COLLECTIONS
OF THE
Electronic
Version Prepared by
Dr. Ted Hildebrandt 6/5/2002
Committee
of Publication
GEORGE E. ELLIS.
WILLIAM H. WHITMORE.
HENRY WARREN TORREY.
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.
COLLECTIONS
OF THE
VOL.
VII. FIFTH SERIES.
PUBLISHED
BY THE SOCIETY.
M.DCCC.LXXXII.
UNIVERSITY PRESS:
JOHN WILSON AND SON,
SECOND
EDITION.
PREFATORY NOTE
This volume, the third of the series of the
SEWALL PAPERS,
completes
the publication from the manuscript diary of Judge
Sewall, in
the Cabinet of the Society.
The most important of his other papers in
our possession
is a very
large volume, much of it closely written, contain-
ing his
correspondence, with miscellaneous matter.
It is
intended
that the contents of this volume, also, shall be
transcribed;
but it has not as yet been decided whether the
whole of its
contents, which would fill at least two volumes
of our
series, shall be published, or only such a selection of
its more
important papers as might be gathered into one
volume.
DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL.
[Judge Sewall having gone from home to
hold court, the following ex-
tracts,
enclosed between asterisks, are from entries in the small volume
which he
carried with him, labelled "Magunkaquog," See Vol. II., p.
425.]
* May 10. 1714. To Sarah, the Wife of John Ballard, Ship Car-
penter, in
said Ballard
for keeping of him from Friday last, 3s Five in all.
£0. 5. O.
May 10.
Went Towards
Gerrish's at
Wenham.
May
11. Visited Sister Northend. Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Payson.
Din'd at
Cousirr Woodbridge's, at Newbury, went on to
to Capt
Wingat's. The Rev. Seaborn Cotton,
Pastor of the Church
at
Doctr
Benjamin Dole, aged about 27 years, departed, May 8. 1707.
Robert
Smith, aged 95, died Augt. 30. 1706.
May 12.
In a piece of a Gazett, mentioned, A large Dromedary
seven foot
high, and 12 foot long, taken from the Turks at the Siege
of
Midweek, May 12. Went to Brewster, the Anchor in the Plain:
got thither
about 11: staid there for Mr. Justice
Thomas and Lynde.
We din'd
together there. Took Joseph Brewster for
our guide, and
went to
Town. Essay'd to be quarter'd at Mr.
Knight's, but he not
being at
home, his Wife refused us. I accepted
Mr. Penhallow's
Invitation
by his Maid. Not being able to get Hay,
sent our Horses
to Pasture
on
ker's, who seemed
to receive us with passionat Respect.
Went to
our
Lodgings, I to Mr. Penhallow's, Col. Thomas to Capt. Went-
worth's, Mr.
Lynde to Capt. Plaisteed.
1714. Publick Fast.*
VOL. III.
1
2 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
*[Judge Sewall h.as notes of the sermons
on both parts of the day from
the same
text, Matt. vi. 11., the subject being continued.]
Hic jacet sepultus Thomas Daniel1
Armig. qui hanc fragilem pro
imutabili,
vitam commutavit, 13 Novs. Ano Salutis Nostrae 1683,
Anoq. Aetatis suae, 49.
Superior Court Held at the house of Mr.
Curtis at Spruce Click
in
1714. per Three Justices; viz, Sewall, Thomas,
Lynde. Grand Jury
18, Mr.
Joseph Hill, Foreman. Jury of Trials,
Mr. Richard Cutt,
Foreman. Raine against Woodman, Apeal, Demur on Title
of Land.
Hubbard
against Hambleton. Demur. on Title of
Land.
I paid at Curtis's £1.8.
Twenty-Eight
pounds in full of all Demands and took his Receipt,
28. 0. 0.
Mr. Tapin, May 16. 1714. a. m.
[Notes of the sermons on both parts of
the day are entered. We copy
only the
improvement of the afternoon discourse.]
Christians of the greatest excellency are
compar'd to Vessels
of
Gold. Are pure, precious, will endure
the Fire. Are fill'd with
all the
Graces of God's Spirit. Christians that
do not excell are
compar'd to
Silver; persons of Lesser piety, though truly piety.
Use. Labour to be Vessels of Gold, or at least of
Silyer.
Superior Court at
tices,
Sewall, Thomas, Lynde. Grand Jury
23. Mr. Saml. Hart, Fore-
man. Jury Trials, Capt Dan'l Rindge, Foreman.
Noyes against Adams, Guardian to Thurlow,
2d Jury Trials, Mr.
William
Moodey, Foreman.
Davison against Silver. Trespass and Ejectment. John Harts-
horn's Deed
to his Son, John Hartshorn, Acknowledg'd, June 30.
1703. Recorded, Nov. 21. 1704. Davison's Writt served and the
house
Attached, Sept. 9. 1704. Execution
served Decr. 12. 1704, by
Nicholas
Davison, Son of the Apellant and his Deputy, and the said
Nicholas
Davison chose the Aprisers.
Mr. George Corwin, May 19. 1714, day of
his Ordination.
[As the notes of the sermon which follow
indicate the standard set for
the ministry
at that time, they are here transcribed.]
2 Cor. 2. 16. And who is sufficient for these Things? How weighty,
how
difficult a work.*
1 Doubtless the Thomas Daniel, of
Cutt. His widow married Thomas Graffort, Dec. 11,
1684. See Brewster's
Rambles
about
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 3
*Doctrine. The Employment of the Ministry is a work so
difficult
that no man
of himself is sufficient therefor.
Proposition 1. The Employment of the
Ministry is a Work.
They that
charge Ministers with idleness, do it out of gross igno-
ranee. Is constituted a Ruler over God's House. What weightier
Work than
Government? Husbandry a laborious Work 1
Cor 3
6. 7. 8.
9. I have planted. We are Laborers together with God
Tim. A Good Work, for which there is no Respit.
Prop. 2.
Employment of the Ministry is a most difficult Work.
Superior Aid
and Assistance Souls of Men the Object.
The
Salvation of them. Imortal Spirits, they
are the Guardians of
them. Exposed to Lethargy. That may receive forgiveness of Sins
and an
Inheritance among them that are Sanctified.
What more
difficult
than this? Nothing being of equal value
to Men's Souls,
Care must be
Answerable.
From Metaphors whereby their employment
is signified. Hus-
bandry. Builders; Shepherds. Watchmen, Ezek. 3. Must deny
himself, not
sleep, that others may rest the more securely.
Stew-
ards, 1 Cor.
4. 1. Of the Mysteries of God: requires
prudence,
faithfulness. Luke, 12. 42.
Ambassadors for Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 20
very
difficult to be rightly discharg'd; to know rightly to manage
between God
and his Rebellious Subjects.
From the degree of Knowledge requisite for
those that undertake
this
Work. That build not Straw and
Stubble. Resist Gainsayers.
Convince
them. From that vast variety of Work
that lyes upon
their
Hand. Publick Duties. Praying with and for the Congrega-
tion. Suiting each occasion, Dispensing the Word
most profitable
for the
Auditory. Speaking without Fear or
Affection. Seek out
acceptable
Words, and yet not Men-pleasing.
Administring Ordi-
nances. Not cast pearls before Swine, nor keeping any
away to
whom they
are due. Privat, Visit, pray for them,
comfort them in
critical
hours, that, if possible, they may be saved.
That conform
himself as
much as possible to all Humors. 1 Cor.
9. 19. That I might
gain the
more; become all things to all. Lambs to
be led gently, Isa.
23: weak to
be fed with Milk. Rich. Poor.
To accomodat our-
selves to
all these is no easy thing.
In regard of the peculiarly strict an
Exemplary Conversation re-
quir'd of a
Minister. All his Actions ly open to
view. 1 Tim. 4. 12.
Let no man
despise thy youth: but be thou an example.
1 Pet. 5. 1.
Ensamples to
the Flock. Practising before them what
you exhort
them
to. Nothing more disserviceable to
Religion than the loose
conversation
of men in Sacred Orders. Many watch for
their Halt-
ings. Must have a good Report of them that are
without. Ought*
4 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
*to be able
to refer their people to their own Practise.
Walk so as
you have us
for an Example. Who sufficient.
Prop. 3.
No man is himself sufficient for this great Work. But
our
Sufficiency is of God. No wonder that
some of the most able
have been
difficultly drawn to this work, that the Excellency of
the power
may be of God, not of us.
Use.
Infer. 1. The extream mistake of
those who look upon the
Work of the
Ministry as a light and easy Work.
Infer. 2.
Extream Rashness and Weakness of those who hurry
precipitately
into the Work of the Ministry.
Infer. 3.
Should quicken Ministers under a deeper sense of their
insufficiency,
to repair to God for Help.
Am call'd this day to preach in a peculiar
mailer to myself. Tis
God's
Business they go about.
Infer. 4.
Should beget in the people a hearty pity and concern
for their
Ministers, and excite their fervent Prayers for them. En-
courage
them. Strengthen their hands. Make their work as easy
to them as
they can. Attend to their Ministry. Profit by it.
When
do thus, may
hope for God's Blessing on their Ministry.*
May, 26
[1714]. Election-day. Three chosen in the
room of
Peter Sergeant esqr, deceased,1 Major Wm Brown,
1 This reference to Peter Sergeant will
serve as a pretext to correct an
error in a
note in Vol. II. p. 174. Mr. H. F.
Waters informs us that Ser-
geant had
four wives, as appears by the following item in his will: "I give
and bequeath
to my much Respected and Kind Brother and Sister-in-Law,
Eliakim
Hutchinson, esqr. and Sarah his wife, and to their
children, viz.
Messrs. William Hutchinson and wife and Thomas Palmer
and wife and
Spencer
Phipps and wife, £10 each, amounting in the whole to £80 to buy
them
mourning." "I give and bequeath to the aforesaid Mrs. Sarah Hutch-
inson and
the two children of Mrs. Abigail Bourne of
Elizabeth my
second wife" . . . £200.
This wife was therefore Elizabeth,
daughter of Henry Shrimpton, and
this
confirms our note (Vol. II. p. 203) in regard to Spencer Phips's wife.
Mr. Waters adds that Sergeant's first wife
was clearly a daughter of Capt.
George
Corwin (see New England Hist. Gen. Register, Vol. XXVIII. p. 200),
as is shown
by a letter of Corwin in the American Antiquarian Society
Library,
dated May, 1683. Mr. Waters suggests
that she was named Eliza-
beth, and is
probably mentioned by Sewall (Vol. II. Preface, p. 13*), as fol-
lows: 1681,
Dec. 23, "two of the chief Gentlewomen in Town dyed, -- viz.
Mrs. Mary
Davis and Mrs Eliza. Sargent."
His third wife was Lady Mary Phips, and
his fourth, Mrs. Mehitable
Cooper. --
EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 5
who has not
been here in town this year, or two, Mr.
