Category: Diary

1742 December 20 (Monday).  A.M. felt variously.  P.M. Comfortable, and writ considerable.  N.B. Mr. Jno. Bowker and Matthias Rice here, as they were going to a meeting of both sides of the Town at Capt. Fays concerning Dividing the [parish?] etc.  Mr. Barrett here and prayed with me, Mr. Jenison, Lieutenant Baker, [and?] Seth Rice.

1742 December 21 (Tuesday).  Very fine moderate Weather.  Mrs. Eager and Mrs. Barns[1] here, and Mr. Smith of Marlborough.  He din’d with us and kindly tarried all the afternoon.  Through Gods great Goodness I felt the best of any Day Since my Sickness.  May God go on and perfect my Recovery!

[1]Probably Elizabeth Barns, wife of Richard.

1742 December 22 (Wednesday).  Extraordinary pleasant Moderate Weather like Spring.  ‘Twas Said it did not so much as freeze last night.  I was not So well as yesterday, yet ventur’d down to the Kitchen so much as to look about.  Young Mr. Caleb Prentice[1] of Cambridge here.  Told me of the Religious Commotions last Sabbath and last night at Grafton.  Divers Neighbours to see me.  Mrs. Dolly Rice, Mrs. Winchester,[2] Mrs. Hephzibah Maynard,[3] old Mr. Mainard.[4]  N.B. Life of Rev. Mr. George Trosse.[5]

[1]This may have been the Caleb Prentice who kept a student rooming house and was father of Caleb Prentiss (1746-1803), Harvard 1765); SHG, 16:205.

[2]Elizabeth, second wife of Benjamin Winchester.

[3]Hephzibah Maynard was dismissed from the Marlborough church and admitted to the Westborough church, Apr. 10, 1737 (WCR, 44).

[4]Probably David Maynard, b. Dec. 21, 1669, son of John and Mary Maynard.  He was one of the original members of the church (WCR, 379).

[5]The Life of the Reverend Mr. Geo. Trosse, Late Minister of the Gospel in The City of Exon, who Died January 11th, 1712/13. In the Eighty Second Year of his Age, Written by Himself, and Publish’d According to his Order. To which is added, the Sermon Preach’d at his Funeral. By J.H. [Joseph Hallet].  Exon: Printed by Jos. Bliss, for Richard White, Merchant, and sold by him at his House near the Elephant in Northgate-Street, as also by Hen. White, at Mr. Burridge’s, grocer, in Southgate-Street, [1714].  There were at least two other contemporary versions of Trosse’s Life.

1742 December 23 (Thursday).  Very fine Weather Still.  Several persons here.  I went down below again and took the air of the Door by stepping into the for Yard.

1742 December 24 (Friday).  Rainy Weather yet I was wondrous Comfortable and brisk.  Read and Writ almost all Day and till nine at Night — Studying a Sermon on Isa. 33.14.  Glory to God!

1742 December 25 (Saturday).  Was too well yesterday to hold it.  To Day I was dull and feeble and could not study.  Mr. J. Mead a.m. and Mr. Jenison and Mr. James Fay p.m.

1742 December 26 (Sunday).  A pleasant Day, but I felt feeble and weak; and therefore looked upon the work of the Day with Fear and Concern.  The people met at my House.  I undertook what I might with God’s Help to be able to do.  I pray’d 20 Minutes and preach’d 30, on Ps. 90.1.  At Noon lay down and refresh’d me and din’d also with Some, though deprav’d, Appetite.  P.M. attempted another Exercise and held out 50 minutes in my sermon on the Same Text.  Immediately after lay down and after a while was greatly reviv’d, and had a pleasant Eve, through the wondrous Goodness of God.  Mr. Jenison, from the North Side here in the Evening.  O might we all have due Reflections on our frail and dying State!  Lord make me know etc.!

1742 December 27 (Monday).  Sent by Mr. Tainter to Boston.  Mr. Stone here, din’d and Spent the p.m.  I was very lively a.m.  Went into the Yard — though a Cold yet a Clear Day.  P.M. and Eve not without feverishness and faintness.  But Blessed be God I am so far recruited!  O may I Spend my Strength to His Glory!

