Diary of Ebenezer Parkman, 1743

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 Rawson1 here at Evening with a Message from Mr. Door.2

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,3 Webb of Uxbridge,4 Bliss,5 Haven6 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.

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.7 Very fine pleasant Weather, especially a.m. Mr. Prentice8 sent me a Letter of the third which I receiv’d this Evening to acquaint me with and desire my assistance in their Solemnitys.

1743 January 6 (Thursday). Rainy a.m. Clear’d up p.m. Mr. Cushing9 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.

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. Tyler10 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.

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 Forbush11 in great Soul Distresses, yet disapproving of several Things in the private meetings of the enlightened. Young Fitch12 of Norwich here by whom I wrote to my Cousin Daniel Needham13 and to Mr. Wight.14 Deacon Whipple15 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 Ebenezer16 and Rebecca Hicks17 (under Special Charge) to go. N.B. settled and Ballanced with Daniel Forbush.

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 Fay18 in Terrors. Of which and other Things occurring at the Meeting, there are various Sentiments. Mrs. Woods19 of Marlborough here. Dr. Gott20 and Lieutenant Woods with him here and din’d with us. A very open, moderate season for many Days past. Rain at Eve.

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 abruptly at this point because the remaining part for 1743 has been lost.]

1743 October 6. At a fast solemnized by the Covenanting brethren in Shrewsbury North Precinct and attended by the Revd. Mssrs Parkman & Cushing and his delegates a Chh was Gathered in Sd. Precinct.

“Records of the Church in the North Parish of Shrewsbury, Mass.,” NEHGR 77 (Jan. 1923), 19.