Category: Diary

1779 April 13 (Tuesday).  My sheep grow very troublesome, to Mr. Newton.  I rode over to Mr. John Kelley’s to see his wife — prayed with her.  Reproved him for his absenting from public Worship.  Visited at Mr. Stephen Cook’s.  Elias came home, rode upon Dr. Hawes’ horse.  N.B. He went from College this morning to Boston, and yet came home before night, the Sun considerable Heighth.

1779 April 14 (Wednesday).  Fine weather.  Gardening, plant Trees.  Move the Bees.  William Deadman a soldier from Stoneham going to the Camp near [blank] Manor, breaks fast here.  He brings a Letter from Tim’s Mother.  She writes of the death of her Son-in-law, Lt. Daniel Bryant.

1779 April 15 (Thursday).  Old Mr. William Nurse dies this morning, aged 8[blank] years.  I walked over to see old Mr. Jonah Warrin and prayed there.  Cousin Maynard sent over an Horse for her aunt, and Stephen to wait upon her, not immediately to return.  Dr. Hall returning from Boston called here.  N.B. I hear that Mr. Grosvenor has asked a dismission from his Pastoral-Relation.  I read Mr. Wigglesworth’s and Mr. Tucker’s Dudleian Lectures.

1779 April 16 (Friday).  Attended and prayed at the Funeral of Old Mr. William Nurse.  He was 83 sometime in last month.  I had considerable discourse with Ensign Fay.  Elias went p.m. to Concord with Cart, Boxes and Horse.  Mr. Amos Parker, Ephraim’s Father here.  He is obliged with a No. of Lelock Trees.  At eve Mrs. P. returns home.  Hear that a girl has set Fire to Mr. Kendal’s House at New Salem, the same that fired Mr. Fessenden’s at Walpole.  She is committed to Jayl.

1779 April 17 (Saturday).  Elias returns from Concord: and relates a tragical story of one Whitney of Townsend, who is suspected to have poisoned his Wife.

1779 April 18 (Sunday).  A.M. on Zech. 3.6-7.  P.M. 1 Thes. 4.13.[1]  Occasioned by the Death of Mr. William Nurse.  May Divine Blessing accompany!

[1]1 Thess. 4.13: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

1779 April 19 (Monday).  Breck went to Boston.  I sent by him 28 Letters, of the private female Society to the late venerable Father Loring, to the care of Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, widow, heretofore Leazenby: and a number more to and from Mrs. Mehitabel Hystop of Brookline, to the care of the Rev. Mr. Jackson.

1779 April 20 (Tuesday).  A.M. Was at Deacon Wood’s, at his Son’s, and at Mr. Dix’s (who lives at Capt. Wood’s) but he was not at home.  P.M. Visit Mrs. Mallet, who is sick of a Fever.  Rode to Col. Brigham’s, to Capt. Jonas Brigham’s.  Neither of the Men at home.  Rec’d a letter from Elijah Brigham A.B. respecting Sophy.

1779 April 21 (Wednesday).  Capt. Maynard Solicits me about moving my Walls on the north west, and straightening the Road from the Meeting House to the Northward.  He promises it shall not be to my Damage.  He will be at the Charge and will measure the Land, that I may have Equivalent.  N.B. In some perplexity about getting up a pair of Cart Wheels from Monroe’s, which Billy has made for me.  Captain undertakes to get them up.  Breck returns from Boston, and brought me a letter from Mrs. Eliz. Brown of the Female Society of Boston.

1779 April 22 (Thursday).  Mr. Grosvenor, on his Journey to Dr. Kittredge, at Tewkesbury, for help in his utterance, calls here.  May God grant success!  Mr. Solomon Maynard for Capt. Maynard brings my Cart Wheels in a Waggon, and goes with them to Mr. Joseph Smith’s to have the Tire put onto them.  Isaac Baldwin from Dummer School, going to Brookfield, calls and refreshes here.

1779 April 23 (Friday).  Capt. Maynard and his people, with two Wallers from Sutton, begin to move my Wall beyond the Orchard to make the Road from the Meeting House towards Nurse’s straight.  Hannah Whitney (sister of Mr. John Harrington’s Wife) came to me, confessing the sin of Fornication and desires to make her Peace with God and his people.

1779 April 24 (Saturday).  Mr. Grosvenor returns from Tewkesbury and dines here.  P.M. my son Samuel and his Wife came from Boston two days ago, and today here.  Sally is still but indisposed.  By reason of variety of company, was necessarily obliged to desist from what I was preparing for the Public tomorrow.

