Category: Diary

1778 August 11 (Tuesday).  Having borrowed of Sister Cushing Willards Blessed Man I begin to read it.  Dr. Stimson here and dines with us.  Elias goes to Upton and brings home from the weavers the Cloth for a Linnen Gown.  And he goes to Miss Molly Garfield (Shrewsbury) to fetch from her Loom, Linnen for Breeches for him.  Capt. Morse here in Defence of Ruth Buck against Mrs. Hardy; and insists on her (the latter) being distracted.  News from Rhode Island that our Forces are much increased there, and have entered upon it.

1778 August 12 (Wednesday).  Previous to his going to Cambridge I gave Elias Some Serious Instruction etc.  I asked him, whether he did really Choose this way of living, or No?  He answered me, that he chose Learning and Said he would give himself to this kind of Life.  I have been, and am, deeply affected with his Conduct.  I desire to committ him to God who can change the Hearts of Men.  He leaves us to return to Cambridge.  I delivered him Fifty Dollars for his Support.  And may God grant him his Special Blessing!  Mrs. P____________  much indisposed.  P.M. I rode over to see Mr. Broad, who (Thanks to God!) is more comfor[table?] does not bleed as heretofore.  Discoursed and [prayed with him?] left him with my [illegible] to improve [illegible] Life to the divine Glory.  [I then went?], and Mr. Elijah Hardy with me, to Mr. Isaac Parker’s where dwells the widow Jemima Hardy, that I might direct her with respect to Ruth Buck.  But I found her much out of her Head, and incapable of any regular Conversation.  Dr. Stimson has been here, is soon going to settle at Great Barrington.

1778 August 13 (Thursday).  [I send?] a second time to Mr. Duncan for Dr. Robinsons History Scotland vol. 2 but in Vain.  Mrs. P____________ continues under much indisposition.

1778 August 14 (Friday).  We have strong Expectations from the Army at Rhode Island, and the French Fleet, Count de Estaing, Commander, on those Coasts.  Breck has taken to Book-binding, and has bound for me Vol. 7 and 8 of the Political State of Great Britain — which are for the Year 1714; and all bound very handsomely.

 

Old Mrs. Dolly Rice here.  Capt. Elderkin from Windham.  They drank Tea here.  Other Company also.  Though the latter were not, the former were unavoidably an Interruption to my preparations.

1778 August 15 (Saturday).  Miss Ruth Buck came with her Confession and Relation; and it proved a yet greater Interruption, as I was obliged to new methodize and wholly transcribe her writings for the public Reading of them.  But there is no material Objection against her.

1778 August 16 (Sunday).  On 1 Pet. 3.7 a.m. but it was about an hour long, and too much for my Small strength.  At noon Miss Ruth Buck was here, and I read and She signed the Address she is about to make to the Church, Miss Patty Fish and her sister Eunice dined with us.  P.M. I preached one of my Sermons on 1 Cor. 15.50 and wish it may be to our Saving Profit and Advantage!

1778 August 17 (Monday).  I made a Visit to Capt. Morse’s, to Mr. Jonah Warrin — and to Deacon Bonds.  Whilst I was there arose a Storm of Thunder, Lightning and Rain: I tarried sometime, but I was obliged to come home in it, and was very Wet.

1778 August 18 (Tuesday).  A.M. came Mr. Whitney as to a Ministers Meeting, but there was none here.  My Son Cushing came with him, having been Stopped by the Rain last Evening.  He lodged there.  They dined here.  Mr. Whitney returns home, his Wife having lately brought him another Son Aaron.  Mr. Cushing lodges here.  My Wife is very much [unwell?].

1778 August 19 (Wednesday).  The Storm of last night was very Violent — The Rain exceeding great and the Effects uncommon.  This morning it holds up and Sophy goes with Mr. Cushing to A[shburn]ham[?] Billet of the News, from Capt. Elderkin.

1778 August 20 (Thursday).  Mr. Thomas Kendal [torn] [Wellington?] by the way of Grafton) came to See me, and dines with us — tarrys over night.  He manifests an inclination rather to preach to a Number of the New and remote Towns, who esteem his Labors, then to be settled in any particular place.  He asks me to go to Grafton for next Sabbath, but the Circumstances of my Family, at present (my Wife Sick and I have not one of my Children at home etc. etc.) I can’t gratifie him.

1778 August 21 (Friday).  Mr. Kendal dines with us — return him his Masons Sermons and he returns me my Edwards’s Veritas redax.  He leaves here Dr. Wheelocks Narrative of the original Design etc. of the Indian Charity School.  P.M. He returns back to Grafton, but leaves Cloths, Linnen etc. under Mrs. P.__________s Care.  Mr. Temple of Upton brings home the Striped Linnen Cloth.

