Category: Diary

1744 October 16 (Tuesday).  Din’d at Brother Parkman’s.  Our Conversations turn very much upon the Melancholly and afflicted Circumstances of my poor, Miserable Kinsman.  But as to the Affair of Westborough Petitioners, there is little room for me to Say any Thing because our People are grown so jealous that there is my Design in being at Boston so much at this Time, viz. that I may undermine them[1] etc. — whereas this journey was appointed on Occasion of the Ministers Meeting at Mr. Cooks.  At Eve was at Mr. Eliots Lecture on Jam. 5.16, latter part.  N.B. Mr. Buel,[2] Mr. Pomeroy,[3] and Mr. Parsons,[4] of Connecticut at meeting.  I was at Mr. Eliots after Lecture.  N.B. Mr. Whitefield expected at Portsmouth, Piscataqua.  We lodg’d at my aged Mothers.

[1]The north precinct of Westborough was created by the legislature, Oct. 20, 1744.  Distance from the meeting house was one of the important factors  motivating the northside people.  See Josiah C. Kent, Northborough History (Newton, 1921), 14.

[2]Rev. Samuel Buell (YC 1741), an itinerant preacher and later minister at East Hampton, Long Island, 1746-1798.  Dexter, 664-669.

[3]Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy of Hebron, Conn.

[4]Rev. Jonathan Parsons (YC 1729), minister at Old Lyme, Conn., 1729-1745, and later at Newburyport, 1746-1776.  Dexter,389-393.

1744 October 17 (Wednesday).  Din’d at Alexanders.  Refus’d to apply to any Gentlemen of the Court about our Westborough Affair.  Saw divers of the Committees on both Sides.  Lieutenant Holloway very hot.  We rode to Cambridge.  Our Mare in the Chaise got away from Sister Barretts and ran over to Father Champneys.  Broke one of the Thills and clear’d herself of her Tackling.  But I found her again, and Deacon Whittemore[1] Sent over my wife and son in his Chaise to prevent further trouble.

[1]Samuel Whittemore.

1744 October 18 (Thursday).  Rainy.  John and Samuel Hicks helpfull to get over my broken Chaise to Mr. Edward Mannings to be mended.  Din’d at Mr. Whittemore.  P.M. Mr. Manning and Mr. Moss (the Smith) prepar’d and fitted every Thing for the mended Shaft to be put on again.  And in the Eve I visited Mr. Goff, Mr. Appleton[1] and Dr. Wigglesworth,[2] and supp’d with the Doctor before I return’d to Father Champneys.

[1]Rev. Nathaniel Appleton of Cambridge.

[2]Edward Wigglesworth, Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard College.

1744 October 19 (Friday).  So rainy that we were confin’d at Father Champneys all Day.

1744 October 20 (Saturday).  Though the weather was thick and Sometimes Misty, yet being Saturday we Set out upon our Journey.  Were at Baldwins by Twelve, at Hows before 2 p.m.  Din’d at Mr. Darlings, and got home by Day Light, in Safety.  The praise to God, who has protected both us and our Family in our Absence.

1744 October 21 (Sunday).  I preach’d on Heb. 10.22, being mainly from what I had deliver’d in Time past though with much alteration and addition.  Eli Forbush[1] and Mrs. Thankfull Maynard[2] here before meeting with their Relations.  P.M. they were admitted before the Communion.  Preach’d p.m. on Mat. 16.26.  I beg it mayn’t be without Effect!

[1]Eli Forbes.  SHG 13.

[2]Mrs. Stephen Maynard.

1744 October 22 (Monday).  Had the Chaise to mend at Mr. Williams Shop before it was carry’d home.  Ebenezer went up with it to Grafton.  N.B. Captain Baker at Mr. Williams Shop.  Hear that the Petition of the North side was last week granted by the General Court.  N.B. Captain Baker and I a great Deal of Talk of the Manner of my first Settlement in Westborough.  Thomas Winchester work’d for Mr. Samuel Fay, junior.  I visited Captain Forbush who is very weak yet.

