Category: Diary

1777 March 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Kendal rode with me over to Northborough Lecture.  We dined at Mr. Whitneys.  Mr. Sumner and Mr. [blank] Fairbank (called at North Shrewsbury) were there.  The latter preached on Isa. 28.16 — “Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a Stone” etc.  Mr. Whitneys Chimney took Fire and the Roof was kindled, but soon extinguished.  We returned at Eve, though it was difficult by reason of Rain, cold Wind, and mudd[y Roads?].

 

As I was in the Evening in my Chamber about 9 o’Clock and going [torn] to [torn], I was taken with Faintness, and at the Door [illegible] as a Log.  Mr. Kendal, and soon the rest [torn] [illegible] I had fallen against the Conk-shell and wo[torn] Head, breaking a part of the Shell; also the Candlestick which [torn]nd, was bent etc. etc., but through the Goodness of God I came to [torn] a little space.  Mr. Kendal prayed and I went to Bed and [torn] freshed and Comforted.  Blessed be God for His sparing [torn] May I take Warning — Wait and watch as one that is Ever Ready for the Coming of my Lord!

1777 March 21 (Friday).  Through the great Goodness and Longsuffering of God I am in a comfortable state, and able to attend to my Studys.  All Praise is due to God my Preserver and Strengthener!  Mr. Kendal with us Still.  P.M. Mrs. Beulah Gale, widow of the late Jacob Gale, was here to discourse with me, in order to having her Children baptized: but I chiefly directed her to look to her own state, her Qualifications for giving up herself to God.  Directed and encouraged her to Seek the true Knowledge of God, true Faith, Repentance and a Spirit of Holiness etc.

1777 March 22 (Saturday).  Mr. Kendal was willing to stay and help me on the Sabbath approching, but I thought I might venture to undertake, by leave and help from God, to perform the Services, and therefore inclined that he should go to Grafton and preach for Mr. Grosvenor.  P.M. he went.  My Daughter in law, Kezia, came from Leicester, and goes to Framingham.  Jonathan Marble, twin Brother of Henry, came and lodges.  He has come from my Daughter Baldwins where he lives: and he tells me she is but poorly: is much upon the Bed.

1777 March 23 (Sunday).  My preparations for Preaching being in such Readiness that my mind was much at rest; though my Body was feeble and my Animal Spirits were but weak.  I entered upon the important work, I hope in the Fear of God and in the Faith of Jesus Christ (as I humbly hope).  A.M. my Text was Rom. 8.1.  P.M. Text was [blot]. 4.11, latter part, which may God graciously bless!  And as the holy Supper was administered may God be pleased to accept our Offerings and help us to fulfill our vows!  N.B. my son Breck was now first at the Communion.  [Elijah Brigham?], Cousen Maynard and Jonathan Marble dined here.  At Eve came Miss [Nabby?] Woods and lodges here.  Breck and Suse and Billy with us at noon [and Evening?].  Received a Letter from Mr. Moore, which acquaints me with his designed Marriage to Miss Nancy Hammond of Newport.

1777 March 24 (Monday).  I have been but feeble and faint, yet having been carryed through the various Exercises of the sabbath and of the Sacrament, as also of the Family, through the great Goodness of God, I render praise to His glorious Name.  The Marbles go to [Upton?].  I light of one Thomas Snow of Oxford, and [illegible and torn] to work for me.  The Town Meet [torn] they shall do about raising Men whether there s[hould be?] Hospital for Inoculation etc.  As to this last ther[torn] Vote.

1777 March 25 (Tuesday).  Mr. Kendal com[torn], Mr. Cushing from Ashburnham and my Daughter in la[torn] Framingham.  They all lodge here.  N.B. Breck went to [Boston this morning?] Major Wheelock with him.  Henry Marble and Phinehas Brigham dine here, as does Jonathan Marble.  N.B. I payd the two former, 3 Dollars for their thrashing my Rye.  They all go to Brookfield.

1777 March 26 (Wednesday).  Kezia delivers me 41£ 1 s. for which I gave Receipt.  She returns to Leicester.  This is the Day appointed for the Ordination of Mr. [blank] Fairbank at North Shrewsbury.

