Category: Diary

1779 May 18 (Tuesday).  I rode Breck’s mare to Bolton, it being Association.  Messrs. Smith, Harrington, Bigelow, Newell present — Messrs. Stone, Bridge and Whitney absent.  Mr. Goss prayed and gave a Concio on Joh. 4.36, especially latter part, with a particular application to what was lately done at the Council in Bolton, accompanyed with Sad Complaints — which after the exercise was over, I made reply to.  But we parted in peace.  In returning I called at Capt. Edward Johnson’s and drank Tea there.  Stopped at Mr. Whitney’s and lodged there.

1779 May 19 (Wednesday).  In my way home I went to see Mrs. Dolly Rice.  N.B. her Daughter Adams resides there.  I called at Mr. [blank] Andrews, newly come to live in the house that was Mr. Tinney’s.  Visited Mr. Daniel How who still grows worse — at Capt. Maynard’s to see Stephen who has been languishing.  Dined at home.  P.M. Mr. Waters on his way to Newtown to preach for Mr. Merriam.  Capt. Goddard of Sutton here.  Informs me of his raising Madder and Malage Grapes.

1779 May 20 (Thursday).  A.M. Mr. Belknap came in to see me and discoursed about my circumstances and the necessary supplies, the affairs coming on in the Town Meeting p.m.  Mr. Daniel Nurse here to renew the Request of his two Sisters, that there may be a Fast kept at theirs.  I am obliged to take some time to consider of it.  N.B. The Town debated upon making me some further allowance, considering the vast increase of the Necessaries of Life.  But it passed negatively.

1779 May 21 (Friday).  The proceedings of the Town yesterday were to my Surprise.

1779 May 22 (Saturday).  Mrs. Scott is improved to work here.  Sophy droops.

1779 May 23 (Sunday).  A.M. on Zech. III.9.10.  Cousen Samuel Brigham, besides our Spinners, John Forbes and Sarah Miller, dined here.  N.B. Mr. Batherick stops me in my going to meeting p.m. and acquaints me that Mr. Jonas Bradish was here, and desired the Church might be desired to stay after the Exercises.  It was sudden, and at that juncture, an interruption.  But I spoke to Mr. Bradish and several of the Brethren, who he had been talking with, viz. Capt. Jonas Brigham, and Mr. Samuel Forbush who joined in the (verbal) Request that the Church might be spoke to, and a meeting appointed.  P.M. I read Eph. 5 and preached on v. 6.  I detained the Church, and appointed a Meeting on Tuesday next at 2 p.m.  Sophy not well and took physick this morning, but knew it not till it worked.

1779 May 24 (Monday).  I went to Squire Baker’s.  Mr. Jonas Bradish there, who gives me reason to expect today some such Paper from him as he designs to lay before the Church, but (as usual) disappoints me.  Squire Baker again relieves me as to pasturing my sheep, if I will obtain of Mr. Elisha Forbes to keep his uncle Eli’s nine.  Miss Eliza Beals came in to see me and consult me upon her Spiritual State — mentions several Scriptures She would have me preach upon, but which I have already.  As to her bodily State, she is grown exceeding dropsical.  At eve came Mr. John Belknap Junior of New Braintree, and is full of exceptions against Mr. Foster — has got also Mr. Isaac Foster’s (the father’s) ordination sermon preached at New Braintree.  He leaves it for me to read.

1779 May 25 (Tuesday).  I sent for Mr. Elisha Forbes, who came and told me he would take care of his uncle’s nine sheep, that they may not trouble me any more.  No Mr. Bradish though I staid at home to wait on him.  At half after 10 I received his Letter to be laid before the Church.  P.M. Church Meeting, but not till after three by reason of the member’s Delinquency.  Mr. Bradish came — his paper read.  I answered it.  Many debates ensued.  At length he confesses in such a manner as that the Church voted Acceptance, and for the Sake of peace, I conceived it best to forgive him, and thus we emerged from this Difficulty, for which I am heartily thankful!  We began and ended with prayer.

1779 May 26 (Wednesday).  Wrote (and copied) a Certificate concerning Jonas Bradish directed to Rev. Mr. Jos. Brown of Winchendon.  This day of great Solemnity when the Heads of the Tribes assemble together for the grand purposes of Seeking the God of our Fathers, and hearing what God the Lord has to say to us as likewise to exercise that invaluable privilege of choosing the Counsellors for this State — and this happy Season for the Convention of Ministers.  I am obliged in prudence all things considered to stay at Home, where, however may my Heart join with all those who gratefully celebrate the praises of God giving thanks to His Name, and would earnestly implore pardoning Mercy for the whole Land!  And the continuance of all public and personal Blessing, that the judgments of God may be removed, that we may be extricated out of our Difficulties, and be lead in the Paths of Rest and Peace!

1779 May 27 (Thursday).  Visited poor John Bond, under grievous lameness, and prayed with him.  Dined at Col. Brigham’s, in my way to old Mrs. Beaman, who I visited and prayed with.  Mr. John Belknap jun. here again, about Mr. Daniel Foster’s Doctrines.  I have read his F’s sermon, with the notes.  Mr. Ithamar Bellows dies about 5 p.m.

