Category: Diary

1778 January 13 (Tuesday).  I rode in my Sleigh to visit Mr. Whitney — and dined there.  He presents me one of his Books, newly come out, on the Independency of America defended, [from?] 1 K. 12.16.[1]  I came home by Mr. Jonathan Bruce’s where I visit and prayed with old Mrs. Beeman: went into Col. Brighams and Supped there.  Mr. Zachariah Hicks and his son going to Boston with a Team sup here.  The singing school increases greatly.

[1]Peter Whitney (1744-1816), American independence vindicated. A sermon delivered September 12, 1776. At a lecture appointed for publishing the Declaration of Independence passed July 4, 1776. By the representatives of the United States of America in general congress assembled. And now printed at the desire of the hearers to whom it is inscribed (Boston: E. Draper, 1777; Evans 15,710).

1778 January 14 (Wednesday).  Mr. Smith of Marlborough came to see me, chiefly on the Affair of his Asking a Dismission from the Pastoral Relation.  He dined here etc., but, though it was very cold, he left us before sun-setting to return to Marlborough where he boards at Ensign Jabez Rice’s, having let out his own House to Col. Palfrey.  Miss Mindwelll Brigham, attending the Singing school, dines at Brecks but lodges here; as does Abijah Warrin (Son of Ensign Aaron Warrin) of Upton who is learning to write.  Breck has also Drury Fairbank and Elijah Warrin boarding with him.  N.B. Elias goes to the singing school.  38 at School at Evening.

1778 January 15 (Thursday).  The Singing School is so attended, that it causes Drury Fairbank to range about for Singing Books.  At Eve my Kinsman Lovering came from Westfield, in his returning to Ipswich: and lodges here.  Mr. Badcock came at Eve and drank Coffee here.  Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain came in to see me and Spent some time here in friendly and religious Conversation.

1778 January 16 (Friday).  Mr. Lovering left us.  N.B. by him I wrote to my Cousen Briant at Stoneham concerning one of his sons living with me, as had been by them motioned to me heretofore.  At Eve came my Sons William and Samuel with their Wives, and Williams little Sally, in a sleigh, having been to Ashburnham to visit their Brother and sister Cushing.  Am informed of a Rupture and Tumult among the Burgoin Soldiers and the Guards, at Charlestown.

1778 January 17 (Saturday).  My Sons and their Wives, though it is a Snow storm, return to Concord.  Neither Elias not Sophy go to Singing school to Day.  Dr. Hawes sent a Load of Wood.  Capt. Jonas Brigham Ditto large.

1778 January 18 (Sunday).  It was so wet and Icy Travelling, that Deacon Wood sent his sleigh for me and my Women a. and p.m.  Preached again on Jam. 5.8.  P.M. on Jer. 46.27.28, to p. 10.  Public Contribution by [Notes?] or Tickets, of what we would give of Clothing etc. to the Soldiers now at a Distance, in the Army.  N.B. A Letter from Mr. Quincy; dated December 26 ult.

1778 January 19 (Monday).  Went to Mr. Daniel Adams junior, his Wife having lain in and is very ill of a Fever.  Prayed with her.  Dined there.  I hear that Dr. Samuel Locke, late President of Harvard College, dyed Suddenly last Thursday about 10 a.m.  Lord help me duely to improve this awful Providence!  P.M. I visited Capt. Jonathan Fay, very ill of an Asthma.  Discoursed and prayed with him.  N.B. Elijah Warrin went with me to drive in the Sleigh.

1778 January 20 (Tuesday).  I rode over to Northborough to See poor Asa Hill.  In my way I visited Mrs. Beeton, and her Daughter in Law (Johns Wife) being about to go to See her Brother.  I took her into my sleigh.  Asa was at his Brother Simeon’s, where I dined.  The poor young man lay in a Miserable Condition by means of having taken Mercury to excess, when Sick in the Army, and is now at Deaths Door.  In returning called at Mr. Bruce’s, etc. etc.  Elijah Brigham came — lodges here.

1778 January 21 (Wednesday).  Very difficult stirring, yet the Singing School [attend?].

1778 January 22 (Thursday).  Town Meeting to consider the Articles of the Confederation of the United States.  A Committee meet here for my Advice.  They were Messrs. Abijah Gale, Chairman, Samuel Forbush, Phinehas Gleason, Hannaniah Parker, Dr. Hawes, Lieut. Thomas Bond, Capt. Fisher, Messrs. Eli Whitney, Joseph Harrington, and Breck Parkman.  At Eve came Parkman Bradshaw from Stoughtonham, who informs that this Morn deceased at Walpole, the Rev. and Pious Mr. Philips Payson of a Fistula in Ano.  May God grant I may be duely affected with these repeated Instances of Mortality, of such Persons especially!  Mr. Daniel Nurse here at Evening and acquaints me with the sad Condition of his sister Rebecca and wants I should go to her as soon as I can conveniently, though she is frequently out of her Head.  I told him that it was difficult Weather he must not expect me; but it would not hinder my Praying for her (which he desired).  And we thus left the Matter.

