Category: Diary

1775 July 4 (Tuesday).  Those that tend upon John don’t need to Sit up through the Night, but lye by him, and rise two or three times in the night to hand him what he wants.  Lt. Baker kindly here.

1775 July 5 (Wednesday).  Neighbour Caleb Harringtons Mother, and his Wife, visit us.  N.B. wrote, and Sent by Lt. Baker, to Rev. Gordon, Roxbury.  P.M. Rev. Mr. Adams of Roxbury came in to See us.  He lodges here.  I hear that 8 Hundreds of Gunpowder passes by.  I am informed it is manufactured here in America: and is a present [for?] the General Cause, by a worthy Gentleman of Philadelphia.

1775 July 6 (Thursday).  Mr. Adams proceeds in his Journey, though I know not Whither.  Sophy and Suse Brigham go to Mr. Phinehas Hardy’s on a Visit, in Compliance with repeated Requests.  Mr. John Kelly’s wife comes to desire me to go to old Mr. Higgins who is very ill.  P.M. I went there, but he was unable to converse.  Knowing his Humor, I read to him some Passages out of the Book of Common Prayer: [and?] by Desire I prayed.  I also called at the other Houses on the Road.  At Eve I understood that John has had a poor afternoon — was Sick, and restless.  Mr. Adams returned here from Grafton, and again lodges here.

1775 July 7 (Friday).  Mr. Adams leaves us to return to Medfield.  P.M. my Son William came from Concord to see us and his Children.  John is somewhat revived again.  Hannah is much out of Health: and we are at a loss what to do for her.  Dr. Hawes being frequently here to See John takes Care of [her?].

[1775 July 8 (Saturday)?].  Mrs. P_____s task heavy in tending the Sick etc.  [torn] my Son William is greatly impressed with the [torn]oubles — is affected with his Situation [torn]mewhat infirm in Body, especially in Mornings.  Endeavour to support him.  He returns home.  I have had no letter or Message, but see in the News Paper that My Brother William is Dead! that he dyed at Stoughtonham — but when or how, is not specify’d.[1]

[1]“At Stoughtonham, Elder William Parkman, late of Boston,” Essex Journal, July 7, 1775.  The Continental Journal of October 3, 1776, advised “All Persons that are indebted to or that have any Demands on the Estate of Willkiam Parkman, late of Boston, Cabbinet maker, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts to Thomas Bayley, Administrator.

1775 July 9 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Isa. 65.1, but carry on the Discourse on Heb. 12.2.  P.M. preached on Act. 26.22, which with additions arising from the Occasion, my Brothers Death, may God bless to me and to all the Audience!

[1775 July 10 (Monday)?].  John is better, yet very weak.  But Hannah is worse — has the Rash, as the Doctor Judges.  Her Head and Face are much affected.  One of her Teeth was drawn.  [torn] Mr. Higgins is dead![1]  N.B. Town Meeting to See whether the Town will consent that the Province proceed so far in taking upon them the Government as to Send a Representative to the [designed?] General Assembly.  [torn] goes home to her Fathers.

[1]Not in Westborough Vital Records.

1775 July 11 (Tuesday).  I [illegible] at Mr. Higgins’s Funeral.  His Christian Name was Thomas — his son says he was 92 last March, having been born in the year 1683.  I prayed at the House, and then prosecuted my Journey towards Stoughtonham.  Dined at Mr. Fitch’s, Hopkinton.  Heard there that my Friend Capt. Thomas Clark dy’d lately.  Called at Rev. Prentice’s, at Mr. [illegible] Marsh’s, and at Mr. Enoch Adams’s in Medfield.  Stopped at Mr. Thomas Adams’s, and returned him his Baumgarten

[torn]man Nature and Education of Children.  Lodged

[torn] Adams’s; and was thus far well.  D.G.