1779 May 28 (Friday).  Mr. John Belknap calls once more, as he is returning home.  Takes the Book he lent me — is very free, against Mr. Foster and deeply concerned what will be the Event.  P.M. Mr. William Brigham’s wife, near neighbor to Col. Brigham here, drinks Coffee with us etc.  My kinsman, Mr. Thos. Needham, returning from camp at Fish-kill to his family at Salem, comes in to see me.  He is more out of Health than when he was here last year, and thinks not to go to the Army again.

1779 May 29 (Saturday).  Attended Mr. Ithamar Bellows Funeral and prayed.  May God please to sanctifie the Death of the aged Brother to us!

1779 May 30 (Sunday).  A.M. Read Zech. IV and gave expository notes on the former part, but preached on Eph. 5.6.  Preached p.m. on Rom. 8.11[1] by reason of Mr. Bellows death.  Mr. Sam. Barrett of Hopkinton and Mrs. Maynard dined here.

[1]Rom. 8.11: “But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Sprit that dwelleth in you.”

1779 May 31 (Monday).  Mr. Broaders comes and informs me of the Death of Mr. Daniel How, which occurred yesterday towards night.  Aged 54 last October.  N.B. I appointed a Catechizing on next Thursday a. and p.m., and am (by divine assistance) to preach at the private Meeting tomorrow: so that the Funeral must be tomorrow morning, and he must be buryed in Northborough in that south part where his Father and Mother were interred.  Mr. Willard of Mendon and Mr. Edmund Foster, preacher at Marlborough having changed yesterday, met and baited here.  Breck receives of me £300 which I commit to him as either lending it to him or partly to pay for a yoke of oxen bought of Mr. Crooks for £200, and the remaining 100 to trade with as may be most prudent to save the sinking.  Old Mr. Wait of Ashburham here.  Lt. Grout here to enquire into the meeting at his House.

1779 June 1 (Tuesday).  I attended the Funeral of Mr. Daniel How, who dyed at Mr. Fessenden’s.  Mr. Woodward of Weston and his Ladie, on a journey to Hartford, Springfield etc. called and dined here.  P.M. I preached at Lt. Grout’s on Lam. 1.9 into page 8th.

1779 June 2 (Wednesday).  Breck returns from Boston.  Ephraim Parker is preparing to go with the Oxen and Horse to Waltham for earthen Ware.  I wrote a letter for Sister Champney to Mr. Ripley of Concord, about her Chest.  I covered it with a Letter to my Son William in reply to his of May 24, received by Breck.

1779 June 3 (Thursday).  Ephraim went to Waltham, sat out about 3 a.m.  N.B. Timothy Bryant’s Time being out, he went with Parker, in order to return to his Mother at Stoneham.  I gave him eight dollars, which was as much as I could spare.  I wrote by him to his Mother.  May God be the guardian of his Youth!  Mr. Elisha Forbes directs that his uncle Eli’s sheep be sent to his pasture, and his brother Simon, with Billy Spring, drives them there.  I catechize at the Meeting House.  34 Boys.  44 Girls.  After catechizing I married Phineas Hardy to Sarah Wiman.  He gave me Eight Dollars.  N.B. Mr. Joseph Harrington was here and manifested Disgust at the Proceedings of the late Council at Bolton.  At eve, but before Sunsetting, I by Request of Mr. Sam’l Forbush, went to his House.  He has been raising a new Barn, and moving part of an Old One.  I was at their Supper, after which we Sang part of Ps. 112.

1779 June 4 (Friday).  Ephraim Parker returned from Waltham with a load of earthen ware for Breck.  Mrs. Ruth Godfrey came to see us, and tarrys over night with us.

1779 June 5 (Saturday).  Mrs. Godfrey returns home.  She is very much out of Health, and (I understand) reduced in worldly Circumstances.

1779 June 6 (Sunday).  Preached on Zech. IV.6-10.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. preached on Rom. 8.11.  I did not read today.

1779 June 7 (Monday).  Col. Cushing brought my Grandson John Cushing from Shrewsbury, to reside a while with us.  Breck acquaints me with his great Losses by the Remarkable Depreciation of the medium.  P.M. Messrs. Daniel Forbes and Joseph Harrington here to talk with me about Mr. Daniel Adams and his wife’s indecent living apart: and what method must be taken with them: But most probably their design was (and Mr. Gale came in to join them) to find fault with the Result of the late Council at Bolton.  And they request they may have it read to them again on the next Lecture Day.

