Category: Diary

1776 July 18 (Thursday).  Dr. John Wilson of Hopkinton dies.

1776 July 19 (Friday).  Mr. Jonathan Cook here.  He has listed to go to New York.  Discovers his Infidelity, respecting the Scriptures, and of the Son of God.

1776 July 20 (Saturday).  Reckoned with Nathaniel Chamberlain.  I find he has worked for me 61 Days.  What he asks is five Dollars per Month.  This, together with 21/ old Tenor on the Old score of his Cutting wood for me at the Ministerial Lot, I paid him, in full.  P.M. Elias came home from Mill-River.  Major Wheelock came to me with his Wifes Relation, but it needed Alteration — wherefore he desired the Affair of her Dismission [sic] might be deferred to another sabbath.

1776 July 21 (Sunday).  I preached a. and p.m. on Exod. 33.15, with Additions and Alterations.  N.B. p.m. Major Wheelock and Lieutenant Godfry ask Publick Prayers in their own Name and of the rest of the soldiers going to N. York.  They Sat together.  I directed an Address to them in the latter part of my p.m. sermon.  To receive they rose from their seats.  N.B. At the Request of Capt. Morse and Lt. Townsend I read (after reading the proclamation for a Fast) Resolve of Court for raising more men, who are to go to Canada: and warned the People to meet tomorrow at 3 p.m.  May God graciously accept what has been this day attempted!  Especially with respect to the soldiers!

1776 July 22 (Monday).  The people met together to raise recruits for Canada.  And those who have ‘listed for New York begin their March.  Mrs. Cotton accompanyed with one Mr. Stimpson visits us.  Sophy goes to Concord, and Elias goes with her; that Samuel may go to Portsmouth to look after his Goods, taken away violently, by Several Jones’s, as its Said, and retaken and carryed into the abovesaid Port.

1776 July 23 (Tuesday).  Six Persons (our Quota) enlist, upon the Encouragement given by the Town in Addition to the provincial Bounty.  Among the rest, to my regretting, my Neighbour Caleb Harrington: who must leave home with Difficulty, because of his Wife’s Circumstances.  Mrs. Cotton and Mr. Stimpson dine here; and p.m. leave us.  Elias returns from Concord, but is so indisposed that he can’t return to Mr. Frosts.  A.M. I visited Richard Temple who is ill of a Fever at Mr. Newtons; and prayed with him.  Towards Eve I rode down to Capt. Edmund Brigham, who Still lies under his Lameness.

1776 July 24 (Wednesday).  Elias early returns to Mr. Frosts at Mill-River.  I am not so well as usual, yet through divine Mercy, not very ill.

1776 July 25 (Thursday).  A Number of kind Friends came and reaped for me at the Island Field, viz. Deacon Wood, Mr. Edwards Whipple (and his Son John a part of the forenoon), Messrs. Nathan Maynard, Thaddeus Warrin, Benjamin Tainter, Francis Whipple by a Proxy which was received but Especially Joseph Baker Esq. with 3 more hands — these dined here as did Mr. Barnabas Newton; and he with Squire and all his 3 Hands; also Thaddeus Warrin (at Deacon Woods Cost) assisted in further Reaping, taking up: and brought home a Load.  A Singular Favour in divine Providence.  May God bountifully reward them!

1776 July 26 (Friday).  Breck helps me in several Things relative to the Island Field.  He with Jimmy reaps the rest.  I help in gathering.  Breck binds, and carts home.  N.B. Six men more Sent for to go to Dorchester to keep Garrison instead of a Number going from thence to Canada.  The Town meet — and They soon succeed in raising the Supply.  My son Breck seems inclined to list.  However they have enough without him.  May God graciously influence his Mind and Heart in all!

1776 July 27 (Saturday).  I rode over to Mr. John Chamberlain to hire him to come to work for me, and he consents.  Mr. Moses Nurse mowed for me a.m., at the Island-Brook: and afternoon I worked in Raking etc.  N.B. I had prepared as much of a Sermon as was sufficient for one Exercise.  But urgent Necessity now compelled me.  Mrs. Wheelock with me before Night.

1776 July 28 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on the subject which I have been long upon, viz. Faith; our Justification and eternal salvation thereby.  I was now in the closing up of the whole, the motive, and Inducements to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  This part was begun from Joh. 3.36 but today finished on Mat. 25.46 from p. 87.  Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Hannah Rice, widow of the late Mr. Noah Rice of Sutton, dined with us.  P.M. I preached on Isa. 63.8, repeating what I delivered formerly from that Text, to p. 8.  I admitted Mrs. Wheelock — and appointed the Communion.

1776 July 29 (Monday).  Mr. John Chamberlain and his son Phinehas came to reap, but it was So rainy a Season that they went home again.  Old Mr. Seth Morse came and hoed in north Field p.m.  I visited Richard Temple, who is become very Sick and low: conversed and prayed with him.  N.B. Mrs. Rebecca Spring and her Billy leave us to go to her Husband in New York; and her Peggy is left at Deacon Woods.

