Category: Diary

1744 March 19 (Monday).  Mr. Brown left us.  But Mr. Stone[1] of Southborough came — din’d and Spent the p.m. with us.  Which was singularly acceptable to me, as I was very dull and had got over my last Weeks Worry.

[1]Rev. Nathan Stone.

1744 March 20 (Tuesday).  My Wife and I rode to Grafton Fast.  Mr. Prentice pray’d and Mr. Haven[1] preach’d on Hosea 11.4.  I drew therewith the Bands of Love.  We went and refresh’d at Mr. Prentice’s — and there were also Mr. Halls and Mr. Havens wives.  N.B. Mr. Goddard[2] a.m. but went to Leicester p.m.  At Eve Mr. Prentice sollicited me to Stay and assist them in their Church Meeting which was to be upon their sad Differences and Divisions among them — but I utterly declin’d — however the Church sent a Committee to me, Deacon Whipple,[3] Deacon Miriam and Lieutenant Drury[4] to desire me, with the other ministers to go into Meeting.  I comply’d for a few minutes — but could not tarry, my wife being in the cold, and a Young Child at home, the ways dirty and like to be Dark.  I took leave and we rode to Winchesters and thence home.

[1]Rev. Elias Haven of Franklin.

[2]Rev. David Goddard of Leicester.

[3]James Whipple of Grafton.

[4]Thomas Drury of Grafton.

1744 March 21 (Wednesday).  Sent my Horse by Captain Maynard to Boston for Thomme.  Sent by him also to Mrs. Catherine Foster, Clothier.  Captain Forbush here, and told me that Considering the Town had not granted sufficiency for my Support he would send me a Bushel of English Grain, Wheat and Rye.

1744 March 22 (Thursday).  Snow Storm.  We were anxious about Thomme on his Journey.

1744 March 23 (Friday).  Thomme under the kind Care of Captain Maynard by the Favour of God came home Safe, they having lodg’d last night at Baldwins at Sudbury.

1744 March 24 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1744 March 25 (Sunday).  On Mat. 12.17 to 21.  Mr. Coollidge, Mrs. Grow, and Thomas Winchester din’d.

1744 March 26 (Monday).  Capt. Fay here.  Mr. Mede.  P.M. Jonas Child.

1744 March 27 (Tuesday).  The Catechetical Exercises to young Women.  I made use of my sermon on Exod. 33.18.  It being rainy I had but about 16 Hearers.  At Evening Came James Bradish and with him Paul Newton, Elijah Warrin, and Jonas Brigham.

1744 March 28 (Wednesday).  My Wife and I rode to Marlborough.  P.M. visited old Mrs. Beeman under her Cancer.  Visited Colonel Williams[1] but the Colonel not a[t] home.  We were also at Mr. Smiths[2] but were obliged to lodge at Dr. Gotts.

[1]Abraham Williams, Parkman’s brother-in-law.

[2]Rev. Aaron Smith.

1744 March 29 (Thursday).  A.M. at Mr. Tainters to hasten his making up the Cloths he had in Hand for Me and for Ebenezer, viz. Leather Breeches for Each of us and a Coat of light grey Broad Cloth for him.  We din’d at Mr. Smiths and p.m. rode to Southborough and made a visit to Mr. Stones.  At night return’d through God’s Mercy in safety.

1744 March 30 (Friday).  A great Storm of Rain in the Morning.  Mr. John Mathis of Southborough dropt down dead in the highway.  An Awful Warning.

1744 March 31 (Saturday).  Mr. Ebenzer Wheeler of Grafton here.  Treated him with kindness.  Discover’d to him what Testimony I was able to give Concerning him and how it was Strengthen’d by Three others — but I did not perceive that he was inclin’d to make acknowledgement to the Church except he was forc’d to it, yet left me in a friendly manner.

1744 April 1 (Sunday).  On Mat. 12.22, a.m.  On Matt. 3.10.  Repeated with some Additions on occasion of the Death of Mr. John Mathis of Southorough in so sudden and awful a Manner.

1744 April 2 (Monday).  Rode through Southborough to Cambridge.  Call’d at the house of the late Mr. Mathis to Sympathize with the Widow and Children, and to obtain a particular and distinct account of the Deceas’d and the manner of his leaving the World.  Was also at Mr. Stones and din’d there, where was also the Coroner, viz. Lieutenant Hezekiah Ward.  From Horns had Colonel Nathum Wards Company down.  We call’d to pay our Regards to the good and aged Mr. Swift.  Rainy before I got to Father Champneys, where I lodg’d.

1744 April 3 (Tuesday).  To Boston.  My Kinsman confin’d for Months past.  I think ever since the 22d of last October and not able to go out of his Chamber yet.  My aged Mother there with him to be Company for him.  Pito carry’d back my Horse to Cambridge.  N.B. Cousen Proctor[1] and Bradshaw[2] from Stoughton happen’d to be now at Boston.  At Lecture this Evening at the New North.  Mr. Prince preach’d on Cant. 5.16.  A very excellent usefull moving sermon.  I beg of God  I may not loose the Savour of it.  After Sermon I was at Mr. Eliots,[3] where was my Brother Peabody[4] of Natick.  Lodg’d as usual at my Kinsmans.

