USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 83
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Oct. 6. I visited widw Parker, she having heard from her son Moses in ye Army, whereby is certified to us ye death of Lieut. Barron, Jacob Parker and James Emery of this Town.
1756. Feb. 12. Monsieur Landry, two sons, a daughter & a son's wife visited and dined with me. Part of the family I visited yesterday. There are fifteen in all. [An Acadian family]. * * *
14. Paul Landry dined with us.
March 18. My negro servant Venus died of throat distemper, [of which there was a good deal in town]. A great loss. Considering it as a loss of estate, [she was his slave] it hath little or no weight in my mind. But as a death in my family, one that has lived so many years with me & bin so much trouble, tho one that hath gone thro a great deal of hard service, one that hath provoked me & my wife a multitude of times to rash & unjustifiable expressions & hard treatment of her; so wicked & sinful, whose soul is as precious as any. Upon these considerations I consider the loss great.
[His daughter Katherine died on the 23d, and his daughter Betty on the 31st of March.]
Rode to ye fishing place at Wamassick & was diverted in seeing the fishermen catch fish, & the men were very civil & liberal to me.
May 1. Saw a number of our Soldiers returned from Nova Scotia.
9. Preached to Capt. Butterfield's soldiers going against Crown Point. [He mentions Eben Foster, a good, kind neighbor and friend.]
July 1. [Rev. Mr. Clark of Lexington, Madam Hancock and others dined with him.]
-- [He met Shad. Ireland & another violent Newlight * found em grossly ignorant & enthusiastick.]
- [His sister Symmes died, leaving 12 children. Her age was 43, and she had had 17 children.]
- Baptized negro child belonging to Joseph Moors.
1757. July 12. Col. Stoddard asked me if I would let him know whether I was furnished with arms & ammunition according to law. I said no. he went away affronted. [Clergymen were required to be thus equipped, ac- cording to law.]
18. Rode to Tyng's pond a fishing. There was agreeable company there.
Aug. 16. A great commotion in sending off men to our forts to ye Westward.
17. Prayed with Troops from Newbury, Rowley, &c.
18. Went to Lieut. Proctor's & prayed with our troops going off toward ye forts or Albany &c.
26. My brother John Bridge arrived here in his way from Lake George, he being one that was taken by the French and stripped by the Indians, when Fort Wm. Henry was taken from us.
- - The meeting of ministers to approbate Hyde seems to come to nought.
[Widow Sarah Swallow, widow of Oliver Adams, Mrs. Blaisdell, Henry Spaulding's wife and Thomas Spaulding and wife were of "Hyde's hearers." also Rachel Rangley, Lucy Burge, Mary Stedman & Lucy Goold.]
[He mentions the death of the son of Zach. Emery at Fort Edward, 1755.]
1758. March 8. Spent evening at Parker's per invitation of Capt. Parker, whose Co. mett this afternoon to appoint Bayonet men according to the new laws.
13. Discoursed and prayed with Benj. Byam & others going abroad into ye warr having listed under Rogers as Rangers.
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May 2. Capt. Parker listing or pressing men for Canada Expedition.
4. Col. Tyng mustering ye men who listed & were impressed yesterday in his regiment.
23. Prayed with Capt. Butterfield's Co. wch marched this day for ye Lake.
July 4. This day received agreeable news from the forces at Cape Breton.
5. Further good news, viz. ye taking of sundry vessels &c.
23. Bad news from ye Lake relating to ye war.
31. Discoursed at night with Jno. Spaulding, Jr. about his turning to ye antipedo baptists & his being about to be rebaptized, but I fear to little or no purpose.
Aug. 17. This day heard the news of the reduction of Louisburgh.
Welcome news. Blessed be the Lord, whose is the glory & Victory.
Sept. 14. Day of prayer & thanksgiving on acct. of ye affairs of war & the reduction of Louisburgh.
Josiah Foster hath lately been in captivity with ye Indians & French. His wife & 2 children taken with him lived awhile among ye Indians and at Mont Real & Quebec, and was sent to England (and his wife died on ye pas- sage there), and this last Spring was returned to his native land. He gave an entertaining account of his being taken & what passed all along; particu- larly told me he saw my cousin Longloisoroi (maiden name, Esther Bridge) who lives at Mont Real, who desired him to acquaint me of her, if he should return.
