Category: Diary

1780 October 21 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1780 October 22 (Sunday).  I preached a.m. on Mat. 26.21-22 to p. 3.  Administered the Sacrament.  Mrs. Maynard at dinner.  P.M. on Rev. 5.5.  At eve Mr. Brigham read another part of Mr. Flavell’s Sermon 7 on Rev. 3.20.

1780 October 23 (Monday).  The Widow Hill’s little Son, Silas, of about 4 years old, very bad.  I visited and prayed with him.  After much Anxiety and Trouble, Capt. Wood’s two sons work for me in my small Ingathering, Apples and Potatoes.

1780 October 24 (Tuesday).  They come again and finish Beeton field and Orchard.  Rev. Mr. Lamson, returning from Connecticut, calls here and Ben Wood goes with my few Apples and Barrells at evening to Mr. Frost’s.  Breck cut his Foot with an Ax.

1780 October 25 (Wednesday).  We esteem this the Day of the Commencement of the honorable Revolution.  The New Constitution of Government now begins The Election of Governor etc.  It is exceedingly to be desired and prayed for, that the minds of the People were properly affected with the great Importance of this so unexampled Time!  Direct the weighty Affairs of it and grant an happy Issue to His Glory and the Public Weal!

1780 October 26 (Thursday).  I have been so much disappointed by those I have spoke to to work for me that I am forced to improve Capt. Woods’ two Boys

1780 October 27 (Friday).  to plow for me.  We try the new Horse my son Alexander sent me, and with my Oxen I have a sufficient Team for splitting —— (?  ) and harrowing in Rye.  Mr. Brigham has returned.  I visit and prayed with little Silas.

1780 October 28 (Saturday).  Lieut. Levi Warrin brought me a Barrell of Cyder.  P.M. I rode to Hopkinton and Mr. Fitch came here, though very rainy.

1780 October 29 (Sunday).  I preached at Hopkinton on Prov. 18.10.  May God grant Success to my own Soul especially.  At eve, I went to Mr. Barrett’s and lodged there!  Mr. Fitch returned from Westborough and tells me the sick little Boy (Silas) dyed last night.  N.B. The Sad News from the North West is confirmed.  Mischief done at Royalton, Schoharie etc.

1780 October 30 (Monday).  I took some time in viewing Mr. Barrett’s Books, dined at home and Mr. Sam Crosby with me.  P.M. attended the Funeral of Silas Hill.  A very large Company there.

1780 October 31 (Tuesday).  Breck and Brigham have a drove of Oxen brought to sell.  I read Mr. Thos. Hunter’s Reflections on Lord Chesterfield, very just and most elegant.

1780 November 1 (Wednesday).  The Month comes in with a Violent Storm.  In some part of the Day rained hard; but it soon turned to snow, and the continuance of it brings on a very winter prospect.  Through divine Favour, we have Wood, Shelter and Clothing.

1780 November 2 (Thursday).  Wintry Scenes.  Earth covered with Snow.  Cold and tedious.  Mr. Cushing and Mrs. Cotton from Ashburnham, came this Morning from Shrewsbury, and dined here.  Mr. Cushing p.m. returned to Shrewsbury.  Mrs. Cotton lodged here.  N.B. Sent Hunter’s Reflections on Lord Chesterfield’s Letters to Dr. Crosby per Mr. Cushing.

1780 November 3 (Friday).  Mr. Brigham waited on Mrs. Cotton to Hopkinton.  Sent Mrs. Abbe Vol. 2 of De Foe by Mrs. Cotton.  N.B. It was brought me by Dr. Stimson some time agoe.  As night came on, Elias with Letters from Br. Breck from Springfield.  He brings home five young Cattle from Coi’s Hill.  The two largest Steers have been taken out of Pasture by Alexander some time ago. Breck sent Mr. Th. Lamson, who cutts wood for me at the Door.

1780 November 4 (Saturday).  Elias goes and fetches my 12 Sheep from Squire Baker’s Pasture.  N.B. The principal Weather is missing, and a strange one is brought in his stead.

