Category: Diary

1780 August 12 (Saturday).  Mr. John Fay was examined — left a Relation to be corrected and transcribed.  He dines here.

1780 August 13 (Sunday).  Preached on Malachi Ch. I, v. 6-9.  P.M. previous to a Contribution for Mr. Abraham Bond, I preached again on John 4.10.  At eve read Flavell on Rev. 3.20,  Sermon 6.

1780 August 14 (Monday).  Rode over to Mr. Beeton’s to visit old Mrs. Kelly and prayed with her, of which she said she missed but little.  Her Conversation generally spiritual and savoury.  John Beeton’s Wife is greatly recovered from her Lameness.

1780 August 15 (Tuesday).  Though it was a very hot Day, I rode to Southborough, hoping to meet the other Brethren who would associate there — but no other Members came.  We nevertheless improved the Opportunity in Prayer and attendance on a Discourse Mr. Stone read on Gal, and I read an Extract from Cicero on Old Age, Ch. XIX.  Mr. Stone has lately been exercised with the Gravel, and particularly last Lord’s Day.  P.M. did not go to Meeting, but is somewhat better.  I returned at eve.  Mr. Elijah here de die in diem.  His Brother Josiah is gone to Medway in order to Miss Eliz. Beal’s Return to Westborough again.

1780 August 16 (Wednesday).  Benj. Wood and his Brother John came here to be set to work.  I employed Benj. in mowing in my Newton Meadow.  John hoed a little with Billy Spring in Beeton Field — It was but of trifling Value.  P.M. Ben mowed a while, and the lesser Boy reaped and cocked — but they were all beat off by Rain, Thunder and Lightening.

1780 August 17 (Thursday).  Sent by Breck to Mr. Stone’s for Notes that I inadvertently left there.  Breck goes before Day, designing for Boston.

1780 August 18 (Friday).  Mrs. P. out of Health.  Dr. Hawes to see her.

1780 August 19 (Saturday).  Breck returned from Boston — he brought me a large letter from Mr. Quincy, who since the Death of his Son Henry is moved to Boston, and for the present lives with his Daughter-in-law, who (with her children) dwells in William’s Court.  This Week was filled with Encumbrance.

1780 August 20 (Sunday).  Read a.m. the Latter part of Joh. 4, and repeated the latter part of Discourse on v. 16.  At noon, Breck and his Family, Mr. Brigham and his Sister Anna, Mrs. Maynard, Isaac and Luke Baldwin (who came from Shrewsbury this morn) dined with us.  P.M. did not read before it but preached on Isa. 55.10-11, p. 191 to the bottom of p. 202.  N.B. baptized Six Children of Mr. Sam’l Thurston.  At eve read in my Family part of Mr. Flavell’s sixth Sermon on Rev. 3.20.  Rec’d a Letter from Mr. Forbes of Gloucester.  Mrs. P. is so indisposed that she has been but little at Meeting for a great while: could not go today: is sick, faint, and weak.  The Child also has been not well, for some days.

1780 August 21 (Monday).  My young Baldwins take leave for Cambridge and Byfield.

1780 August 22 (Tuesday).  A very dry hot Season.  After a great deal of Pains and Trouble, Benj. Woods, who though but a Youth, works well and with the Help of Josiah Brigham, a few Hours, they get in the last of my Newton Meadow Hay.  I have been employed in making Extracts from the Biog’r. Dict.

1780 August 23 (Wednesday).  I am too much taken up with my Farm Affairs, particularly to have my Fences repaired, that my Cattle may have Feed, and cant attend much to my Studys.  Mr. John Fay and Mr. Thad Warrin are employed.

1780 August 24 (Thursday).  Mrs. Nabby Martyn is at work here for Suse.  I attended the Burial of Mr. Abijah Gale’s Child, Sarah, of more than four months, it dyed somewhat suddenly.  I called to see Mr. Ebenezer Forbes, who (and his Wife) had been sick.  Visit also the old Folks.  Mr. John Fay, with his Relation here, and signs it.

1780 August 25 (Friday).  Mrs. Persis Adams here and prays the Church Meeting (to be otherwise next Monday) may be adjourned to some future time, inasmuch as she cannot get ready.  N.B. Breck and Suse with little Hannah go to Col. Brigham’s, at eve, to lodge there, in their way to Ashburnham and Marlborough.

1780 August 26 (Saturday).  Breck and Suse, leaving their little Girl, at Northborough proceed on their Journey.  Mr. Daniel Adams came here to enquire whether any Complaint against him, was lodged here.  There was none.