Oct. 31. Zeb. Keyes just returned from ye war, but dangerously sick. [Died.]
Jonas Spaulding (son of Lieut.) died in the war.
Jer. Butterfield lately returned from Cape Breton, and sick.
Saml. Marshall lately returned from ye war.
Dec. 28. Disturbed by the conduct of my miller, by which the flood has torn my dams much.
1759. March 29. Died my wife's sister, Mary Stoddard.
April 6. Muster of militia to raise en . against Canada.
15. Preached from I Kings 20.11 on occasion of Soldiers going off to ye war under command of Capt. Moses Parker.
16. Dined with Capt. Moses Parker at Parker's [tavern] & prayed with his company.
May 4. Visited Col. Stoddard with my wife after a long absence . . . begging for grace that I may forgive with a truly Xtian frame of mind.
June 5. P. M. attended ye raising of a dwelling house of Ben. Warrens. 13. Church meeting. Case of those who separated and attended the meeting of Samll. Hyde at the South End. . . . They desired a reconciliation. Gershom Proctor, Jno. Kidder & wife, Thos. Spaulding & wife, Job Spaulding & wife, Jno. Barrett & wife, Jonas Robbins, the wife of Josiah Cory & ye wife of Zach. Shed. They have been out since 1754. They were restored all except Thos. Spaulding, whose case was continued.
July 5. Attended ye raising of Capt. Ephraim Spaulding's house.
Sept. 2. Mr. Thomas Rice, schoolmaster, preached.
Sent my son Ebenezer to Rev. Mr. Swift's at Acton to live there & be instructed in Latin & Greek in order for College. [Later, sent him 2 Joannes = £36 old tenor in pay.] Ebenezer passed the examinations at Harvard the next July.
Oct. 13. Heard of the taking of Quebec. Col. Stoddard's house illuminated.
25. Thanksgiving day on acct. of the Reduction of Quebec. My brother John from Boston this p. m. who fired us } doz. Sky Rockets.
28. Jno. Barrat's house burned in service time.
- Much troubled on account of domestic affairs.
Dec. 10. Oliver Barron home from Crown Point.
[Lieut. Wm. Barron, lately come from Quebec, brought to Mr. Bridge a small silver cup taken there.]
1760. March. 20. News of a terrible fire in Boston.
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HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Visited - and - whose wives are at awful variance with each other. Got em together; discoursed with em, and at length they asked (mutually) forgiveness and professed to forgive one another.
April 13. Contribution for fire-sufferers in Boston: £137.6.0, old tenor. Aug. -. Lieut. Jona. Spalding & Ensign Jonathan Harwood both be- reaved of a son at Crown Point.
Dec. 31. Heard of the death of George II; & accession of George III proclaimed at Boston yesterday. A sermon & procession tomorrow. [George II. died on Oct. 25.]
1761. March 12. A very considerable shock of an earthquake. Greater than I have known except that of 1727 & 1755. [For notice of others see Chapter XIII: "Meteorological Observations."]
[He notes cases of small-pox brought by soldiers The widow Mary Keyes had it. A collection taken for her amounted to: cash £62.11.8. grain £4.2.6.
1762. Jan 18. Capt. Moses Parker arrived yesterday from Halifax. Feb. 15. Lieut. 's wife threw a pan of hot coals on her husband's head & face. He is now bound up with cloaths &c. His wife is intemperate & naughty.
May 17. Dr. Rice came to town as a practitioner.
Oct. 18. Heard of the taking of Newfoundland from the French.
Dec. 11. Accepted a large folio Bible for the Ch. from Mr. Henshaw of Boston to be read publicly on Lord's Days.
1763. May 16. Supper at Col. Stoddard's in company with Secretary Oliver & his lady.
June 24. 'Supper at Col. Stoddard's in company with his Excellency ye Governor [Francis Bernard] and ye Honbl. Mr. Bowdoin & ye Honbl. Mr. Fletcher & their ladies.
25. Dined at Col. Stoddard's [with the aforesaid company.]
26. Lord's Day. His Excellency was at meeting in forenoon only.
July 12. Dined with Col. Carter & Mr. John Cotton, deputy secretary, and others at Col. Stoddard's.