1742 December 28 (Tuesday).  Was pritty Comfortable in the Day But was feverish at Eve.  N.B. a remarkable meeting at Mr. Harwoods (upon the Borders) last night.  Great awakenings there and several Children of Mr. William Nurse and one of Mr. James Fay much wrought on.  N.B. An Indian Youth one [blank] Cole, greatly carry’d out at those Meetings.  Some of Westborough people that were present greatly question’d their regularity and Soundness, particularly Mr. Eliezer Rice. May the Spirit of Truth lead us and guide us into all Truth for his Name’s Sake!  Grant us by all Means the Blessing and preserve us from the Evil!  Old Mr. Mainard settling his Estate.  At Eve Mr. Edward Goddard here.  Thomas Winchester thrashing Rye.

1742 December 29 (Wednesday).  Thomas Winchester thrashing Rye.  I rode out a little way about my Place.  Could Study with Some Comfort.

1742 December 30 (Thursday).  Thomas clear’d up the Rye.  Brother Hicks having heard of my Sickness came to see me.  Rain p.m.  At Eve Mr. Whipple, Mr. James and Neighbour David Mainard and Mr. Abner Newton (all of them having been at the Meeting at Harwoods last Monday night) came to See me and discourse of those so uncommon Things.

1742 December 31 (Friday).  Brother Hicks return’d to Sutton.  Bright and pleasant.  Through Divine Goodness and Mercy I felt very comfortably and was Chearfull.  At Eve Captain Eager and Lieutenant Holloway here, who had not been to see me in all my sickness, and Scarcely any other North Side men, though many had rid by my Door.  However I was glad to see ‘em at last.  Receiv’d a Letter from Brother Breck dated the 27th.  He writes that all New Light is almost Extinct — and God grant that all New Light may be, intirely that the Old the true Gospel Light may Shine forth the more gloriously and victoriously!  Now I come to finish the Year, what Shame and Sorrow I had need to be fill’d with for my Ingratitude, unprofitableness and insensibility, when God has been so wondrous patient, So mercifull, So faithfull, So abundant in Goodness towards Me!  How graciously he has conducted me through all the Changes of the Year!  and in Special, let me never forget his Mercifull and Compassionate Beliefs in my Sickness, So that Neither my Rheumatism, nor my Fever prevail’d upon Me!  O that I might know the mind and will of God concerning me!  and what shall I render to him for all his Benefits towards Me!  The Lord prepare my Heart to render as I ought.  But O may my great Redeemer both wash me from my sins in his own Blood, and grant me the gracious and Sanctifying influences of his Blessed Spirit.  Without these I can neither be acceptable in his sight, nor offer any Thing to His Glory.

1743 January 1 (Saturday).  I bent my mind (as far as my present engagement in my Preparations for the Sabbath would allow) to consider the Lord’s gracious dealings with me in granting me the Beginnings of another year, and begging that all my old sins might be done away; and that I might Spend all the residue of my Time to the will of God and would Committ all the Events of this Year to Him.  For I entreat I may both putt on the New.

1743 January 2 (Sunday).  I preach’d on Ps. 116.9 at the Meeting House, Sermons of Gratitude for the Favours conferr’d in my Recovery from sickness, and granting us the New year.  I endeavour’d in some poor Manner to Engage after the Manner of David that I would walk, etc.  See a loose Paper.  Receiv’d from New Haven of November 29.  N.B. Wilson Rawson[1] here at Evening with a Message from Mr. Door.[2]

[1]Samuel Rawson of Milford, Mass. Adin Ballou, History of the Town of Milford (Boston, 1882), 983.

[2]Rev. Joseph Dorr of Mendon.

1743 January 3 (Monday).  Molly in an afflicted State by the Pains of her Stomach.  I would have gone to Mrs. Stone that has been long sick, but there rose a very raw Wind which prevented Me.

1743 January 4 (Tuesday).  The people of Grafton (where have been peculiar awakenings of late especially among the Children) have agreed to Spend most of the Days of this Week in Exercises of Religion and have Sent to some Number of Ministers, Mr. Hall, Goddard,[1] Webb of Uxbridge,[2] Bliss,[3] Haven[4] to preach to them.  To Day Mr. Hall p.m. and Mr. Goddard in the Eve.  May God grant them the Assistance and Measures of Wisdom which they need at this Time, and succeed them to his Glory!  Neighbour Rogers and Chamberlain kill’d a Hogg for me (which when lean I bought of Brother Hicks) weigh’d 188. Wet Day.

[1]Rev. David Goddard of Leicester.

[2]Rev. Nathan Webb (HC 1725), first minister at Uxbridge, 1731-1772. SHG 7:617-619.

[3]Rev. Daniel Bliss of Concord.