1779 June 8 (Tuesday).  I rode to Mr. Nat. Whitney’s in Grafton to talk with Hannah Whitney about her Humiliation and joining with the Church.  Then proceeded to Mr. Grosvenor’s, but neither he nor she was at home.  I went into Mr. Joseph Brown’s, with hope to see his Electrical Machine, but he was again gone to Providence.  His lady was generous in entertaining me.  I dined there and she sent her son Obadiah to call Mr. Henstick, the baptist Minister, to show me the said Machine.  Mr. Grosvenor had by this time returned from Sutton, and came to me, and kindly assisted Mr. Henstick in the Electrical Operations, which were wonderful.  I was electrized a number of times, the rather as it was said to be a Remedy against the Cramp, which I am much subject to.  The Experiments led me to utter, “how Manifold are thy Works, O Lord, in Wysdom hast thou Made them all.”  In returning home, I came by Mr. Isaiah Fairbanks and Mr. Nurse’s.  Miss Lydia and Miss Rebecca request a Fast may be kept at their House, and that Mr. Sumner and Mr. Fisk may be sought to perform on that occasion.  The time, to be, God Willing, this day Fortnight.  I came home safely through the Divine Goodness to me.

1779 June 9 (Wednesday).  Sophy with Mr. Brigham, in Mr. Newton’s Chaise, goes to Marlborough.  Mr. Goodhall here and shows me the Certificate of his Ordination at large, or as a Missionary, to go to the State of Vermont.  Mr. Elijah Hardy’s wife makes us a visit.

1779 June 10 (Thursday).  Sister Champney is putting up her things in order to leave us.  Mr. Mellen and his wife call and drink Coffee.  A Training Day with the South Company.  Much imprudent Firing.  Read Roman’s Annals of the Netherlands, Vol. I.

1779 June 11 (Friday).  Sister Champney left us to go to Mr. Jonas Bond’s in Sutton.  My son Breck went with her in Mr. Barn. Newton’s Chaise, and left her at Mr. Bond’s.  We have bad news of a Fleet supposed to be British, on our Coast, and some other Evil Tidings.

1779 June 12 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1779 June 13 (Sunday).  Delivered another exercise on Zech. IV, viz. from v. 11 to the End.  The widow of the late Capt. Benj. Fay dined with us.  P.M. Considering that this is the Time when Invasions and a new campaign are feared, I delivered again a sermon on Isa. 1.19 to the beginning of page 7, with divers alterations and additions.

1779 June 14 (Monday).  Send by Dr. Hawes, a letter to Mr. Moore, also to Mr. Thos. Adams.

1779 June 15 (Tuesday).  Rain the Forenoon.  I could not go to Northborough Association, dined at home, but p.m. I went to Mr. Whitneys.  Mr. Stone, Smith and Goss there.  I returned at Eve.  Breck and his Wife and Daughter, Mr. Brigham and Sophy are gone, in two Chaises, to Boston.  Mr. Forbes and Miss Charlotte Saunders came at eve, and lodged here.  Capt. Maynard’s work men are moving the Walls.

1779 June 16 (Wednesday).  Mr. Forbes and his Daughter left us to go to Brookfield.  N.B. Before he went, his cousin Elisha came, and they agree about the nine Sheep of Mr. F. which I have heretofore kept.  Mr. Aaron Smith came — dined with us — Lt. Bond, and with him a yoke of Oxen and Horse — my Eph. Parker with my oxen and Breck’s mare go on in plowing fallow ground at the Island.

1779 June 17 (Thursday).  I looked for Mr. Whitney to preach my Lecture, but he did not come.  I preached myself on Ps. 139.23 to the latter part of page 6 and concluded with a few warm Expositions extemp.  Mr. Daniel Forbes, Mr. Gale and Mr. Joseph Harrington t’other Day requested the Church might be stopped and the late Result at Bolton might be read again to them.  I therefore gratified them, but it was at the sad Cost of our Peace: for there were presently bitter Exceptions against the Result and against the Council that formed it.  I endeavored to open and to explain every Difficulty, and ease every Complaint — but it was in vain.  They were not quiet when we parted.  I desire to be humble before God on account of this sorrowful Token of his holy Displeasure, and pray for Divine Pity.  At my House were Messrs. Johnathan Fay and Eli Brigham, who also eat with me: and we were chearful notwithstanding what I had met with.  N.B. One Mr. Haden of Grafton tells me that they are in great Confusion, having had a meeting there to see whether they should build a new Meeting House: or whether they should repair the old one: and whether they would grant Mr. Grosvenor some Relief; but they contended and would do neither.  For which I am sorely grieved.

1779 June 18 (Friday).  I am in some Fear that the disquieted Brethren will desire to have the Communion deferred, but none came to me.

1779 June 19 (Saturday).  We are in anxiety about Mr. Forbes and Daughter, which should have come last night, Commencement at Cambridge.

1779 June 20 (Sunday).  Administered the Lord’s Supper — preached a.m. on Ps. 139.24 (having read the Ps. publicly), p.m. on Ps. 36.1-7.  Squire Whipple and his wife and Mrs. Maynard dined here.  N.B. Congress’s Address to the States about the Currency, though long, it was read partly by me and partly by Deacon Bond and Mr. Elijah Brigham, in the Congregation.  Mr. Daniel Nurse tells me that the designed Fast at his Sister’s, is put off till after the busy Season.

1779 June 21 (Monday).  Mr. Forbes and Daughter Charlotte came from Spencer, he having preached there yesterday: and sent Mr. Maccarty to Concord.  They lodge here.  Town Meeting and Training to raise nine men forthwith; but they do not succeed.