Aug. 11. Thanksgiving Day on acct. of the Peace restored to our Nation.
18. Jno Spaulding informed me that Mr. Hillman was coming to preach there p. m. Was so silly as to ask me to come & hear him.
21. A Town meeting about a new county. Read numerous confessions in Ch. for breach of 7th Commandment. Wife of Job. Spaulding offended the Church by getting Worcester of Concord to baptize her child. By vote of the Ch. she was forgiven on acknowledging her wrong.
Col. Jno. Alford has had ye small pox on his journey from ye Jerseys in ye new way of inoculation.
Some people here from Boston in their flight on acct. of small pox there.
1764. Jan 27. This day heard of the burning of the old College at Harvard. The Gen. Court met there on acct. of small pox, & a fire in the Library beyond what was usual occasioned the burning of the valuable library.
Feb. 1. Dined at Col. Tyng's pr. invitation, with ye neighboring gentle- men, &c.
April 13. Mrs. Waterhouse & her 2 sons went down toward Boston to consult about taking of small pox. This affair of ye small pox-my two sons desire to be inoculated-is one of the most troublesome affairs of my whole life. I wish we may be directed for ye best. Col. Stoddard's sons going to Boston to be inoculated.
July 23. My son Ebenezer went to keep school at Worcester.
Aug. 23. My son John who has been here all ye small pox time, went to Brookline to his master, to abide with him.
Sept. 12. Great storm of rain.
1765. Jan. 18. Delighted much in reading Gov. Hutchinson's history of N. England. Dined at Col. Jno. Tyng's with Justice Fletcher & ye neighboring gentlemen.
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May 15. Dined at Capt. Barron's with Col. Phipps, Mr. Lechmere, Major Vassall &c., & their ladies per invitation, supped at Col. Stoddard's with Secretary Oliver and lady. They lodged at my house by reason of Col. Stoddard having plastered his chambers.
July 6. My wife & I dined at Col. Stoddard's with his Excellency Gov. Bernard & Lady. Both at meeting next day and drank tea with us after service.
Aug. 17. Insurrection at Boston on acct. of the Stamp Act.
28. News of another insurrection at Boston.
30. Every day we hear news of ye mobish doings in Boston. In ye first insurrection they hanged Secretary Oliver in effigy & then burnt ye Stamp Officer & rifled his dwelling house, &c. In ye second they rifled ye Lieut. Governor's house-destroyed his goods & took from him his cash &c. [Col. Spaulding, Justice of the Peace was called on to pray at a funeral in Bridge's absence. Bad doings at lecture & ordinations.]
[He has trouble with the selectmen about his wood, and complains of being often hurried & worried with worldly affairs.]
1766. May 22. Col. Stoddard's house illuminated on acct. of the repeal of the Stamp Act.
July 2. Secy. Oliver & lady drank tea with us.
15. Boston. Dined at Dep. Secy. Cotton's.
20. Public Thanksgiving for repeal of the Stamp Act.
Sept. 1. Town meeting. Voted that ye damages to ye sufferers in ye late Insurrection should not by their consent be paid by the Province.
1767. April 13. Son Ebenezer opens shop in Billerica.
May. 27. Election Day. Preached in Boston & dined at Faneuil Hall. 31. Lord's Day. I preached for Mr. Mather.
June 1. Artillery election.
Dined at Faneuil Hall.
22. My new mill raised.
26. Began to grind.
28. Mill dam carried away by water raised by violent storm.
Jacob Wendall's potash house burned. A great loss to him. Sundry contributions for Wendall £55 in money & £17 in other things.
Spent evening at school house with singers.
Sundry contributions for David Kidder who lost a cow and a pig, £45, o. t. Omitted reading the Scriptures for ye winter season. Sometimes also the Sacrament, on acct. of cold.
[The Puritan congregations must have suffered extreme discomfort in the cold of winter, to have sat through two long sermons in their unwarmed churches. Parson Bridge mentions in his diary one case when the cold was so severe that he was unable to complete his sermon * * * "Jan. 7, 1787, Administered Sac't supper, but purpose never more to attempt it, if I am continued, when so cold." At this time he was 73 years of age and had preached in Chelmsford 46 years. When younger, he doubtless bore such ordeals unflinchingly
The diary of Judge Sewall of Boston mentions one bitter cold Sunday. "The Communion bread was frozen pretty hard, and rattled sadly into the plates."