1780 November 5 (Sunday).  Preached a.m. on Rev. 5.6.  Mr. Fisk and Cousen Maynard dined here.  P.M. on John 10.11.  I stayed the Church and read the Letter from Bolton, requesting our Help in Council.  When proposed to the Church there was no vote.  There were but few Members, but there were but 4 Hands.  In the eve, Mr. Brigham read Mr. Flavell on Rev. 3.20,  Sermon 8.

1780 November 6 (Monday).  The Town Meeting.  Granted my Wood and Capt. Maynard to cut and bring it.  But as to Sallery, I dont perceive that they have voted anything, but the naked Sum with the Courts Depreciation.  Rev. Johnson and Lady call here in their returning home.

1780 November 7 (Tuesday).  Mr. Gale was at eve thrown by his Horse and much hurt, but after a while returned home.  Suse and Sophy ride to their Father Brigham’s.  Had some Converse with Capt. Fisher about the Town’s Transactions yesterday.  My grandchildren Isaac and Betsy Baldwin from Shrewsbury this morning came to see us.  Isaac leads an Horse, besides one in his Surkey[?]: these (with Elias’s, Breck’s and my own) make six Horses which are kept here this Night.  Mr. Jonathan Forbes here at eve.  Talks of the Doings of the Town yesterday with great concern.  He speaks also of Mr. Benj. Fay and Mrs. Th. Whitney’s contests.

1780 November 8 (Wednesday).  The adjournment of the Town Meeting.  By Advice I sent a written Message that if they would grant me the Same Allowance of Depreciation which I was required by every one to pay for every Article, I would submit myself to be taxed.  Thereupon the Town chose a Committee to treat with me, viz. Capt. Maynard, Capt. Morse and Capt. Fisher.

1780 November 9 (Thursday).  The Council at Bolton met.  I had told the Church I did not incline to go.  See the Result at the end of this Book. The Church met by adjournment to consider Mrs. Adams’ Case.  The Woman was present but the Man, though warned was not, and therewith Mr. Adams’ paper dated July 23 last.  As to the Former, Mrs. Adams pleaded that she had not got her Evidences ready, but she would have spoke to her Husband, before the Church — but he was not there: which was to our Surprise, Since he knew that at this Meeting his own paper was expected to be read and considered.  It was declared that he was at the public Meeting when Rev. Mr. Whitney read my paper of Adjournment (which was consented to by the Brethren), and he had reason to expect that the Meeting upon these affairs would be now dissolved: The Pastor has also repeatedly told him he was not debarred from Church Meetings but was desired and expected to come.  But since he was now absent, nothing more could be done about his Paper, than to read it and then the Letter sent to him which he was disturbed by, but which had nothing of grievous Nature in it: which being done, and nobody there to Sustain the Said paper, nor make Reply to the Exceptions made against the palpable mistakes it was founded upon, it was voted to be dropped: and seeing that Mrs. Adams was now supposed to be trying for Relief in the Civil Law, the Meeting was dissolved, upon which I prayed and gave the Blessing.  At eve, Col. Silas Bailey here, returning from Rhode Island.  His son Timothy dyed there and is buryd.

1780  November 10 (Friday).  Capt. John Wood was here upon the Affair of his son Ben’s living with me, and he wants that John shall live with my son Breck.  Elias has set out early this morning for Boston.

1780 November 11 (Saturday).  The Winter Weather continues.  Elias returns from Boston between six and seven o’clock.  He brings me from Samuel No. 2 to 6 (5 Books) of the American War.  I have read 4.  He brought also Dr. Evans which Samuel had to read, but now returns.

1780 November 12 (Sunday).  Preached again on John 10.11.  P.M. on Mal. 1.11.  Cousen Maynard dined here.  At eve Mr. Brigham read Flavell on Rev. 3.20, part of Sermon 8.

