Category: Diary

1778 September 15 (Tuesday).  I rode to Ministers Meeting at Stow and dined there.  Messrs. Stone, Smith, Whitney and Biglow there.  Mr. Newell prayed.  Mr. Stone read a part of his late Sermon on Murder — and added one particular kind of Murder, that of murdering Minsters.  The next Meeting to be at my House the 3d Tuesday of next month.  N.B. The Old Lady very infirm.  I rode to my Son Williams at Concord, and lodged there — Had many serious Reflections as on my finishing my 75th Year.  May I have deep and thorough Sense of it!  And my devout Aspirations be accepted by a gracious God through Jesus Christ my only Advocate!

1778 September 16 (Wednesday).  Another Birth Day arrives, through the Long-suffering of God.  I rendered, as I was able, Thanksgiving and Praise to my Almighty Author, Preserver and Benefactor.  My Son rode with me to Dr. Swifts at Acton.  Spent Some time in the Library.  Dined with the old Lady, her son and his Wife.  Bought Buxtorfs Lexicon and they gave me Nortoni Responsio ad Apollonium.  Visit Mr. Adams (the Minister) who is under scrophulous Disorders.  On the Road in returning home, had Opportunity for Serious Discourse with my Son, especially on the solemn Article of my own Departure from temporal Enjoyments and settling what may be left.  Called at Col. Weeks’s (as I did in going down).  Arrived in Safety.  D.G.  Found here Mr. Forbes and his son, also John Honeywood, with a Letter from Mr. Jos. Willard.  He is to tarry here with us a While.  He was brought here by Mr. Simon Willard of Grafton, who led back his Horse.  They all lodged here.  Mrs. P_______ sorrowfully indisposed yet.

1778 September 17 (Thursday).  Mr. Forbes and son are confined here by Rain.  They dine here, and at Eve they go to his Brothers.  N.B. The Worthy and excellent Dr. Eliot of Boston, I hear, dyed on last Lords day morning and was buryed yesterday!  An heavy Loss!  May the Lord sanctify it!  And pity His bereaved Flock and Family!  O may I be ready also!

1778 September 18 (Friday).  When Mr. Forbes hears me relate what Mr. David Stow demands for keeping his Sheep, viz. 1 sh. per Head per Week — he is not willing to pay it, but thinks I ought to have informed him, that he might have taken them away, according to the first Method proposed, that is, after shearing.  We are therefore thrust on to the Second Method which is to keep them till the year be up.  Which we consent to.  He and his son leave us to go to Brookfield.  A sorrowful Occurrence happened yesterday — John Bond, son of Mr. Abraham Bond, of 15 years, was pursuing a Squirrel, climed [sic] up a tall Tree to beat him down; the Limb which he depended on was dry and broke; he fell down to the Ground, and was taken up senseless — but after a while revived; but much bruised — one Arm broke, the other hurt and swelled — a Snag of the Tree wounded him on the upper part of his Hip.  A wonder he was not killed, for he fell, as it was conceived, nigh 30 feet: much Blood issued.  What a loud Warning!

1778 September 19 (Saturday).  I have no Message from Mr. Bonds, but hear that John is like to Recover.  Isaac Forbush comes to buy my Oxen — says they are worth 80£ (lawful money) — but Mr. Isaac Parker having them and bespoke them I can’t sell them.  Am closely engaged in my Preparations.  May God graciously assist!  John Honeywood with us — reading, drawing, etc.

1778 September 20 (Sunday).  My Wife was so indisposed that She could not go to Meeting.  But I have prepared some time Since, and now added to it, another (and a large) Exercise on 2 Pet. 3.18, which though I designed to deliver it to day, yet for the Same Reasons before mentioned (See on the 6th day), I thought it best still to defer the delivering it: and considering it was the first Sabbath of my New Year, and that it might be very Seasonable on other Accounts, I preached a. and p.m. on Gen. 17.7.  “And I will establish my Covenant between Me and thou” etc.