Daniel Epes.
May, 27.
Govr [Dudley] approves of all but
field whom,
being absent, he leaves to further Considera-
tion p,
m. 25 Sworn.
June,
3. It seems Nathanl Byfield
esqr. is compleatly
Negativ'd,1
which I knew not till was now call'd to a New
Election: Voters 91.
Dr. John Clark has 51. Votes.
At
first
declines serving; Afterwards accepts and is sworn
about the
9th June. On the Eleventh of June, makes
the
Council a
Noble Treat at his house. Lieut Govr
[Tailer],
Genl
Nicholson, Col. Byfield, Col. Brown there.
Dr. C.
Mather
crav'd a Blessing. Great Thunder and
Lighten-
ing while we
were there. Mr. Secretary [Addington]
and I came
away first with borrowed Cloaks. Note.
Govr
and Mr.
Comissary [Belcher] went to Weston this day to
Mr.
Williams's, I supose on account of his daughter's Mar-
riage to Mr.
Wm Dumer.2 So they
not at Dr. Clark's.
1
ralty,
1703-15. "He complained of being injuriously reproved by Mr.
after that
always in the opposition." The
power of the Governor to veto
the election
of members of his Council was often exercised or reasons
purely
personal and arbitrary. -- EDS.
2 William Dummer married, April 26, 1714,
Catherine, the twelfth child
of Governor
Joseph Dudley, and sister of Rebecca Dudley, who was then the
unhappy wife
of Samuel Sewall, Jr. He was the son of
Jeremiah Dummer,
the second
cousin of our journalist. Dummer's
promotion was rapid
after this time;
he was Lieutenant-Governor under Shute, 1716-23, acting
Governor for
nearly five years, 1723-1728, and again at Burnet's death,
He died at
368) speaks
highly of him: "His general aim was
to do public service."
By his will
he founded
ment to his
fame.
From the reference to Weston, we presume
that Dummer's marriage was
celebrated
there. The minister there was Rev.
William Williams, H. C.
1705, son of
Rev. William Williams, of Hatfield. The
latter married Eliza-
beth,
daughter of Rev. Seaborn Cotton, by his wife, Dorothy Bradstreet,
niece of
Governor Joseph Dudley. Owing to the
large families in this line,
it seems
that the bride was own cousin to the grandmother of the officiating
clergyman;
and yet she was only twenty-four years old. -- EDS.
6 DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
My Son and
daughter went not to Weston. This Court
the Deputies
send in a Bill to complain of a Duty laid on
Boards
brought from
ernment of
New-Hampshire: Govr intimated
as if the Act
was only for
Boards cut in
that the
Copy of the Act might be sent for. Mr.
Secre-
tary writ a
Letter, which the Govr Sign'd; But after
several
posts, no copy came. At last the
Deputies had
Affidavits
from several, of their being compel'd to pay the
Duty, and
desired a Comittee might be named to find out
a Remedy;
which they propos'd by laying a Duty on
Wines from
thence &c. The Govr now
grew Warm, and
plainly
Espous'd the New-Hampshire Interest: And
said
nothing
could be said to it, except we had the Act before
us. He would sooner have his hand cut off, than
sign
such an Act
as the Comittee offer'd. I said the
laying
such a Duty
on our Boards was unjust; which the Govr
resented,
blaming me for my Heat. Extenuated the
mat-
ter as if
twould come but to about £15. Whereas
Mr.
Comissary
said it would come to £500. per anum. At
last the
Deputies sent in this Resolve:
In the House of Representatives.
JUNE, 25. 1714.
Voted, That the Inhabitants of this
Province being obliged to
pay a Duty
for Goods brought out of our own Province from the
River
comonly called
Hampshire;
Is a great Grievance and Abuse to Her Majs good
Sub-
jects of
this Province, highly injurious to the Government, and a
Breach of
the Good Correspondence between the Provinces.
JOHN BURRILL, Speaker.
The Govr writ a few Lines
offering some to be sent to
New-Hampshire
to confer about this matter. Deputies
sent in a
Negative to it by a Message; one part of their
Answer was
because it imported our inability to help our
selves. Court was prorogued to the 18th August. Depu-
ties sent
for the Bill of the Judges Salary, and made it
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 7
Two Hundred
and Fifty pounds; adding Fifty pounds.
After the
Court was risen, I presented the Speaker with
Mr. Colman's
Book of the Virgins.
Just after I saw Mr. Pemberton, by Mr.
Gerrishe's
Shop: I told him the Court was prorogu'd. He and I
after a
little Space walk'd together, he was going, it
seems, to
Madam Saltonstall's: I went with him having
Election-Sermons
in my Pocket. When we came against
Mr. Myles's
he vehemently upbraided me with the un-
civil
Treatment he met with when he pray'd with the
Council; as
if were us'd like a Boy. They pointed to
him. It put him in mind of what Mr. Belchar had
told
him of
ing. I said We were of another mind or else would
not
take the
pains to get the Divines of the Town. No
body
went with
him to the door. I said I supos'd twas a
meer
accident. No body asked him whether he were out of
breath. As to this last it behooved him to have
step'd
into Mr,
Gerrishes Shop, or some other convenient place,
till he had
taken breath. As to the pointing, I
aprehend
it was thus;
Just as he came in, there was a great Mes-
sage from
the Deputies; and the Lieut. Govr with his
hand
directed him to go into the Closet till that was over.
Mr.
Pemberton could not fairly complain of this, and not
being
enquired of whether he were out of Breath, at the
same time, I
am sure I endeavour'd with respect to de-
sire Mr.
Pemberton to take his Turn with the other Min-
isters. He at last consented. Only as the week began
with Friday,
he desired to be excus'd till the begining of
the week
following, by which means Friday and Satter-
day were
suplied by my Son out of his Turn. And
then
the next
week, one morning, Govr Saltonstall was with
Mr.
Pemberton; and he declined coming upon that score
1 "Practical Discourses on the
Parable of the Ten Virgins," &c., &c.
First
published in 1707. -- EDS.
8 DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
and sent the
Messenger to my Son. Althoo,
Mr. Pember-
ton had
been' fill'd with Gr Saltonstall's company before.
July, 1.
I rec'd Money of Mr. Palmer, and waited on
Mr.
Pemberton with 20s. He hardly
rec'd it: Mention'd
the great
inconvenience he was under by attending the
Council; how
he was fain to put nature by its course;
how he had
bled. I told him if it was so
prejudicial to
him, it
should not be Exacted of him.
July, 5.
I went to Mr. Pemberton, found Mr. Comis-
sary and Mr.
Bromfield there. They began to speak to
me about
Deacons, some of ours very old and infirm.
Mr.
Pemberton spake how much Col. Checkley was
broken;
which I had not observ'd. Mention'd the
ex-
pediency of
adding to their number.
Oliver: I said I should like him very well if he
would
Accept. Then nam' d Mr. Sam. Phillips: I said nothing.
But said, I
had need of a List of the Church members be-
fore I could
speak to it. Mr. Pemberton said he was a
man of Substance;
seemed to be much for him. When
they were
gon, (I think twas then) I mentioned to Mr.
Pemberton
Mr. Dorr's 1 Question. An
Essentiae Rerum
sint
aeternae? Affirmat.
Mr. Pemberton seem'd to approve of
it. When he did
not explain
it to my satisfaction; He said, I have for-
got my
Philosophy. Upon my mentioning Divinity,
He
said, There
was nothing of Divinity in it. This he
spoke
with an Air
of displeasure. I came away, Meeting Mr.
Remington in
the Street I told him of it, and desired him
to speak to
the President; and by Mr. Higginson next
day I
received a kind Letter from the President with a
Master's
Thesis in it corrected as it now stands.
I re-
turn'd an
Answer of Thanks in another Letter.
Comencement-day, July, 7th. I go with Joseph; Mitch-
1 Joseph Dorr, A.B., 1711. His"
M~ter's Thesis" would belong to
1714. --
EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 9
ell Sewall
was in the Boat. Mr. Eaton took us up a
ash, and so
we rid comfortably from the River; went to
the
President's, visited Mr. Brattle. Mr.
Flynt is indis-
pos'd and
retired to Col. Goff's. Go to the
College and
quickly into
the Meetinghouse. The Govr
and Govr
Saltonstall
their chariot fail'd at B. White's: were fain
to stay
there while Brill could fetch the Coach; which
made the Govr
late. Foxcroft makes the Oration, a good
one. After Dinner, the Govr and
Overseers order the
Comencement
to be kept on the last Wednesday in Aug-
ust anually:
because of the Heat &c. The
Governour,
Govr
Nicholson, and Govr Saltonstall, the Lieut Govr, Mr.
Secretary,
Sewall, Mr. Smith. After the Exercise I
and
my Son
visited Sir Foxcroft, Sir Thaxter, Sir Hobart. 1
Left Mitchel
Sewall at
with us;
quickly lit of a Calash, came over in the Boat
with Mr.
Wadsworth and from thence to his house and
home. Laus Deo.
July, 2.
Mr. Sol. Stoddard preach'd at his Brother's.
I was
there.
July, 10.
Had Mr. Sol. Stoddard, and Mr. Simeon
Stoddard at
Diner with us. Mrs. Eliza. Hirst was with
us by mere
accident unknown to me.
July, 13. 1714. Mr. Sol. Stoddard returns; went out
of Town in
his Brother's Coach. P. m. I lay a Brick in
Mr. Colman's
House building near his Meetinghouse:
gave Hill
the Mason 3s; Cophee call'd him from above.
This Cophee tells me he gives Mr.
Pemberton £40. for
his Time,
that he might be with his wife. I gave
him
5s
to help him.
July 16.
Friday, About 2 p. m. Is a great
Flash of
Lightening,
and terrible Clap of Thunder; hardly any
preceded or
succeeded it. It struck Col. Vetch's
house
that bought
of Capt. Wyllys's Heir, the end of the Kitchen
1 Graduates of 1714. -- EDS.
10 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
next
Pollard's.1 Split the principal
Rafter next that end,
to the
purloin [purlin]. Ript off the
Clap-boards, loos-
ened many
more; plough'd off the cieling of that end wall
here and
there in a Line; lifted up the Sash window,
broke one of
the squares; knocked down two boys that
stood by the
dresser. Tis the more Melancholick,
because
Madam Vetch
is just removing thither; though the Work
of
Transformation be not finished.
Seventh-day, July, 17. Benj. Larnell2 apears to have
a Fever by
being delirious: Mr. Oakes was not apre-
hensive of
it, and came not to enquire how his Purge;
wrought. I called Mr. Cutler who administers to him.
Burne
Watches.
Lords-Day, July. 18. I put up a Note. Mr. Pemberton
prays
expressly and largely for him: p.
m. Mrs. Williams
visits
him. Nota. Between 6 and 7, is a Council at Mr.