If they shivered from the cold themselves, they were humane to their horses waiting outside. As early as 1719 the town voted, "that Stephen Peirce, senor, and several of the inhabitants of the Neck shall have Liberty to build a Stable Nere the meeting house," and others were, from time to time, given similar privileges. It was sometime later before we find that their own comfort was provided for by noon-houses in which to spend the intermission between the morning and afternoon service, and partake of their lunch before a glowing fire. [H. S. P.] These were little square buildings, sometimes having four small rooms around a chimney, each room sheltering a family. Before stoves were placed in the meeting house, in 1820, foot-stoves were used-often made of perforated tin or sheet-iron, perhaps a foot square, and filled with hot coals. Fur bags and live dogs sometimes served as foot- warmers. The minister sometimes preached in a heavy overcoat, fur cap and woolen gloves].
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HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
1769. Feb. 7. This morning before day ye house of Jacob Wendall was consumed by fire. He & his family & Josiah Blood & his family & two young women narrowly escaped being burnt. They were obliged to flee naked, and all of em were frozen in their feet & legs, it being an extreme cold time. In ye a. m. I visited these distressed & afflicted families-and pple. were very kind to em.
23. The congregation was broken up by reason of a fire which had catch'd ye house of ye widow Stevens. Ye men in general ran & were instru- mental of saving ye house & then all returned to ye house of ye Lord.
July 19. Fine morning. I set off early for Commencement. Got to Cambridge about } after 10 o'clock.
[Great numbers of children and young people catechized at the meeting house, and at the north end in a private house.]
Dec. 28. [Nurse Babee died, aged 99. She was one of his father's family who had carried himself and most of his brothers and sisters to baptism.] 1770. Sept. 4. Widow Rebecca Dutton's blacksmith shop burned. Contributions £70.16.9.0.
Nov. 18. Capt. Oliver Barron's house burned. Loss £300. or £400. Sterling.
Nathan Crosby turned baptist, and was baptized by plunging, when one of their preachers preached at Jno. Spaulding's.
1771. Jan. 8. Capt. Oliver Barron raised a new house on the site of that burned. I attended. Sang ye 3 first Stanzas of 34th Psalm. [He was charged by Job Spaulding with preaching false doctrine. Spaulding had neglected Gospel privileges since 1749. The pastor was sustained.]
[He was sick and could not pray at the opening of Town meeting, in meeting house, so they came to his house. On Fast Day Lieut. Governor Oliver attended service here.]
[Two young men requested lodging, as they could not be accommodated at the tavern.]
[Col. Tyng's son, John Alford, died. Seven ministers. "A large, hand- some funeral."]
[Ye new deacons took their seats. A mock training and trooping which occasioned a great noise. Raised a floom [flume] at my upper dam.] The mill was on Beaver brook at the center of the Town.
Aug. 22. Hon .Joshua Henshaw, wife, son & daughter came from Leicester. (Spent five weeks.)
Sept. 30. This morning all ye Henshaws went home to my great joy and thankfulness.
Nov. 30. This day died suddenly Oliver Fletcher, Esq., of this Town. A worthy man, my good neighbor and friend. A great loss is sustained in his death, to ye Town & to ye Country as well as to his own family & relations. His illness was numb palsy or apoplexy.
Dec. 8. Omitted reading and shortened intermission on acct. of cold weather.
1772. Jan 2. [Job. Spaulding confesses to have wronged him many years ago in charging him with preaching false doctrine, and later confesses before the church and asks forgiveness.]
[Mentions Barzillai Lew, a free negro. He was a fifer in John Ford's Company.]
17. [In miserable poor frame by reason of family difficulties & many contradictions.]
18. O, for peace & quiet, good order & some religion.
26. Mr. Scales called; late a tutor of Harvard, now a lawyer. Came to town last week to live here.
Married a negro belonging to Lieut. Wm. Kittredge of Tewkesbury & Zuba, a mulatto belonging to Dr. Nehemiah Abbott of this Town. Took no fee, though a dollar was offered.
