Category: Diary

1776 October 31 (Thursday).  Was chiefly taken up with the writings of the Elegant Sir William Temple.  Thus ends this month — Fugit Hora sine [mora?]!

1776 November 1 (Friday).  Mr. Noah Hardy and his Wife came in, having been to Gloucester; visited their Uncle and New Aunt, Forbes.  At Eve Breck returned from Boston and Cambridge.  Says Elias is not well — is returning home.  Left him at Framingham, where he lodges to night.

1776 November 2 (Saturday).  Sent James Hicks with an Horse to meet him.  He arrived about noon.  P.M. Sophy came from Lancaster.  The Death of Rev. Emmerson of Concord, at Otter Creek, confirmed and very much lamented.  Help Lord the Godly man ceaseth!  Master Timothy Harrington was So respectful as to accompany her; and went back.  Master Stone of Shrewsbury and Crosby, from College, here also.

1776 November 3 (Sunday).  Preached again on 1 Sam. 4, now on v. 22, a. and p.m.  Grafton again destitute: many of the people here.  I could not but Pity their Case; and proposed to the Church and Congregation that I would (if it might be with their Concurrence and Consent) go next Lords Day, God willing, and preach there.  No Objection was made.  A Letter from my son Baldwin at Ticonderoga, dated Oct. 13.

1776 November 4 (Monday).  Visit old Mrs. Whitney who is sick.  Prayed with her and dined there.  P.M. visit old Mr. Eleazer Pratt, who was past Speaking.  He seems to be dying.  I prayed with them.

1776 November 5 (Tuesday).  Wrote to my Son Baldwin.  Hear that Mr. Pratt dyed last Evening.  I rode to Mr. Childs to marry Samuel Whitney and Lavinia Biglow; and I dined with them.  Another Letter from Col. Baldwin, dated Oct. 17, containing further sad Accounts of the Defeat at the Lake.

1776 November 6 (Wednesday).  Attended the Funeral of old Mr. Pratt.  Squire Baker raises a large Building for a Tan-House.  I, by request, went, but did not tarry to their Supper.  William Bowes Bradford of Leicester came — lodges here.

1776 November 7 (Thursday).  James Hicks goes to Cambridge.  Billy Bradford returns to Leicester.  Elias goes with my Team to Mr. Jonathan Childs and brings 4 Barrells of Cyder.  3 from him at 7/ per Barrell.  One from Mr. Thomas Whitney is given.  Mr. Grosvenor, his Wife and sister called here, as they return to Grafton.  N.B. Mr. Daniel Forbes junior brought me a Letter from his uncle at Gloucester, giving Me Account of his Marriage; and of 10 French Gentlemen with their servants there.

1776 November 8 (Friday).  Early in the Morning Elias left us to go to Cambridge, but he goes by the way of Concord.  Gave him two Dollars.  This Day 52 years agoe, the Church in Westborough was gathered and I was (though unworthy) ordained a Minister of the Gospel, and Pastor of this Flock.  I admire and adore the Condescending Goodness of God in it; in preserving My Life, Reason, Health, and continuing me in this Office; and desire deeply to humble my self for my many Deficiencies and Miscarriages; implore Remission through the Blood of the great Atonement, and beg ardently the supplys of the Spirit of God and that I may be quickened, assisted and strengthened by almighty Grace; be made faithful and Successfull, till I Shall be received, with those committed to me, to Gods heavenly and eternal Kingdom!

1776 November 9 (Saturday).  I rode to Grafton p.m. to preach for Mr. Grosvenor.  Hastings, as I was informed afterwards, Elias’s Chambermate, came to Westborough and lodged here.  He is going to a Sick Brother at Ticonderoga.  James Hicks returned from Cambridge.

1776 November 10 (Sunday).  I preached at Grafton on Judg. II.10.11.12 a. and p.m.  My own People were destitute.  May the Lord teach us to profit!  The Lord remember His servant Grosvenor under his Affliction, and open his Mouth again, a Door of Utterance to preach the Word of God and that his Tongue may Shew forth His high Praises!  At Eve visited the widow Prentice and Mr. Grosvenor with me.  I lodged again there at Mr. G.’s.