P.
Dudley's. Col. Nicholson, Govr
Saltonstall there.
Whiting. Ten of the Council, who advis'd the Govr.
to
proceed
Eastward notwithstanding what Genl Nicholson
had received
from Govr Hunter about Jealousies lest the
5. Nations should be debauch'd by Mary-Land
Indians and
those of
Quebeck.
July, 19.
Began to rain about 11. at night; held all
night, and
this morning, Laus Deo. When it
held up, I
went to Mr.
Pemberton's, desired him to come and pray
1 We have mentioned Col. Vetch in Vol. ll.
p. 142. His house bought
of Capt.
Wyllys's heirs, is thus described in Suff. Deeds, lib. 26, fol. 159.
"April
18, 1712, Elizabeth Willey, widow, and Ruth Willey, singlewoman,
only dau.
and gr. dau. of Edward Willys, decd,
sell to Samuel Vetch for £400,
the
dwelling-house of said E. W. in
of Arthur
Mason, 213 feet: south-east on John Frost, decd, and William
Wheeler 142
feet: south west on Winter street, 213 1/2 feet, and north-west on
Common
street, 152 feet."
March 22d 1713-14. Samuel Vetch and
wife Margaret sold this house
and land for
£1050, N. E. currency, to Capt. Thomas Steel.
Witnesses
Phillip
Verplank, Murdoch McKiver, and Henry Nicholson. -- EDS.
2 He was an Indian youth, a student in
charge. --
EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 11
with my
Family before he went; he said he had a great
deal of
Business; yet I had some expectation of his coming,
and forbore
to ask my son to pray that might the more
reserve our
selves for him. He came not. In the
After-
noon I went
to have accompanied the Gentlemen to the
Sloop, but
they were gon a little before, before 4 o'clock.
July, 20.
My Son comes to our House and prays for
Larnell in
his Mother's Bed-chamber; I, his Mother, and
Sister Hanah
present. Judith was gon to her Brother's
to sojourn,
her Mother hastening her away because of
Larnell's
Sickness.
July 22.
Midweek. Benja Larnell
expired last night
about
Midnight. Was delirious to the last as
far as I can
perceive. I left him about 11. Buried this day. Bear-
ers Sparhawk
Welsteed. Moodey Gray.Allen Gee.
Students of
and
Gloves. I and the President went next
the Corps.
Had
underbearers. Is laid in the New Burying
place.
The Note
that I put up at Lecture was, " Prayers are de-
sired that
God would graciously Grant a suitable Improve-
ment of the
Death of Benja Larnell, Student of Harvard
College." I spake to Mr. Wadsworth of his death, be-
held all
time in the Morning. He pray'd very well
about this
Article.
July, 25.
Mr. Timothy Cutler preaches at the South
in the
Morning. Prays excellently for Mr.
Pemberton at
July, 27.
Go to
Sheriff; I
think 2 under-sheriffs, Mr. Bordman, Capt.
Parker,
waited on us from
July, 28. 1714. According to my Promise, I carried
my daughter
Hanah to Meadford to visit Cousin Porter
lyeing in;
In her Mother's Name she presented her Cousin
with a red
Coat for her little Aaron,1 blew facing for the
1 See Exodus, Chap. XXXIX. -- EDS.
12 DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
sleeves,
Galoon. Cost about 12s. 2d. I carried her 3.
oranges. Gave the Nurse 2s. Maid ls. Hanah gave the
Nurse 1s.;
got thither about 1. Over the Ferry
before
dark: 5s for the Calash.
Mr. Porter went to
come home,
though the Sun scarce half an hour high
when we came
away. Laus Deo. This day a fine Boy,
Saml
Stone, 9 years old next Octobr. was playing with
other
children about a pile of Stick'd Boards, which fell
down upon
him and so bruised and broke him, that he
died on
Thorsday about 6. p. m. Breath'd and
spake
about 25
hours. Alas! Alas!
July, 26.
Mr. Colman preach'd Mr. Pemberton's Lec-
ture. Deming, and Baker din'd with us. Comissioners
met to give
Govr Saltonstall an Oportunity to vindicate
himself
relating to the Pequot and Mohegan Indians.
I
treated the
Govr. and Comissioners with a Glass of New
Canary, 3s
a Bottle.
Genl Nicholson arrived not at
Piscataqua till Monday
July, 26. p.
m.
Friday, July, 30. Govr returns by Land, and the
Sloop
with the
Gentlemen in her arrive.
Satterday July, 31. The Govr holds a Council to ad-
vise what
Measures to take as to the Man evil-entreated
by Indians
between Hatfield and Dearfield: pull'd him off
his Horse by
the Hair of the Head, strip'd him, threaten'd
to kill
him: Said they did it on account of the
servant
Maid taken
from one of the 4 Indians that went for Eng-
land. Govr writes to Col. Partridge to
send Capt. Shel-
don to
Saltonstall
present at this Council.
Augt 3.
Govr Saltonstall returns with his Lady.
Saml
Apleton goes with him, set out about 7. m.
John Cunable takes measure for a window
in my wive's
Bed-Chamber
to the North-east; because of so many
buildings
darkening us to the Southwest. Augt.
4. How-
[1714.] DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL. 13
ell, the
Cabinet-maker, takes down the closet that stands
in the
corner, to make way for the window.
Fifth-day,
Augt.
5th. Fast for Rain at the
Lecture. I keep at home
by reason of
my swell'd face, though tis something fallen
from what
twas yesterday. Note. about 2. p. m.
Hanah was
coming
hastily down the new Stairs, fell, and broke the
Pan of her
Right Knee in two; one part went upward,
the other
downward. I got her down and set her in
my
chair, sent
for Dr. Cutler: who told us how it was; we
led her up
into her Chamber: Neighbour Hamilton and
others came
in and got her to bed, then Dr. Cutler bath'd
it, with
spirits of Wine, put on a large Plaister, then with
two bolsters
and large Swathing bound it up tite to bring
the broken
pieces together, and Unite them. Madam
a-clock
Scipio comes and tells me that my daughter Hirst
is brought
to Bed of a son. I gave him a good
shilling.
Hanah is
glad to hear of this.
This day Augt 5. the Ship arrives that brings news of
the death of
the Princess Sophia of an Apoplexy May, 28.
AEt.
84. Bill against Dissenters keeping
Schools1 pass'd
both
Houses. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet quickly
after he
had received
Orders, dy'd of the small Pocks.2
1 This is the Schism Act, "one of the
worst Acts," says Lord Mahon,
"that
ever defiled the Statute Book." It
was entitled "An Act for prevent-
ing the
growth of Schism." By it, all
schoolmasters and private teachers
had to
declare conformity to the Church of England, be licensed by a bishop,
receive the
sacrament according to the communion of the
land, and
subscribe the oaths of allegiance and supremacy. It never actu-
ally took
effect, being suspended in 1714, and repealed in 1719. -- EDS.
2 This was Dudley Bradstreet, Jr., son of
the Dudley Bradstreet who was
the third
son of Governor Simon Bradstreet, by his wife, Ann Dudley. The
father was a
colonel, and married Ann (Wood), widow of Theodore Price.
Rev. Dudley
Bradstreet, Jr., H. C. 1698, was ordained at
1706. He is said by
Wainwright,
and to have had sons, Simon and Dudley, born at
Dudley
Bradstreet, probably his son, married at
ters. The Rev. Dudley Bradstreet was dismissed from
14 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714
Augt.
6. Genl Court prorogu'd to
the 15th 7r. I was
not at
Council.
Augt. 7th. Hearing of it just at the time, as was with
the Chief
Justice, I went to the Funeral of our excellent
Nurse
Hill. (Between Mr. Winthrop's and the
house, I
saw a large
and fair Rainbow). Buried in the old
Bury-
ing place:
Bearers, Capt. Hill, Williams; Deacon Atwood,
Maryon;
Barnard, Hubbard. Mr. Cook and I went
to-
gether, next
Mr. Bridge,
Augt. 8. Our little Grandson, William Hirst, is Bap-
tized by Mr.
Colman.
Augt. 9. Last night our neighbour Green died. He
married Mr.
Gold's daughter: was of
Third-day, Augt. 10. Timothy Green removes to New-
London.1 Cousin Green and his wife and others accom-
pany them to
Daughter
Hanah. Gave Mr. Green at parting Two
pieces
of Eight;
Mr. Danforth of
that Mr.
Hale of
they must
call a Council to remove him from thence.
Lord's Day, Augt. 15. Mrs.
Hanah Angier, the only
surviving
child of the excellent Mr. Urian Oakes, dyes at
visiting her
Lying-in daughter-in-Law Angier.
Augt. 16. Mr. Mayhew comes to Town with his daugh-
ter
Reliance.
Augt. 17. Hanah's knee has a new Plaister put on it,
and is new
bound by Dr. Cutler.
Augt. 18. Dr. Oakes and I ride to the Funeral of Mrs.
for his
Episcopal tendencies, and went to
died, as our
text shows. He was, of course, grand-nephew
of Governor Joseph
Dudley,
whose son, Paul Dudley, married Lucy Wainwright, and whose
daughter
Mary married Francis Wainwright. -- EDS.
1 This was Timothy Green, the printer, son
of Samuel, Jr., and grand-
son of
Samuel Green, both printers. See N. E. H. G. Register, XVI. 14.
-- EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 15
Angier1
at
Grandmother,
Brothers, Urian and Laurence. Bearers,
President,
and Mr. Brattle; Mr. Hancock and Gibbs; Mr.
Flynt, and
Bradstreet. Mr. Angier tells me his wife
was
about 55.
years old: therefore I conclude she was born at
Titchfield.2 Mr. Comissary Belchar and I followed next
after the
Women. Perhaps I was the only
Country-man
at the
Funeral; and had Boarded at Mr. Oakes's when
Mrs. Angier
was a Maid. The widow Hastings I visited
before the
Funeral: She is very weak; her Memory
al-
most quite
Shatter'd: was very glad of my visit and
Thank'd me
for it. Her Feebleness wholly prevented
her
from being
at the Funeral of her old Master's Daughter
whom she
greatly helped to bring up.
Augt. 19. I am told of the sickness of Deacon Jno
At-
wood, was
seized yesterday, before day, with great pain at
his Breast.
Augt. 20. Govr. warns a Council. I knew not the
Cause, but
being sensible of the Drought resolv'd to move
that a Fast
might be apointed. Went to Mr. Wads-
worth, Mr.
Pemberton, my Son: All aprov'd of it:
Would
have spoken
to all [the Ministers?] in Town, but it grew
Noon, and
very hot, which prevented me. Prepared
Mr.
Secretary,
Bromfield. Got Mr. Comissary to speak in
Council. It was pass'd, and the Govr sign'd
a sheet for
it Sept.