1778 September 21 (Monday).  I made a Visit to poor John Bond, in his wounded Condition.  He is not able to speak plainly, his mouth is so broken and cutt by his Fall, and his Bones are sett and healing — and has his Reason.  I prayed with him and the Family under their Affliction.  Then I visited Ensign Jeduthun Fay, who is sick, and several of his Daughters.  Went to Capt. Jonathan Fays, his Wife being very ill.  Prayed with her: and I dined there.  Went to Grafton, and settled with Mr. David Stow.  Paid him in full for keeping the sheep — viz. 11£ 8/ Lawful Money, and returned at Eve.  Mr. Levi Wilder has been here, and dined with Mrs. P________________

1778 September 22 (Tuesday).  Young Honeywood here yet, busy in drawings.  Tarrys till late afterno[o]n, and then left us to go to Grafton.  A letter from Sophy at Ashburnham per Lt. John Forbes of Otter Creek.  Mr. Stows sons, Samuel and Ithamar drive down hither the Four Sheep which he had kept back, and they are driven to squire Bakers.

1778 September 23 (Wednesday).  I write by Mr. Levi Brigham to my Son Alexander at New Marlborough.  Breck setts out for Boston.  At Eve came Mr. Forbes and his Son from Brookfield.  N.B. He preached there last Sabbath, and by the Special Desire of the Committee of that Parish.  They lodge here.

1778 September 24 (Thursday).  Mr. Forbes and his son leave us to go home by way of Cambridge and Boston.  He proposes to Send, if he can, for his Sheep this Fall, but to leave me the Lambs; but he must have a pound of Wool per Head — that is 9 pound as if they were kept till January when at furthest he will send for them.  Visit John Bond again, and pray with and instruct him.  P.M. I rode up to Mr. Daniel Nurse’s.  A very Sick House — the Man, the woman, and 4 or 5 Children sick, chiefly with Fever.  Their infant very bad, with Canker.  Rode to Mr. Jonathan Childs also.

1778 September 25 (Friday).  Was Sent for to visit old Mr. Jonah Warrin, who was thought to be near his End, but he revived.  I prayed with him.  N.B. His Son Levi is gone to Fish-Kill.  N.B. Although a third of the Militia is sent for to march to Boston, yet little is done to obtain them.

1778 September 26 (Saturday).  Attended the burying of Mr. Daniel Nurse’s young Child.  This Family remain Sick: One only of them able to go to the Grave.  Breck returned from Boston seasonably to dine with us.  He had a Fall by the Stumbling of his Mare, So that he is lame.  He relates that there was a grand Reception of the Count de Estaing at Boston when the Militia and general Court waited on him and his Suit: and a Sumptuous Dining in Fanuil-Hall; the House of Representatives, as well as the Council, etc., were there likewise.

1778 September 28 (Monday).  Mr. Bradshaw leaves us.  Sent Elias Fay Grave [illegible], Vol. 1.  Sir Brigham (Elijah) borrows the Master Key to Popery.  Mr. Daniel Forbes is at work at the Cellar Window.  He dines with us.  I received Mr. Payson of Chelsy’s last Election sermon Yesterday, by the Hand of Dr. Hawes, our Representative, and read it to day.[1]  A very Spiritual Piece, and contains a Number of very useful Observations.  Brecks Mare Missing.

[1]Phillips Payson, A sermon preached before the Honorable Council, and the Honorable House of Representatives, of the state of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, at Boston, May 27, 1778. Being the anniversary for the election of the Honorable Council (Boston: John Gill, 1778; Evans 15956).

1778 September 29 (Tuesday).  Read the Lives of  Several of the most eminent Reformers.  Sir Brigham (Moses) Sends me Gravefards Philosophy Vol. 1 the Great sort.

1778 September 30 (Wednesday).  Sir Brigham (Elijah) returns from his Excursion in Quest of the Mare without finding or hearing any Thing.  Elias, to my great Surprize, comes in a Chaise, with Sister Champney, who can’t find how, or where to live in Cambridge.