1776 July 30 (Tuesday).  A fine, bright Day for our Harvest, but no Chamberlains.  Mr. Morse came to hoe in my North Field.  I am taken off from my Studys by the unavoidable Necessity of attending the Sick, visiting old Mr. Whitney and Richard Temple, and to my Harvest Work, though I can do but little of it.

1776 July 31 (Wednesday).  Breck helps in Raking and carting home a few Cocks from the Brook.  Poor Richard Temple is grown, I hear, exceeding bad.  Breck has watched with him.

1776 August 1 (Thursday).  Publick Fast in this Colony.  I prepared in some Measure, on another Text; but was obliged to go on (with Alterations and Additions) preaching from p. 8 a. and p.m. sermon from Isa. 63.8 and finished that subject.  As this is a most remarkable Day, when most probably Lord viscount Howe, Commissioner from the King of Great Britain (having published his Declaration of Pardon to Americans etc.), may be now transacting with the Congress at Philadelphia, touching a Reconciliation, it is most requisite that fervent Requests be put up to Almighty God to [blot] impart Counsel and Wisdom to the respective Partys, and preserve them whatever may tend to widen the Difference.  May it please the God of infinite Goodness to pardon and accept us in our importunate Supplications!  Mrs. P________ to See Temple, at Eve.

1776 August 2 (Friday).  Richard Temple dyed this Morning in the 32 year of his Age.  I went up to Mr. Newtons where he lay, and where his paramour, Miss Persis Baker, of Bolton who had been published to him, was.  Mrs. Beeton was here and requests that a grand Daughter which She has taken to bring up, may be baptized.  I propose to Speak to the Brethren of the Church about it.

1776 August 3 (Saturday).  Went in the Morning to Mr. Thaddeus Warrins and Mr. Nathan Maynard junior and obtain of them to undertake to get my Interval Hay, this Year — to begin next Monday Morn.  Mr. John Chamberlain reaps in the west Field.  Old Mr. Morse is also hoing in the North.  They, both, finish their work and go home.  P.M. I attend the Funeral of Mr. Richard Temple, who was buryed from Mr. Barnabas Newtons.  His Three Brothers, Josiah, Jonathan and Ebenezer, and two Sisters, Sarah and Phebe, were there; but Miss Persis Baker of Bolton appears to be chief Mourner.

1776 August 4 (Sunday).  I had made Some preparation but laid it by unfinished and used Sermon on Isa. 55.5, pag. 171 to 176.  Administered the Lord’s Supper.  A Number of Grafton members present, and Capt. Jonas Brigham acquainted me that Persis Baker desired to communicate.  When I mentioned her as Member of the Church at Bolton, I guarded it with Saying, that the Church knew how I understood that.  Deacon Miriam, Mrs. Maynard and Miss Suse Brigham dined here.  Mrs. P________ not well: goes not to Meeting to day.  P.M. preached on Isa. 55.6.  Dr. Hawes here at Eve.

1776 August 5 (Monday).  Visit Mr. Francis Pierce’s Sick Child, and prayed with it.  I rode to Mr. Frost’s to See what is best to be done about Elias.  Conclude to have him Stay there another Month.  Dined there.  Returned p.m.  Called at Mr. John Chamberlains and agree to give him 4 Bushels of Rye for his Reaping.

1776 August 6 (Tuesday).  I made Several necessary Visits — yet it was a busy Day with us as to the Hay.  I went to See old Mrs. Sarah Forbush, and prayed with her.  N.B. many living Creatures infest her terrible sore.  I went to Col. Levi Brighams.  I went to See whether he consented to Brecks intimacy with his Daughter Suse.  He was gone to Worcester, but I acquainted Mrs. Brigham with my Errand and prayed her to do it for me.  I visited old Mrs. Beeman, Mr. Bass, Mr. Whitney; where I dined; came home round by Mr. Crooks, where I stopped, and visited the widow (of the late Edmund) Rice, also at Amasa Maynards and Squire Whipples.

1776 August 7 (Wednesday).  Breck goes a Journey after Teams which were expected with various Goods from Albany and New-York, to be brought from Norwich, but did not come.  Mr. Francis Pierce’s Child dies.  I was differently employed but alas!  Too little purpose; attending upon Haying, and my Workmen that make up and bring home 2 Load from different Lots.  See Almanack.

1776 August 8 (Thursday).  Rainy and Cloudy.  I Suppose Mr. Fitch attends the Burial of Pierce’s Child, it being from an Hopkinton Family, but interred in our Burying place.

1776 August 9 (Friday).  [Letting?], heavy Weather — yet I am not a little interrupted; and can do very little in my Studys.  This is peculiarly Strange that the Recruits which are so much wanted at Canada are So long delayed, and have no marching Orders; but the Men are [illegible] and are in so unprofitable a Situation.  P.M. Mrs. Rumbly made me a Visit, before she returns to Boston.  She keeps close to her Antibaptistical Principles.