[1775 July 12 (Wednesday)]

[torn]ted with Mr. Thomas Adams, and Saw his Daughter Han

[torn] is remarkable for her Memory and progress in her

[torn] Latin.  I went on to Mr. Paysons at Walpole

[torn]ating a Fourth Son at College.)  I arrived at

[torn]n’s Mr. Samuel Bradshaws Stoughtonham, to mourn with

[torn] Loss of their Father.  My sister in Law (my

[torn]) and my late Kinsman Nathaniels Widow

[torn]ouse of Mr. Rhodes, where my Brother dy’d.

[torn] at my Cousen Bradshaws.  N.B. Their Daughter

Sarah is Still in very infirm and pain [torn]

At Eve (after a very wonderfull Appearance of [torn]

Blessing of Rain) I went back to the two [torn]

Appartments at Mr. Rhoads, where I found my [torn]

Parkman (Son of Nathaniel) who is a seafaring man [torn]

to sea again.  He was now come from Cambridge, and [relates?]

that our provincial Soldiers have been to Nelsons Island, drove off Cattle, burnt Stacks of Hay — etc.  I lodged at that House.  Hear that my Cousen Bowland, his Wife and Children are about 3 miles off.  By information I find that my Brother arrived at Mr. [torn] in Stoughtonham, May 12.  He removed to Mr. [torn] the 16: that on the 26 he was taken ill; and on June [torn] was interred on the 29 in his 90th year, hav[torn] 19 (Old Stile) 1685).

1775 July 13 (Thursday).  Rose early, and having prayed with Such as could attend, I sat out soon after 4 o’Clock in the Morning.  Rode a good part of the way to Mr. Paysons before sunrise — to Justice Adams — breakfast at Mr. Thomas Adams’ — borrow of him Burton on Melancholy, and The View of human Nature in Select Historys.  Called to See Mr. Jonathan Townsend — Mr. Adams and Lady, of Roxbury, at his Brother Enochs — at Mr. Ezek Marsh’s, Mr. Prentice’s at Holliston.  Missed my Way (and therewith Dinner) in Hopkinton.  Went to See Dr. Bond at [torn] who refreshed me and my Horse.  Went in to Capt. Thomas Mellen torn] — [illegible] oated at Mr. Fitch’s — at Mr. Barretts — arrived at home before sun-setting.  Mr. Penuel Bowen[1] was here to see me; but returned home to Southborough.

[1]Penuel Bowen (1742-1788), Harvard 1762, second minister of the New South Church, Boston, 1766-1772; later removed to South Carolina and became an Episcopalian.

1775 July 14 (Friday).  My Friend Quincy of Lancaster, now, came from his Son Edmunds (Stoughtonham) [illegible] lodged here, a most agreeable Meeting, and I hope profit[torn].  N.B. Squire Whipple has obliged me so much as to take my Turn this week to bring the News Paper from Worcester.  See in the Spy, the Address of the Virginian Burgesses to the Earl of Dunsmore, on the great and important Controversie between Great Britain and the Colonies.

1775 July 15 (Saturday).  Mr. Quincy left us to go to Lancaster.  I expected Mr. Cornelius Waters of Sutton to [preach?] for me tomorrow — but he came not to me [torn].

1775 July 16 (Sunday).  Mr. Waters not coming I was obliged to p[torn] Except that I had before, viz. on Isa. 55.3, a. and P.M. [torn] these peculiar Times.  I made many alter[torn] be fervent!  May the Divine Power accompany [torn]

1775 July 17 (Monday).  Hannah has for a good while been ill; but now her Disorders are increased, and her Case is become very Piteous.  I went to the aged Widow Sarah Forbush; who is grown dropsical, besides the trouble of her Cancer.  Conversed, examined and prayed with her.  Send the Doctor to Hannah.  Breck Sends two Teams to Marblehead, and P.M. Sets out himself.  We are informed that Neighbour Moses Nurse, who went to Salem with his Team, last week, has met with Some Disaster.