2. Mr. Secretary drew it up by
Candle-light,
desiring my
Assistance. I carried it to the printers
that
night. I knew nothing of Mr. Attorney's
Remonstrance,
till I heard
it read.
Augt. 21. I presented Capt. Williams, my son, Mr.
Pemberton
each of them with a Psalm-book of the newest
1 She was Hannah, daughter of Rev. Urian
Oakes, and wife of Rev.
Samuel
Angier. For her descendants, see Paige's
History of Cambridge,
p. 481. --
EDS.
2 Tichfield is in Hampshire, south-east
of Bishopstoke where Sewall
himself was
born. --EDS.
16 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [ 1714.
Edition.l
Mr. Pemberton's and my Son's
4. 6d. price
bound very
neatly in Kid's Leather.
Augt. 23. Great Shews of Rain, cold easterly wind;
but a very
few drops. I hear at
deal of
Rain, and so half way to
Midweek, Augt. 25. I went to Brooklin, visited son
and daughter
Sewall, Hanah Gave her Cakes, and a new
18d
Bill. As I came home I visited Madam
Dudley, Cous.
Wm.
Dumer. Coming home Mr. Jno
Colman came up
with me, and
told me of the very great Sickness of the
Rever'd Mr.
Peter Thacher.
Augt. 26. Amiable useful Deacon Atwood dies between
10. and 11.
m. After Sermon a note was put up. Mr.
Bridge in
his prayer made an honorable mention of him;
praying that
God would sanctify the awfull Stroke in re-
moving one
very usefull to the Town, one of the props
of it.
Just at night I call'd to Mr. O. Thacher
riding home,
who tells me
his Father is much worse than he had been;
desires my
prayers for him. This was at Silence
Allen's.
I came home
through the comon, met Mr. Walter and his
wife,
desired his prayers; and for me. He said
we had
lost a good
Deacon. Said when come to my Age must
expect to
dye. The Lord prepare me and teach me
more
to Lean on
him when creature-props fail. Extream
hot.
Sixth-day, Augt. 27. Meeting was at Madam Willard's.
Began about
2. p. m. Son pray'd, Mr. Bridge more
1 Probably this was "The Psalms Hymns
and Spiritual Songs of the
Old and New
Testament, faithfully translated into English Meeter." The
fourteenth
edition was printed at
Probably
Sewall bought either the fifteenth or sixteenth edition. This was the
famous
of 1758),
was made in 1640, by Richard Mather, Thomas Weld, and John
Eliot; and
afterwards revised by Henry Dunster and Richard Lyon. He
adds that,
owing to its merits, "I found in
Congregations
prefer'd to all Others in their Publick Worship, even down to
1717 when I
last left that Part of the
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 17
largely; Mr.
Pemberton preach'd from Exod. 33. 15. If
thy presence
-- made a very good Discourse; then
pray'd. Sung the 121. Ps. I set the Tune of the 119th.
Col. Tyng
was there.
Seventh-day, Augt. 28. Deacon John Atwood is buried;
was a Great
Funeral. Mr. Cook and Col. Hutchinson
went next
the Relations; Sewall, Addington; Em Hutch-
inson,
Townsend; Mr. Comissary, Mr. Stoddard -- Bur
ied at the
North; is much Lamented.
Lord's-day, Augt. 29. Beard arrives, who brings the
Act of
Parliament against Dissenters keeping School;
which
ordains that no Catechism shall be taught in
Schools, but
that in the Comon prayer Book.
I could not observe that Mr. Pemberton so
much as
used the
Comon form of praying for him that was to
speak in the
Afternoon:1 only pray'd God to be with us in
our coming
together.
I supose Mr.
dyed the day
the Royal Assent was given to the Bill
against the
growth of Schisme. Dy'd by a fall from
his
Horse riding
to preach at Nantwich, being on a visit at
West-Chester.
John Banister died at Banbury, June
23. Sam. Sewall
arrived in
Jabez Salter from
Augt. 30. Govr violently oposes the Petition
of Oulton
and
Powell. Mr. Comissary brought the
discourse of it
forward
(twas fil'd when I was not there). Mr.
Daven-
port
mentioned that Capt. Moodey might be served with
a copy of
it. Govr said Mr. Moodey was
an Honest Man.
Said to Mr.
Comissary, If should petition to ly with your
wife would
you grant it. Com. said he would not
con-
sent. At last twas done, viz. what Mr. Davenport
mov'd.
1 The disturbed cordiality of fee1ing
between Sewall and his senior pastor
made the
former sensitive to the omission of any reference to his son, who
was to
preach in the afternoon. -- EDS.
2 Matthew Henry, the Expositor. --
EDS. VOL. III. 2
18 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
Presently
after the Council, Capt. Moodey went with the
Govr
to Mr. Dudley's.
Augt. 31. I read the Act against Schism at Selby's
Coffee-house. About 4. p. m. visited Mr. Peter Thatcher,
dial: got home well a little after 9. Laus Deo. Carried
him two
China Oranges. Says he was 63 years old
the
18th. July last.
Septr. 1. His father calling me before I was up, I go
and pray
with his son, William Bairstow, who he fear'd
was dying.
Midweek, 7r. 1. Madam Elisa Savage buried;1
Bearers,
Winthrop,
Cook; Sewall, Addington; Belchar, Bromfield.
All the
Ministers had Scarvs. Dr. Increase
Mather very
kindly
inquired after my Daughter Hanah: I had
ac-
quainted him
with her broken Bone. Dr. Cotton Mather
shew'd a
Letter that Reported Mr. Henry's Death.
The Dr.
saith that
Mr. Wats is also dead. Discours'd of the
Act against
Schisme.
Sixth-day, 7r. 3. Cunable sets up our new Window on
the
North-east side of our Bed-chamber, a little to en-
lighten the
darkness of it.
7r. 6. Visited Mrs. Lord under her Indisposition at
the
widow
Dyer's. Went to the Meeting of the
owners of
the
Salt-works2 at the Still-Tavern.
Col. Byfield was there.
Agreed to
pay £10. apiece towards a Boylery; the said
Byfield to
buy Iron pans in
7r. 9. Now about Col. Byfield visits me in the
evening.
Saw him come
out of Mr. Harris's as went to Lecture.
7r. 11th. I set out for
so hot and
late that Lodg'd at
1 Mrs. Elizabeth Savage was daughter of
Joshua Scottow, and widow of
Thomas
Savage, Jr. She died Aug. 29, 1714, aged about sixty-seven, say
in his
Dictionary, IV. 27, prints the year as 1715.
2 See Vol. I. p. 457, note. -- EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 19
7r. 12. Rid with Capt. Billings to Mr. Man's. See his
Sermons. Lodg'd at Capt. Wear's.
7r. 13. Set out early in the Fog, for Rehoboth. Baited
at Millar's:
Overtook Mr. Corwin at Carpenter's, and
there din'd
together. Were met by the Sherif at
Gate.
7r. 14. Are inform'd by Mr. Collamor of the sickness
of Mr.
Justice Thomas, which prevented his coming.
Mr.
James Hale
pray'd at the opening of the Court.
Friday, 7r. 17. p. m. News was, brought to us of the
Queen's
death as we sat on the Bench.1
Chapman told it
Mr. Corwin;
and he standing up with a very sad coun-
tenance said
to me, Sad News! I was afraid
burnt
again. Mr. Sparhawk and 2 other
Gentlemen
brought
it. After the Court's Adjournment sine
die,
went and
discoursed Mr. Sparhawk at his house.
7r. 18. I visited Capt. Davis, His wife though abed
desired to
speak with me; I went to her. She is
greatly
distress'd
in Mind, the Lord Calm and Comfort her.
Set out about 10. m. Col. Pain, and Mr. Mackintosh
accompanied
me out of Town. Col. Pain went on, for
company's
sake. I went with him through Febe's
Neck;
tis a
pleasant Road and but little further, saw Mr. Hale's
Meetinghouse. Din'd at Millar's. went on to Slacks, who
had good
English Hay. Sent Mr. Shortt the News;
he
had not
heard it before.
7r. 19. Heard Mr. Short.
7r. 20. Din'd at
At the
entrance of
ery and
preaching the day before. At
1 In the "Magunkaquog" volume
is the following entry: "As we were
upon the
Bench in the Afternoon, News was brought of the Queen's Death,
Augt. 3d.
Had the News at Osburn's before Sunset in a Letter from my Son,
Mr. Joseph
Sewall, which Mr. Sparhawk brought and of the Proclamation
of King
George the same Day, Duke of
Papists in
20 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
Proclamation
[of George I.] was to be on Wednesday;
which Major
Spurr confirm'd. Got home before Sunset
and found
all well. Laus Deo.
7r. 23. Govr calls a Council where I heard
of Mr. Sec-
retary's
Illness.
7r. 22. Midweek; Proclaim'd; and took the Oaths.
Din'd at the
Green Dragon. Dr. Mather crav'd a Bless-
ing; Mr.
Pemberton return'd Thanks. I ask'd the
Govr
if he had
Business for the Council; He said No; so I went
home, not
going up into the Council-Chamber.
7r. 23d. It seems Mr. Jonathan Belchar makes a great
super, at
which were the Govr, Andrew Belchar esqr, Jn°
Higginson
Esqr, Penn Townsend esqr., Addington Daven-
port esqr,
Benjamin Lynde esqr., John Clark esqr. Thomas
Hutchinson,
Addington, Sewall, Eliakim Hutchinson,
Bromfield,
nor the Lieut. Govr were not there, nor in-
vited any of
them that I know of; nor any warning of a
Council:
This I knew not of till the Lord's-day after.
7r. 24. Friday, I went to Charlestown Lecture; heard
Mr. Stevens
preach. Din'd. with Col. Phillips, where
din'd also
Madam Usher, Townsend. Visited Mr.
Stevens
and wish'd
his wife Joy. Visited Mr. Bradstreet (He
in-
vited me to
Diner though twas not his Lecture), Madam
Bradstreet
not well, nor her little Son. The widow
Fos-
ter, Mr.
Isaac Foster's Mother, died Wednesday night just
as it began
to Rain, aged about 87. years.
7r. 26. My son of Brooklin, who came hither on Tues-
day, by
reason of his Indisposition, goes not abroad.
David
fetched him
in a Coach.
7r. 29. I was not aware the Govr was in
Town: Went
not out till
past 3. p. m. Enquir'd and found him
with;
the Council
to my surprise. Mr. Davenport had been
swearing the
Deputies who were more than forty. Saw
Mr. Adams in
the street, he thank'd me for my Book and
Letter. Invited him to Dinner.
1714.] DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL. 21
Just before
night attended the Funeral of Mr. Wain-
wright's
child. I hapened to sit just by Mr. Jona
Bel-
char. Told him Mr. Gookin was Married in that room.
7r. 30. Dr. Mather preaches from PS. 68, 33. He
doth send
forth his voice, a mighty voice. In
speaking it
the 2d
time, he said 78. which puzzled me in finding it.