[1]Parkman’s niece, Hannah, married Samuel Proctor.

[2]Sarah, sister of Hannah Proctor, married John Bradshaw.

[3]Rev. Andrew Eliot, minister of the New North Church, Boston.

[4]Rev. Oliver Peabody.

1744 April 4 (Wednesday).  Rain.  Din’d at Brother Samuels — sister not in Health.  P.M. at Mr. John Brecks.  In the Evening at Mr. Simeon Skilling’s Carver.  Endeavouring to obtain a good place to bind my son Thomme out a’Prentice.

1744 April 5 (Thursday).  Mr. Checkly[1] preach’d the Publick Lecture (instead of Dr. Chauncy) on Tit. 3.8.  Din’d at Brother Samuels again with Mr. Eliot.  P.M. a Young Man[2] Sat on the Gallows for attempting to Murther his Master.  The world has also rung with Tom Bell’s[3] conduct in Charlestown Jayl.  N.B. p.m. Discours’d with Mr. Joshua Emms about his taking my son Thomme.  John White from Brother Parkmans went for my Horse to Cambridge.  At Eve I return’d there.  N.B. Brother and sister Hicks there.

[1]Rev. Samuel Checkley.

[2]Parkman must have referred to the following incident reported in The Boston Gazette, or Weekly Journal, March 27, 1744.  “Early on Wednesday Morning last, one John Martin, Journeyman to Mr. Perkins, Chairmaker, hanged himself in the Chamber over the Shop, with a Piece of rotten Line that neither had Knot or Noose at either End, and he was found with one Foot on the Ground, and the other Knee on a Block.  The Jury of Inquest having declared him a Felo de se, his Corps was carried in a Cart and buried near the Gallows.” .

[3]The following appeared in The Boston Evening-Post, March 19, 1744.  “The famous Tom Bell, upon an Indictment of the Grand Jury for the County of Middlesex, was last Thursday convicted of Theft, and on Saturday had the following Sentence passed upon him, viz. That he next Wednesday, between the Hours of Two and Three in the Afternoon, be whip’d at the publick Market at Charlestown, Twenty Stripes upon his naked Back; that he pay 75 Pounds Lawfull Money, being Trebel Damage, and cost of Prosecution, and stand committed till Sentence be performed; and that in Case he complies not with the Sentence, that he be sold for Three Years.”  See SHG 9:375-86.

1744 April 6 (Friday).  Had Some serious Discourse with Brother Champney concerning their Domestic Contests.  Return’d to Westborough.  D.G.  No Thomas Winchester yet.  Little Sarah from Lameness in her left Arm, which we can’t well account for.

1744 April 7 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1744 April 8 (Sunday).  On Matt. 12.27.  P.M. on Ps. 65.2 preparatory to the Fast in the Ensuing Weeks.

1744 April 9 (Monday).  Mr. Dunlop was So kind as to come and give me a Days Work.  Thomas Winchester came again for another six Months (by Gods Leave) but insist’d for £40 old Tenor for it.  P.M. my wife and I rode to the Burial of Silas Fays dead born Infant.  N.B. at the Grave some Such Questions were ask’d me by Mr. Fay by which I came to understand that his Brother Timothy held the odd opinion that an unborn Child had not a rational immortal soul and that he had been thus minded several Year.  At Eve Brother Hicks and his wife here from Cambridge.

1744 April 10 (Tuesday).  Thomas (who mended Fence Stone wall etc. yesterday) ploughing Hills.

1744 April 11 (Wednesday).  Thomas Sowing Rie in the lower Field.

1744 April 12 (Thursday).  Publick Fast.  On Isa. 66.2.  P.M. much Spent by that Time I began my afternoon sermon which was a carrying on the Same subject, but I improv’d part of my sermon on Zech. 12.10, viz. from page 43 and on.  After Exercises Thankful Rice’s[1] Confession read and she was restor’d.  Committee from the Young Mens society acquainted me that they had receiv’d satisfaction and made up their Difference concerning which they were with me some Evenings since.  The Committee also touching Mr. Cornelius Cooks[2] affair were with me at my Desire, because Mr. Cook Seem’d not to conform (a[s] I judg’d) to what the Committee had brought me from him, as his Confession.  Alas! how dull and dry, how weak and worthless in the service of God and how unable to lead the people of God or profit them on such Days as this!

[1]Wife of Josiah Rice.  The Westborough church records reveal that Mrs. Rice “offer’d an humble and voluntary Confession of her sin of Drinking to Excess.”

[2]The Westborough blacksmith got into various troubles.  At this time he was charged with “profane swearing.”

1744 April 13 (Friday).  A.M. Thomas broke up the Grass Ground in the lower Orchard South side.  I was at Deacon Newtons and Captain Bakers.  P.M. Rain — ploughing and all work abroad thrown up.  At Eve Captain Maynard.  Also Cornelius Cook and James Bradish were here upon Mr. Cooks Confession.