1775 July 18 (Tuesday).  Hannah So bad in the last Night that at about 2 (in the Morn) Elias went for the Doctor — who came.  Hannah but very poorly.  Mr. Russell carrys his Wife to Watertown.  We hear Mr. Moses Nurse has met with a sad Disaster at Malden, fell from his Waggon, and One of the Wheels went over his Body.  And that a Number of our Soldiers are sick.  Mr. Edmund Rice is extreme bad.  At Evening I was desired to go to [illegible] Gale’s Tavern, where he lay.  But I was So very much indisposed, that I could not cease long from going to the little House — And besides this I had no Horse.  Rev. Hall of Sutton returning from the Army called here, and I prevailed with him to pray with us under our Afflictions: which may God graciously hear and Answer!

1775 July 19 (Wednesday).  Mr. Edmund Rice dy’d[1] last Night at Mr. Gale’s, in his Way home to his Family.  May God please to Pity his Family, his Parents, and Sanctify it to all Others, especially the Soldiers; and to those who are Sick in a peculiar Manner.  My Son Samuel and his Consort returned from Newbury; and he had been to Pownalborough.  Mr. Edwards Whipple came to desire me to attend the Funeral of Mr. Rice tomorrow.  I was very infirm — had a lax Body and grew weak and faint with it.

[1]Edmund, son of Edmund and Hannah, b. Feb. 27 1757; Westborough Vital Records, 8.  Death not recorded

1775 July 20 (Thursday).  General, Continental Fast, on the Account of the American Distresses, and Civil War commenced.  I preached a.m. on Isa. XIV.8.9 and read v. 20, 21.  P.M. made an Exercise from my former Sermons on Isa. XXVI.20.21.  May God most gracious and Merciful hear our fervent protracted Supplications and accompany the word with a Blessing; Pardon the Iniquities of our holy Things, and grant us Relief!  Attend the Funeral of the late Mr. Edmund Rice.  My son Samuel waited on me with his Chaise.

1775 July 21 (Friday).  A.M. Visited Several Sick soldiers who being Sick were come up to their Parents and Friends, viz. Daniel Hardy junior and Henry Marble, John Fay (Capt. Jonathans son) — his sister Joanna also languishes, Spitting Blood: went to Mr. Joseph Grouts to see his son, Still very low.  Mr. Fitch of Hopkinton dined with me.  Desires to Change but am pre-engaged to Mr. Stone.  Mrs. Pigeon of Newt[on], who resides at Coll. Wards at Southborough and her Daughter, Miss Patience, made a Visit here; principally to see my son Samuel and his Wife.  Breck is gone to Worcester.

1775 July 22 (Saturday).  We were Surprized about 9 or 10 o’Clock a.m. with Johns Bleeding again.  The Blood came up by a little Cough, as it did before.  He was himself alarmed — “must bid the world Adieu!” — said he.  Yet P.M. he was more comfortable inasmuch that Mr. Stone coming to change with me, I ventured to leave him.  But I did not go to Southborough.  Mr. Fitch went there, and I to Hopkinton and lodged at Mr. Fitch’s.

1775 July 23 (Sunday).  I preached a. and P.M. on Isa. 63.8.  P.M. baptized Mary Daughter of John and Hannah [Clemens?]: held up by Mr. Nathan[iel?] Pike, the Father being in the Army: and Elijah, Son of Seth and [blank] Gashet; and also read a Paper directed to me, signed by Mr. Fitch, appointing a Lecture at the Widow Pierce’s, with design to have her Daughter admitted  into the Church.  I returned home after the Exercises, but to my Sorrow found that my dear John had bled a good deal about Midnight (or this Morning rather) and to a greater Degree than that lately and thus he did this Evening.  May the Lord support him and prepare him for his holy will!  Mr. Stone preached a.m. on 1 Cor. [9?].26, P.M. on Jud. 22.22.  He returned home.

1775 July 24 (Monday).  My Neighbour Nurse whose Waggon loaded with salt, ran over him when at Mendon in his late Journey from Salem home, the 14th instant, is got home: and this Morning went to see him.  A wonderful preservation.  To God be Glory!  Samuel to Hopkinton to Wm. B. Townsend.  Mr. Pet. Whitney here, and his sister Briggs.  He prays with [torn] John being very low.  Sally and Hannah [ride in Chaise?] to Capt. Maynards

 

[Note:  The diary ends abruptly here, with the succeeding pages to August 9 apparently no longer extant.]