1778 January 23 (Friday).  It was exceeding Cold.  My Family were utterly against my Attempting to go to Mr. Nurses.  Bradshaw undertakes the Whipple School, and returns back to his Fathers, that he may come back to it, instead of proceeding to New Braintry, as designed.

1778 January 24 (Saturday).  It proved such a cold, rugged snowstorm that I kept House.

1778 January 25 (Sunday).  A rough, cold, Stormy Day.  Preached a.m. on Jam. 5.8.  P.M. on Jer. 46.27.28.  Which may God bless!  Sophy propounded.  Elijah Brigham and Drury Fairbank here, with Breck and Suse at Evening.  Brigham lodges here.

1778 January 26 (Monday).  Very Cold.  Mr. Elijah Bellows here to desire me to go down to the Funeral of the late Capt. Aaron Fay of Southborough, who dyed suddenly on the Road in Waltham last Saturday.  That I might, cold as it was, p.m. with Elias to drive the sleigh, I rode up to visit the afflicted in my own Parish.  First: To Mr. Jonathan Childs Sick Babe, where I prayed; and then to Mr. William Nurse’s to see Miss Rebecca who was under very great Disorders, and not the free Use of her Reason.  Prayed with the distressed Family.  Parkman Bradshaw came from his Fathers hither and lodges.  Tells me Rev. Mr. Payson of Walpole was to be buryed to day, and Mr. Haven of Dedham to preach a Funeral sermon.  A Letter from Henry Marble in the Continental Army Nigh Philadelphia of Jan. 10.

1778 January 27 (Tuesday).  Took Elias with me again in the sleigh and rode to Mr. Stones at Southborough; and having dined there, we proceeded to the House of Mourning — that of the late Capt. Aaron Fay, whose Funeral was attended by a great multitude.  I prayed and discoursed with the widow, and mournful Relatives.  May the Impression on all of us be deep and lasting!  Called at Mr. Stone’s who was yet confined by Illness, and several of his Family.  Returned home at Eve.  Col. Baldwin from Brookfield.  And Mr. Badcock, the Singing Master — both lodge here.  N.B. Mr. Bradshaw goes to keep the Whipple School.

1778 January 28 (Wednesday).  My son Baldwin proceeds to Boston.  Mr. Badcock boards with us.  I wrote to Mr. Forbes of Gloucester, and to serjeant Marble at Pennsylvania.  Mr. [Z?] Simon How of Marlborough here and discourses of Mr. Smiths asking a Dissolution of the Relation etc. which is proposed to be forwarded in Church Meeting tomorrow.

1778 January 29 (Thursday).  Mr. Badcock was detained from us last night — is also to day.  This Day I remember the Wormwood and the Gall and my Soul is humbled within me!  On Jan. 29 in the Year 1736 I was bereaved.  I would adore the Long-suffering of God towards me and would mourn and repent of my Ingratitude and unprofitableness — humbly beg Forgiveness through Jesus Christ!  Vide alibi.

1778 January 30 (Friday).  A Letter from Mr. Forbes.  Another from Mr. Moore.  Mr. Badcock dined here.  He gave me a List of his singing Scholars.  They are 46.  34 Males — the rest Women and Girls.  Mr. Badcock sups and lodges here.

1778 January 31 (Saturday).  It being a very rainy Season.  Sophy dined at Deacon Wood’s, and Mr. Badcock came not either to dine or to lodge here.  Mr. Levi Wilder dined with us.  He acquaints me with the sudden Death of one Mr. Willson who went from his House at Lancaster with a Load of salt, lately, but dyed the Same Evening as he sat at supper, at Winchenden in his way home.  May God sanctifie Such an awfull Stroke as This also!

1778 February 1 (Sunday).  A.M. I delivered another Exercise on Jam. 5.8 and closed the subject.  May a gracious God place to make the word effectual!  Masters Fish and Bradshaw dined here.  P.M. I repeated a sermon on Ps. 77, forepart, especially v. 1.2.3, and then v. 13.14.  N.B. I knew not that I had repeated it before, namely on June 1st 1766, but I could not finish it.  After Meeting Mr. Badcock and Bradshaw came and lodged here.  N.B. Our Evening was spent very much in Singing.