1777 March 27 (Thursday).  I hear the Ordination at Shrewsbury was put off.  I rode to Southborough on Mr. Ebenezer Forbushs Horse to See Mr. Stone and his Family.  Mr. Stone informed me that his Daughter Rice was thought to be dying and that he, being sent for, was riding there, but the Horse stumbled and threw him, by which he was sadly bruised — and was blooded.  His Daughter Joanna very ill of a Fever, and keeps her Bed.  But it was Lecture Day, and Mr. Stone could not go out.  However, Mr. Wheaten from Framingham was there and preached.  Text Joh. 3.3.  N.B. Col. Buckminster accompanyed Mr. Wheaton and dined with us.  By Desire I prayed with Miss Joanna.  In my returning I visited the three Widows Gale; I also called in to see old Mr. Gale and his Wife, confined by their Infirmitys.  Am now informed that Mr. Fairbank was Ordained this Day.  Mr. Cushing goes to Shrewsbury — But

1777 March 28 (Friday).  He returns here to recover his Dog — takes him and goes to Northborough.  N.B. Having brought the 1st Vol. of Prideaux, he borrows the 2d and 3d.

1777 March 29 (Saturday).  The Talk of the Day is of Inoculation.  My Daughters very much set upon it.

1777 March 30 (Sunday).  A.M. on Rom. 8.1.  P.M. on 2 Cor. 5.5, but the Subject the Same as from Heb. 2.15.  The Widow Bulah Gale was propounded.  Breck etc. at Eve, also Elijah Brigham — and lodges here.

1777 March 31 (Monday).  Read great part of the Day in Chambers Cyclopaedia on various Heads and have agreeable Entertainment and profit.  The select Men are together upon the important affair of Inoculation.  Breck watches with Mr. Andrews.

1777 April 1 (Tuesday).  Breck informs that Mr. Andrews has had a bad Night.  I expected Thomas Snow of Oxford to work for me, but he did not come.  I rode up to Mr. Thomas Whitneys to see his youngest Son that is sick of Fever, Worms etc.  Prayed there and dined with them also.  Went over to Mr. [torn]ph Grouts; Capt. Jonathan Fays — call at each of [torn] but particularly was at Ensign Fays to see Mrs. [torn] (of Chauncytown).  N.B. hear that the Stores at Pickskill (60 miles from New York) on N. River, are destroyed by our own soldiers, by reason of a Man of War going up, and invading them.

 

N.B. Mr. Grosvenor and his Wife, Mr. Kendal, with Master Hall visited, and dined here — though I Saw nothing of them.

 

Mr. Tainters House is improved as an Hospital, and a Number of young men are inoculated to day.  May God be pleased in the midst of Wrath to remember Mercy!

1777 April 2 (Wednesday).  Mrs. P________ visits her Cousen Maynard.  Sophy to Marlborough.  Mr. P. Whitney makes me a short Visit.  P.M. Mr. Spring comes to see me.  Miss Nanny Beeton here and lodges.  Breck went for me to Mr. Israel Allen’s at Shrewsbury to buy me a Pair of Oxen, and bargained for them but it was with his Wife.

1777 April 3 (Thursday).  Breck went up again for the Oxen — but they were gone.  However, he bought, and paid for, another pair, of Mr. Elnathan Pratt.  They are Six years old — of Six foot Dimensions.  Price £17.10.  Nanny Beeton still with us, and lodges here.

 

Sophy and Hannah, I am informed, are inoculated this evening, by Dr. Hawes.  I could not resist their Importunity.  May God be gracious to us all, as the Matter now requires!

1777 April 4 (Friday).  My Daughters are recluse in the Back Chamber, and are dieting them selves.  Nanny Beeton goes home.  I have neither Thomas Snow nor any body else to work for me.  But the Weather is cold and windy.

1777 April 5 (Saturday).  The Girls take Physick, but none of us go to ‘em, but Mrs. Crosby who having had the Small Pox, waits upon ‘em.  Mr. Spring and his wife came at Eve and lodge here.  N.B. Mr. Benjamin Fay junior and his Wife here.  They desire to join with the Church but I desired Mr. Fay to endeavour Reconcilement with Mr. Thomas Whitney.

1777 April 6 (Sunday).  Mr. Bradshaw, who lodged at Squire Whipples last night, came here this morning.  Mr. Benjamin Tainter and his Wife desire prayers for a Number of their Family who are inoculated.  Miss Lydia Hardy recovered from the Small Pox, comes to Meeting and returns Thanks.  Mr. Andrews desires continuation of prayers.

 

I preached again on Rom. 8.1.  P.M. on 2 Cor. 5.5, which may God bless to us!  A Number of persons dined with us: besides Breck, Suse and Billy Spring, Mr. Spring and his wife, Messrs. Bradshaw, Levi and Elijah Brigham.  At Eve Mr. Spring and his Wife went to Mr. Edm. Brighams.  Mr. Bradshaw lodges here.

