1777 February 13 (Thursday). The Bradshaws having but one Horse, put him into my Sleigh and take in Elias, to go to Cambridge. Breck sat out for Windsor. Mr. Fisher begins the Course to fetch the News Paper from Worcester. N.B. gave Elias 3 Dollars. Old Mr. Cornelius Biglow is with me, desirous to join with the Church. He dines with us.
Category: Diary
February 14, 1777
1777 February 14 (Friday). I was in great Expectation of Wood-Cutters and Sledders, but none came a.m. but p.m. Deacon Wood and Squire Baker Sent, the former one Team, the other sent two large Teams, to the Ministerial Lott. Each of them brought one Load. One of the Squires Teams brought a very large one. I believe that the Squire also carryed the Men Rum. The Hands went to Supper here. They were Samuel Williams, one Flynt, and William McCulloch. Phinehas Hardy being occasionally with us, tells us his Sister Lydia is thought to have the Small pox. N.B. My Kinsman Alexander Oliver here in a Journey from Boston to Brookfield and lodges here. Informs me that Miss [Pashy or Patty?] Pidgeon (as She was called) lay dead at Newtown, as he came along.
February 15, 1777
1777 February 15 (Saturday). Mr. Oliver leaves us to return home. N.B. Miss Lydia Hardy is broke out with the Small Pox, having, as ‘tis supposed, taken the infection from a Soldier as she passed in the high Way. Two Teams, Six Oxen apiece, drove by Mr. Samuel Williams and [blank] Parker from Squire Baker, go to the ministerial Lott and bring two Load, each of them.
February 16, 1777
1777 February 16 (Sunday). Preach a. and p.m. on Eph. IV.14.15, those words, “That we henceforth may grow up into him in all Things.” The Exercises were a Self-Examination of Growth in Grace. Mrs. Spring dined and after Exercise tarrys and lodges.
February 17, 1777
1777 February 17 (Monday). A Town-Meeting to see what the Town will do to encourage soldiers enlisting. P.M. Mr. Bradshaw returns in my Sleigh from Cambridge. Brings Elias’s Quarter Bills; and from Dr. Langdon Dr. Witherspoons sermon the General Fast last May. Bradshaw lodges here.
February 18, 1777
1777 February 18 (Tuesday). Bradshaw goes on his Journey. I wrote to Miss Nabby Barrett a Critical Remark on the fair Circassian; but did not then send it. Mr. Thaddeus Waring and Nat. Lambson killed a Pig for me. Weighed 154. Read Dr. Witherspoons sermon. Mr. Benjamin How has mended, and brought home my Gun stock. A Training for enlisting — but no success. Not one.
February 19, 1777
1777 February 19 (Wednesday). Marble Came again in the Morning. P.M. Mr. May from Woodstock. My Son Alexander from [Boston?] [illegible] Messrs. Whitney and Bass with their Wives, and Miss Beulah Wood from [illegible] in a sleigh and return home. Mr. Whitney tells me that Mr. Dickinson, the famous Philadelphia Farmer, has gone over to the Regulars. Breck returns from Windsor.
February 20, 1777
1777 February 20 (Thursday). I went to Mr. B. Newton and Deacon Wood to know their Minds about getting wood. They consented and I thought they would notifie others. Mrs. Spring having stayed here from Sabbath till now, goes up to Deacon Woods. Alexander goes home. Mr. May tarrys — but Sends his Horse to Deacon Woods.
February 21, 1777
1777 February 21 (Friday). Mr. Newton with his Team, and Deacon Wood Sent William Culloch with his Team, but the sled of the latter broke. Newton with the Addition of the Deacons Team brought two large Loads. Marble with My Team brought two. Neighbour Harrington went to the Lot and chopped — but no other Cutters came. Mr. Moses Nurse went to the Lott with a Team of two Horses and brought one Load. Mr. May left us a.m.
February 22, 1777
1777 February 22 (Saturday). Marble to the Lott a.m. with my Team — but brought only a part of a Load. Capt. Benjamin Fay Sent one Load of his own. I wrote to Mr. Cushing and Squire Quincy.
February 23, 1777
1777 February 23 (Sunday). A.M. on 1 Joh. 3.21. But I was not able to prepare for p.m. and therefore preached a Sermon from 1 Tim. 6.2, those words, “Partakers of the Benefit,” but made Addition of 5 Heads of Application. May God bless my feeble Attempts! In the Evening Breck and Suse attend our Exercise in the Family and lodge here. N.B. Breck is with me again to discourse of joining with the Church.