1776 November 11 (Monday).  In returning home I called at Mr. Grouts to see his son.  At his request I prayed with him.  I also visited at Capt. Jonathan Fays.  I went likewise to see old Mrs. Whitney and prayed with her.  When I got home received a Letter from Elias who Seems to desire to go to the Hospital to be inoculated.  I wrote an Answer permitting him — but know not how to send it.  N.B. Caleb Blood, a young Baptist preacher came in — and dined here.  At Eve came Jesse Cutter from Brookfield: tells me my Daughter Baldwin is very poorly.  She has Sent me a Number of her Husbands Journals.

1776 November 12 (Tuesday).  Cutter goes to Concord, to wait upon Betsey home.  Mr. Cornelius Waters came and lodged here.  Mrs. Spring at Eve, come from New York.

1776 November 13 (Wednesday).  Mr. Waters undertakes, at my request, to preach the Lecture, in my Stead, at Grafton; and leaves us.  At Eve came my Daughter Sally Parkman and with her came Cutter and my grand-daughter Betsey Baldwin and they lodge here.  N.B. Deacon Wood here at Eve, and Speaks of a Number of young Gentlemen from Boston who come up here for the Sake of hunting — Squirrells etc.  Mrs. Wight and two Daughters of Rev. Stephen White of Windham dined here.  Mrs. Fessenden and Mrs. Davis here p.m.

1776 November 14 (Thursday).  Cutter and Betsey left us.  N.B. I returned Col. Baldwins Journals by them.  Mr. Bradshaw returning home from Boston, calls here.  Informs me that our Kinsman Mr. Thomas Bailey has had a Vendue to sell my Brother Williams Goods etc.  I walked to Mr. Ebenezer and Samuel Forbushs.  N.B. I have received a Letter from Mrs. Eunice Cook of Douglass requesting a Contribution from this Town.  P.M. The infamous Thomas Cook came boldly to See me.  I gave him what Admonition, Caution and Charge I could.  My Wife very much indisposed from Day to Day.  Sick at her stomach — sometimes Vomits — took Physic.

1776 November 15 (Friday).  Mrs. Parkman not able to go to Concord, though Sally came up on purpose (with Chaise) to wait on her.  Sally returns to Concord, and Hannah with her.  Memorandum gave Hannah two Dollars.  And paid to Breck, for Mr. Jonathan Child, in full, for Cyder and Apples, £1.7.4 L.M.  At Eve Master Hall came, Spent the Eve and lodged, here.

1776 November 16 (Saturday).  Master goes to his School (that by Mr. Jonathan Grouts).  P.M. Mr. Francis Whipples wife came in a Chaise with her Sister Caruth, who came from Brookfield to visit her parents, and brought her Child.  They drank Tea here.

1776 November 17 (Sunday).  I preached a. and p.m. on Deut. 10.12.13.  A Number of Upton people here, Mr. Fish being gone to preach at Medway 2d Parish, the Minister whereof is a Chaplain in the Army.  Miss Abigail Fish here after Meeting.  N.B. Master Hall was at Dinner here.  N.B. Breck was published.  Dr. Hawes came in to See Mrs. Parkman, who is very Stomach sick.  She takes a Vomit, which worked 3 times.

1776 November 18 (Monday).  Town Meeting p.m.  The Addition which the Town votes makes my Sallery £500 O.T. for this Year; but no Vote for Wood.  Mr. David Maynard here.  Paid him for his Daughter Ann’s weaving [Chask?] etc. in O.T. £2.17.6.

1776 November 19 (Tuesday).  Mr. Samuel Forbush plows at my Island p.m.  Read Bishop Moores Sermon on the Wisdom and Goodness of Providence on Prov. 3.6.  A very good and seasonable Discourse.  May I obtain and exercise that very Spirit and Disposition at this time, which is therein recommended!  P.M. Mrs. Spring and Child — they lodge here.

1776 November 20 (Wednesday).  Mr. Samuel Forbush Sends his son Coollidge and a Yoke of Oxen, Mr. Ebenezer Forbush Sends Asa and Yoke of Oxen and they with James Hicks and my Oxen, plow all day in the Stubble at the Island, near the Brook.  Master Goddard of Shrewsbury came to see me.