[4]Rev. Elias Haven of Franklin.

1743 January 5 (Wednesday).  Jejun. Priv.  The New Year.  The Late Frown of Heaven in my sickness through which I am much Weaken’d and sett  back in my Business.  The present Times among us — call’d for no less.  We Sent Ebenezer to Grafton but though I design’d he should wait upon what Exerciser [sic]he could yet he return’d without going to Meeting at all.  Mr. Hall a.m. and Mr. Bliss p.m.  Mr. Goddard at Eve. My own Mind wrought very much on my inward State and upon what God is doing among his people.  Mr. Wilson here to acquaint me with the Death of Mr. John Snells child.[1]  Very fine pleasant Weather, especially a.m.  Mr. Prentice[2] sent me a Letter of the third which I receiv’d this Evening to acquaint me with and desire my assistance in their Solemnitys.

[1]No Snells in Westborough or Shrewsbury vital records.

[2]Rev. Solomon Prentice of Grafton.

1743 January 6 (Thursday). Rainy a.m.  Clear’d up p.m.  Mr. Cushing[1] after the Funeral of Mr. Snells Child, here.  He is not Satisfy’d about the Grafton Exercises.  Mr. Bliss preach’d at Grafton a.m., Mr. Haven p.m.

[1]Rev. Job Cushing of Shrewsbury.

1743 January 7 (Friday).  Cold, yet my Wife and I ventur’d out to Mr. Daniel Stones to see his Wife in her low Condition.  This was my first going out among my Nei[gh]bours.  N.B. Mrs. Stone very low, weak and under grievous Sores which endanger’d her Life.  N.B. Mr. Tyler[1] from Mendon, there, with a Letter to me from the Society call’d Mill River in order for a Council.  Mr. Haven preach’d a.m. at Grafton (which finish’d the public Exercises).  Mr. Prentice himself preach’d at Eve at a private Meeting.  Much has been said of these Exercises — some Number being very dissatisfy’d with them.  Others much applauding and praising God for the great Grace appearing in them.

[1]Probably Capt. Nathan Tyler.

1743 January 8 (Saturday).  Mr. Jension here.

1743 January 9 (Sunday).  On Matt. 11.25.26. Isa. 33.14.  Mrs. Thurston din’d with us. O that God would deeply impress us with the solemn Things of his Word!  And that this might not go over without an abiding Effect.

1743 January 10 (Monday).  Bright Day. Mr. Bradish here and din’d with me.  At Eve Mr. Williams, Beriah Rice and James Fay — much pro and con respecting the Times.

1743 January 11 (Tuesday).  My Wife and I rode up to Mr. Snells and to Shrewsbury to a Lecture by Mr. Hall.  He preach’d on Rom. 2.4.  Many present.  N.B. Mr. Harwood in his Fitts, panting, heaving, etc.  We return’d at Evening but there was also an Evening Exercise By the Same Gentleman, Reverend Mr. Cushing being passive therein.

1743 January 12 (Wednesday).  A Letter from Messrs. Stone and Smith concerning a Monthly Lecture in their respective Towns.  A great variety of Company.  Deacon [Jonathan] Forbush in great Soul Distresses, yet disapproving of several Things in the private meetings of the enlightened.  Young Fitch[1] of Norwich here by whom I wrote to my Cousin Daniel Needham[2] and to Mr. Wight.[3]  Deacon Whipple[4] of Grafton came with his Brother of this Town and spent the Evening with me.  N.B. his account of his Conversion last February.  Yet neither can he allow of divers Things at the Private Meetings of these Times.  N.B. a Private Meeting this very Eve at Mr. James Fays.  I allow’d Ebenezer and Rebecca Hicks[5] (under Special Charge) to go.  N.B. settled and Ballanced with Daniel Forbush.

[1]One of the sons of the late James Fitch.  John G. Fitch, Genealogy of the Fitch Family (Olmsted, Ohio), 21-22.

[2]Parkman’s oldest sister, Mary, had married Daniel Needham in 1702.

[3]Rev. Jabez Wight (HC 1721), minister of Preston, Conn., 1726-1782. SHG 6:582-584.

[4]James Whipple. Pierce, Grafton, 596-598.

[5]Daughter of John Hicks.