1778 February 2 (Monday).  Elias rides to Holden to one Mr. Samuel Grant’s who has advertized an Heiffer, which he had strayed.  Elias thinks it is Mine, but Mr. Grant says he took in this, as long ago as last June, therefore E. returns without her.  N.B. Mr. Badcock dines at Capt. Morse’s, and at night he goes to Mr. Tainters.  I read Palladium of Conscience, or the Foundation of Religious Liberty displayed, asserted and established, containing Furneaux’s Letters to Blackstone, Priestly’s Remarks on Blackstones Commentarys etc.: And Blackstone’s Case of the Middlesex Elections.[1]

[1]The Palladium of conscience; or, The foundation of religious liberty displayed, asserted, and established, agreeable to its true and genuine principles, above the reach of all petty tyrants, who atempt to lord it over the human mind. Containing Furneaux’s Letters to Blackstone. Priestley’s Remarks on Blackstone. Blackstone’s Reply to Priestley. and Blackstone’s Case of the Middlesex-elections; with some other tracts, worthy of high rank in every gentleman’s literary repository, being a necessary companion for every lover of religious liberty. And an interesting appendix to Blackstone’s Commentaries on the laws of England ([Philadelphia]: Robert Bell, 1773; Evans 13154).

1778 February 3 (Tuesday).  My perplexitys are unusually great on various Accounts.  Elias ought to go to Cambridge to day, as the Vacation will be up tomorrow, and he ought to be there to secure the Waiters-ship; but he is unhappily distempered and cannot go.  My Wood is near out and the Roads so muddy nobody is inclined to go to cut or cart any.  I was seized with Lameness by undertaking to lift up and remove what was heavy; which much incommoded me for riding — yet hearing that Capt. Jonathan Fay was very ill, I undertook to go to him.  Discours’d and prayed with him.  In returning home Mr. Jonathan Forbes met me and asked me whether it was not the Day for the private Meeting at sergeant Forbes’s?  It was So: but by reason that no body had come to me to remind and request me as usual upon it, it unhappily (being much embarrassed and perplexed, as abovesaid) Slipped my Mind, to my great Grief.  May God forgive my Omission, and may all who were disappointed hereby be compassionate towards me under this Infirmity!  At Eve Col. Baldwin from Boston, and Cousen Thomas Needham from the Camp at Albany.  And they lodged here.

1778 February 4 (Wednesday).  Col. Baldwin and Cousen Needham left us — one for Brookfield, the other for Salem.  Drury Fairbank and Elijah Warrin killed and dressed a Pig for me.  Samuel Brigham dined here.  P.M. He, Elias and Sophy attend the Singing School at Deacon Woods, as usual.  Mr. Badcock at night and he lodged here.  We are certifyed the Vacation is protracted to March.

1778 February 5 (Thursday).  Mr. Badcock here at Breakfast and Dinner but tarried at Deacon Woods at Night.  In the forenoon a Number of Singers were here, with Mr. Badcock and desire me to meet with them tomorrow in the Meeting House, to pray and preach to them.  They Sing here till noon.  Mr. Badcock and Mr. Batherick dine here.  I Consent to go to the Meeting House tomorrow.  Their Motive is to try their Skill in singing [thirc?] and with Reading the Line, which they hadn’t been used to.  Mr. Badcock came not at night.

1778 February 6 (Friday).  Mr. Badcock and Samuel Brigham breakfast and dine here.  P.M. The singers meet at the Meeting House.  We began with Singing — Sang Dr. Watts’s Hymn Te Deum, in St. Martyn’s.  Then I prayed.  Sang Ps. 113.  Preached on Ps. 47.6, a Collection out of Various setts of Sermons on the subject.  The last Singing before the Blessing was the 95th Hymn, and Gloria Patri.  After my Exercise was over, they Sung some Number of tunes, and I tarried a While to hear.  Mr. Badcock returns to my House.  He, with Bradshaw and Brigham here at Tea.  Talk with Simon Forbes concerning the private Meeting.  At his Motion I agree to appoint it to be (D.V.) next Tuesday.  Jonathan Fay here at Evening.  His Father is better.  The Violent snow storm prevents Mr. Badcocks coming to lodge to night.

1778 February 7 (Saturday).  Miss Mindwell Brigham was able to come to lodge here last night (as She has done for Some time) but is forced by the Storm in the morning to continue with us Somewhat longer: but p.m. She and the rest went in the Sleigh to singing School.  N.B. Capt. Fisher came at the Desire of the Singers, and in their Name thanked me for my Sermon to them yesterday.  Capt. Morse was also appointed to come with him, but he did not.

