.M. on Prov. 18.10.  May a gracious God add His efficacious Blessing!  Mr. Whitney preached for me a. and P.M. on 1 Cor. 7.29.30.  In my returning at Eve I went to Mr. Bass’s who having come up lately from Cambridge might be able to advise me as to the Method of getting my Son Samuel and his Wife and Children, or my Brother, out of Boston.  But he assured me there was no Such Thing could be done; as to go in or come out.  N.B. Mrs. Spring and her Children lodge here ever since her Husband went to Cambridge.  Neighbour B. Newton who went down with a Wagon with necessarys for the People who are gone with all haste (by the Will of God) to the Resistance against the King’s [illegible] Parliament, Forces, returned this Evening.

1775 April 24 (Monday).  I have bought a Kegg of Rum of Lieut. Baker of Nine Gallons.  A Company from New London march by — another from Hartford ride by towards Cambridge.