Govr
and Lieut Govr, Mr. Winthrop at Meeting. Mr.
the
dangerous sickness of my dear Friend Mr. James
Noyes of
7r
eleventh, as he was riding home from Lyme.
Had been
at the
Comencement. I was hindered by Mr.
Glover, re-
ceived 134£,
and taking up his Mortgage: so that I went
not to
Council this day.
Octobr. 1. Rains hard, went not to Council. Had
something of
a Flux: And tis not agreeable to me that
the Court
should meet before the 20th.
Inst, the day they
were
Prorogu'd to. I fear the precedent will
be bad.
And I find
it difficult to intermeddle in Addresses.
In the
evening
Cousin Quinsey calls, sups and tells me the pro-
ceedings of
their House upon the Council's sending to them
to join in a
Comittee, B. Lynde, Clark,
dress the
King to continue the Govr, Lt Govr, and Secre-
tary in
their Posts. Non-Concur'd. Sent again from the
Board. Mr. Pierce of
ing the
Deputies would not Reconsider it. Then
the
Govr told
the Council they intended Good: but now they
should be
Hurt by it: were White paper before; but
now were
blotted. Call'd Mr. Secretary to him
into the
Closet, and
then Capt. Belchar. Then adjourn'd the
Council to
Monday 2 p. m.; desired all to attend.
8r. 3. Mr. Eliphalet Adams sits in the pulpit a. m.
and
preaches
with us p. m.
8r. 4. Council meets Govr; after other
things past,
opens the
matter of the Address. Then Govr,
Lt Govr,
Secretary
withdraw. Council seemed unanimous that
for
22 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
them 12 in
n°, to do any thing would be inconvenient; it
having
fallen when offer'd in the
8r. 5. I wait on the Lieut Govr, visit
Mr. William
Homes,1
Mr. Thomas Craighead, Ministers, in order to
know what
was best to be done as to the ship's coming
up. Carried them a Bushel Turnips, cost me 5s and
a
Cabbage cost
half a Crown. Dined at the Castle Lt
Govr
also invited
Mr. Homes. Mr. Stanton the Chaplain was
gone a
Guning; I left this Distich for him.
Imbres nocturni decorant Regalia Lucis:
Rex populum, tanquam Gramina tonsa, riget! [?]
8r. 6. Mr. David Hayns dines with us. He assures
me he has
found the Bound of the Farm beyond Wadchu-
set, comends
it, and will run out the Line when the Leaves
are
fallen. Gave him the Bounds of
Quanssicamon Farms
that he may
review and refresh them.
Octobr. 7. Thorsday:
Overseers' Meeting in the Coun-
cil Chamber
after Lecture. Order'd that Treasurers
must
give Bond,
for the faithful discharge of their Trust.
Mr.
Tho. Robie
confirm'd as Fellow, Mr. John White as
Treasurer.
Octob. 19.
Went to the Salt works and Run the
Bounds: I made a pillar of Stone about the Stake by
our
Causey. Mr. Sheaf assisted with a Chain and compass:
came away to
Lt. Tho. Salter's Funeral.
Midweek Octob. 20. New
1 These were perhaps missionaries. Allen says that Rev. William Homes
was minister
of
school
there; returned to
He came here
again in 1714, and settled at Chilmark, where he died, June
20, 1746,
aged eighty-three. -- EDS.
2 The New North was founded by
"seventeen' substantial mechanics."
Mr. John
Webb was the first pastor, his successors being Peter Thacher,
Andrew
Elliot, John Elliot, Francis Parkman, &c.
In 1721, a difficulty
arose about
settling a colleague to Mr. Webb, and a secession occurred, the
seceders
building the New Brick meeting-house.
Mr. William Waldron was
the first
minister there. -- EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 23
Increase
Mather read their Names and Covenant which
they had
Subscrib'd, and they took their Assent to it, then
voted their
choice of Mr. Webb. Gave him his charge,
He, Dr. C.
Mather, Mr. Bridge, Mr. Pemberton Laying on
their
Hands. Dr. C. Mather gave the Right Hand
of Fel-
lowship. Govr was there, Mr. Speaker and
many of the
Court. Only the Four Churches in Town sent to. Mr.
Webb's Text,
He was a Burning and a Shining Light;
were
entertain'd at Mr. Seers's. Lt
Govr not there.
Capt.
Turfrey was buried, this Afternoon. I
was not
there
because the Govr made his speech by Candle-light.
Mr. Colman prays at opening the Court,
Thorsday, Fri-
day,
Saturday.
23.
A comittee brought in somthing about Piscataqua.
Govr
said he would give his head in a Hand-Basket as
soon as he
would pass it.
25. -- Mr. Sewall prays. Genl Nicholson comes to
Town. 26.
heard not of the King's Accession till he
came to
Marble-head. Boards with Capt. Southwark.
27.
A Church is gathered at Ipswich Farms as at Bos-
ton last
week. Mr. Gerrish gave the charge to Mr.
Wig-
glesworth. Mr. Wise the Right Hand of Fellowship,
much
aplauding the N. English venerable Constitution.
Mr. Rogers
pray'd.
Joseph Avery
ordain'd.
29.
Day apointed for officers, Mr. Davenport spake
against it,
when Govr nominated Mr. Ebenr Allen of the
Vinyard for
a Justice: said should soon hear from Eng-
land. So all fell.
Lt Govr seconded him. Lt Govr told
me Capt.
Hale was to be made a Justice.
30.
I forget to call my son to prayer.
Deputies con-
curr'd with
the Council to emit 50000£.1 Chief-Justice
1 In bills of credit, to be put into the hands
of trustees, to form a capi-
tal for a
sort of public bank. See Palfrey, IV.
334. For the Act, see
Province
I..aws,
24 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
said twas
contrary to the Statute of Mortmain. I
an0-
swer'd, twas
quite on the other side, for this was all for
the Publick
benefit.
31.
Plenty of Rain last night. Mr. S.
preaches for
Dr. Mather
m. and he preaches with us p. m with great
vigor, Mat.
20. 4, 5. Mr. Mayhew preaches for Mr.
Walter.
Novr. 1. Jarvis arrives, brings News of the King's
being at
Helvet Sluys waiting for a wind. He came
from
Plimouth 7r.
15. Suposes the same wind carried the
King
to
Mr. Webb prays.
Novr. 5. Now about had a Conference about Piscataqua
Duties. Govr persuaded to Moderation; a
Treaty with
them by
Comittees. I am a Massachusets man: --
Comit-
tee is
agreed on. They Give the Govr
£250. By Can-
dle-Light
tbe Govr sends in and Dissolves them by the
Secretary. Govr ask'd the Council's Advice,
but I think
had it not.
Monday, Novr 8. Set out for
P. Dudley in
the Governour's Chariot from the Town-
House to the
Ferry. From
ley in a
Calash. Din'd at Lewis's, had a
Comfortable
Journy. No Sheriff met us. Lodge at Brother Hirst's
because of
Brother's preparation for Cousin Margaret's
Wedding.
[The following additional entries are in
the Magunkaquog volume. ]
* Nov. 8. 1714. Rains much in the Night. Snows hard in the
morning, yet
clears up. Ride with Mr. Attorny in the
Governour's
Charret to
the Ferry. Set out from
11. David waits on us. Have a very good dinner at Lewis's, boil'd
Beef and
very good Roast Fowls. Mr. Ogilvy, his
wife and others
there. Mr. John Barnard de Diacono came in,
and Returned
Thanks. Get to
shut
up. By Consent of all Lodg'd at Bror.
Hirst's. He came and in-
vited
me. Cous. Margaret is just upon her
Marriage. 9r. 9th. Had
a
comfortable Night's Rest. Laus Deo.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 25
*
Lynde. Grand Jury, Mr. Simon Willard, Foreman,
18. One Jury
Trial only,
Mr. Nathanl Marston, Foreman. Stacy vers. Savage,
Apeal. Hinde against Dimond, Apeal. About riding a Horse un-
mercifully
in a Storm, till he died. For Hinde,
costs, Six pounds,
9s. Former Jury set the Horse
at £5 specially, and the Court gave
Judgement
for the Defendant.
Nov. 10. 1714. Lent to David Sinclar a Conecticut 40s Bill of
Credit, £2.
O. O.
Col. Hathorn, Mr. Noyes, Mr. Green, Mr.
Corwin, Mr. Chever, Mr.
Thorsday, Nov. 11. Col. Sam. Brown invites me to Diner. Go
with my
Brother on board the Hampshire, Merchant, Abel Combs,
Master,
ready to sail for
120 Tuns
Burden. Din'd with Col. S. Brown, where
were Major
Brown and
his Lady, Mr. Justice Corwin, Lynde, Mr. Noyes, Mr.
Cooke and
his wife. Had a very noble Treat. In the Evening Mr.
Noyes
Married Mr. John Higginson, Widower, and Mrs. Margaret
Sewall. Parents of the Bride-groom and Bride present,
and Capt.
Gardener and
his Son, Capt. Gardener, Bro. Hirst and his wife and
daughter, my
Grand-daughter Mary Hirst. Sung 5 Staves
of the
45 Psalm,
from Myrrh Aloes1 to the end. I set
Novr. 9th. Though had but four or five Actions could
not finish
the Court. Cous. Storke dines.
Novr. 10. Mr. Noyes prays. The Jury increase the
Judgment
against Capt Arthur Savage, even beyond the
writ; sent
them out signifying that both were in fault,
might Lessen
the Judgment. Adjourn'd to Pratt's, and
there sine
die.
Mr. George Corwin preach' d a very good
Sermon. Mr.
Noyes,
Corwin, Green,
with us.
Thorsday Novr. 11. Brother and I went with Mr.
Storke on
board the Hampshire, Merch't Abel Combs
Master. They sail'd about one a-clock. In the Evening
1 Bay Psalm Book, Ps. xlv. 8: --
"Myrrhs Aloes and Cassias smell
all of thy Garments had." -- EDS.
26 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
Mr. Noyes.
Marryes Mr. Jn° Higginson, and cousin Mar-
garet.1 Parents of Bridegroom and Bride present. And
Capt.
Gardener, the Bridegroom's Father-in-Law, and his
son Capt.
Gardener, honored the Wedding with their
presence. Mr. Noyes pray'd. After sung 5 staves of the
45. Ps. from
Myrrhe Aloes.
Friday, Novr 12. I set out for
Rain'd
pretty hard before David and I got to Lewis's (Mr.
Din' d
there. Mr. Epes and his Wife and
children met us
there, so
wet, and children crying, that resolv'd to lodge
at Lewis's. Are removing to
Snow and
Rain on our backs; yet it beat on the fore-part
of the
Calash, and wet us pretty much.