1780 November 13 (Monday).  A committee from the Town came to treat with me about my Sallery.  They were Capt. Maynard and Capt. Morse, but Capt. Fisher, who was the third (I think) was not with them.  Their errand was to know what I apprehended my Sallery should be.  I answered that the Covenant was 55£ Lawful Money, to be made good to its then Value.  And as to what was not due, the Depreciation which now I have actually paid, and am required to pay is partly an hundred and eight: to some an hundred, and to others 90.  If the Town would allow me the Medium, that is, an hundred, then out of Pity to the People in this Day of their Trouble, I will deduct my Proportion to bear so much of the Charge of the War, for the present year.  My grandson, Isaac Baldwin came this evening from his Tour to Newbury, Dummer School etc.

1780 November 14 (Tuesday).  The Town meet by adjournment.  The Committee carry my Answer (as above) to them.  After meeting, two of the Committee come (Captains Maynard and Morse) and acquaint me that the Town had granted me for this year the sum of £4000, which though it was 1500 short of my just due, I accepted on consideration of their Distresses: and thanked them (The Committee) for their Pains in the Affair.  Capt. Fisher came in when the rest were going away: but he stayed not.

1780 November 15 (Wednesday).  My Baldwins (Isaac and Betsey) leave us to return home.  I wrote by them to their mother.  Capt. John Woods moves and his Wife and Children except Ben who is to live with me.  Capt. Wood gave me a Barrell, almost full of Cyder.  N.B. Ben is to live with me for the sake of getting Learning — to Satisfie me, for Instruction, Board, Washing and Lodging, he must tend my Cattle, and cut wood, needful chores, go of Errands etc. and he must tarry with me till next April.  At eve had a message from one Mrs. Mary Nottingham, who lies sick at Deacon Wood’s, to make her a visit.  I went accordingly and discoursed with her and prayed with her as one extremely bad, and in a Dangerous Condition.

1780 November 16 (Thursday).  I went to Coll. Wheelock’s, Capt. Fisher’s, Squire’s — called to see Mrs. Nottingham, who is no better.  Mr. Harrington with my Team fetches me a Cedar Pole for my West Stanchells.  Mr. James Gibson here to buy my young Oxen.  Thad. Wait was marryed to Sally Morse.

1780 November 17 (Friday).  Mrs. Eunice Hill of Douglass here; I sent by her to Col. Caleb Hill of Douglass (who married Mrs. Ruth Hicks) to remember their aunt Champney.  At eve, Mr. Beriah Ware in Trouble.

1780 November 18 (Saturday).  Joel and Gardner, Sons of Mr. Isaac Parker, have brought home a Calf, which their Father has kept a great while for me.

1780 November 19 (Sunday).  Heavy rain, few at Meeting.  I preached on Mal. 1.12-13.  Mrs. Maynard dined here.  P.M. I preached on Prov. 18.10.  At eve, Mr. Brigham read in Flavell’s Works — Rev. 3.20.

1780 November 20 (Monday).  Elias setts out for Springfield.  I wrote by him to Br. Breck.  The Town meets again by adjournment to settle their Accounts.  I visited Mrs. Nottingham again.  Master Fisk here at eve and lodges here.

1780 November 21 (Tuesday).  Mr. David Kellogg, preacher at Framingham dined here, but I was obliged to leave him to Mr. Brigham, who was his acquaintance.  P.M. I preached at Mr. Jonathan Childs, to the Widow Smith, on Ps. 73.26, which may God bless!  Rec’d Letter from Mr. Moore of the 9th inst.

1780 November 22 (Wednesday).  Very stormy, or I should have visited Mr. Abijah Gale, who has not got well from his Lameness.  Read Hist. of the American War, No. 5.

1780 November 23 (Thursday).  Mrs. Nabby Martyn has my Horse to ride to Bolton.  Mrs. P. employs Mrs. Garfield to spin for her from Day to Day, and Pamela helps her.  Ben follows his writing etc.

1780 November 24 (Friday).  Mr. Jonathan Childs brings and gives a Barrell of Cyder and a Bag of Apples.  Mr. Hezekiah Maynard of Marlborough came and had two Bushels of Rye for the two Bushel of Malt which I had of him last Spring.  I wrote by him to Mr. Elizur Holyoke.