1777 April 7 (Monday).  He gives me the Bishop of St. [Asaphs?] sermon on Luk. 2.14 before the society for Propagating the Gospel Feb. 1[9?], 1773.[1]  He pursues his Journey to Boston.  Capt. Thomas Whipple with him.  By Mr. Bradshaw I sent a Letter to Elias, and to Dr. Langdon his Dr. Witherspoon.  Breck goes to Lancaster.  I have no body but my Boy, to work for me.  Am forced to be abroad my Self, setting in[torn] many things, as I am able.  My two Daughters g[torn] Tainters, with Mrs. Hawes and her son — [torn] C[torn] Hawes.  May God be gracious and shew them Mercy in this time of Darkness!

[1]Jonathan Shipley, Lord Bishop of St. Asaph, A sermon preached before the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; at their anniversary meeting in the parish church of St. Mary-le-Bow, on Friday February 19, 1773 (Boston: Thomas and John Fleet, 1773; Evans 13009).  American editions were also published in New York, Philadelphia, Newport RI, and Norwich CT.

1777 April 8 (Tuesday).  I have some Serious Thoughts and Employments on my Childrens present Condition in the Hospital, and of the many that resort there for the same purpose: May God graciously forgive our Sins [illegible] pull down his Judgments!  And prepare us for Mercys needed!

 

Two Fairbanks (Jonathan and Drury) came with one Thaddeus Wait, who wants to let himself to me.

 

N.B. Mr. Jonas Bradish was here; but was in haste; Says he will write to me — about the baptizing his Children.

1777 April 9 (Wednesday).  Thaddeus Wait came — asks 58 Dollars for Six Months; I consent to give him 57 on Condition he will be very industrious etc.  Otherwise but 56: and he is to make up lost time, viz. Fasts, Lectures, foul days etc., is to come by or before this day sennight.  Dr. Jenison dined here, as did four Young Women going to Hospital.  P.M. Mr. Bradshaw returned, dined here also.  Deacon Burnap visits me.  Bradshaw lodges with us.  N.B. He gives me Dr. Price’s Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty,[1] as he does Several Sorts of Garden seeds also.

[1]Richard Price, Observations on the nature of civil liberty, the principles of government, and the justice and policy of the war with America. To which is added an appendix, containing a state of the national debt, an estimate of the money drawn from the public by the taxes, and an account of the national income and expenditure since the last war (Boston: T. and J. Fleet, [1776]; Evans 15032).  Other American editions appear in Philadelphia (twice), New York, and Charleston, SC.

1777 April 10 (Thursday).  A town Meeting to grant Money etc.  Also a Training Day for enlisting soldiers.  I do something in the Garden.  Mr. Bradshaw took leave.  Elijah Brigham here from the Hospital.  He borrows Salmons Geography and the View of the Human Nature.

1777 April 11 (Friday).  Though I am desirous to be in my Study, yet the incumbrance of the Garden is a great [illegible] and Interruption to me therein.

1777 April 12 (Saturday).  Breck goes to Oxford; and returns at night.  Hear that Hannah has Symptoms of the Distemper upon, but Sophy not much altered.  The Doctor tells me there are 43 persons, men, Women and Children belonging to this and the nei[gh]boring Towns, at the Hospital.

1777 April 13 (Sunday).  Squire Baker acquaints me with the general Requests of those who are at the Hospital, that public prayers be made for them.  I preached a.m. on Rom. 8.1.  P.M. on Occasion of the Judgment of God upon us in the Small Pox, I preached on Isa. [64.9?].  The body of the Discourse was what I delivered in the year 60 but with Introduction, alterations, Additions, and especially Applications Suited to the present Circumstances which may God graciously be pleased to own and bless!  [Mr. Elijah Brigham?] and Cousen Davis dined here.  Am informed my Daughters are both of them broke out.  May God sustain and preserve them!  May they have Grace to profit Spiritually hereby and prepare them for His holy Will!

1777 April 14 (Monday).  Went over the Widow Whipple: bought 4 Bushels of Indian Corn of Jonathan, and agree with the Miller, Mr. Broad, for 2 more.  I spoke to Squire Baker and to Deacon Wood to use their Endeavours to bring Mr. Thomas Whitney and Mr. Benjamin Fay to some Agreement.  Walked over to Capt. Morse’s and was favored with various sorts of Garden Seeds.  N.B. Dr. Crosby here in his Way to Cambridge and Boston.  He kindly offers to assist Elias in his coming home.  Mr. Nurse and Chamberlin, who plow for me, dined here.  Read Sir William Temple on the united states of Holland.