1743 January 13 (Thursday).  A number of Children were suppos’d to be much fill’d with the Spirit and carry’d out in Spiritual Joy last Night at Mr. Fays.  An indian Girl in great Distress for her Brother — and Betty Fay[1] in Terrors.  Of which and other Things occurring at the Meeting, there are various Sentiments.  Mrs. Woods[2] of Marlborough here.  Dr. Gott and Lieutenant Woods with him here and din’d with us.  A very open, moderate season for many Days past.  Rain at Eve.

[1]Elizabeth, daughter of John Fay, Jr.

[2]Widow of Benjamin Woods.

 

1743 January 14 (Friday).  John Hicks here and lodg’d.  At Eve Deacon Fay, greatly mov’d with the present Times, made me a visit.

1743 January 15 (Saturday).  Ebenezer rode to Mr. Allens to secure some Pork I had bespoke, and he went to Marlborough upon divers Messages.  N.B. his return without an answer from Mr.

 

[The diary ends at this point. The rest of 1743 is lost.]

1744 January 1 (Sunday).  If I have heretofore taken Some Notice of the wondrous Patience and Longsuffering of God towards me in Time past, what far more increas’d Reason to now!  O that Since God is vouchsafing and protecting His rich Mercys to me, it might please Him to add This Great Mercy to all the other Grace to enable me to make a right Improvement thereof!  The Thoughts and Conversation of People Seem to be very much engross’d by the Appearing and Continuance of the Comet in the West.  I think it the largest that I have ever Seen, and that it comes Nearer and Nearer to the Earth.  I desire it may put me in Mind of the Greatness, Glory and Power, and the wisdom and So great Dominion of the infinite God whose works these are; And that I may bring to remembrance and have an abiding sense of that Day that Shall burn as an Oven, when this Earth also shall be sett on Fire and, all the wicked shall be Consumed.  Mal. 4.1.  2 Epistle of Pet. 3.7.  I preach’d on Col. 1.21.  Mr. Coolidge though in town yet not well nor at meeting.

1744 January 2 (Monday).  Mr. Garfield of Shrewsbury here.  Conversation mainly of the State of Religion in these Times.

1744 January 3 (Tuesday).  Was to have assisted Mr. Cushing in keeping a Fast at the House of one Samuel Brown in Shrewsbury, who is in a distress’d if not distracted Frame and has been so for Several Years without Relief.  But it was Such a storm of Snow that I was prevented.  Short of Wood but Nathan Maynard kindly helpfull in Splitting what was at the Door, etc.

1744 January 4 (Wednesday).  Nathan Maynard, Daniel Bellows,[1] Benjamin Whipple[2] and [blank] came and got me a present Supply of wood.  P.M. Colonel Nahum Ward[3] here.  Seems to have a Concern about Religion.  At Eve Abner Maynard[4] of Shrewsbury here and brought me a Token of respect from the Society I had lately preach’d to in that town.  20 shillings old Tenor from these Lads.

[1]Son of Eleazer Bellows.

[2]Son of Francis Whipple.

[3]Of Shrewsbury.

[4]Son of Sergeant Simon Maynard, one of the founders of the Shrewsbury church.

1744 January 5 (Thursday).  Preach’d at the private Meeting at Deacon Forbush’s on Matt. 11.26.  N.B. Lieutenant Tainter sick.  N.B. after Meeting relating the Story of Mercy Wheeler[1] of Plainfield her wonderful Recovery, Mrs. Whitney Scarcely Contains.  [?]  N.B. My wife went with me and we were at old Mr. Rice’s in the Evening.

[1]See Benjamin Lord, God Glorified in His Works, of Providence and Grace.  A Remarkable Instance of it, in the Various and Signal Deliverances, that Evidently Appears to be Wrought for Mrs. Mercy Wheeler, in Plainfield (Boston, 1743).  See also Thomas S. Kidd, “The Healing of Mercy Wheeler: Illness and Miracles among Early American Evangelicals,” William and Mary Quarterly 3d ser. 63:1 (Jan. 2006), 149-70.  Kidd quotes Parkman, p. 149.

1744 January 6 (Friday).  I have been acquainting myself somewhat with that Excellent Man’s Life and writings Mr. Robert Bolton.[1]  May God Bless them to my highest Good!

[1]The Works of the Reverend…Robert Bolton…as They were Finished by Himselfe in his Life time.  The Life and Death of the Author, by E. B[aghaw].

1744 January 7 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1744 January 8 (Sunday).  Col. 1.21, a. and p.m.  Mr. Coollidge[1] here.

[1]Samuel Coolidge, sometime schoolmaster and preacher.