1778 August 22 (Saturday).  Sorrowful News of the Death of Samuel Andrews at Valley Forge, Pensylv. in the Continental service, of  a putrid Fever.  May God Sanctifye it to the Father, Surviving Brothers and sisters!

1778 August 23 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on 1 Pet. 3.7.  Mrs. Twitchell dines here.  P.M. on 1 Cor. 15.50 and finished that subject.  My wife was So indisposed She went not to Meeting.

1778 August 24 (Monday).  Visit and pray with Mr. Broad, who bleeds at times and is very weak and feeble.  I went to Squire Bakers — reckoned with him: and received the Ballance between the Oxen which he had of me, and the Cow which I had of him — viz. 999 lb. @ 9d per pound.  It amounted to 37£ 9.3 and he paid me 37.10.0.  I dined there.  Borrowed Mr. James Janaways best Friend etc.[1]  Called to see Mrs. Keen.  Went in to Deacon Woods.  Capt. Elderkin not there.  At home found Ebenezer Briant — but he has come to tell Timothy of their Fathers Sickness and Danger, and that his F__________ must See him.

[1]James Janeway (1636?-1674), Heaven upon earth; or, The best friend in the worst times. Being an earnest exhortation to get acquainted with God, as the only way to real good and blessedness (Boston: Z. Fowle and S. Draper, 1760).  From the 3rd ed.  Evans 8625

1778 August 25 (Tuesday).  This Morn at Break of Day, they sat out for Stoneham.  Breck informs me that Mr. David Stow, son of Grafton was at his shop and told him Elias’s weather had sickened and dyed, that it was wholly lost, Skin and wool, for it was Some time before they found it, and it Stank.

1778 August 26 (Wednesday).  At Mr. Whitney’s Request I rode over to Northborough Lecture.  I preached on 1 Cor. 15.30.  N.B. Deacon Livermores Wife tarries at the Church-meeting after Lecture.  The Church passes a Vote that they do not consent to her Coming to the Communion with them.  I returned at Eve, notwithstanding there was Some Rain.

1778 August 27 (Thursday).  A.M. Visit Mr. Andrews and his Family on Occasion of his son Samuels Death.  After which I proceeded to Grafton.  Met Mr. Kendall, going to my House.  I dined at Mr. Joseph Grouts — went to Mr. David Stows to See my Sheep, there having been sore Mortality among them.  About 6 have dyed, of those he has the Care of.  N.B. Singular Regard and Kindness was Shewn me by Old Capt. Drury and his Daughter in Law.  At my Return home found that my wife has had an ill Day.  Faint — Sick etc.

1778 August 28 (Friday).  Mrs. P________ under much indisposition — but her Lameness is less.  Much taken off, and backward in my preparations!

1778 August 29 (Saturday).  Mr. Willard of Mendon came to request me to Change with him.  He dined here.  P.M. he went to his Brothers in Grafton and I rode to Mendon.  Many Cannon are here from Rhode-Island.  ‘Tis conceived some Great Action commences.  Lodged at Mr. Willards.

1778 August 30 (Sunday).  Preached on Mat. 16.26 a. p.m. (at Mendon) which may God graciously Succeed!  We have been very much alarmed with bad news from Rhode Island; but at Evening a more favorable Account.  At noon I was kindly entertained by Mrs. Wilder (Mr. Caleb’s Wife).  Her Husband is at the Eastward.  After Meeting went (by Invitation) to Judge Dorr’s — where the very aged Squire Tyler came to make me a Visit.  He was 91 last February and is Still alert.  He accompanyed me to Mr. Willards, where I lodged.

1778 August 31 (Monday).  Young Moses Haven, who has entered College this Year; John Honeywood, Son of the late Dr. Honeywood of Leicester, and [blank] Goddard of Sutton, reside there.  The 2 last as Scholars.  Honeywood shews his Genius in Drawing — drew Hon. General Hancock — and Hon. Samuel Adams — while I was present; and presented them to me.

 

A poor Sick Soldier came in there, and gave us the State of the Armies as late as yesterday Morning and that he was informed there was that day, a Smart Action.  I dined with Mrs. Willard, the Young Scholars, and Miss Peggy Steel, Honeywoods Aunt.  I returned by Deacon Batchelors and Mr. Grosvenors, Grafton — called at Mr. Joseph Grout’s, in my Way home — arrived Safely about 9 o’Clock, and Mrs. P________________ no worse.  Mr. Willards Text were Mat. 8.5 to 10, p.m. Jer. [115?] – 8.  To God be Glory!

1778 September 1 (Tuesday).  Mr. Rider came in the Morning to acquaint me that last night Mr. William Broad expired.  A sad Loss, being a man much esteemed.  May God be gracious to his very mournful Widow, near her time!  P.M. preached at the Private Meeting, which was at Deacon Wood’s, on Isa. 22.5.  This being a Juncture of peculiar Tryal with our Army at or near Rhode Island.  Success, both here and there, depends only on the Great God!