1777 April 15 (Tuesday).  Rode to the Association at Mr. Bridge’s at East Sudbury.  Had so far the Company of young David Fay, who there took my Horse to lead him to Cambridge for Elias to ride up thus far, it being Vacation time.  Present at Mr. Bridge’s, Messrs. Smith, Goss, Mellen, Whitney and Biglow.  Nothing special but that Mr. Mellen prayed.  Conversation was on the Times, Circumstances of divers Ministers in their Difficultys among their people — besides Several that were there, Mr. Hill’s at Shutesbury.  Mr. Smith and I lodged at Mr. Bridge’s.

1777 April 16 (Wednesday).  Waited for Elias till after Dinner.  Mr. Smith to Marlborough, it being the Day of both a Church and Town Meeting chiefly relative to the Settling Mr. Foster.

 

I rode to Mr. Stone’s, because he was not at Association.  Found that Miss Joanna was Still very low.  I lodged there.

1777 April 17 (Thursday).  Came home in Safety.  D.G.  Elias arrived last Evening.  I received a Letter from Thaddeus Waight of Holliston.  He could not come to live with me: he must go out a soldier.  Mr. Kendall from Grafton visits, dines; and p.m. takes Leave.

1777 April 18 (Friday).  Am in new perplexity about Help in my Husbandry.  Breck rides to Northborough to try for a Son of Deacon Newton.  I read Mr. Stones M.S. sermon on Josh. 22.22, which he preached at Southborough May [blank] 1775.

1777 April 19 (Saturday).  Breck and Suse ride in Mr. Newtons Chaise to Concord.  I hear my Daughters in a Way of Recovery.  D.G.

1777 April 20 (Sunday).  Rode over to Northborough.  Preached a.m. on Amos 3.2 and p.m. on Amos [torn], latter part.  Mr. Whitney preached here on Eccl. [8.11?].  N.B. [Mr. Solomon?] How was there, as he was the last time I preached there on the Sabbath.  By reason of the Rain, I lodged at Mr. Whitneys.  N.B. Mr. Batherick was taken ill in the Meeting House, and was led hither and laid him on the Bed.  He was carried home in a Chaise.  It is conceived to be an apoplectic Case.  Lord, may I be ready!

1777 April 21 (Monday).  I returned from Mr. Whitneys.  Call at Capt. Maynards — to see Mrs. Kelly — Mr. Hannaniah Parker — but especially Mr. Batherick — found him capable of walking; could talk a little, but his Pulse sluggish.  Prayed with him.  A town Meeting concerning Inoculation.  At Night my son Alexander came.

1777 April 22 (Tuesday).  Alexander goes to Framingham in his way to Lynn, to View a place there with mills etc. to be sold.  One Mr. John How of Boston (Brother, he says, of Mr. Joseph How Tinman) in the Road, travelling on Foot.  I took him in and gave him food — calls Mrs. Surcomb his Sister etc. etc. etc.  I visited again Mr. Batherick.  N.B. Mindwell his Daughter with a Baby, though she is unmarried.  Severely rebuked her.  P.M. Catechized at the Bond-school House.  12 Boys and 14 Girls.  After Catechizing Called at Deacon Bonds and at old Mr. Warrins.

1777 April 23 (Wednesday).  Mr. Thomas Adams from Medfield — dined; changed a Book or two — and returned.  Breck and Suse from Boston.  Squire Baker here, acquaints me with the dangerous state of his Daughter Sarah at the Hospital.  Master Crosby brings me from his Mother, Secretary Moretons Memorial, to read.[1]

[1]Nathaniel Morton (1613-1685), New-England’s memorial: or, A brief relation of the most memorable and remarkable passages of the providence of God, manifested to the planters of New-England in America; with special reference to the first colony thereof, called New-Plymouth. As also a nomination of divers of the most eminent instruments deceased, both of church and common wealth, improved in the first beginning and after progress of sundry of the respective jurisdictions in those parts: in reference unto sundry exemplary passages of their lives, and the time of their death. Published for the use and benefit of present and future generations (Newport: S. Southwick., 1772; Evans 12469).  Two earlier American editions appeared in 1721.