1778 October 1 (Thursday).  Capt. Fisher, being upon a Bee-Hunting desires me to fasten up my Bees till 8 o’Clock, which I gratify him in.  He would fain distinguish between what are my property, and those that are wild, that he may take the latter.  Various setts of People are digging Iron Oar.  Mr. [Andr. Hewt?] in my Meadow; Mr. Hemingway of Holliston in the Bent Meadow.  P.M. Mrs. Maynard with one Mrs. Elizabeth Elwell, came to visit us.

1778 October 2 (Friday).  Sister Champney not well.

1778 October 3 (Saturday).  Mr. Ripley came from Barre, from burying his Father, He is returning to Concord, but very thoughtful about what he shall say to the Committee who will meet with him soon to confer about the Preparation for his Ordination.  At which Time he is Apprehensive they will demand of him his Sentiments about Pastoral Power and Authority in the Government of the Church, which seems now out of season to Enquire into; they should have done this before they gave him any Call.  I sent by him to Mr. Stone, his Sermon at Marlborough Fast on Rev. [blank].  Dr. Crosby, who belongs to the Army now at Danbury, made me a visit and dined here.  P.M. Mrs. P________________ rode out with Elias in the Chaise, to Capt. Maynards.  I have not a few, or Small Avocations and Impediments to Study.

1778 October 4 (Sunday).  On 1 Pet. 2.9.  No body to set the Psalm.  I was obliged to set it, after a poor manner, my Self.  P.M. I preached a sermon my mind was much engaged in as the present sorrowful Times are: on Ps. 92.7, “when the wicked spring as the Grass etc.”  N.B. I delivered something like this, “If there be any person that you know of, who is addicted to profaneness, I pray you to mark him (there should be some Stigma set upon him), that being marked out, he may be avoided.”  Sir Fay p.m. sat the Psalm.  At Eve I was obliged to ride up to [Mr. John?] Fays to visit and pray with a little Daughter of Mrs. Levi [illegible] who is very ill.  I went also to [illegible] was still under a grievous Fever.  [Illegible] Nurse’s Mother Ball there.

1778 October 5 (Monday).  Elias, before Day, in the Chaise in which he brought up sister Champney went away for Cambridge.  Sister being left here (unavoidably) to stay with us.  She is now ill, and grows no better.  We cant do any other than Pity and relieve her, as we are able.  We seem very much weakened, broken and destitute by being unhorsed: but we are obliged to conform out minds to our Circumstances.  At Eve came Mrs. Bowker of Rutland, upon Otter Creek, to make us a Visit.  She relates the wonderful Preservations which she, her Children and Neibours experienced when the British Forces drove them off from their settlements — and many of the steps taken in erecting their New State of Vermont.  Mr. Nathan Maynard here, with a Letter to him from his Brother, Benjamin Whipple of the foresaid Rutland (now Esquire), praying me to write a Letter for him in Answer to it: which I did.

1778 October 6 (Tuesday).  Elias returns from Cambridge and has been also to Boston.  But what we are somewhat Surprized with is, he rides home Brecks Mare, which was found in a Pasture at [blank] by Gershom Hill the Molatto from Squire Bakers, who going down below, Breck furnished with an Advertisement.  We are now whole footed again: but the Charges by the Loss and Recovery amount to 40 Dollars.[1]  P.M. I preached at the Widow, Mrs. Mehitabel Brighams on Rev. 2.10, latter part.  Mrs. P________________ rode there with me.  Mrs. Bowker also attended: so did a Number of Young Gentlemen.  Besides Sir Brigham There were Sir Stone, Crosby, Fay, and Master Abr. Holland, with us.  Mrs. P________________ and I called to see the Widow Fay who is much out of Health.

[1]In an advertisement dated Sept. 28, 1778, Breck Parkman announced that “whoever will take up said MARE and retutrn her to the subscriber, shall be handsomely rewarded and all necessary charged paid.”  Massachusetts Spy, Oct. 1, 1778.  The mare was described a brown, “with a star in her forehead, one hind foot white, a long trail, trots and paces, about ten years old.”