1744 October 23 (Tuesday).  At Mr. Beemans in the Morning.  Catechiz’d a. and p.m.  N.B. Mrs. Kelley present at the Catechizing.  N.B. Mr. Cornelius Cook here and as violent as ever.  Thomas Winchester carting out Dung from the Cow Yard.

1744 October 24 (Wednesday).  Thomas Winchester carting Dung and clear’d up Rye.  I preach’d at Southborough on John 1.11.  Few at Meeting.  When I return’d home Thomas was gone, and now changes his Home.

1744 October 25 (Thursday).  Mr. Smith having desir’d me to preach for him, but not hearing any Thing from him Since he went to Cape Ann, I rode as far as Mr. Matthias Rice’s with whom I had some Business, that I might be more certain — but could not find from them or from there Nei[gh]bours that any Lecture was appointed — so that I return’d home.

1744 October 26 (Friday).  I preach’d at Mr. James Fays on Eph. 1.4, and hope that through the Grace of God there was Some good Effect.  Wish it may have Suitable Impression upon my own Heart.  A number of hearers immediately requested me to print the Sermon.  N.B Captain John Tainter of Watertown there, with his Wife.

1744 October 27 (Saturday).  Many Reflections on God’s wonderful Patience towards me and his people in this Place.

1744 October 28 (Sunday).  The Lord’s name be prais’d and magnify’d for his adorable Patience and Longsuffering towards Me and towards the Dear Flock in this place, that now we see the 20th Year Completed since our Founding and Ordination.  Alas!  My Barrenness and unprofitableness!  How little good have I done in all these years, and how many Things are amiss also among the people!  O that God would Pardon us through the Greatness of his Mercy!  And Grant us his almighty Grace, to enable us to Repeat, and bring forth the Fruits meet for Repentence.  I preach’d a.m. on Gen. 31.38 and p.m. on 2 Cor. 13.9, Repeating part of Sermon on Heb. 13.20.21.[1]  Captain John Tainter and his wife, with Lieutenants Wife also din’d with us.  O that God would make it the Day of his power with us!

[1]This sermon has been preserved and is printed in large part in DeForest and Bates, Westborough, 126-129.  It is regrettable that Parkman did not take this opportunity to give an historical summary of the previous period.

1744 October 29 (Monday).  Mr. Weld of Upton here.  He Still thinks himself under grievous Oppression.  Want another Copy of our late Result, which I transcrib’d for him and let him have Copys of Several papers.  He din’d here, and p.m. being somewhat rainy he lodg’d here also.  In the Eve Captain Maynard here, and John Oake in order to owning the Covenant.  A.M. visited Mr. Jonathan Forbush’s Sick Child.

1744 October 30 (Tuesday).  A.M. Mr. Weld left us.  P.M. came Mr. Peabody,[1] accompany’d by Deacon Felch[2] and Chickery, on their Journey to Worcester Council.  O what Cause of Grief and Mourning that God has permitted So many unhappy Divisions and Contentions to arise among us!  May God Sanctifie these Evils and hasten them to an End!  New Perplexitys also arise respecting the Affairs of Upton.  The Moderator at the Request of Sundry of the Upton Brethren has issued out Letters for the Council to meet the first Tuesday of November, but it falls out to be the week of West-Leicester Ordination at which Mr. Hall, Prentice and Goddard[3] are to officiate.  So that it was concluded by the people at Upton that there must be another appointment which the Moderator refuses to make, but abides by his old Appointment, and requests me to Certifie Mr. Weld that he does; nor can attend at any other Time, unless it be adjourn’d to Spring.  My Catechetical Exercise with young women could not be attended till it was too late for the Sermon, but the other parts of it were accomplished.

[1]Rev. Oliver Peabody of Natick.