1780 August 27 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 104.  Preached on Mal. 1.9.10.11 and p.m. on Isa. 55, v. 11 “So shall my Word be” etc.  Three persons taken into the Church.  The Church Meeting was adjourned.  At eve, I read further in Mr. Flavells, England’s Duty on Rev. 3.20.

1780 August 28 (Monday).  On Deacon Wood’s Horse I rode to Mr. Gershom Brigham’s to see his Wife, who is dangerously ill.  The State of her Soul deplorable as well as her Body.  She was very sorry that she had neglected the Lord’s Supper.  She was in much Confusion.  I prayed with her and the Family.  I dined there.  Thence went to visit the North West Corner of the Town, Messrs. Gleason’s, Johnathan Maynard’s, and Samuel Riders, Mr. Thomas Lamson’s (on Edmund Rice’s place), old Mr. James Maynard, and his son Amasa’s.

1780 August 29 (Tuesday).  An uncommonly burning Season, hot Sun and drying Winds — so that the Droughth is much increased.

1780 August 30 (Wednesday).  Exceedingly taken up with the Creatures breaches for want of Feed — especially my Oxen.  Mr. Belknap and his wife here.  P.M. Mr. David Andrews of Northborough here to request me to visit his little son extremely bad (Mr. Whitney being gone to Northborough).  I went, prayed etc.

1780 August 31 (Thursday).  Mr. Gershom Brigham brings his Wife’s Earnest Desire that I would visit her again and preach a Sermon there today.  I complyed — delivered a short Discourse (as I could) from several passages in Isa. 55, “hear and your Soul shall live.”  May God bless what was delivered!  Mrs. Br. is brought very low.  At eve found Sophy ill.  She has taken physick: Mr. Elijah Brigham with her.

1780 September 1 (Friday).  Breck and Suse return home having been to visit their Brothers Cushing, Levi Brigham and Alexander. Capt. Goddard of Sutton calls at Breck’s Shop and relates, That the Scholars at College (from whence he was come) had so generally signed a petition that Pres. Langdon might be dismissed, that he himself had asked a Dismission and that it was granted him.  Whence this has arisen, I know not.

1780 September 2 (Saturday).  Sophy has been poorly several days.

1780 September 3 (Sunday).  Read Ps. 105.  Preached on Isa. 55.12.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. preached on Exodus 18.21 on Consideration of the Election of the Morrow: and therefore added a new introduction and application, to what I heretofore prepared on that text.  But it being rainy there were but few to hear it.  At eve, Mr. Flavell on Rev. 3.20.  Breck read.  Mr. Brigham here.

1780 September 4 (Monday).  Deacon Wood in no small Trouble on account of his Wife’s Difference with his son John and his Wife, who have had grievous Contentions and Threatening to complain to the Grand Jury tomorrow.  P.M. The Grand Meeting of the Town to choose a GOVERNOR, LT. GOVERNOR, and SENATORS; Mr. Batherick and Lieut. Grout came with a Message from the Town to desire me to go and open the Meeting with Prayer — went and prayed — the Chairman of the Selectmen prevented my going out by asking me to tarry and sit with them.  The hon. Mr. John Hancock was elected Governor by sixty-one votes.  There was one vote only besides, which was (mine) for Mr. James Bowdoin.  Votes for Lieut. Governor were for Hon. James Warrin, out of 55, 50.  I voted for Mr. Bowdoin.  The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, 4 p.m.

1780 September 5 (Tuesday).  By Deacon Wood’s Desire, I went in the Morning to his House, with Capt. Joseph Wood of Hopkinton and Mr. Thos. Wood of Brookfield.  Deacon’s Wife asked me to go alone with her, and manifested a penitent Frame: desired me to go into her son’s Room, and talk with him and his Wife, which I did.  Then met together and through the Goodness of God, we brought each of the Partys to Condescentions, mutual acknowledgment, and asking forgiveness and promises of Reformation.  The Deacon desired me to pray and give thanks to God.  Whereupon we all parted in Peace and Joy.  Glory to be God alone!  Josiah Brigham goes to Boston.  Mr. Gleason came and informed that Mr. Gershom Brigham’s Wife dyed this morning: and the Survivors desire me to attend the Funeral next Thursday.