[Sick with cold: the first time I have been taken off two Sabbaths running since I have been in the ministry.]
March 15. And also a third Sabbath. Could not send for the doctor on account of deep snow.
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22. And a fourth Sabbath.
April 20. Went to Boston.
27. To Cambridge to election. Dined with ye Governor & Council in College Hall, with ye Rev. President.
28. Dined at Rev. Mr. Mather's.
29. Dined with the Lieut. Governor Mr. Oliver.
June 1. Dined in Fanueil Hall with ye Artillery Compnay.
Nov. 5. Stephen Scales died of the measles. A man of strong powers of mind & a great scholar. Visited ye young lady he courted, a daughter of widow Fletcher.
Nov. 18. Mr. Jona. Williams Austin who came into Town Last night dined with me & spent p. m., he comes to settle with us as a Lawyer. He brot Letters recommendatory to me fm. Rev. Doctors Chauncey & Cooper.
20. Mr. Scales, father of ye late Mr. Stephen Scales, dined with me.
[Disturbed on acct. of son John's affairs, who had trouble with one Sparhawk. his goods sold at public vendue.]
[Sick with ague in his jaw. draws tooth. better.]
Sept. 16. His son Billy goes away from home & he knows not where he is. Thinks he cannot bear up much longer under his troubles. Was forced to buckle & come down & send for my poor son home.
[His acquaintances stand aloof from him. He can't express his inward heart breaking sentiments. His sons Ebenezer and John have measles. So distressed, he forgot to give notice of Sacrament and lecture.]
[Extracts from this Diary, of the Revolutionary period, will be found in the Chapter on the Revolution.]
1783. June 17. Dined at Dr. Mather's in Boston.
Complains of difficulties, trials, troubles and afflictions.
Aug. 12. Rode out in my new chaise ye first time.
24. One Crossman was ordained at the Baptist meeting house, South End, in their way.
1784. June 13. Preached at Dracut and baptized "a grist of babies."
24. A general Muster of ye Regiment at this Town. Col. Brown, Col. Bancroft, Maj. Farmer, field officers. Visited by divers ministers. Rev. Messrs. Moody, Cummings, Kidder & Mr. Sargent, a candidate. We dined at Barron's (tavern) with the officers.
Company dined at our house. Company p. m. & evening. The whole conducted with decency & order & no damage of any sort.
27. Visited Mr. Crossman, Baptist teacher, but he was not at home.
Aug. 18. The shop of David Danforth burned down. Oct. 14. In Boston. Dined with Major Philips.
24. Exchanged with Rev. Mr. Ripley [of Concord].
Nov. 2. The Rev. Mr. Cotton called on his way to Boston.
6. The Rev. Mr. Cotton dined with us.
1785. Feb. 22. Col. Mareschall, a French gentleman, now of Dracut, & his wife at my house. [This was Col. Marie Louis Amand Ansart De Marisquelles, of whom an interesting account may be found in "Quaint Bits of Lowell History," by Mrs. Sarah Swan Griffin.]
April 7. Died Col. Simeon Spaulding, aged 71, a worthy, good man.
23. In ye evening had a bad fall with my face over a logg in ye chimney corner. Bruised much upon & about my right eye, also hurt my hand and knee.
July 6. Heard of ye death of Dr. Mather, an old friend and acquaint- ance ever since I was young. A good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, I believe, aged 79.
1786. Jan. 1. Extremely cold and ye administration of ye Sacrament was put by. I preached, but was overcome in ye last prayer, so yt I had like to have fainted away. Could hardly get out of ye pulpit and into my house without falling. Was unable to attend Pub. wor. to officiate, p. m., & ye congregation dismissed.
April 27. Died Andrew Beatty, age 74.
Dec. 11. Roads so blocked up with snow yt they could not bury Isaiah Spaulding, & exceeding cold.
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Dec. 24. Lord's Day. Very stormy, but one exercise. Desire of ye Town that there be but one until March next.
1787. Jan. 7. My son ye Col. published to Mrs. Mary Montfort.
Jan. 17. Confusion by reason of Soldiers collecting here, going out against ye Insurgents.