[2]Ebenezer Felch of Natick.

[3]Rev. David Goddard of Leicester.

1744 October 31 (Wednesday).  I went to Mr. Whipples[1] and Deacon Newtons[2] upon the Upton Business.  Wrote to Reverend Mr. Weld and to Ensign Jonathan Wood.[3]  N.B. Serjeant Miller undertook to Convey the Letters to Mr. Jonas Warrins[4] of Upton.  Raw Cold season.  Snow’d some part of the Day.  Daniel How[5] work’d for me, Ploughing up Stubble of the lower Field.

[1]Francis Whipple of Westborough.

[2]Josiah Newton.

[3]A selectman of Upton.

[4]Jonas Warren was a deacon of the Upton church.

[5]Son of Parkman’s neighbor, Hezekiah How.

1744 November 1 (Thursday).  Mr. John Sparhawk,[1] Schoolmaster at Shrewsbury, here to see me.  Lieutenant Tainter at Evening.

[1](HC 1723).  Sparhawk, who had been barred from the practice of law at Plymouth because of intemperance, kept school at Shrewsbury for a time.  SHG 7:258-59.

1744 November 2 (Friday).  Mrs. Martha Warrin here to be examin’d again in order to her joining with the Church.  At Evening came Captain Trowbridge[1] and Mr. Isaac Williams[2] (Delegates from Newtown Church), came from Worcester Council, who have adjourn’d to last Tuesday of this Month.  Captain Trowbridge lodged here, Mr. Williams at his Brothers.

[1]William Trowbridge was a selectman, slave owner, and deacon.  He died later this month, Nov. 19, 1744.  Francis B. Trowbridge, The Trowbridge Genealogy (New Haven, 1908), 507-08.

[2]Sometime selectman of Newton.  Francis Jackson, History of the Early Settlement of Newton (Boston, 1854),441-442.

1744 November 3 (Saturday).  Captain Trowbridge left us.  Benjamin Forbush[1] plough’d Stubble.  Mr. Jonathan Forbush’s Daughter[2] of about 3 Years old, bury’d a.m.  I return’d in Haste to my House to meet with Mr. Peabody who was coming from Worcester.  He was entering my House with his Delegates at the juncture that I return’d.  They din’d with me.  Mr. Peabody tells me he has receiv’d another Letter from the Brethren at Upton that beseeches him to put by the Council, and he has accordingly gratify’d them.  I sent by Mr. Peabody a Line to Mr. Stone to change tomorrow, which he comply’d with and came up at Evening.  I also rode to his House the Same Evening.

[1]Son of Aaron Forbush of Westborough.

[2]Joanna Forbush died Nov. 1, 1744.

1744 November 4 (Sunday).  Preach’d at Southborough on Rom. 8.7, a. and p.m.  N.B. No preacher at Framingham — many of them at Southborough.  Captain Goddard and Wife etc.  I return’d home at Eve, as did Mr. Stone.

1744 November 6 (Tuesday).  Transcrib’d the Worcester Result and rode with Mr. Cotton to Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlains where we din’d.  I spent the Afternoon in visiting that Corner of the Town.

1744 November 7 (Wednesday).  We ty’d up our Cattle in the Barn.  Grows Cold.

1744 November 8 (Thursday).  Mr. Belknap who has been baptiz’d, here with me for 5 Hours.

1744 November 9 (Friday).  N.B. My Young Cattle, viz. Three young Heiffers, which Lieutenant Tainter drove up to Cold Spring for summering, in the forepart of the Year, were all missing when the Drovers came in.  But Lieutenant undertook a Journey after them on the sixth instant, and this Evening brought in Two of them, the Third as tis judg’d dy’d in the Woods Some time agoe; the Carcase was found but was greatly corrupted etc.  Lieutenant has been out 27 Shilling, and there remained 10 shilling for the Herdsman; in all the Charge amounted to 37 shilling.  N.B. Thomas Winchester and Ebenezer Maynard kill’d two Shotes for me — the Weight about 100 apiece — the Markit so low we salted them up.