1776 November 21 (Thursday).  My two young Creatures which have been Summered at my son Cushings, and brought down by Capt. Witherby, arrive safe.  Mrs. Spring and her Daughter still with us.

1776 November 22 (Friday).  I am informed that divers of our Militia Men have returned from the Army.  The Roads filled with Soldiers returning.

1776 November 23 (Saturday).  Early this Morn Mr. Jos. Keens (who is returned from the Army) Summons Mrs. Parkman and Mrs. Spring, to go to his Wife’s Labour.  They went a litte before 4 o’Clock; about 5 her Child, a Daughter, was born, and in the morning Still, they came home with Gladness.  Mr. Artemas Howe and his Wife (my Grand Daughter Elizabeth) called here and dined with us, in their way home, at Dudley.

1776 November 24 (Sunday).  Preached on Duet. 10.12 a.m.  We are short on’t for Wood that Mrs. P______ had no fire built in the Kitchin at Noon.  P.M. The Times and my Circumstances required me to repeat Sermon on Isa. 1.9 to page 6.  May it be sanctifyed to us; and O that we might be of the Small Remnant!

1776 November 25 (Monday).  We are in some Consternation for at the Return of Numbers of the last Recruits, which went to N. York, we are informed that Fort Washington is taken by the Kings Forces.  Read in Bishop Moores Sermons — and looked over Magazines etc.

1776 November 26 (Tuesday).  The Account of Fort Washington is confirmed.  Thus, again God Sees meet to frown upon us.  May we be prepared for what He will do next!  N.B. a Message from Mr. Fitch to preach his Lecture on the 28th.  P.M. I was much indisposed.  Was much pained at my Stomach — loaded and Oppressed.  My Bowells were affected.  At Eve I was ill, but it worked off.  Read Bishop Moore’s Sermons.

1776 November 27 (Wednesday).  I am (through the Goodness of God) better: but Mrs. P________ no better.

1776 November 28 (Thursday).  Town Meeting to see whether the Town consents to the General Courts forming a Body of Laws for this State: Whether the Town will send another Representative along with Capt. Maynard and To draw out every fourth Man of the Militia to go into the Army at New York.  N.B. Breck is one.  I went to Hopkinton Lecture.  I preached on Rev. 14.6.7, which may a divine Influence accompany, to my own soul and the Auditors!  I returned at Evening.  Capt. Morse gives me but a dark Account of the State of our Army New Yorkward.  May God help us, under our discouraging prospects!

1776 November 29 (Friday).  Had some Conversation with Ensign Bowman about the late proceedings of the Town.  N.B. Breck pays the Fine, 10£ Lawful Money, instead of going to the Army at, or near New York.

1776 November 30 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1776 December 1 (Sunday).  Preached again on Isa. 1.9, accommodated to the present times.  Capt. Morse and a Number more give Thanks for safe Return from the Army.  Dr. Crosby and Master Hall, Miss Suse Brigham dined here.  P.M. preached on Deut. 11.26.27.  May God give His Blessing!

1776 December 2 (Monday).  Breck goes to Concord, Salem, Boston.  P.M. The Town Met by adjournment.  By Advice I sent them a Paper requesting the Town to get my Wood.  But there was no Vote for it.  At Eve came Mr. Buckminster of Rutland, and lodged here.  Tells me tis reported Ticonderoga is taken.

1776 December 3 (Tuesday).  Mr. Buckminster leaves us, for Framingham and Boston.  Old Mrs. Mary Whitney dyed this Morning.  Mr. Paul Lambson prepares and puts up a new Sweep for the lower Well.  Mr. Daniel Warrin junior dines here and fetches a Load of Wood.  P.M. attended  the Funeral of Mr. Joseph Grouts little Daughter Dolly, of between 4 and 5 Years.  In returning I visited and prayed with Mr. Rufus Pratt and James Fay, son of Capt. Benjamin, who are sick.

1776 December 4 (Wednesday).  Though I prepared for Shrewsbury Lecture and went as far as to Mr. Nurse’s, yet it was so rainy that I conceived it to be my Duty to return home.  Mr. Thaddeus Warrin came and helped me weigh, cutt out and Salt up my Beef.