1778 September 2 (Wednesday).  At 9 a.m. attend, and pray at, the Funeral of Mr. Broad.  Aets. 25.  N.B. His Mournful Widow falls into Travel.  The women are with her, and Dr. Ball is come.

1778 September 3 (Thursday).  Mrs. Broad, I understand, has been delivered of a son, but it was dead — and to day it is buryed; I attended and prayed.  I hear that there was general Stir at Boston and Towns round about, yesterday, fearing the British Fleet was coming in — but it came to Nothing.  Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. Baker etc. made a Visit here to See Mrs. P_________ who is (through divine Goodness) grown better.

1778 September 4 (Friday).  Col. Brigham has rid to the Army near Rhode Island, to see his Son Winslow, and now returns with Accounts of their present State; and with a Letter from Henry Marble to Breck, which intimates the unhappy State of the Army, not only by the Disappointment in the Attempt against Newport, and withdrawing to the Main, but Disquietment among the Soldiers.

 

A Letter received from Elias by Mr. Isaac Parker.  He informs of Mr. Tucker’s preaching the Dudleian Lecture etc.

1778 September 5 (Saturday).  I have writ to Mr. Quincy at Medfield, by Mr. Theodore [Harding?] of Medway.  P.M. Mr. Fish and his Delegate, Deacon [Bradish?] call at the Door, in their Return from Westford, where the Elders and Messengers of Eight Churches met, but could not form into a Council, by reason of their being so divided among them Selves.  The Case aimed to be considered was the Dismission of the Aged Mr. Willard Hall.

1778 September 6 (Sunday).  My Wife is better, but not well enough to go to Meeting and therefore though I had prepared for another Exercise on 1 Pet. 3.7, I laid it aside: for I was not willing to preach all those Sermon on mutual Conjugal Duties, and my own Wife absent.  I preach’d a. and p.m. on Ps. 31.5 and the rather on consideration of the Deaths of the last Week.  Mr. Francis Whipple and his Wife were dismissed to New Braintree Church.  I appointed the Communion and Lecture.

1778 September 7 (Monday).  Mr. David Stow and his Wife here.  Bad News that the British Soldiers have burnt Bedford in Dartmouth.  Dr. Hawes at Eve.

1778 September 8 (Tuesday).  Sister Champney left us to return to Cambridge.  Suse rode with her in the Chaise (Mr. Newton’s) and Breck rode on a Horse which I procured for Mr. Eleazer Rider.  By Breck I write to Elias, inclosing his Quarter Bills which he had inadvertently left: and to Mr. Forbes of Gloucester, concerning his Sheep.  N.B. I send Elias also the New Edition of Caesars Commentarys — handsomely bound.  P.M. Read in Fox’s Acts and Monuments.

1778 September 9 (Wednesday).  Mr. Whitney dined here, and preached my Lecture — a second Sermon on 1 Cor. 11.28.  Let a man examine etc.  A very useful Discourse.  May divine Blessing accompany his Labors from Time to Time.  May the Holy Spirit of Grace work in me the necessary Qualifications.  Assist me in my Self Search, and may the Merits and Righteousness of Christ procure me acceptance before God after all my utmost strivings!

1778 September 10 (Thursday).  Mr. Thomas Twitchel came to acquaint me with the Death of an Infant of Mr. John Underwood, newly come into the Town; and to desire to attend the Burial of it.  I accordingly went and prayed there.  I had Deacon Woods Horse.  Called to see the Widow Fay, whom I found in great Trouble for her son Solomon Stow in the Army; he being put under Provost-Guard.

1778 September 11 (Friday).  Jej. and Prec. — Interrupted by the Coming in of two Strangers, viz. Mr. John Smith, Professor of Language in Dartmouth College and William Patten of the same College.  They breakfast here.  Breck and Suse return from Boston, and Timothy Bryant from Stoneham.

1778 September 12 (Saturday).  Have been informed that Dr. Andrew Eliot is near his End.

1778 September 13 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Luk. 22.15.  Administered the Lords Supper.  Mrs. Maynard, Miss Mindwell and Anna Brigham dined here.  P.M. preached on Ps. 31.5, repeating the rest of Sermon on that Text.  N.B. Mrs. Parkman went to meeting, having been detained at home by illness for many Weeks.  D.G.

1778 September 14 (Monday).  Walked to Mr. Greaves’s to See Deacon Dolliver — who went with me to Squire Bakers — who was so generous as to take my whole Flock of Sheep to his pasture, and gratis.  Thanks to God for this His Goodness!  Wrote to Mr. Forbes again, by D. Dolliver.  Mr. Daniel Nurse here, and renews his sisters Request for a Fast at their House.  I Consent.  We agree upon next Thursday come fortnight.  More Men are sent for — Lt. Jonathan Grout is to go.