Category: Diary

1777 December 9 (Tuesday).  On Mr. Nurse’s Horse (and [torn] very rough) I rode to M[torn] Woods, the House of mourning to see and Symp. with [Mr. and?] Mrs. Haden before the removing the Corps of their [torn].  We prayed together and took solemn Leave.  I dined at Mr. Gales.  Went up to Mr. Beetons to see old Mrs. Kelly, and Thomas Beeton.  The last is very Sick of Fever and Flux.  I returned by Mr. Nurse’s.  Many of the [?].

1777 December 10 (Wednesday).  Read Robinsons History of Scotland, in part.

1777 December 11 (Thursday).  Wrote to Mr. Quincy and Sent Sir William Temples Works, Vol. 1.

 

It was by Moss Lois Sawyer, who was with Miss Comfort Bellows going to Lancaster.  I visited

 

dined there with Dr. Flynt.  I prayed with them.

 

At Eve Suse and Sophy returned from Brookfield.  They inform that my Son Baldwin is at home.

1777 December 12 (Friday).  My son Alexander           brought his son

 

with him and leaves him here whilst he himself goes to Framingham.

1777 December 13 (Saturday).  [No  entry.]

1777 December 14 (Sunday).  Preached on Rom. 6.  Read only two first verses,

 

but are

 

strictures on many other verses, of the Chapter.  Molly Pratt

 

P.M. repeated one of my sermons on Job 14.1 on occasion of the Death of the young stranger, Mr. Hayden.

1777 December 15 (Monday).  Town Met again by adjournment.  Samuel Brigham from

 

Dartmouth College here.  Deacon Wood.

1777 December 16 (Tuesday).  Sophy rides to Upton.  Miss Molly Harrington here – Exam

 

She informs me that Rev. Taylor of New [Fane?] has lost his House by Fire, and Saved but little of his Goods.  May it be Sanctifyed and duely improved!

1777 December 17 (Wednesday).  Sophy returned from

1777 December 18 (Thursday).  Continental Thanksgiving.  Preached from Ps. 72.4.  verses        May God                  to

 

Young            Elisha Fish and Samuel Brigham dined with us.  Brigham tarried to sup with us and lodged

1777 December 19 (Friday).  I sent, by him for

 

of dear            sickness           )

 

Deacon Thomas of

 

still.  Miss Mindwell

 

Cousen Molly Pratt dined here.  P.M.    and Sophy go with them

 

Brighams

1777 December 20 (Saturday).  Candidate

 

the South of Worcester, dines here.  At night came my Son William.

1777 December 21 (Sunday).  I preached again on Ps. 124 but this Exercise was chiefly on v. 50.  Many persons at noon according to Custom flock to my House, but we are not accommodated with Wood to make them a Fire in the Kitchin.  P.M. preached another

 

of my Sermons on Job 14.1.  Which may God graciously succeed!

1777 December 22 (Monday).  Breck sets out before Day for Boston.

 

William goes to Capt. Maynards to visit there but dines here, and p.m. he goes to Noah Hardys and Sells him (Hardy)                 for

 

23£ L.M.  Mr. Bullard returns from [fort?] [Beggachadge?]

 

and goes                                  I settle with my Son William

 

He takes up his note by paying me only £

 

For I remitt          him

 

N.B. I delivered him Sixty Dollars of my Money which Mr. Hardy is to deliver me when he takes the Mare which he has bought of William

1777 December 23 (Tuesday).  Mrs. Dolly Rice makes us a Visit

 

shop.  Mr. Noah Hardy is here: gives a Note of Hand to my son William for 23£ L.M. for his Mare; which Note is lodged with me, Billy have gone home early in the morning: but thus it happens that I do not receive the 60 Dollars [aforesaid?] instead of those which I lent Billy last Eve.  Harrington brings some Pine.

1777 December 24 (Wednesday).  Old Mr. Richard Barns wants to be marryed to Miss Jemima Maynard; and they unhappily need to be.  I marryed them in my Study, by reason of Strangers below.  Suse, Elias etc. were present.  Breck returned from Boston.  I had sent a Sum of Money to be changed by the Treasurer, but unhappily an Eight Dollar Bill comes back as being Counterfeit.  What I received from the Treasurer was a Note of 10£ 14 shs. signed by Henry Gardner.

1777 December 25 (Thursday).  I went up to Deacon Woods, Capt. [Fishers?] and Mr.

 

at the first visit the Wife of Mr.          at the

 

received        John Woods         of Connecticut

 

viz. Mr. Newtons I visited the Wife of Mr. Graves

 

At Eve came my Son Forbes from Cape Ann          lodged here

1777 December 26 (Friday).  Breakfast with Mr. Forbes       He goes to

 

Sorrowful Accounts of our Continental Soldiers [sufferings?]

 

for want of shooes, stockings etc.

1777 December 27 (Saturday).  Elias is forced to go to the       Lot

 

picks out and brings home a Load of Maple

1777 December 28 (Sunday).  Stormy, Snow etc.  Few at Meeting.  Preached again

 

on

 

2-8    Master Fish dined here   and dined in the Study

 

people who                themselves               Dining Room

P.M. I went on with the Discourse concerning Afflictions — but used, for a Text, Ps. 34.11, former part.  N.B. Mr. Sick of a Fever and Prayed for.

1777 December 29 (Monday).  So very Cold I could not go to Mr. Beetons, Yet Mr. B. Bradshaw is journeying to Boston.  He came from Shrewsbury this morning to Breakfast here, and tarrys to dine with us, Molly Pratt came to spin, and is to live a while here.