1775 August 9 (Wednesday).  Memorandum [on a loose piece of paper].  Mary Crosby, widow of Robert Crosby, late of Boston, Sea man, came to work here.  She was Daughter (as she says) of Mr. William Pratt, House Wright, whose Wife was formerly M[rs.?] Hitty Gill, Daughter (or Grand Daughter) of Deacon Gill, nigh Clarks ship-yard, in ship street, Boston.  The said Mrs. Crosby is about 53 or 54 Years old.  When She went from my House to go to Boston See here after [viz. Nov. 27, 1777].

1775 August 21 (Monday).  [illegible] me that Mrs. Martyn is sick.  I found young Belknap in a very Piteous Condition — under a nervous Fever, and partly Delirious.  I supped there.  Prayed with him and the Family; returned home late.  Mr. Beriah Ware is kind enough to watch here again.

1775 August 22 (Tuesday).  John is low — but able to converse.  Thanks to God!  Mr. Noah Hardy brought me from Mr. Mart. Pratt £49.13.1 in old Tenor.  I visit at Springs, Townsends, widow Brighams son Phinehas, and at Capt. Ben. Fays.  Prayed with the three last.  At Eve Levi Wilder going to Mendon, is here, but does not tarry.  Breck watches with John.  N.B. We have been greatly at a loss about my Nephews son [?] Boston: but this Eve saw a Letter of his to [my Son?] Samuel by which I see he is safe, though he may be under Confinement.          to straits; compared with his former Cir[torn].  Young Belknap dyed at 11.  [torn]emely low, tarries through the Days and nights with great Difficulty [torn]ister Martyn who I find very ill of a Fever.  Prayed with her.  [torn] Mr. Whitney — he was not at home.  N.B. [Madam Minot?] I saw with [torn] Martyn.  She gave me account of her Fright when the Regulars [torn] Concord to seize the stores there.  I visited old Ensign Josiah [torn]l of the Distemper which is [illegible].  Prayed with him.  Called [torn] [illegible] old Mrs. Kelly.  John has so great a purging [torn] him self to night.

 

of any yet.  Purging has fool-

 

him all night.  Attended the Funeral of Asa Bell–

 

Sorrowful Time.  The Lord look upon us in

 

But prepare us for His holy Will!

 

Mr. Nathan Townsends Child, Aaron, of 14 Months and a fortnight, dies.[1]

 

is still alive, though it is wonderfull that he has had two

 

Breck and Aaron.  Breck             Bed

 

Johns Room, for the better Convenience of tending him

 

of Oxford returning from the Camp at Roxbury

 

a Letter from Mr. M[torn]     there still.

 

occupyed than         [torn]      Teams loaded

 

to Watch

 

[torn] little Sleep

 

pass by                  further side.

 

to my son Ebenezer by [torn] Belknap junior

 

New Braintree

[1]Aaron, son of Nathan and Sarah Townsend, b. June 12, 1774; d. Aug. 25, 1775; Westborough Vital Records, 98, 254.

1775 August 26 (Saturday).  …fifteen hundred Miles or more.  They are about 130 men with several Waggons, to carry their packs and necessarys.  Attended the Funeral of Mr. Townsends little Aaron.

1775 August 27 (Sunday).  John is much as he was.  Aaron and Sophy have watched [with] him.  He sometimes bleeds [out?] the Nose.  I preached a.m. on Heb. [21].2, last Clause.  P.M. I formed an Exercise out of what was delivered May 11, 1760 from 2 Sam. 23.5, concerning the Covenant of Grace (See Sermon on Isa. 55.3), with alterations and Additions which were accompanyed with much Fervency and Solemnity.  May the Lord add His special Blessing!  N.B. Cousen Maynard dined with us.  John is very faint and At Eve Seems as if he could not continue.  Says he longs to die.  I told him he had need have Assurance that it will go well with him.  He answers that he had.  I added, that he must know, [illegible] grand Conditions of the Covenant of Grace, Faith and Repentance.  He replyed, that he had.  [St.?] Maynard kindly watches [again] [torn] Parker with him.  We look for the awful Time of J[torn]