1776 August 10 (Saturday).  Breck returns home.  Mr. William Blair Townshend and his wife came to see us, and dined here.  I Spake to him of my Son Elias’s going to College, and that he might perhaps befriend me as to some or other of the charitable Benefactions.

1776 August 11 (Sunday).  Preached with proper Variation what I designed for the late Fast Day, on Isa. 64.1-5.  P.M. on Isa. 55.6.  Baptized Mrs. Wheelocks 3 Children, viz. Moses-Bond, John, and Lydia.

1776 August 12 (Monday).  So much Rain we are put greatly behind in our Haying; they that were to work for me are unable to do their own work in harvesting, and therefore cannot do anything for me.  Mr. Elijah Warrin of Upton dies of a Wasting Distemper, in the 55th or 56th year of his Age.[1]

[1]Elijah Warrin mar. Rebecca Hicks, Oct. 3, 1748 (Westborough VR, 216)

1776 August 13 (Tuesday).  Visit a Child of Mr. Piper that is Sick at Mr. Ebenezer Millers.  Also old Mrs. Woods; both in my way to Upton, where I went to the burying of Mr. Warrin.  Our Kinswoman is left sorrowfull no doubt; but her late Husband has been So plodding and Successful that his Estate is not Small; and only 3 Children.  Mr. Fish prayed.  In returning home I called at Mr. Martin Pratts.  N.B. Mounting the young Horse I rode upon I was in peculiar Danger by being cast on the Horse’s Neck, from which I could not recover for some time; but by the good Providence of God I was saved.  D.G.!

1776 August 14 (Wednesday).  I have had but a restless night, and somewhat lifeless Morning — yet am (through Gods Goodness) in some Comfort through the Day.  Sophy rode to Leicester.  Mr. Levi Warrin came to mowe but the Weather was so uncertain that he returned home.

1776 August 15 (Thursday).  Mr. Warrin came again, and though it was cloudy he mowed in my Newton Meadow — but about 9 o’Clock was called off and went home.  P.M. though it rained yet Benjamin Tainter, Nathan Chamberlin Sent by Capt. Morse, Daniel Warrin and Moses Warrin, the last Sent by Mr. Levi Warrin, came and mowed my Newton Meadow: all of it out of good will.  Squire Whipple visits me.  At Eve Lieut. Bond for himself and the Soldiers going to Canada, asks a Sermon to be preached to them next Sabbath.

1776 August 16 (Friday).  Moses Warrin came p.m. from Mr. Levi Warrin to look after the Hay that was cut yesterday.  P.M. came my son Samuel, his wife and little Sally.  Kezia came home with Sophy who returns this Eve from Leicester.

1776 August 17 (Saturday).  Mr. Lambson in the morning repairs the Appendages of the Hogs-stye; and then goes, his Brother Nat and Ben Tainter junior also with him, about 9 o’Clock to raking Hay at the Newton Meadow.  Tainter dined here with the rest, but went to Harrington p.m.  P.M. came Moses Warrin and Asa Adams to rake and pole.  They made it dark by that they brought the 3d and last load: but all of them large.  Lt. Bond requests for himself and the other Soldiers (viz. 6 for Crown-Point, 6 for Boston, from hence; and 4 who have listed for other Towns), that I would preach to them.  My Time has been spent accordingly.

1776 August 18 (Sunday).  A.M. Preached on Prov. 18.24 (but did not discern till in the Pulpit that I had delivered the first Sermon not only before, but within a Year) With new Introduction with many necessary Alterations accommodating it to the present Circumstances and proceeding into sermon 2d on that Text.  At noon came my Kinsman Mr. Thomas Needham in his March to Crown Point; came to See me, and one Mr. Shaw, another Soldier with him.  They dined here but could not Stay, being obliged to obey Orders.  P.M. I preached to the Soldiers from Luk. 3.14.  Mr. Beeton and his Wife promised before the Church and Congregation to take Care of the Education of a Grand Child which was baptized, and nam’d Martha.  At Eve Mr. Elijah Brigham here.

1776 August 19 (Monday).  Visit little William Pitt Wood at Deacon Wood’s: the Child being still very weak and low.  Was at Mrs. Keens where I read her Husbands Letters from New York.

1776 August 20 (Tuesday).  My Son Samuel, his Wife and Child go back to Concord.  The Association met here, viz. Rev. Messrs. Stone, Smith, Goss, Whitney and Newel.  See Association Minutes.  Mr. Thaddeus Warrin and Nathan Maynard junior go to the Interval.  I hire also Mr. Paul Lambson (whom we diet) and Mr. Jonathan Maynard and Mr. Nurse with his Team (of 3 Horses) — both the last diet them Selves.  They bring home four Load from the Interval.

1776 August 21 (Wednesday).  My Daughter Kezia came here from Framingham and tarried with us.  Mr. Amos Trask of Salem dined here, and went to Sutton.