February 24, 1777
1777 February 24 (Monday). I wanted to Visit Widow Bulah Gale whose Husband Mr. Jacob Gale dyed lately at Ticonderoga; also her mother in Law mourning for the Loss of her only remaining son; and her D[illegible] of her late only Brother; but a great snow storm confines me all Day. I particularly thank God for my many Comforts: and pray for divine pity to all that are in want, and that are now exposed.
February 25, 1777
1777 February 25 (Tuesday). The great Storm continues. P.M. turns partly to Rain. Deacon Wood and a Number more, with a Number of Oxen, and mine are joined, try to break the Road down to Johnsons at Southborough. Sermonizing.
February 26, 1777
1777 February 26 (Wednesday). Many Companys that rode out in double Sleighs are detained by the deep Snow, and can’t without difficulty get back again, particularly Mr. David Maynard junior with his Wife and Child, from Westminster are blocked up, and kept from home. Mr. Perry of their Company confined also. N.B. Mr. Constantine Hardy breaks out with the small pox.
February 27, 1777
1777 February 27 (Thursday). Breck Sets out for Cambridge and Boston. I am confined from visiting poor Mr. Samuel Hardy and his Wife; the latter is Sick. Marble, who tryed yesterday to break a way to the Ministerial Lott but could not get through, attempts again to Day, with the Assistance of [Stephen?] Maynard and Dr. Hawes Oxen; And bring a light Load.
February 28, 1777
1777 February 28 (Friday). Read Dr. South on 1 Joh. 3.21. It is a rugged, uncomfortable season, but through the great Goodness of God I have Health and ability to follow my studys. Omitted, that Yesterday old Mr. Biglow was here again about joining to the Church, and brought a Relation. But I urge him still to go and be reconciled to his Wife, or use means to effect it. My Son Ebenezer came and his Son Edward from New Braintry.
March 1, 1777
1777 March 1 (Saturday). My Son and his Neddy Sat out for home (in a large, 2 Horse Sleigh, with a Cargo of Rum etc.) but their Journey will be difficult and long, by reason of the Roads being so blocked up with snow. At Eve Breck returned from Boston. He brought a Letter from his Brother Cushing of Feb. 23, which informs that his wife was that Day delivered of a Daughter, which was that Day baptized Sarah — Mother and Child comfortable. To God be all Glory and Praise!
March 2, 1777
1777 March 2 (Sunday). Preached a.m. on 1 Joh. 4.17, finishing the Subject begun on 1 Cor. 5.8 and carryed on from 1 Joh. 3.21 and other Texts. Which may it please God to bless and prosper both with the Hearers and the unworthy speaker. P.M. on Mat. 7.12, using my Expository Exercise on that Passage, with divers additions, etc. Breck was propounded. It was a Cold Day and a thin Meeting. At Eve Breck and Suse with us. I wrote to Mr. Cushing.
March 3, 1777
1777 March 3 (Monday). Town-Meeting. Capt. Morse and Mr. B. Tainter came to request me to go and pray with them. I complyed. Mr. Biglow dined with us. Mr. Joseph Green came to acquaint me with the Death of his sons eldest Child, by a Quincy, and desires me to attend the Funeral tomorrow. I am informed that the Small Pox increases; that Joseph, Daniel and Lucy Hardy are so under the Symptoms or Fears of it, that they have gone into the House, and into the Room of Infection. Mr. Benjamin Whipple of Bennington came to see me. Mr. Jonathan Grout here concerning his supplying me with Malt. At night the dining-Room Chimney took Fire and burnt out freely; but no Harm.
March 4, 1777
1777 March 4 (Tuesday). It was Stormy, and the wind and Snow vehement, yet I was carryed in the sleigh to Mr. Greens, the House of Mourning, and prayed. Breck accompanyed me and drove.
N.B. I wrote a Letter to Mr. Stephen and Mrs. Ruth Fay at Bennington, which I committed to the Care of Mr. Benjamin Whipple, who is soon to go there.
March 5, 1777
1777 March 5 (Wednesday). Read variously — especially Chambers Cyclopedia. The Girls p.m. and Eve Visit Mrs. Beeton and Mrs. Parker. Breck with sleigh goes to them. Mr. Daniel Forbes junior here from Cape [Ann?], returning home to Brookfield, designing to return next Tuesday come sennight.
March 6, 1777
1777 March 6 (Thursday). I visited Mr. Samuel Hardys Wife; but the man not at home. At her desire I prayed with her. The Family in low Circumstances.
March 7, 1777
1777 March 7 (Friday). Engaged in my Preparations.
March 8, 1777
1777 March 8 (Saturday). A Sad disappointment by the Sleds breaking. [P?] Lambson p.m. to mend it. See my Almanack. The Roller splitting, the New Tongue was drawn out and broke.