1744 April 14 (Saturday).  Fine pleasant Day.  Thomas ploughing up Stubble of the South side.  Mr. Hezekiah Hows Oxen yesterday and to Day.  Ebenezer to Marlborough.  P.M. I rode over to Upton and Mr. Weld came here.  I lodg’d at Captain Hazzletines.[1]

[1]John Hazeltine was a prominent citizen of Upton.

1744 April 15 (Sunday).  Captain Hazzeltine was in doubt what would become of me at Noon, but Mr. Fisk who liv’d nigher the Meeting House was so good as to ask me to Dinner as did also Captain Sadler[1] who was Still more conveniently Situated.  Preach’d on Luke 19.10.  Din’d at Captain Sadlers.  Captain Tyler[2] and his Wife of Still River there also.  Some Number Seem’d to be greatly affected, especially one Mr. Peas[3] could not wholly contain himself.  After Meeting I refresh’d at Captain Sadlers.  Ensign Woods[4] greatly insisted upon my going to his House to See his Lad who had fallen from a Damm and grievously hurt his Jaw Bone.  I went.  Captain Hazzelton, Captain Sadler, Lieutenant Taft there also.  Then return’d Evening.  I came Home though it was very Late.

[1]John Sadler of Upton.

[2]Edward Tyler of Harvard, Mass.

[3]Josiah Pease.

[4]Jonathan Wood.

1744 April 16 (Monday).  A.M. Mr. Weld preach’d to great good Acceptance of those of our people who went to hear him, and especially commended each his last Prayers, but Mr. James Fay and his Brother Stephen hearing he was to preach went to Grafton.  I ask’d Mr. Weld whether he would drop his Action against Mr. Ebenezer Wheeler and his Wife if they made an humble Submission?  Or, why he would go on to prosecute them if they would?  He reply’d he did not know what he might do in that matter if they Should, but no one person had been to him in such a way as yet.  Neither had he any Reason to expect they would, for they had rather done all within their power to Stand by what had been done.  Ex. gr. her taking her oath before Justice Taft, etc.  He set out for Worcester.  P.M. at Mr. E. Nurse’s.  At Eve Captain Mainard and Mr. Abner Newton here.  Rainy Evening.

1744 April 17 (Tuesday).  Thomme who had left me last night to go down to Boston in Company with Jonathan Rogers, went not away till the morning.  I wrote by him to Mr. Joshua Emms of Boston, Goldsmith, with whom he was going to live.  I had Mr. Williams’s Mare to ride over to the Association at Lancaster.  Mr. Loring absent by reason of the late Death of his oldest son, Dr. John Loring[1] Physician at Boston.  Mr. Gardner[2] read his Concio on Matt. 13.27 and part of 28.  Heard to Day the sorrowful News of the Burning of Mr. Emmersons[3] House at Nessitissett[4] lately.

[1](HC 1729).  SHG 8:598-99.

[2]Rev. John Gardner of Stow.

[3]Rev. Daniel Emerson (HC 1739), first minister of Hollis, N.H., 1743-1793.  SHG 10:359-64.  See The Boston Gazette, or, Weekly Journal, April 24, 1744.

[4]Nissitisset was the West Parish of Dunstable, Mass., later incorporated in 1746 as Hollis, N.H.

1744 April 18 (Wednesday).  Mr. Barrett[1] not being present I preach’d the public Lecture.  Text Luke 16.23.  N.B. The first Time I preach’d in the New Meeting House.  P.M. I got an Horse of Mr. Prentice,[2] and (Mr. Bowers[3] of Middletown in Connecticut and Mr. Whitcomb[4] of Lancaster part of the way in Company) I rode to Luningburgh and to Townshend, lodg’d at Lieutenant Taylors,[5] but alas! the house in Tears for my kind Landlady, Mrs. Taylor, who lately deceas’d.  N.B. Several Houses in Townsend fortify’d against the Indians.

[1]Rev. Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.

[2]Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster

[3]Rev. Benjamin Bowers (HC 1733), minister of Haddam, Conn., 1740-1761.  SHG 9:278-79.

[4] Deacon David Whitcomb.

[5]Daniel Taylor.  See Ithamar B. Sawtelle, History of the Town of Townsend (Fitchburg, 1878), 154.

1744 April 20 (Friday).  I return’d to Westborough as early as I could.  Call’d to See the North Inhabitants on the Hill, but made what haste I could because of the Lecture I was to preach to Day.  Preach’d from Ps. 24.3.  N.B. After Lecture Brother James and Stephen Fay, being dissatisfy’d with my changing with Mr. Weld, were here to discourse with me about it.  To whom I have the Reasons of my Conduct in that Matter

1744 April 21 (Saturday).  [No entry.]

1744 April 22 (Sunday).  I administered the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.  The Fays were present.  Preach’d on 1 Cor. 11.26, and Ps. 24.4.

1744 April 23 (Monday).  I receiv’d a note from Mr. Prentice of Grafton acquainting me that they had appoint’d a Church meeting to be on next Friday, praying that if I knew of any Evidences in the Affair of Mr. Wheeler I would help them to them.