1778 February 8 (Sunday).  Mr. Badcock and his Singers Sat in the Front, on the Womens Side and rose up to Sing — Sung a.m. [blank] p.m. [blank].  I preached a.m. again on Ps. 77.13.14.  P.M. on Col. 3.16 from page 17, omitting p. 23 to 26, thence to p. 28.  Mr. Badcock dined here, returned after meeting and tarried over night.  Cousen Bradshaw with him.

1778 February 9 (Monday).  Mr. Badcock here through the Day and lodged here at night.  I went up to his school.  P.M. visit at [Kenny?], Mrs. Malletts, Squire Bakers and Mr. Newtons.  N.B. Mr. Po [pe?] from Boston lodges at Mr. Newtons.  At Eve I returned to the Singing School and tarried ‘till 9 when Elias came home with me in the sleigh.  Mr. Badcock and Cousen Bradshaw came and lodged here.  N.B. To day was the first time of my going to hear the singing.  They performed to good Acceptance.  May it be to the Glory and Honor of God!

1778 February 10 (Tuesday).  Several Ganders are missing since the last snow.  Mr. Badcock and Bradshaw breakfast at Brecks.  P.M. I rode to Mr. Daniel Forbes’s.  Preached there on Phil. 4.7 and finished on that Text.  N.B. I had before Meeting gone up to Mr. Isaac Miller, and admonished him for his long absence from Meeting.  Squire Baker brought me home in his sleigh.

1778 February 11 (Wednesday).  Mr. Benjamin Bradshaw came from Worcester and dined here.  Mr. Tainter came seasonably with a Load of Wood, as did Jonathan and Calvin Maynard, with another — it being a very Rainy afternoon, and we had but little wood, till these supplies arrived.  N.B. Mr. Bradshaw left us to go to his Brother at his school House, and did not return.

 

This Evening Mr. Badcocks singing School finishes.

1778 February 12 (Thursday).  Mr. David Maynard junior from Ashburnham brings me a Letter from Mr. Cushing, concerning their Troubles by one Mr. Fletcher, a Preacher there, who causes great Divisions among them.  Sent an Answer by the same Bearer.  Mr. Maynard also carrys our Side saddle to Mr. Cushings.

1778 February 13 (Friday).  Squire Baker Sent Three Teams, viz. 12 Oxen in two of them and four Horses in the third: bringing 3 Loads of Wood from his own Lot: drove by Mr. James Bellows, Eleazer Wheelock and Isaac Forbush.  All of them dined here.  The Four Singers meet a Number at Deacon Woods to Sing and Settle all Accounts.  Master Samuel Crosby here.

1778 February 14 (Saturday).  Isaac Forbush brings from Squire Baker the Quarters of a Cow he has killed for me.  They weighed 390.  Mr. William Watkins of Patridgefield, and his Brother Samuel Sell me 96 wt. of Flax and are to the paid by 48 pound of Soal Leather, or in money in that Proportion.  Mr. Ezra Ripley from Framingham and going to Barre, accompanyed by Mr. Packard, a Candidate going to Pelham, call here, but would not stay to dine.  Mr. Luke Wilder of Lancaster, dined and afterwards, with Messrs. Jonathan Batherick and Winslow Brigham, Sang several Tunes with us.  Mr. Daniel Stockwell present to hear the Singing.  Mrs. P________ gone to Neighbour Lambson’s Wife.  A son born.  Mrs. P. returns between 3 and 4 this morning.

1778 February 15 (Sunday).  I had prepared in suitable Measure to preach on another Subject, but on Consideration of our Circumstances I preached on Col. 3.16, first part.  Master Fish dined here.  P.M. On Occasion of my Daughter Sophia’s Admission into the Church I preached on Prov. 23.26, “My son give me thine Heart.”

1778 February 16 (Monday).  Drury Fairbank, who has boarded at Brecks, has gone away, and does not return.  There are doubtfull Apprehensions concerning him.  Mr. Belknap was here.  I reckoned with him for Four Heart-Barrells, for which I paid him 2 Dollars apiece; and one sap Barrell, for which he takes one Dollar: He gives me two old Barrells, which were borrowed.  I gave him a note to the Constable Parker for nine Dollars.  N.B. The last Barrells I bought of him were (I think) no more than half a Dollar apiece, or it may 25/ old Tenor.  So greatly altered are the Times now!  His son’s Child he would have me visit, but I could not go.