Ferry-boat was
just ready;
Got home comfortably about 10. Minutes
after Five;
shifted stockings and shoes. Though had
my
heavy cloak
on; yet hardly ever felt less weariness in
walking from
the Ferry, home; where find all well; Laus
Deo!
Monday Novr 15. Town is full of the sad News of the
Packet's
being Cast away.
Novr. 16th. Meet the Proprietors of Dunstable at the
Green
Dragon. After that had a Meeting of the
Comis-
sioners.
Novr. 18. Mr. Bridge preaches the Lecture. Obiter,
shew'd twas
but Just that should have a Charitable opin-
ion of each
other.2
1 John Higginson, 3d, of
11, 1695,
who died June 24, 1713. He married
secondly, Nov. 11, 1714,
Margaret,
daughter of Captain Stephen Sewall. He
died April 26, 1718,
aged
forty-two years. -- EDS.
2 In looking over the notes of the many
sermons heard by Judge Sewall,
which he
thought worthy of a sketch, a reader can hardly fail to observe the
simple,
fiat, and commonplace character of the remarks or emphatic points
which he
reports from the preachers. He evidently
loved simplicity in the
pulpit. But some of the sermons must have been a
little more profound and
sinewy. --
EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 27
Novr. 24. Very cold day. Mr. George 1 laid in my
Tomb till
Madam George have an oportunity to build
one. Bearers, Tho.
Fitch, Danl
Oliver; Jn° Colman, Grove Hirst. Was a
Well-accomplish'd
Merchant, and apears to have been a
good
Christian, desirable, usefull Man. All
the Ministers
had scarvs.
Novr. 25. Thanks-giving day; very cold, but not so
sharp as
yesterday. My wife was sick, fain to
keep the
Chamber and
not be at Diner.
Lord's-Day, Novr 28. Rains very much. Have the
Lord's Super
at the New North, which is the first time.
My son
preaches there in the After-noon.
Novr. 29. Mrs. Barrel buried. Col. Hutchinson and I
follow'd
next the Women. I told him twas that day
Five
and twenty
years since we Landed at the
our Passage
from
Novr. 30. Now about a Letter is written to the Agent2
to direct
him to oppose the Bankers, or stay them till Ad-
vice from
the
for that
end. Govr urges it with
considerable Warmth,
but much of
the Letter that was drawn by the Governour,
was not
sent, not agreed to. I perceive the
Bankers de-
sign to
petition at home for a Charter of Incorporation;
which may be
a matter of very great Concern to this
Government.
Decr. 1. Brother Moodey comes to Town to get an
Agreement
drawn up in order to his intended Marriage
with Mrs.
Abigail Fryer: Her Maiden name was Frost.
Governour
tells me of Mr. Pierpont's death at New Ha-
ven, a very
great Blow to that Colony, and to all New-
1 Doubtless John George, merchant, of
daughter of
Rev. Samuel Lee. See Vol. I. p.148, note.
The widow mar-
ried Dr.
Cotton Mather, July 5, 1715, as his third wife, and survived him.
-- EDS.
2 Jeremiah Dummer. See Palfrey, IV..335.
-- EDS.
28 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
Mather each
of them an Angel.1 Decr.
2. To Mr. Pem-
berton
ditto. Some days agoe to Mr. Holms and
Craig-
head.
Decr. 4. Brother Moodey returns homeward.
Decr. 5. Capt. Thomas Richards dyes.
Monday, Xr. 6. The Govr calls a Council, and pro-
rogues the
that if no
orders arrived this Assembly might be in a
readiness
for the Election: If the Govr falls he will fall
upon the
Lieut Govr.; 3 and who shall grant writts to call a
New-Assembly;
or if they doe, who will obey them?
Townsend
said, An Assembly had been called without
Govr
or Lieut. Govr. 4 I said I
hop'd orders would arrive
to prevent
all Disputes. The News-Letter of this
day,
mentions the
Assembly's sitting Xr. 15.
Dec'r 7.
Superr Court sits, Mr. Pemberton prays; Son
dines with
the Court at the green Dragon.
Xr. 8.
Son prays: no Minister dines with us.
Dec; 9. Mr. Colman preaches, Dr. Cotton
Mather
dines: Genl
Nicholson, Lt Govr, Col. Hutchinson, Towns-
end, Dumer,
Mr. Sam1 Lynde, Capt. Edward Brattle.
Govr
was invited, but came not to Town. Capt.
Steel is
1 About ten shillings English. -- EDS.
2 "There were only two ordinary
sessions of the General Court this Year,
both of
which acts were passed. The Court was
called together in a
Special
Session upon the arrival of the tidings of the death of Queen
Anne, that
the members might take the oath of allegiance, and adopt
an Address
to King George, and sat from the twenty-ninth of September to
the second
of October, when it was dismissed, no acts having been passed.
The Assembly
again convened on the twentieth of October, in accordance
with the
prorogation, and was dissolved on the fifteenth of November.
On ~
the tenth of
November, writs were issued for a new Assembly to convene on
the
fifteenth of December, but on the sixth of December, this Court was
prorogued by
proclamation, to the nineteenth of January, before which day
it was dissolved
in the same manner." Province Laws,
3 Sewall's meaning seems to be that the
Governor intimated that his own
fall would
involve equally the fall of the Lieutenant-Governor. -- EDS.
4 See Palfrey, IV. 339. --EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 29
told that if
he expected the
must speak
in time before they were dismiss'd: He ex-
press'd
himself for it, and Mr. Valentine his Attorny.
Then I
declar'd my Opinion for the Grand-Jury and said,
I would not
sit too Try Capt. Steel except it were brought
on that
way. I think at Pattens Mr. Attorny
show'd
Genl
Nicholson's Letter to him expecting his aprobation
of the
Information, and that the Govr had directed him to
follow the General's
Direction.1
Decr. 10.
Grand-Jury brings in Ignoramus upon Capt.
Steel's
Presentm't. Just before
Diner, the Govr and Coun-
cil come in
and take the Right Hand, and the Court &c.
the Left:
Grand-Jury had the seats at our end, Mr. Wm
Torrey, the
Fore-man, sat at the extremity of ours.
Mr.
Sheriff Read
the Proclamation in his place, I think Genl
Nicholson
desired it. Mr. Secretary having made
the In-
troduction;
Had not been any Gen'l Meeting since re-
ceived the
Letters which the Packet brought: so did it
at this
Supream Lord
of the Massachusets. We have had this to
Ballance our
Court's being Remov'd to December, that
we have had
the Honor of the King's being Proclaim'd in
it. Capt. Blacket and Mead were at the
Proclamation.
But Capt.
Mead only Din'd with us.
The Grand-Jury dismiss'd.
Saterday, Decr. 11th.
only Sewall, Thomas, and Lynde hold
the
Court. Mr. Justice Corwin is gone home;
Chief Jus-
tice
indispos'd. Mr. Tay's Jury bring in
their verdict for
Jackson
Confirmation for building five Pues in the
Wooden old
Meeting house, set a-work by Elisha Cooke
esqr. the
Father. Mr. Justice Lynde ask'd some
ques-
tions of the
Jury with a seeming dissatisfaction. I
said I
thought they
had done Right. Mr. Thomas whispered
1 A criminal information is not founded on an investigation by a
Grand
Jury. --
EDS.
30 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
me in the
ear, He thought they had done Right, though
he was
against
moving in
the
and declares
the Verdict.
Lord's-Day, Xr. 12. Neither Capt. Belchar, nor Capt.
Williams
abroad: my Son reads the Psalm.
Xr. 13.
I visit Capt. Williams, who has been very
sick ever
since last Wednesday. Tells me he was 71
years old
that day my son was ordain'd. Desires
Prayers.
Visit Deacon
Marion, who has kept house many days.
Decr. 14. Mr. Secretary leaves the council by reason
of pain in
his bowels, goes to his House of office, and
there voids
a great quantity of Blood; call'd his Indian
Girl: but
she could not suport him but that he fell down
in the way
to the house and more help came and led him
in. If this Cedar should fall, twould make the
Province
greatly
shake.
Decr. 17. Mr. Secretary is in Council again. 'Tis voted
that the
Platt of Canada River which Capt. Southack has
made; be
presented by our Agent, he to ask the Favour
of Genl
Nicholson's company in doing it.
Decr. 17. Mr. William Cooper preaches at Mr. Pem-
berton's
Meeting, from the 4th.
Ps. Lift up the Light of
thy
Countenance -- Prays and preaches excellently.
Mr.
Colman was
there.
Decr. 18. Mrs. Judith Winslow1 buried; a
widow of
near 90
years old, in the old Burying place: in a Tomb.
Bearers,
Cook, Elisha Hutchinson; Sewall, Addington:
Oakes,
Cutler. I returning Mr. Secretary told
me he had
a bad Turn
again last night. This day Mr. Hudson
Lev-
1 Judith Winslow was second wife and
widow of John Winslow, of Bos-
ton, who was
son of John, of
in October,
1683, leaving Judith half of his house and land while she con-
tinued his
widow. For over thirty years she seems
to have respected his
memory. --
EDS.
1714.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 31
erett's
widow 1 is buried at Roxbury.
She died at the
widow
Tomson's house.
I visited Capt. Belchar, who is Confined
by his sore
Legs.
Midweek, Decr. 22. My Son Joseph and I visited my
Son at
Brooklin, sat with my Daughter in the chamber
some
considerable time, Drank Cider, eat Apples.
Sarah
Cumin sat in
the same Room on the Bed with her sore
Leg. Daughter said nothing to us of her
Greivances, nor
we to her.2 Mr. Josiah Winchester, and Aspinwall were
by reason
below with my Son upon Business.
Decr. 23. Dr. C. Mather preaches excellently from Ps.
37. Trust in the Lord &c. only spake of the
Sun being
in the
centre of our System. I think it
inconvenient to
assert such
Problems."
1 Very little seems to be known of Hudson
Leverett, famous only for his
father and
his son. His first wife was Sarah
Peyton, who was alive in 1674
(Suff.
Deeds, lib. 13, f. 384). The following
documents show that he mar-
ried,
secondly, about 1692, a widow, Elizabeth Myham, who survived him,
and whose
death is here recorded. Leverett seems
to have died poor, as his
son refused
to pay his small legacies. In the
settlement of the great Leverett
estate, it
seems that he had at best a life interest in a part of his father's
property.
The name of his wife, Myham, is plainly
written on the will, but it is not
known to
us. The name Mylam, Milam, or Milom, is
a
The will of Hudson Leverett, gent., is on
file in Sufiolk Probate Office,
No. 1986,
but is not recorded. It is dated Oct.
10, 1692. He mentions son,
John
Leverett, daughter, Mary Leverett, son, Thomas Leverett. Gives to
wife,
Elizabeth, £200 ; to "wife's daughter, my daughter-in-law, Elizabeth
Myham,"
£30; to cousin Esther Pawmer, £10. Son
John, executor;
friends
Richard Wilkins, bookseller, and Enoch Greenleafe, trunk-maker,
overseers.