1777 December 30 (Tuesday).  It being more moderate, I rode over to Visit Capt. Maynard and his Family, they have been exercised with sickness, with the Meazles, a number of them and Geoffry falls into a Waste.  I dined there.  Capt. tells me that Brother Smith of Marlborough has moved with his Goods to               P.M. Visit Mrs. Beeton and prayed with her.  Elias went to the Ministerial Lot, and Mr. Caleb Harrington to help him.  They bring home a Load of Wood.  Deacon Wood brings a large Load; as does Lt. Harrington — both of their Wood.  I am reading Dr. Robinsons well writ History of Scotland.  James Hicks is exceedingly exercised with chapped Feet and Hands.

1777 December 31 (Wednesday).  Ebenezer junior and Daniel Chamberlain bring Two Load of their own Wood.

 

Mr. Jonathan Child here — brings a Spare Rib — a great Rarity.

 

Through the Patience and Longsuffering of God I have arrived at the Conclusion of another Year!  Blessed be His glorious Name for all His Goodness.  May the various Providences, Changes, [Disquietments?], Losses, I have been exercised by in the Course of this year, be sanctifyed to me and mine!  And O may I be prepared for the Day, the Hour, which is to Close my Life!

1778 January 1 (Thursday).  I Spent this New-Years Day chiefly in religious Retirement, admiring the Goodness and Long-Suffering of God to me in so advanced Life!  Returning Him hearty Thanks for Preserving me through the various scenes of the last Year; praying earnestly that the wise, holy, Sovereign Designs of the most High therein may be answered, begging and imploring Forgiveness of all my many Transgressions; through the Blood of the Great Atonement resolving and engaging to watch against every Temptation and to pursue the Paths of true Holiness and Peace.  I read part of Scudders daily Walk in Christ.  And renewed my Covenant with God — which may He graciously accept!  Graciously afford me His all-sufficient Help to keep; and may all be done in the strength of Christ on whom alone is my Hope, my Faith and my Expectations grounded, His Merits, Righteousness and Intercession with God.  I went over also the Principal Articles in my Meditations on Jan. 1 drawn up first in the Year 1738/9, reviewing also Several parts of my Journal to promote self-Review.  But have great Reason to mourn that all I have done has been so broken and imperfect.  May God most gracious, of His infinite Mercy forgive me!

 

At Eve came my Son Forbes from Brookfield and lodged here.  N.B. Officers of the Regiment Met this Day at Capt. Maynards and were Sworn.  Breck was, as Adjutant to the Regiment.

1778 January 2 (Friday).  Mr. Forbes agrees to committ to me 9 of his Sheep, to be kept here till after the next Shearing time.  He leaves us to return home.  Mr. Eleazer Fairbank of Shrewsbury dines here.  He tells me that Mr. Morse is in bad Circumstances having forfeited his Bonds of Appearance at Court, and refused to go with the Officer which the Court sent for him.

1778 January 3 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1778 January 4 (Sunday).  I preached what I had prepared for the forenoon Exercise (except a little was omitted) on Jam. V, 8, but p.m. preached on Isa. 48, especially v. 17.  Mrs. Maynard and Miss Mindwell Brigham dined here.  At Eve, with Breck and Suse, came Drury Fairbank, to our Family Exercises.

1778 January 5 (Monday).  Neighbour (now I hear Lieutenant) Joseph Bond was here with a large spare Rib.  My Kinsman Mr. [Ebenezer?] Lovering came from his House Hither this Day.

1778 January 6 (Tuesday).  Elias goes to Brookfield to drive down Cattle and Sheep.  Mr. Lovering setts out with him, on his Journey to Westfield.  Alexander came from Leicester and dined here.  P.M. I preached at Lt. Jonathan Grouts on Phil. 4.7. to p. 22.  Alexander tarrys and lodges here.

1778 January 7 (Wednesday).  I breakfast with Alexander at Brecks.  After dinner, Alexander has my Oxen to Godfrys that they may be shod, and that he may take them with him to Leicester, in order to his having them in his Journey to No. 5, or Marlborough in New Hampshire.  At Eve came Mr. Bradshaw from Boston and lodges.  Young Master Fish was with us this Eve and sups with us, but returned to his Lodging.

1778 January 8 (Thursday).  A rainy Morning — but Mr. Bradshaw goes on his Journey to N. Braintry.  The Weather grew fairer by Noon.  Elias returned from Brookfield but today only from Capt. Curtis’s at Worcester.  He drove home my steer, and with him four of my Son Baldwins young Cattle: and Nine of my son Forbes’s sheep, Eight from Mr. Jonas Brewers, and one from Mr. Daniel Forbes.  Mr. Joseph Farrar, who was lately pastor of Dublin, but now preaching at Marlborough, came to see Me and dined with us.  He came from Southborough, and brought a Note from Mr. Stone, by which I learn he is (through God’s Goodness) recovering.  D.G.

1778 January 9 (Friday).  [No entry.]

1778 January 10 (Saturday).  Capt. Morse came with Wood and a large Cheese.

1778 January 11 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. another Sermon on Jam. 5.8, but had not time to compose the rest.  May God graciously help me to get and keep ready for the Coming of the Lord in [illegible draweth nigh?]!  P.M. Repeat further and the whole, on Isa. 48.17.  Master Fish and Anna Brigham dined here.  At Eve Breck, Suse and Drury.

1778 January 12 (Monday).  This Day Mr. Lemuel Badcock opens a Singing School at Deacon Woods and lodges at Capt. [H?] Fishers.  Breck and his Wife, also Sophy attend there, p.m. and Eve.  He asks two Dollars a Month of Each Person.