1779 April 25 (Sunday).  Very much on consideration of my Daughter-in-law I chose the Subject of the Day.  Read Cantic. 8 and delivered the Sermons formerly preached on v. 5 a.m. to p. 8.  P.M. to p. 15.  Which may God graciously accept!

1779 April 26 (Monday).  I was much taken up in trying (though fruitlessly) to get an Horse for Elias to go with the Cattle to Brookfield.

1779 April 27 (Tuesday).  My son Samuel returned to Boston, leaving his Wife, with his Chaise here; who before dinner grew so uneasy, that with Tears, she prayed me to get some Neighbors to carry her in her chaise to Boston.  Indeed her husband was but just out of sight, when she repented her staying behind, and would have had him called back.  N.B. I sent by my Son to Mrs. Eliz. Brown, at her request for some of his papers, two manuscript sermons of Mr. Loring, one on 1 Joh. 4.9, the other on Gal. 2.20.  We are every day perplexed by the unruliness of the Sheep.

1779 April 28 (Wednesday).  The Sheep were so disorderly I was forced to go to my Friend, Squire Baker, to request him, again to take the Sheep to pasture, and to assist me in getting my young Cattle to Brookfield, both which he consents to.

1779 April 29 (Thursday).  The Sheep are sent to Squire Baker’s pasture to be kept there till after Shearing.  P.M. came Mr. William May and with him, Mr. Solomon Walcott, a young preacher, from Mansfield.  Mr. May went to the Squire’s, Mr. Walcott lodged at the Shop.

1779 April 30 (Friday).  Elias left us to go to Cambridge, and to Charleston, on Mr. Jonathan Fay’s Horse.  Mr. May went with Elias to Cambridge.  Eli Forbes, from Cape Ann, by the way of Boston, came and lodged here.  He brings me a Letter from his Father, which relates many sorrowful things, which have befallen them, particularly the death of Col. John Stevens, Mr. Solomon Parsons and his wife.  Mr. Rogers has left his people for want of Support.  Mr. Cleaveland at Sandy Bay is on the wing, Mr. Parsons of Squam at present under disgrace etc. etc.

1779 May 1 (Saturday).  My Daughter in Law, Salley, rides in her Chaise with Eli Forbes to Brookfield.

1779 May 2 (Sunday).  Did not read publickly because I had not done with the former passages already read, viz. Zeph. 3.8, which I preached on a.m. and on Cant. 8.1 p.m.  Mr. Adonijah Rice’s wife dined here.  May God bless the Word delivered.  Mr. William May came at eve.  Lodged here.

1779 May 3 (Monday).  Mrs. Mallet remains ill.  I visited her, and there was also old Mrs. Stone (one of the poor from Charlestown).  I prayed with them.  N.B. I was met by Mr. Stockwell Shoemaker, and could not avoid discoursing with him concerning the amazing alteration of the Price of Things, for I this day paid Six Dollars for only the making of a pair of Shooes for me, viz. by Mr. James Smith who works at Capt. Fisher’s, which is 12 times as much as I gave for the last Pair but one, for which I gave half a Dollar, at Mr. Barn. Newton’s.  N.B. Mr. May has bought of Joseph Lee of Cambridge Esq. 1420 acres of Land in Montague, and has paid for it.  It stood him between 4 and 5 Thousand pounds L.M.  N.B. As I received a Letter yesterday noon from Ensign Aaron Warrin, desiring me to preach next Fast Day on 1 Chron. 4.10, today began to write upon it.

1779 May 4 (Tuesday).  Mr. David Clark of Ashburnham came to see us.  N.B. No word of Complaint about his son Ben: who is in the Continental service.  Mr. Amos Parker of Shrewsbury here, his business with his son.

1779 May 5 (Wednesday).  My Daughter-in-law returns with Eli Forbes from Brookfield.  Benj. Bancroft of Sutton Stores his Load in my Barn.

1779 May 6 (Thursday).  General Fast throughout the United States.  The forenoon exercises were (not designedly) exceeding long.  A.M. on the text requested by Ensign Warren, viz. 1 Chron. 4.10, but I read and made some remarks upon v. 9.  P.M. Used part of sermon on Jer. 8.5, but with many enlargements.  O that God would please to accept our sacrifices, and quicken us to conform to his holy Word!  Col. Job. Cushing, Major Ezra Beeman were at meeting p.m., and refreshed themselves with us at eve.  They were here upon the Business of Raising a number of Men to go to Rhode Island.

