Category: Diary

October 15, 1775

1775 October 15 (Sunday).  I went on a.m. with what I before [last?][Lords Day] on Isa. 55.4, viz. those words and Commander of the People, but added as the present times required.  At noon understood that Deacon Storer of Boston with other Company were travelling.  Breck Spoke with them.  I did not.  They wanted to hire a Room or two for Deacon and a Friend.  I thought it incredible that Such a man would ride about thus on the Lords Day.  P.M. on Ps. C.1.2.  Which may god graciously succeed!  Deacon Miles of Shrewsbury at Meeting and was here after the Exercises: but too evidently insane.

October 16, 1775

1775 October 16 (Monday).  I visit Capt. Jonathan Fay’s Daughter Joanna and pray with her.  I dined there.  N.B. Deacon Storer of Boston and Mr. Joseph Barrell with him, are Seeking House-room in this Town.  Went also to see young Joseph Grout, who is Still very low.  Called at 3 other Houses.  Endeavoured to keep it in mind to urge something of the Grand Affair.

October 17, 1775

1775 October 17 (Tuesday).  Visit old Mrs. Forbush, where is her Kinswoman Mrs. [torn]hard of Framingham.  I prayed with them.  Visit Mrs. [torn] (Jonathans wife) who is very bad.  Prayed there.[torn] Mr. Bathericks, his Wife being Sick — and prayed there.  [torn] went to see Mrs. Ann Maynard, who is ill yet.  Breck and Hannah to Concord, Ben. Clark to Cambridge.  P.M. Cousen Sally Brigham and her son Edward came to us, but [illegible] at Eve.  I went up to see Mrs. Clark, one of the strangers who had lately lain in, her Child ill, and to Mrs. Wheelocks [torn] a Child of about 20 Months, being extreamly bad, of worms and purging.

October 18, 1775

1775 October 18 (Wednesday).  Hear that Mrs. Wheelocks Child dyed about 10 o’Clock last night.[1] [torn] rode to Upton to Visit Mr. Fish and Family in their Affliction.  He was not at home.  Their Daughter Deborah Sick, [illegible] recovering.  I dined there.  Miss Betty Peterson is with them and gives me an Account of what her Mother met with at Mr. Luke Stone’s at Boston.  I visit also Mr. Joshua Hicks whose Affliction has been very great by the late sickness — he, his Wife, and all their Children, being 8 of them were Sick of the Dysentery, and at a time.  Six of their Children dyed: and Mrs. Hicks was still feeble and weak.  May God be praised that any were saved!  May His holy Dispensation[s?] be so Sanctifyed to them that they may have Cause, and an Heart to bless His Name.  At Eve called upon Master Waters, who lodges at Mr. Jonah Warrins.  Mr. May here — lodges.

[1]Polly, dau. of Moses and Lydia Wheelock, d. Oct. 17, 1775; Westborough Vital Records, 256.

October 20, 1775

1775 October 20 (Friday).  Capt. Wheelocks Child buryed.  I was there and prayed.  I am lame by Striking my Leg against the rough End of a Stake, and cannot go to the Grave.  At Eve Breck and Hannah returned (in the Rain) from Concord.  They have been also to the Camp at Cambridge at prospect Hill in Charlestown, and at Roxbury were at General Wards Head Quarters.  They went as far as Dorchester to See our people’s Tents there.  N.B. Mr. Solomon Batherick here to be examined.

October 23, 1775

1775 October 23 (Monday).  Visit Capt. Wheelocks sick Child.  P.M. come my son Samuel who informs that his Wife had a Daughter last Tuesday the 17th.  Praise to the [torn] Great Deliverer in time of Trouble!  One Mr. Chapman with [torn] who lodged here.  I have a very sore Leg, having hurt [it] against a stake at Mr. Samuel Forbush’s on the 17th.

October 24, 1775

1775 October 24 (Tuesday).  Was sent for to Capt. Jonathan Fays to see Joanna: but She expired just before I got there.[1]  I prayed with them.  Mr. Chapman goes to Hopkinton, where he lives.  Wrote to [Mr. Joseph?] Ward, aid de Camp etc.  Received from Mr. Forbes [illegible] [£3?].  Mr. Levi Wilder came: and lodged here.  My Leg bad.

[1]Joanna, dau. of Jonathan and Joanna Fay, b. July 26, 1760; Westborough Vital Records, 40.  No record of death.