1775 August 28 (Monday).  The Dispensations of God are wonderful.  John is yet [torn] though he had no sleep last night.  N.B. Last Evening c[torn] sons Ebenezer from New Braintry [Alexander?] [from?]to see poor John — who is in the Valley of the Shadow of [torn] Mrs. P________ who continually tends upon John [torn].  Alexander returns to Leicester.  Ebenezer walks with me [torn] [marginal notation: his Sister, Bond, who is at Capt. Wheelocks, and Mr. Beriah] Ware who is sick at Deacon Woods [illegible] also to s[torn] of Mrs. Hemmingway [at Boston?] wife and Child are at Ashburnham — burys [illegible].  Mr. Benjamin Bradshaw and his [Brother Nathan?] cam[torn] being full, they leave us, and go further.  Ebenezer [watch?]es with John who is yet worse.  Mr. Loyd [illegible] [torn].  N.B. Mr. Jonathan Forbes here and examined.  I [illegible] him on what terms I was willing to admitt him, [torn] he was Satisfyed with my manner of Administration [and] [torn] Custom of this Church as it had been heretofore.  [torn]ing the late proceedings.  To which he consented [torn]peared to [torn]onsenting to what the Church had [illegible] [torn].

1775 August 29 (Tuesday).  John has [torn] yet [illegible] [torn] times as if [torn]newly wak’d.  [torn] Rain detain [torn]th us.  Br[torn] to keep Hou[torn]ome [torn] no sleep [torn].  Ben Clark not well.

1775 August 30 (Wednesday).  [torn]

 

P.M. my Neighbour Caleb Harrington and his Wife being ill of the common Distemper, Ebenezer and I went to see them.  Wrote to Mr. Cushing.  John is so bad at Night that it is doubtful whether he will live till Morning.  John Warrin (son of Mr. Timothy) watches.  Calls us up about 3 in the Morning.

1775 August 31 (Thursday).  John can get no Rest — wants to be moved often, but is less able to move himself — worries through the Night.  I wrote to Mr. Quincy and Sent him one of F. Brecks Shrewsbury Sermons;[1] by Mr. Loyd, who, and my son Ebenezer leave us to go to their respective Homes or Abodes.  John’s Visage alters — is apprehensive that Death is not far off.  Says that in his sleep he saw an Angel of Light coming to him.  I told him that no stress could be laid on these Things: but that he must rely only on Such Evidences as the [illegible] infallible word of God setts before us.  P.M. Mr. Daniel Chamberlain and his Wife were here to be examined.  I asked him whether he was satisfyed with the Discipline and Customs of this Church, that is, as I had administered, and had continued all along for these 50 years past, and till the [torn] Church Meetings about Bolton Quarrells, and about the Elders [torn]gative; which I did not [illegible] he Should concern himself [torn] But if he did I must make a Business of Shewing him [illegible] which must convince any rational unpre[torn]ic’d [illegible] ungrounded and causeless the late Disgusts among us [torn] been.  He replyed that it was none of his Mind nor [torn] to meddle with those Disputes, and that he was satisfyed [torn]th the Administration — was willing [illegible] with this Church as Congregational.  Upon which I opened to him how we were So: founded on [torn] of God under which we used [the Church Covenant?] the Platform, for the sub[torn] of it, (I mentioned the Exceptions to be made) the Results [torn] the general Custom of the Churches, agreeable to the writings [torn] [venerable?] Fathers of the Congregational Scheme.  Such [torn] Cotton, Higginson, Hubbard, Mathers, etc.  I shewed him that they [torn] for the Power the Elders have, of Negative etc.  I let him [torn] that these were our Congregational Discipline and what [torn] [alwayes?] practise[d?] upon.  He said [torn] [not minded?][torn]; and desired to [torn] which therefore [torn] with.

