Relation of Ruth Buck, [August 16, 1778]1

    Note on the Transcription: On Saturday, August 15, 1778, Ebenezer Parkman noted that “Miss Ruth Buck came with her Confession and Relation; and it proved a yet greater Interruption, as I was obliged to new methodize and wholly transcribe her writings for the public Reading of them. But there is no material Objection against her.” Most of the extant manuscript relation is in Ruth Buck’s hand with additions in Parkman’s hand as well as several X or * marks and square brackets that suggest how Parkman wished to “new methodize” what was to be presented to the church. This transcription leaves those marks at found. Parkman’s diary entry suggests that the extant manuscript was not his transcription but rather the draft that Buck presented to him on August 15.

    In the begining God made man holy and upright but he Sined and fell and became as misrable as he was rightious, Thus we oregenely be Came Sinners: But threw the grate goodness of God he hath found out a way for our recoverry for he has Sent his only begoten Son into the world to Save Lost Sinners. [I think I am hartily willing to Submit to Gods Laws and Commands.]X I have bin a fraid that I have bin Such a Sinner that God would Cast me off * but threw the precious Blood of Jesus Christ I hope I Shall find marcy. For I would humbly take Encurregment from what God has graciously Sayd, Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavey Laden and, I will giv you rest: and a gain in Isaiah 55 Chapter, 1st Verse Ho, Every one that thirsteth Come ye to the worters and he that hath no mony, Come ye, buy and eat, year Cum buy wine and milk with out mony and with out Price.X I Desire to bless God that I was borne in a Land of Light whare I have an oppertunity to hear his holy word I Desire to bless Gods holy name that I was born of relegious Parents that gave me up to God in baptisem in my enfency and gave me good education.X I have had a Desire to Cum up to my Duty but I being So prone to Sin I Dearst n[torn] Venter but I take encuragement in Isaiah 55 Chap 6 Verce Seek the Lord whilst he may be found Call uppon him while he is near—

    Ruth Buck

    1 On August 16, 1778, the church records note that “Ruth Buck, offerd Confession of breacking [sic] the Seventh Commandment and was restord. She was also admitted into full Communion”; Westborough Church Records, 178, https://www.colonialsociety.org/node/4006. Nothing is known, at this writing, about Ruth Buck’s parentage, place of birth, the birth of her illegitimate child, or its father. She died on July 18, 1834, a. 92, suggesting that she was born about 1742. According to Harriette Merrifield Forbes, The Hundred Town: Glimpses of Life in Westborough, 1717–1817 (Boston: Rockwell and Churchill, 1889), 146–47, “In the warrant for the town-meeting, May 9, 1763, one article was ‘To see what the Town will do with respect to Ruth Buck, which the Selectmen of this Town have sent to Southboro’, for the Selectmen of Southboro’ refuse to take the said Ruth Buck as their proper charge.’ They ‘voted not to stand Toyal (trial) with Southboro’ with respect to Ruth Buck.’ In October of the same year, Mr. Samuel Allen prayed ‘that the Town would Relieve Him someway or other with respect to Ruth Buck and her child.’ They afterwards appropriated money for her support, and so in the early days of her unfortunate motherhood she became a town charge.” According to Forbes, “Full communion with the church did not mean full social fellowship with the good people of the town. It is not long before we find her regarded with distrust, though still going from house to house, following her profession of tailoress, looked upon with fear by the little children, and by many of their elders as a social outcast and witch.” Forbes recounts many of the tales that shaped Ruth Buck’s reputation as a witch—or at least as an eccentric. Digital image of the relation: https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:z316s983p (images 39–40). The filing notation reads: “The Confession etc. of Ruth Buck” and, in a later hand, “1742–1834.”