March 9, 1777
1777 March 9 (Sunday). Preached a.m. on Amos IV.11, last Clause. P.M. on occasion of a great Number of persons putting up Notes to desire prayers under their Bereavements I preached on Heb. 2.15. N.B. Lieut. Hezekiah Ward of Grafton dy’d Suddenly on the 6th. Mr. Josiah Newton dyed lately at Brookfield. AEtatis 29. He received the Small Pox by Inoculation but was seized by a bilious Cholic, which proved fatal to him. At Eve Breck and Suse.
March 10, 1777
1777 March 10 (Monday). I visited at Neighbour Newtons in their sorrows. Read part of Dr. I. Mathers Angelographia, viz. the Case of Conscience concerning Angelical Apparitions.
March 11, 1777
1777 March 11 (Tuesday). I went to Squire Bakers, but he is gone to his Brother Solomon, who is at Dr. Whites at Holliston by reason of a grievous sore in his Cheek. Mr. P. Whitney here. P.M. hear that Mr. Edwards Whipple is very ill with a sore Throat and Canker. I went immediately to see him — but he was dead before I got to him. A sorrowful Sudden Death! The Lord grant I may be ready for my own! Prayed with the afflicted Mourners.
March 12, 1777
1777 March 12 (Wednesday). I had purposed to go to Southborough and see Mr. Stone, but the Weather, being rainy and the Roads full of Water, prevented. Mr. Joseph Green came to ask me to attend his Brother Whipples Burial tomorrow.
March 13, 1777
1777 March 13 (Thursday). Attended the Funeral of Mr. Edwards Whipple, prayed at the House of Mourning — and because the Grave was not finished (by reason of the Stoneyness of the Place the Digger was obliged to try three times) I spent Some time in Exhortation to the Company who were at the House. Mr. Whipple was a Member of our Church — a principal Singer — dyed in the 55th year of his Age.
March 14, 1777
1777 March 14 (Friday). A.M. came Mr. Thomas Kendal — dines and lodged here.
March 15, 1777
1777 March 15 (Saturday). Mr. Kendal with me. Mr. Barnabas Newton goes to Marlborough for Flax. Gave him seven Dollars and an half, but he brought only 13 lb.
March 16, 1777
1777 March 16 (Sunday). In the morning came Mr. Elijah Hardy and informs that Since Day light his Brother Constantine dyed — but it was by means of the Dysentery setting in with the Small Pox. Another, and very worthy, member of this Church hereby taken away from us! Help, Lord! Mr. Kendal preached a.m. on Joh. 12.36, former part. P.M. he preached on Rom. 8.3.4. My son Breck was admitted into the Church. I appointed the Communion and the Lecture. N.B. Mrs. Maynard and Mr. James Bellows’s Wife, also Miss Nabby Woods, dined here. Mr. Kendal and Breck, after the public Exercises, went to Mr. Hardys to assist in the Interment of Mr. Constantine.
March 17, 1777
1777 March 17 (Monday). Rode into the South part of the Town, to visit divers Familys, viz. Capt. Morse, under pain and Confinement by reason of the Fall of a Pole, loaded with Raw Hides, which knocked him down. Discoursed and prayed with him; and I dined there. Went to Mr. Phinehas Forbes’s — to Mrs. Bowmans — her Husband in the Service: and to Mr. Isaac Adams’s, whose Wife had a Son born to day, after many years (10 or 11) ceasing to bear. But (as was my principal Design) visited, comforted and prayed with Mrs. Mindwell Hardy, Widow of the late Mr. Constantine Hardy. Found her in a good, Sedate, Pious, resigned, though very afflicted, Frame. Was at Mr. Elisha Forbes’s; and at Mr. Joseph Harringtons, where I supped. At home found my Daughter Hannah ill: her Face greatly Swelled and pained. Mr. Kendal lodges here. Received a Letter from Mr. Quincy of Feb. 27 and 28 in answer to mine concerning the Defection of the Philadelphian Farmer.
March 18, 1777
1777 March 18 (Tuesday). I spent some time in discoursing with, and reading to Mr. Kendal. What I read was some part of Bishop Burnet of the Pastoral Care. Viewed some of his Compositions, and freely talked with him about them. N.B. finished and Sent a letter to Mr. Forbes of Gloucester.
March 19, 1777
1777 March 19 (Wednesday). My Lecture. Mr. Stone was Sent to, but did not come. Mr. Whitney (by desire) came — dined — Preached on Mat. 7.21. Which may God graciously Succeed! Mr. Kendal with us — also Miss Eunice Fish. Am informed that a mutual Council sitts to Day at Petersham.