John Leverett, Dec. 1, 1692, executor,
"declared his refusal of that trust,
not finding bona
notabilia whereon to administer."
Suff. Deeds, Lib. 16, f. 368. Sept. 16, 1692, Hudson Leverett, for his
conjugal
love and affection to Elizabeth, his present wife, gave to David
Adams, of
Boston, blockmaker, and Abraham Adams, of the same, inn-
holder, as
trustees for her, a note of Harlakenden Symonds for £30, and
also various
household goods. Also six acres of land
at New-London.
Aug. 8, 1694, the trustees delivered the
same to her. -- EDS.
2 We have already noted the fact of the
evidences of a disagreement be-
tween Samuel
Sewall, Jr., and his wife, Governor Dudley's daughter. -- EDS.
32 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [1714.
Decr. 25. Shops open, &c as on other days, very
pleas-
ant
weather. Capt. Williams buried; Bearers,
Col.
Checkly,
Capt. Hill, Mr. Tay, &c.
Mrs. Bradstreet of Newbury, her killing
her Negro
woman is
much talked of.1
Lord's Day, Decembr. 26. Mr. Bromfield and I go and
keep the
Sabbath with Mr. John Webb, and sit down with
that Church
at the Lord's Table. I did it to hold
Com-
munion with
that Church; and, so far as in me lay, to
put Respect
upon that affronted, despised Lord's Day.
For the
Church of England had the Lord's Super, yester-
day, the
last day of the Week: but will not have it to-day,
the day that
the Lord has made.2 And Genl Nicholson,
who kept
Satterday, was this Lord's Day Rumaging
and
Chittering with Wheelbarrows &c., to get aboard at
the long
Wharf, and Firing Guns at Setting Sail.
I
thank God, I
heard not, saw not any thing of it: but was
quiet at the
New North. I did it also to Countenance
a
young small
Church, and to shew that I was pleas'd with
them for
having the Lord's Super once in four Weeks,
and upon one
of the Sabbaths that was vacant.3
Had a
very comfortable
Day.
Decr. 27. Very pleasant wether. My Son tells me
that Thomas
Sewall went to the Church of England last
Satterday:
He expostulated with him about it.
Decr. 28. Govr sends to my Son to invite the
Ministers
to Diner to
morrow: sends his Coach for the Doctors;
only Dr.
Cotton Mather, Mr. Colman, Sewall, Webb,
1 Dr. Humphrey Bradstreet, son of Moses
Bradstreet, was of Newbury,
and by wife
Sarah had seven children, 1692-1713. He
died May 11, 1717,
and his
widow married, secondly, June 9, 1719, Edward Sargent. Coffin
(History of
Newbury) refers to Sewall's Diary, but cannot add any light upon
this
subject. -- EDS.
2 Another evidence of Sewall's
unconquerable prejudice against a recog-
nition of
Christmas-Day. -- EDS.
3 That is, when the rite was not observed
in either of the other Meeting-
houses. --
EDS.
171
4/5] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 33
goe, all in
Govr's Coach. Xr.
29 being a storm of
snow.
Midweek, Xr. 30. Mr. Bridge preaches, No Govr,
Lt.
Govr, Chief-Justice; Jer. Dumer esqr. there.
Decr. 31. Very pleasant day after the Snow; visit Mr.
Mr.
Addington, who takes Physick, though he took some
this week
before; complains for want of Breath. Of
his
own accord
Talk'd to me, About the Circumstances of the
Government;
what should do, if no orders should come
by the first
of February: Said, ought to think before
hand; I
consented with him and had some discourse.
I
desired to
see the Letter about the president of the Coun-
cil; and
pray'd him to let me see the Act at large which
continues
comissions for half a year after the Queen's
death. Son Gerrish and S. Sewall, de Stephana,
visit us.
New-years-day, 1714/15. In the morning read in Course
that awfull
portion of Scripture, Isa. 24. Mr.
Addington
being at his
office, shew'd me the Record of the Queen's
order dated
May, 3. 1707, which is thus concluded:
"The Eldest Councillor who shall be,
at the time of your death
or absence,
residing within our said Province of the Massachusets
Bay, shall
take upon him the Administration of the Government,
and execute
our said Commission and Instructions, and the several
Powers and
Authorities therein contained, in the same manner, and
to all
intents and purposes, as other our Govr or
Comander in Chief
should or
ought to do, in case of your Absence, till your return; or
in all cases
untill our further pleasure be known therein.
So we bid
you
farewell.
"By Her Majs Command,
1 We may set forth briefly the points of
the difficulty about the govern-
ment at this
time. News of the death of Queen Anne,
on the 1st August,
1714, was
received here on September 15th. The
Hazard, sloop, sent with
orders to
our government, was lost on Cohasset rocks, November 12th. The
commissions
of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor by law expired in six
months from
the termination of the preceding reign, namely, on Feb. 1,
1714-15.
By the charter, the Council, or the
major part of them, were to assume
34 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [171 4/5.
Visited Mrs. Kay. In the morning return' d Mr. Cut-
ler the
Watch he gave me upon Trial this day Senight at
Capt.
Williams's Funeral.
Jany
2. L. Day. My Son changes with Mr. Webb, by
which means
I miss hearing him this day, and Decr. 26th.
Jan 10.
Snowy day, Mr. Gee sends his Son to invite
me to Diner
to morrow at his house.
Tuesday Jany 11th. went thither, where din'd Dr. Incr.
and Dr. C.
Mather, Mr. Bridge, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr.
Capt.
Martyn, Mr. Hallawell. It seems it was
in remem-
brance of
his Landing this day at
captivity.1 Had a good Treat. Dr. Cotton Mather in
returning
Thanks very well compress'd many weighty
things very
pertinently. After Diner,
notwithstanding
the Fogg, I
visited Mr. Bradstreet; Madam Bradstreet
and her
daughter remain very ill still. I gave
him an
Angel to buy
him a few candles. Got home well. Laus
Deo.
Midweek, Jany 12. Genl
Council. It being mov'd:
Council were
of opinion the Genl Court was dissolv'd;
because
Prorogued before met, which was not agreeable
to
Charter. Now declared it to be
dissolv'd. Govr men-
tioned the
renewing Comissions. I mov'd to adjourn
to
the
government, which they did, on the presumption that the order in the text did
not supersede the charter.
The supremacy of the Council was short, as
on March 21st, Dudley dis-
played a new
commission reinstating him, probably, ad interim.
March 17, 1715, Colonel Elizeus or Elisha
Burgess was appointed Gov-
ernor, in
England, and he remained there. His
commission, with that to
the new
Lieutenant-Governor, William Tailer, was published in Boston,
Nov. 9,
1715. Tailer then succeeded, and
J. Dummer,
however, in
£1,000, and
Colonel Samuel Shute was made Governor, June 15,1716, with
William
Dummer as his Lientenant-Governor. Shute
arrived here Oct. 4,
1716. --
EDS.
1 Undoubtedly the host was Joshua Gee,
Sr., father of Rev. Joshua Gee,
the
colleague of Cotton Mather. See a
reference in Vol. I. p. 199, to this
captivity.
-- EDS.
171 4/5.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 35
the 2d
Febr. But the Govr adjourned
to the 26th Jany. I
mov'd that Lt
Col. Somersby might be sent to transmit
a copy of
his Inquest about Mrs. Bradstreet's Negro.
Govr
oppos'd and
check'd me, said twas to accomplish a diligent
search. Col.
Noyes inform'd what was done, which gave
me occasion
to speak. Mr. Pemberton and Mr. Colman
in their
Lectures pray God to continue the Govr, if it
may be.
Jany 26. Genl Council; Govr
offers a Proclamation to
be voted to
continue all Officers till the K. pleasure
known. Mr. B. Lynde, Major Genl W., Col.
Hutchinson
opos'd
it. Consideration was desired till
morning. Then
it was
Negativ'd; but 2 or 3 for it. I spake
for it on
Wednesday,
saying it enter'd not into the Question act
[on account
of ?] the 6. Moneths end. But now I voted
with my
Brethren, for I saw twas so worded as to tie up
the hands of
the Council from making any Alteration
though the
Government should be devolved on them
next week. Went to visit Mr. Pemberton and wife: but
they were
not at home.
Jany 30. Cold day.
Mr. Pemberton prays that God
would Govern
the Succession of the Government.
Jany 27. My Son preach'd to a numerous Congrega-
tion,
finishing his Text, Blessed are the pure in heart.
Jany 31. There is a Sessions held in
Tuesday, February 1. As I was busy in signing Bills,
Mr.
Bromfield came to me and desired me to go to the
Major Genl
at Ten a-clock; they had some discourse yes-
terday at
the Sessions, Several would be there. I
got
thither
about 11., was the first and were but 4. in all, as
I remember;
Sewall, Em Hutchinson, Jos. Lynde Mr.
Bromfield. Agreed to call as many as we could together
at the
Council-Chamber at 3. p. m. there met
12. viz.
Mr.
Winthrop, Tailer, Elisha Hutchinson, Sewall, Jos.
Lynde, Em
Hutchinson, Bromfield Winslow, Clark, Da-
venport,
Hutchmson Thomas, Mr. Secretary. Col. Towns-
36 DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL. [171 4/5.
end was at
Roxbury, to hear his son That preaches.
Col.
Phillips
came not over; Mr. Comissary was indispos'd by
the
Gout. Col. Lynde sent his son Phillips
with the
Letters; we
had Spoken of another. Mr. Bromfield had
spoken to
Flag to warn them. Lt Govr,
as I hear, en-
quir'd what
the Major Genl had to do to warn a Council?
When were
together in the Closet, I mollified a little by
saying we
were not a Council, but some Gentlemen of
the Council
met together upon an extraordrnary occa-
sion, which
Mr. Tailer took up with, placidly; After a
pretty deal
of Talk, I motion'd that we might send to the
Governour to
enquire whether He had received any Or-
ders; which
was readily agreed to. At last, when I
could
shift it no
longer, Sewall, Jo. Lynde,
Hutchinson
went into the said Hutchinson's Coach.
Got
thither a
little after Five, only the Governour's Lady was
there; Mr. Wm
Dudley received us, and call'd the Govr.
After
a-while I rose up, and began to do the Message,
Govr
would have me sit down. The Message was
this;
May it
please your Excellency, whereas the Six Months
given by the
Parliament of Great Britain, for continuing
persons in
their Civil and Military Offices; do expire this
day: These are humbly to enquire whether your
Excel-
lency has
received Orders from our Soveraign Lord King
George,
enabling you to sustain the place of Governour
of this
Province longer? If you have receiv'd no
such
Orders, we
are of opinion that Authority is devolv'd upon
His Majs
Council, by the direction of our charter; and
that we are
oblig'd in obedience thereunto, and for the
welfare of
His Majesties Subjects here, to exert our selves
accordingly.