1778 October 7 (Wednesday).  Stephen Maynard (for the Doctor) brings in a Load of Indian Corn.  N.B. Dogs wound and worry the Doctors and Mr. Ebenezer Forbush’s Sheep.  The Doctors great Dog killed.  I visit Mr. Ebenezer Millers Wife, who was taken ill suddenly and is Still confined.  Prayed with her, and she by her Discourse manifests a good Frame.  Her Husband is full of Resentment of the wrong Measures taken in Town.  In returning I called at Mr. Tainters, especially to see a strange young Woman who has resided there a great while and has a Child there — but she was not at home.  Brother Solomon Batherick and the Widow Thankful Warrin were married.

1778 October 8 (Thursday).  Mrs. Butler (Peters Wife) and Mr. Abraham Knowltons Widow, here.  N.B. Elias went to Coi’s Hill in Brookfield for my Cattle.

1778 October 9 (Friday).  Elias returned with the Four Cattle which he went for, viz. a Cow for Beef, a large Steer and two younger ones.  N.B. He lodged last night at Walkers (a Tavern) in Brookfield.

1778 October 10 (Saturday).  Sister Champney is very infirm — in pain etc. from Day to Day.

1778 October 11 (Sunday).  It was so rainy, and thereby so difficult to get to meeting, that the Assembly was very thin.  I preached a second sermon on Ps. 92.7.  No Chorister: I was obliged to Set the Psalm my Self.  P.M. Repeated with Additions on 1 Pet. 2.9.

1778 October 12 (Monday).  My Grandson Ebenezer of Brookfield having been to Boston, and kept Sabbath at Southborough comes to See me a.m.  Tarries to dinner.  Has sold his place at Brookfield and is looking out for another.  He goes to See my Neighbour Caleb Harrington: who asks so much, he does not care to give the Price.  He lodges here.  Breck and Elias go, at Evening to Singing Meeting at Capt. Fishers.

1778 October 13 (Tuesday).  Rev. Stephen Johnson of Lyme with his Wife (who heretofore was Miss Leverett) came in to see me, on their Journey from Boston, home.

1778 October 14 (Wednesday).  The Vacation at College begins.  At Eve came a Young woman that has lived for some time at my Daughter Baldwins: Her name is Judith Robertson.  She lodges here.

1778 October 15 (Thursday).  Mr. Wellman of Cornish calls to see me and dined here.  P.M. Mrs. Harrington and her son and Daughter Wait, of [Alsted, here?].  Read Dr. Goodwins and Mr. Nye’s preface to Mr. Cotton of the Keys: the second time; and part of the Book it self.  Elias went to Mr. Benjamin Thurstons for Cheese; got 30 lbs. at 4 sh. L.M. per pound.

1778 October 16 (Friday).  Sister Champney is a great deal exercised with a weakening Distemper and is much to be pityed.  P.M. came a Young Man, one Benjamin Brown of Lyn, now from Stoneham, and expecting to see two of Timothy’s Sisters, who came at Evening, viz. Miss Rebecca Cowell, and Mrs. Mary Brown, who also brought her little son Ezra, of about 5, who rode in the Chaise with they [sic].  They all lodge here.

1778 October 17 (Saturday).  Young Brown goes up to Sutton.

1778 October 18 (Sunday).  Preached again on Ps. 92.7, and May God give a Blessing!  P.M. Repeat with Corrections and Additions Sermon on Prov. 10.20.21, which I hope may be seasonable and by Gods Grace successful.

1778 October 19 (Monday).  Rode the Stoneham Horse to Mr. Gleasons, his Wife being Sick (a Dysentery).  On the way called to see Mrs. Hannah Baker (out published to Mr. Andrews) — also Mrs. Broad.  Stopped at Mr. Potters, his wife having lost her Father in Law, Aged Deacon Hale of [blank].  I found Mrs. Gleason under much affliction and pain — prayed with her.  Mr. Conklin and his Wife on a Journey to Boston, came in to see us, and tarryed the night with us, though we were already pritty full with my Kinswomen etc.  Singing Meeting at Mr. Ebenezer Forbes.