25. My son Ebenezer Bridge & Mary Montfort were married. May the Lord bless em.
29. Very much unwell all day. Sent at night for Doctor Hurd, Dr. Harrington having marched yesterday with ye soldiers to Lancaster & so to Worcester, with a view to suppress ye Rebels under a Vile fellow named Shays in Hampshire County. [There was then no County of Worcester.]
Feb. 8. Discoursed with young Andrew Betty in danger of being se- duced by ye Baptists.
11. Mr. Smith preached. [Mr. Bridge being unwell.]
12. Mr. Smith engaged by the Selectmen to preach 4 Sabbaths to come.
April 9. Many thots in my mind this day on acct. of wt. occurred to me in providence, four years ago this day, viz., ye death & departure of my dear & beloved wife, who is still fresh in my mind, & I hope always will be, as long as I live.
21. Great fire at Boston last evening.
May 13. Lord's Day. Rain all day. A very thin meeting. I was obliged by reason of ye meeting house its leaking to preach in ye pew all day.
22. Took a walk into ye ministry. [The glebe or minister's land.]
27. Lord's day. I preached all day from I Jno. 5.21. Read Jer. 26; Jno. 10. After Service, a. m., informed ye congregation that it was ye thot of many among us yt yr Contribution proposed us on ye last Lord's Day shod be postponed to some future, reasonable time on acct. of ye great scarcity of money.
June 24. Lord's Day. Brush fire in N. W. part of town disturbed meeting.
July 5. Lord's day. omitted reading p. m. by reason of ye heat.
[He reads Channing's "Salvation for All Men," and Johnson against Channing.]
31. Worried greatly in my wordly affairs. Meet with a great many hardships & contradictions fm all around me. O that I had inward strength courage & fortitude-& yt I might be patient & submissive under trials fm em whose salvation I long after.
Aug. 14. Rev. Mr. Waters of Goffstown visited me.
15. A very fine plentiful rain today.
Sept. 19. A very great storm of rain & wind, & held all day, & till toward morning. I am afraid of hearing of much damage.
29. Attended ye funeral of my daughter-in-law [wife of son Ebenezer]. Rev. Mr. Cummings prayed. The pall-holders were Col. Thompson, Major Minot, Esq. Barron, Jona. Williams, Dr. Harrington & Dr. Hurd.
Oct. 11. A Grand Muster of ye Regiment. Eleven companies together with ye train of Artillery. The Lieut. Governr. gave me a visit. He went with ye regiment upon ye field, the place of parade about a mile & half off & ate what dinr. he ate there. Then came back to my house. I expected a number of ministers & others to have dined with us-but almost all went upon ye parade. Jno. White, Esq. of Billerica & a young preacher, Mr. Remington dined with us, & after dinr. Rev. Mr. Barnard came and refreshed himself at my table, then went off. Mr. Smith, preacher, came to see us, but dined at my sons, but spent eveng. & lodged with us. Genl. Brooks, & Col. Tyler, Brigadier Woods, Majr. Hall & a number of other officers & gentlemen gave me ye visit in ye eveng. The Regiment made a fine appearance-were greatly applauded for their good behavior. All things were conducted with great regularity & order and thro' Divine goodness, no accident.
12. Genl. Brooks & ye other gentlemen, as yesterday, & Mr. James Winthrop gave me a short visit after breakfast & then took leave of me.
Nov. 7. Short visit to Mr. Samll. Pitts, having come with his family to live in late Col. Stoddard's house. [Mrs. Stoddard going to Lancaster.]
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Nov. 24. Death of Widow Mary Barker [late from Boston at Saml. Pitts.]
Dec. 28. Reading Adams' book upon Government.
1788. Feb. 8. Much talk about ye Constitution of Government. Its being adopted by a vote of ye Convention, wch has been sitting at Boston just four weeks yesterday.
13. Mr. Aikins, preacher, has a call to Dracut-discoursed with him on Theological principles, and find him such a one as far as he can who will spin cobwebs out of his own brain.
April 7. Town meeting. Voted for Saml. Adams to be Lieut. Governor. May 11. Lord's Day. Foul day, ye pulpit very damp, being wett by rain.
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