October 26, 1775

1775 October 26 (Thursday).  I Catechized the Boys a.m.  at the Meeting House: but was obliged to adjourn the Catechizing of the Girls till next [Monday?] by reason of the Funeral of Joanna Fay which I attended upon and prayed at.  Sophy and Hannah returned from Leicester.  My sons Samuel and Mr. (Engineer) Baldwin, came from Cambridge.  In Sending a Letter to Mr. Forbes, I wrote to the Care of Capt. Foster of Brookfield, but it should have been Capt. Foster of Gloucester.  This mistake I fear may expose it to Hands which I would not have it fall into.  Daniel Chamberlains Child dyes.

October 27, 1775

1775 October 27 (Friday).  I payed Mr. Baldwin 15£ old Tenor by a public Bill of 2£ Lawful Money.  He and Samuel left us to go to Brookfield.  My Son William came from Concord.  Dined here.  P.M. returned.  Mr. Fish of Upton comes in to See us, in his Way home from Concord.  And dines here.  At Eve Master Waters here.  Asked him to preach for me, if he can, next Sabbath.

October 28, 1775

1775 October 28 (Saturday).  Had very little Opportunity for Study.  A.M. divers Avocations.  As soon as I had dined and shaved rode in the Rain to Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlains to attend the Funeral of his son Daniels Child.[1]  Prayed — discoursed, exhorted — and rode back but could not come into my Study: my Wife’s Niece, Gilbert, with her Husband, was here.  They went from us to Capt. Maynards.

[1]Daniel Chamberlain m. Lydia Harrington, Jan. 4, 1775; birth and death of child not in Westborough Vital Records.

October 29, 1775

1775 October 29 (Sunday).  I preached a.m. on Isa. 55.4.  P.M. on Prov. 28.14.  Mr. Joseph Gilbert and his Wife dined here.  After Meeting I asked in Mr. Joseph Breed, one that was burnt out at Charlestown, and lives at Ensign Snows.  N.B. Deacon Wood asked me at noon, whether I would baptize Mrs. [C]larks Infant.  I answered that I would speak with her.

November 1, 1775

1775 November 1 (Wednesday).  Rose early and sat out for Concord, to hear Dr. Langdons Dudleian Lecture.[1]  When I got to Mr. Gershom Biglows [the] Sunbeams first appeared: At Coll. Weeks at 8 o’Clock.  [Prayed?] with his Sick Daughter in law — extreme [torn] the temper and they have lately [buryed two] Child[ren] [torn] [same.]  I got into Concord about [torn] Minots [torn] to meeting at [torn].  A fine Anthem for a conclusion.  Dined with the Doctor at his House.  Where as I had conceived there was to be a public Dinner.  Dr. Winthrop and his Lady, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Bridge etc. dined there.  After Dinner I headed a paper for Subscriptions and subscribed for two Books.  I am informed that the Rev. Mr. Joseph Emmerson of Pepperrell is dead: And that Mr. Swift of Acton is almost gone in a Consumption.  I went to my son Williams and lodged there.  I have taken Cold, and go to Bed indisposed.

[1]Samuel Langdon (1723-1797), The Co-Incidence of Natural with Revealed Religion (Boston, 1776; Evans 14,822).

November 2, 1775

1775 November 2 (Thursday).  Have a bad Cold, yet designed to go and See Mr. Swift, but my Horse was taken lame, and prevented me.  I rode up to Coll. Weeks and dined there.  His Daughter in law yet alive, at their request I went in — Discourse but very little.  Prayed with her.  Called at Miss Mary Shermans — brought Assemblys Confession of Faith.  Arrived at home some time before Night: but my Cold very irksome.

November 4, 1775

1775 November 4 (Saturday).  Aaron Warrins time which he has to make up for his Absence, from my Business will not to be out till next Monday noon (as I conceive); but he is earnestly desirous to go home to day.  I paid him 3 Dollars only.  He left off work at 3 P.M. and went to Up [torn].  At Eve came Mr. David Flagg of North Shrewsbury with a Letter of the 2d from Rev. Mr. Morse, requesting [blot] be at his House next Tuesday, on Consideration of a Counc[torn] in that parish at that time.  But I wrote Answer [blot] not — by reason of great Indisposition.  Mr. Bowen came — and lodged here, to my Comfo[torn].

November 5, 1775

1775 November 5 (Sunday).  Mr. Bowen preached a. and P.M. on Ps. 4.6.7.  I we[torn] Meeting; prayed after the Sermons, and Officiated in [torn] Solomon Batherick and admitting him into the Church.  I also mentioned to the Church the Affair of Such Persons as have come out of Boston and by vertue of their Right, desire Baptism for their Children, though they can’t obtain Certificates from their Pastors: and had no [Objection?].  N.B. Billy How, a scholar of Mr. Goddards School, dined [blot].  Both Mr. Bowen and he lodge also.  N.B. a Letter from M[torn] W[torn].