1779 May 7 (Friday).  Eli Forbes Returns to Cambridge and Boston.  Sally tarries with us.  I send by Eli to Elias, Ferguson’s Astronomy, with a Letter against his Selling Books, which he has had of me, and have writ to Eli’s Father, particularly to send for his Sheep after Shearing. N.B. Breck has bought another horse, which his brother Samuel procured for him, of Major Stillman at Boston.  P.M. I rode to Mr. Thomas Bellows to see him in his weak and low condition, and prayed with him and his son’s Family — thence I proceed to divers Other of the Families in that corner, viz. Mr. Chamberlain.  N.B. his son Daniel gives me half a bushel of Indian Corn, and lends me a bushel and half more.  I called at Mr. Nat. Chamberlain’s, went into widow Bellow’s, and stayed some time at Ensign Snow’s — drank Tea there etc.  At home found Capt. John Wood and his Lady, who make a visit here.

1779 May 8 (Saturday).  Wrote to Mr. Whitney of Northborough for the Result of Bolton Council.  Breck goes to Holden p.m.  Mr. George Stimson was here and carried away from my barn four bushels (as he says) of Indian Corn, which is part of the load stored there by Benj. Bancroft on last Wednesday, for which he gave me his Receipt.  He says the load is his, and that he Shall soon take away the Rest of it.  Mr. Isaac Miller was here and signed an acknowledgement.

1779 May 9 (Sunday).  With some amendments I went on a.m. and finished on Jer. 8.5 last clause.  Administered the Lord’s Supper.  N.B. Brother Isaac Miller was restored.  Mrs. Maynard dined here, as did one Daniel Holbrook, whom Mrs. Parkman saw to be a stranger and invited in.  P.M. on Jer. 5.20-25 to page 9.

1779 May 10 (Monday).  I visited Mrs. Mallet, and old Lieut. Thomas Forbush and his wife.  Breck and his Family brought and eat their dinner with us, which was so much the more agreeable and sociable.  P.M. Mr. Waters who has been preaching at Newtown here and informs me of the Death of Dr. Wheelock, president of the College at Dartmouth, and of Dr. Winthrop, professor of Matham. and Philosophy at Cambridge.  The last was buryed at Cambridge May 1.  O that God would show compassion on the bereaved Semenerrys!  Mr. Noah Hardy’s wife here.  Mr. Elijah Brigham brings his classmate Mr. [blank] Foot.  They all drink coffee.  At eve Mr. George Stimson here about the Load Stored in my Barn, but took none of it away.  N.B. John Forbes came to spin.

1779 May 11 (Tuesday).  Visit Mr. Daniel How, and prayed with him — went to Mr. Benj. Howe’s — called to see Mrs. Kelly.  Sophy goes to Mr. Amos Parkers at Shrewsbury.  Col. Baldwin and his son Isaac came.  Sarah Miller came to spin.  Isaac Forbush takes away by order of Benj. Bancroft the remainder of the Load above said.  Col. Baldwin and his son lodge at Breck’s.  Their horses are put into the burying-place, our Hay being gone.

1779 May 12 (Wednesday).  Col. Baldwin puts one of his horses into Salley’s Chaise, and waits upon her to Boston.  Isaac to Boston in his way to Byfield.  I read Logan’s Cicero of Old Age.

1779 May 13 (Thursday).  Breck undertakes to new modell the Frame for the Grape Vine in the Garden to run upon: and Parker and Timothy help him.  I am still engaged in Logan’s Cicero of old age, with very useful notes.

1779 May 14 (Friday).  Breck, Parker and Tim. are still upon the Vine and garden.

1779 May 15 (Saturday).  Mr. Parker (Ephraim’s Father) here.  Ephraim goes home, and carries John Cushing to Shrewsbury.

1779 May 16 (Sunday).  Preached again on 1 Chron. 4.10.  Mr. Elijah Brigham dined with us.  P.M. repeated on Jer. 5.25 with many omissions and alterations.

1779 May 17 (Monday).  Visit old Mr. Bellows, who is become weaker.  Prayed and discoursed with him.  Visit at Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlain junior.  He presents me half a bushel of Indian meal — tells me his Brother Daniel went to Marblehead with a load of Indian and Rye, and had 25 Dollars p. Bushel.