1744 November 10 (Saturday).  Cold.

1744 November 11 (Sunday).  On Mat. 16.26.  O that these Sermons might not be in Vain!  My own Soul (I thank God) was somewhat warm’d thereby.  I was earnestly desirous that there might be Some success.  Mrs. Chamberlain, that lately liv’d near us, was here and din’d with us.  P.M. We had a Contribution for Mr. Jedidiah Biglo of Grafton whose House was burnt down October 9.  I read the proclamation for the Thanksgiving, and appointed an Assembly next Thursday for Young People.

1744 November 12 (Monday).  Mr. Lull was here and inform’d me that Mr. Farrar of Concord would be here to Day.  I rode to Mr. Beemans and hir’d £30 of him (old Tenor).  Mr. Farrar accordingly came and I paid him the whole of my Bond to him and took it up.  Captain Maynard train’d his Company.  I pray’d with them both at the Beginning and Concluding their Exercises.  Din’d at his House (Mr. Farrar with me).  N.B. At Eve Mr. Wheeler very full of bitter Complaints that the Captain kept his Boys So late (and it was by this Time sundown), as also that they were abus’d etc.  N.B. The Committee for the School, viz. Lieutenant Holloway, and Messrs. James Bowman and Seth Rice confer with me about Mr. Sharhawk for a Schoolmaster.  N.B. Lieutenant Holloway and Mr. Livermore[1] request me to preach to the North Side Next Thursday forenoon.  My Mind was engag’d upon a Variety of Things, and suffer’d their Urgency to overcome Me, though I presently after regretted it.

[1]Jonathan Livermore.

1744 November 13 (Tuesday).  Rose before Day a great while and Sent Thomme by break of Day with a [blotted] to Lieutenant Holloway and Mr. Livermore to prevent their Notifying the People and to Certifie them that I cannot preach, as propos’d last Night.  N.B. Mrs. Chamberlin and her Twin Boys lodg’d here last Night.

1744 November 14 (Wednesday).  Mr. Richard Barns[1] and Mr. Jonathan Rogers kill’d my old Red Cow which I formerly bought of old Mr. Holloway.  P.M. Captain Tyler[2] of Mendon and his wife here.

[1]One of Parkman’s neighbors.

[2]Nathan Tyler, a prominent citizen.

1744 November 15 (Thursday).  I had a Lecture to Young People at the Request of the Society in the Middle of the Town.  I preach’d on Prov. 14.14, Repeating chiefly my Sermon of Heb. 10.38.  At Evening Deacon Forbush[1] and his wife here, and some others, Miller, Beriah Rice, Harrington, who had been over to the first Precinct Meeting on the north side here.

[1]Jonathan Forbush.

1744 November 16 (Friday).  Mrs. Thankfull Rice[1] here.  P.M. Mrs. Townsend (Joshua’s wife) here, much concern’d about her Spiritual State etc.  Towards Eve came Deacon Burnap[2] and one of his Sons — of whom I enquir’d concerning their great Divisions and Contentions in Hopkinton.

[1]Mrs. Josiah Rice.

[2]Benjamin Burnap, Sr., Manual of the First Congregational Church in Hopkinton(Boston, 1881), 42.

1744 November 18 (Sunday).  On Matt. 12.40.  Isa. 26.20.21, Repeat’d.  Mrs. Grow[1] and Thomas Winchester din’d here.

[1]Mrs. Samuel Grow of Westborough.

1744 November 19 (Monday).  Visited Mr. Benjamin Fays wife who is very ill in her lying in.  N.B. Mr. Joseph Woods here with a message from Gideon Rice who lyes in Boston Jayl.

1744 November 20 (Tuesday).  [No entry.]

1744 November 21 (Wednesday).  [No entry.]