[1]Robert Breck (1682-1731), The Surest Way to a People’s Happiness and Prosperity.  A Sermon at Shrewsbury…June 15.  1720 (Boston, 1721; Evans 2207).

1775 September 1 (Friday).  John was so low in the Night that I rose a little after 2 o’Clock this morning.  Can do but little in my study as the Troubles of my Family increase, for Breck is also confined, and my Avocations and Interruptions by various means increased.  My Neighbour Harringtons Wife grows worse.  N.B. Another Company of Soldiers, an hundred under Command of Capt. Robert Cluggedge from Bedford, on the upper part of Pensylvania, marching, and waggons attending them.  The Junior Mr. Levi Brighams Wife, from FitzWilliam, comes in, having Sprained her Ankle.  Elijah Brigham here also.  The latter Stays and watches with John.  N.B. John having got some Sleep, has been somewhat more Comfortable this afternoon, so that I read to him some part of Scudders daily walk.  And in the Eve was better.  Thanks to God.

1775 September 2 (Saturday).  John has Slept sometimes; but 3 times has bled at the Nose.  Richard Aspinwall, an Invalid of Cressop [torn] Company, came in and gave me Account of the Country he and these last Companys came from.  He himself from [M] illsburg on [torn] Ohio.  Lt. Joseph Baker calls, and informs me [torn] this Morning 4 o’Clock, deceased the Rev. Mr. Bridge [of] Framingham; came up from the Camp last Mon[day] and dyed of the Distemper.  May the Lord Sanctifie [torn] me that I may be ready also! in such a Way and su[ch] Hour as we [think?][torn] the son of man comes [torn] May [torn] Ministers watch — be faithful, fruitful, and found so [torn].  But O that God would Pity the bereaved Flock and Family, the [sor]rowful Widow especially to Support and Comfort her, and the Children [torn].  O what a bitter Cup this of Death!  I went to [see?] [torn] Neighbour Caleb Harrington his wife and Children bad with the Dis[torn].  I prayed with them.  N.B. was Sent for, because Mr. H. gr[torn].

1775 September 3 (Sunday).  A very wet Day.  Such had been the Avocations of the [torn] that I could [torn] forward my preparations [several lines torn].

 

John [torn].

1775 September 4 (Monday).  Nathaniel Chamberlain has watched with John, who still continues at the very Gate of Death, yet is upheld.  N.B. One Mr. Isaac Wybird and his Wife, newly out of Boston and going to Grafton.  I enquire concerning my Kinsman Elias, who has not got out of Boston himself but was last week, accompanying to the Ferry his Father and Mother (Coverly) in their going to Charleston.  My Son William came from Concord — and towards Night returned.  I visited a Number of sick — viz. Mr. Elijah Hardys Wife and Child sick of the Camp Distemper.  Prayed with them and dined there.  Called at Deacon Woods, his Matty ill — Miss Nabby Woods — Mr. Jonathan Forbes with a Fever — at Ensign Fays, his Wife and Daughter Sarah — at Neighbour Harringtons — visit old Mrs. Sarah Forbush and prayed there.  Went also to Mr. Solomon Bathericks, who has a Fever.  No body comes to watch.  Mrs. P. sitts up.

1775 September 5 (Tuesday).  John has had a worrying, restless night.  Breck who has been confined for 8 Days, goes to his shop to day.  I visited Mr[s?]. Belknap who is very bad; as is Mr. Joseph’s Child.  Prayed with them as I did at my Neighbour Harringtons.  Their Child nigh Death.  P.M. visit at Deacon Woods to see Matty.  Mr. Ware ill of a fever [illegible] the same House.  Prayed with them.  Called at Mr. Springs.  [torn] little Son much recovered: before this time Mr. Caleb Harringtons Child has departed;[1] and Mrs. P. laid it out.  [torn] Brigham (who has lived here ever since last [blank]) watches with John to night.

[1]Caleb Harrington of Waltham mar. Sarah Miller, 3 May 1774; Westborough Vital Records, 166.  Although the birth and death of this child are not recorded in the WVR, the births of eight subsequent Harrington children are recorded.