1780 September 6 (Wednesday).  Mr. Grosvenor came, dined and preached.  Text was Gal. 6.7, latter clause.  His voice not only audible, but sonorous, but especially the Matter good, and the Manner agreeable.  After Meeting the Church stopped to receive the Answer of the two elected Deacons.  The Doctor delivered a paper in which he acquiesced in the Choice if there was no Objection, and if the Choice was unanimous; otherwise he refused.  The vote was then tried (though the members present were but few) upon which there was every Hand, and he was declared a Deacon of this Church.  Mr. Child’s answer was verbal, and still refused and the Meeting ended.  Then came on the Town Meeting by adjournment, and they elected five Counsellors for this County.  My son Alexander and his Wife and young Child came and lodged here.  Mr. Elijah Brigham privately spoke to me of his joining in Trade with Breck and would be glad to live here this winter.  But I could not determine.

1780 September 7 (Thursday).  I rode of Alexander’s Horses to the Funeral of Mrs. Brigham (wife of Mr. Gershom) and prayed there.  When I returned, here was Mr. William Spring from Brimfield.  He brought a suit of Clothes for his son Billy.  He dined with us, as did Mr. Elijah Brigham (who keeps Shop for Breck).  Sister Cushing and Mr. Daniel Goddard’s wife dined here also, but she rode to Col. Brigham’s and lodged there; the rest here.

1780 September 8 (Friday).  Mr. Spring changes his volume of Royal Magazines, viz: Some parts of Vol. I and Vol. II bound together, but many numbers missing for Osterval’s Causes of the present Corruption.  Mrs. Cushing, Alex and his Wife, dine with us, but p.m. they all leave us, and Billy Spring goes home for a while with his Father.

1780 September 9 (Saturday).  My Circumstances are somewhat singular — the Difficultys thence arising, not a few.  I made some preparations, but did not near perfect them — and I have entered upon such Repetitions as I think I had best go on with — correcting and amending as I review them.

1780 September 10 (Sunday).  It being Sacrament Day, I (after reading Ps. 106 former part to verse 25) went on with my Discourse on 1 Cor. 11.27-29, first part.  I administered the Ordinance — the new Deacon Hawes officiating, without any special Ceremony as to his Induction.  N.B. Deacon Dolliber of Marblehead, Mrs. Barrett and Mr. Stephen Stimson of Hopkinton were present.  Mr. Barret and his Wife dined here.  P.M. preached on Isa. 55.12 to the End of page 225.  At eve read part of Mr. Flavell’s seventh Sermon on Rev. 3.20.

1780 September 11 (Monday).  This Day begins the 44th year since my Marriage with Mrs. P________.  May God be praised for His great Goodness!  May all our Sins throughout all these Years, especially the last, be freely forgiven!  May we both of us be sp’ly Espoused, and mystically united to Jesus Christ, and may God grant us Grace to discharge the Dutys incumbent on us in the Conjugal Connexion!  I dined at Mr. Graves’s with Deacon Dolliber.  Alexander and his Wife, with their Child, from Framingham and lodge here.  [Note in pencil.  Married Sept. 11, 1737, he being 34 years old, minus 5 days — see next page.]

1780 September 12 (Tuesday).  Sent a Letter to Mr. Buckminster of Medway by Squire Singleterry of Sutton.  My son Alex., wife and child p.m. undertake their Journey home.  Messrs. Elijah and Moses Brigham dined here.  Mr. Sumner came to see us.

1780 September 13 (Wednesday).  Rode to Mr. Abraham Bond’s: gave him a book, as my Contribution to him under the Frown of Heaven.  N.B. A number of Neighbors are at work in framing a Barn for him. I visited other Neighbours thereabout, and dined at Mr. Frost’s.  P.M. at Mr. Hananiah Parker’s.

1780 September 14 (Thursday).  With some difficulty as to an Horse I rode to Grafton and dined at Mr. Grosvenor’s, and preached his Lecture in his House on Mat. 17.4.  May God grant His Blessing!  I returned home safe at eve.  N.B. A Mellancholy story is current of General Gates being defeated in the South.  The particulars are not yet known.  N.B. One Sibly is set to Jayl at Worcester under Suspicion of Murthering an Infant.

1780 September 15 (Friday).  On Consideration of my finishing my seventy-seventh year, I was much employed in Retrospections, Humiliations, and Supplications.  May the Lord graciously accept of my imperfect Petitions, pardoning etc. through Jesus Christ.  Mr. Peter Whitney here and Mr. Daniel Adams junior’s Wife also is examined.