We humbly thank your Excellency for your
good Ser-
vices done
this people which are many; and for your
Favour to
our selves in particular, and take leave to sub-
scribe our
selves your Excellency's most humble and
faithfull
Servants.
17l 4/5.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 37
Note.
I had drawn this up, but they would vote but
what is on
the other side.1
I intended it as a Letter: But they would
have it by
word of
Mouth. So I shew'd not the paper. The Gov-
ernour's
Answer was, I have received no Orders: and ex-
press'd an
Aversion to enter into discourse. I
said, If was
out of the
Province, this much more. Govr
said that
was a Jest;
might be out of the Province at a great dis-
tance, at
more to be
at Cascobay, than at
to me,
saying, Judge Sewall. 'Twas Candlelight,
went to
the door and
crav'd Excuse for not going to the Gate.
And sent no
body with us.
Govr said there were Thirty
Canada Indians at Piscata
qua, he was
listening after it.
When return'd, found our Company Waiting
for us.
When we had
related the Governour's Answer, and they
perceived by
his declining to argue the matter, he de-
sign'd to
hold his place, it put the Gentlemen to it.
seem'd to be
of that mind; Mr. Winthrop would have had
the
Secretary write Letters; but he said, 'Twas no Coun-
cil he could
not doe it. I said Let us write and all
sub-
scribe. Mr. Winthrop was so knockt that he said it
could
not be done,
if the Secretary declin'd. The Lt
Govr and
Secretary
left us. At last resolv'd to Write, and
writ
Five
Letters; To Situate, Marble-head, Salem, Ipswich,
Newbury. Gave the Northern Letters to Col. Lynde to
send from
Charlestown by an Express. Gave Capt.
Cushin's to
a Marshfield man whom Col. Winslow directed
us to; he to
pay him for how much he went out of his
way. Time fix'd in the Letter sign'd by Ten, was
two
a-clock p.
m. Febr. 3.
1 Meaning what is on the other side of
the leaf in his Journal, closing
with the
word "accordingly." -EDS.
38 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [171 4/5.
Febr. 2.
Went to the Meeting at Bror Thornton's, read
out of Mr.
Shepard on the Virgins. They that were
ready went
in: sung clauses out of the 45th Psalm.
Thorsday, Feb: 3. Very great Congregation; Dr.
Mather prays
for them that had the Administration of the
Government;
mentions neither Govr nor Lieut. Govr. Lt
Govr
was present.
Thorsday, Febr 3. p. m. The Councillors met, whose
Names are to
the Proclamation. Had long debate, drew
up votes to
state the Question till I was weary. At
last
voted the
Devolution; only 2 or 3 that did not vote;
Then ordered
4. to acquaint the Govr what was done;
viz, Elisha
Hutchinson esqr. Eliakim Hutchinson esqr.
Penn
Townsend Esqr. and Josiah Winslow esqr.
They
went though
the night was pretty well enter'd. Many
of
us stayed
till they return'd: Govr said
was not dead, nor
out of the
province. Adjourned to the morning.
Friday, Febr. 4. Drew up a Proclamation; at my
going to
Diner Col Hutchinson desired me to draw some-
thing, which
I did, and 'twas agreed to with very little;
alteration.
Note.
I had said King William and Queen Mary of
Blessed
Memory, I pleaded when spoken to, They were
our
Founders. Lt Govr
spake hard against it, unless the
same was said
for Queen Anne, so twas struck out.
Mr. Secretary drew that in the English
Letter: Mr.
Secretary
first drew, till His Majesties Orders; which Mr.
B. Lynde and
I opos'd, as that which bound up our hands,
from doing
anything: so twas struck out. Publish'd
it
by Beat of
Drum. Paper was sullied with the
Rain. Mr.
Hiller read
it, out of the Council-Chamber Gallery; Col.
Checkley,
Major Fitch, Capt. Abijah Savage &c. present.
Dr. Cotton
Mather could not be found, Sent for Mr. Pem-
berton, who
was at Capt. Winslow's, and he pray'd with us.
I should
have noted, that Mr. Tailer Contested the prece-
dency with
Mr. Winthrop, seeing he had had the Honor
171 4/5.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 39
to sit at
the Board as Lieut Govr and that the order of
privy seal,
a Copy of which he produc'd, was Dead.
But
the Council
carried it for Mr. Winthrop nemine Con-
tradicente.
Febr. 6. No Govr nor Lt Govr
mentioned in our publick
prayers.
This day I set Windsor Tune, and the people
at the 2d
going over
run into
Tuesday, Febr. 8. I walk with Judge Palmer, Mr.
Danl
Oliver, Capt. Keeling, Constable Wainwright, to
suppress
Disorders. Gave widow Noaks 3s.
Febr. 9.
Council; Col. Phillips, and Capt. Norden take
their Oaths,
to the Devolution Government. I told
Phillips, we
wanted him last week: He said his heart
was
with us; but
he was not well.
Febr. 10.
Mr. Bridge preaches from Ps. 149. 2.
Sung
the 47th
Psalm.
Febr. 11th. Son preaches at Mr. Winthrop's.
Febr. 12.
Last night Mrs. Bethiah Walley is brought
very little
to Bed of a dead child.
Febr. 13.
My wife goes to the Lord's Super.
Richie
Love
Recomended by Mr. Homes.
Febr. 14.
I wait on Dr. Incr. Mather to have a Comis-
sioners
Meeting appointed to morrow, at 3 aclock.
But
when I came
to Dr. C. Mather, he said should be em-
ploy'd in
the Afternoon; so appointed it in the Morning:
Gave Flagg
the List to warn, because Maxwell was Cast
out of the
Church yesterday, and is superanuated.
In the Afternoon, Col. Townsend, Mr.
Bromfield, Mr.
Mr.
Addington, Davenport and I visited the Governour, who
Treated us
with good Drink and Apples. No body went
with us to
the Gate. Govr. Hunter's Proclamation
comes
to Town
dated Jany. 29. ordering those of pernicious prin-
ciples to be
aprehended and punished, who assert that
Comissions
are void at the end of the Six Moneths.
Midweek, Febr. 16. Council, Col. Otis, Capt. Cushing,
40 DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL. [171 4/5.
Col. Noyes,
and Wheelwright, Take the Oaths. Vote to
give New
Comissions to Civil Officers.
17.
Sign many Comissions. The
and
Ministers meet at the Chief Justices in the evening
to speak
about sending an Address, which is agreed to.
I visited
Madam Coney and went from thence to the said
Meeting.
18.
Dr. Cotton Mather, Mr. Pemberton, Colman, come
into Council
and intimat what was discoursed last night at Mr.
Winthrop's. Council order me and Mr. B. Lynde to
give their
Answer, viz, That 'tis agreeable to them, and
they wish it
may be gone forward with. We went imedi-
ately but
can't find them, went to Mr. Pemberton's, Col-
man's. At last as were going to Dr. Mather's, Mr.
Lynde
call'd at
his Brother's and found the Dr. there.
We went
in, drank
Tea, after we had done our Message. A
comis-
sion was
drawn and sign'd for Mr. Wm Dudley as Sheriff;
he was sent
for to offer it to him, He said he had one
already from
the Govr and Council and saw no reason to
take
another, with a Little seeming Banter he said his
had a Seal,
This had none.
Febr. 16.
Bror. goes to Brooklin.
Febr. 19.
A Comission is given to Mr. Wm Pain.
Note. Dr. Incr. Mather was at Mr. Wadsworth's
Lecture.
Febr. 20.
Excellent Wether. Mr. Pemberton
not
abroad in
the forenoon, yet preaches p. m.
Monday, Febr. 21. Son Sewall intended to go home
on the Horse
Tom. brought, sent some of his Linen by
him: but
when I came to read his wive's Letter to me,
his Mother
was vehemently against his going: and I was
for
considering. I took the Horse and rode
to Timo Har-
ris of
Brooklin. Staid there so long that twas
almost
dark before
I got to Roxbury. Meeting house, yet
call'd
and saw Mrs.
Mary Mighell. Visited Mr. Walter, staid
long with
him, read my daughters Letters to her Husband
and me: yet
he still advis'd to his going, home.
Went
171 4/5.] DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. 41
home in the
dark between 7 and 8. My Wife can't yet
agree to my
Son's going home.
Febr. 22.
Lt Govr goes out of Town. Rains most
the day.
Febr. 23.
Great Storm of Rain. Wind at
North-east;
so that
shall hardly have a Council to day.
Midweek, March, 2. Mr. Secretary offers a Draught
for a
Fast. The President persuaded him to
strike out
words about Establishment
of the Government. Mr.
Tailer
procured to have the Prince particularly men-
tion'd. I prevail'd to have Rain Specially
inserted, and
gave the
Words, which I prepar'd at Noon; carried it to
the Press.
Midweek, March, 9. Mr. Secretary is in Council; Fore-
noon and
Afternoon. I remember, I ask'd leave of
him to
go to the
Barbers, assuring him I would return presently.
Fifth-day, March, 10th. Mr. Secretary is taken with
fainting as
he rose out of his Bed in the Morning: sunk
down. Taken agen at Noon. As went out of the Coun-
cil in the
Morning, Mr. Davenport desired me to acquaint
Mr. Sewall
who preach'd: but he was got into pulpit be-
fore I
reach'd the Meetinghouse, so no publick Prayers.
March, 13. Mr. Secretary Pray'd for publickly.
Midweek, March, 16. Lt
Govr comes to me in the
morning,
shews me Mr. Dudley's case truly stated; 'twas
laid at his
Steps. Councillors were much surpris'd:
p. m.
sent for the
Printers: before had done examining them, I
went away to
the Funeral of my Grandson, Billy Hirst,
after I had
acquainted the President.
March, 18. Being desired, I drew up a Proclamation.
Satterday, March, 19. Mr. Secretary Addington dyes
between 11.
and 12. before Noon.1 Govr
Dudley came to
visit him;
but he was dead 1/4 of an hour before.
1 Isaac Addington, a son of a surgeon of
the same name, and of Anne, a
sister of
Governor Leverett, was born in
42 DIARY OF
SAMUEL SEWALL. [171 4/5.
March, 20. Lt Govr. comes to my
house, shews me the
printed Copy
from the London Gazett in Govr Hunter's
hand at
New-York. It seems Mr. Paul Dudley
bestirr'd
himself to
have his Father pray'd for as Govr, and that
the Order
for the Fast might not be Read. Mr.
Pember-
ton Spake to
me as went by the foreseat in the morning.
I Spake
against it as I could so on a sudden surprise, men-
tion'd the
Exception, or provision be made. Mr.
Sewall
pray'd as
formerly. Mr. Pemberton ask'd if I had
read