November 7, 1775

1775 November 7 (Tuesday).  It was so rainy, and no Horse sent me as was agreed, therefore I conclude there was no Expectation of me, and I did not go to the Funeral of Mr. Reuben Bellows’s Child:[1] but attended to the Bus’ness of my Study — which may God be pleased to direct and Succeed!

[1]Death not in Westborough Vital Records.  Reuben’s marriage not in WVR, Southborough VR..  Other children of Reuben and Elizabeth are recorded, starting 1776.

November 8, 1775

1775 November 8 (Wednesday).  This Day (but according to old stile the 28th of October), one and fifty years ago, the Church of Christ in Westborough was founded, and I, though unworthy, was ordained the Pastor.  This I endeavoured to take a religious, grateful Notice of, a.m. Thanking and praising God for His great Goodness and longsuffering, humbling my self deeply before the Lord for my Great Defects and Miscarriages, and on Consideration of the holy Frowns of God upon me in the Course of the last year, Especially by the withdraw of my people’s Affection from me, Religions dwindling and decaying, withholding from me Support, Wood etc. except the Slender sallery, granted in the beginning — and the sore Displeasure of God in the Death of my dear son John: On Consideration also of the Public Calamitys — Petitioning and Pleading Pardon through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ — Resolving, by the Grace of God to endeavour after New-Obedience and [Faith?].  P.M. Mr. Fitch of [Hopkinton?] dined here and preached for me on Heb. 9.14.  Master [Waters?] dined here and was ready to preach if Mr. Fitch had not come.  After the Exercises came to my House, one in the Garb of a [Minister?], and with Recommendations from Mr. Shaw of Nantucket, and Mr. [Tuttle?] of [Wells?], to Charity: but Mr. Fitch gave such Account of him that I would not lodge him, but sent him to Deacon Woods.  His Name was Charles Warnsdorff, a Saxon.  Squire Shaw and his Lady came at [9] at night, from Brookfield and lodged here.

November 9, 1775

1775 November 9 (Thursday).  Mr. Shaw and Lady are with us still; dined here.  P.M. Mrs. P________ and I in the Shaw Chaise, rode to Mr. Hannaniah Parkers, to his Wedding.  It proved a very rainy time, and we were detained there, till into Evening (though not more than [blot]).  Mr. Parker was marryed by me, to Mrs. Hephzibah Warrin, Daughter of Capt. Stephen Maynard, and widdow of the late Mr. Joseph Warrin of Brookfield.  N.B. Miss Sally and Miss Nancy Wilder came [blot] about 3 P.M. and tarry over night, as doth also Squire and [torn].

November 10, 1775

1775 November 10 (Friday).  Miserable [Warnsdorff was?] hereabouts, and is [torn] to be in Drink.  Mr. Shaw etc. are here and dine with us: But towards Eve the two young women go from us to Southborough.  We have news of an Attempt made by the Regulars yesterday at Lechmores Point, in Order to take off Some Cattle from thence; but that the Americans drove ‘em off; but they carryed away Some Cattle, and they have killed two men.

November 13, 1775

1775 November 13 (Monday).  I walked to old Lt. Forbushs, his Wife being not well — rode from thence to Mr. Rumbly’s, who lives at Mr. Haskills — thence to Mr. Andrews’ — his son George being Sick of a Fever.  Exhorted, prayed and dined there.  Called at Mr. Daniel Warrins, his Mother in Law lies there sick and lame yet, and her son Daniel ill of a Fever.  N.B. The Town Met, among many other Things, to see what Addition they Should make to my Sallery, and whether they Should provide my Wood.  At Eve came the Captains Benjamin Fay, Stephen Maynard and Mr. Batherick, a Committee from the Town to acquaint me that the Town had granted £11.13.4 addition and 6.13.4 for my Wood, for this Year.  At Eve also came Masters May and Willard.

November 14, 1775

1775 November 14 (Tuesday).  Mr. Thomas Fairweather, his Wife and Child[ren?], are returning to Oxford.  The News is, that more Troops are come and coming — and more still are expected.  That St. Johns on Lake Champlain, is taken.  P.M. I visited Mr. William Pierce of Hopkinton ill by a Fall.  Prayed with him.  At Eve Mr. Abraham Bond, having been kicked by a [stallion?] and his Leg broke, is carryed along home in a Cart.  Received a Letter from Cousen Bradford of the 10th dated at Warren, Rhode Island.  She informs me that her Husband is gone a Voiage, perhaps to Messasipi.